Border Collie

Unique Physical Features

• Flexible shoulders with extra space between the shoulder blades. This allows them to crouch and slink close to the ground while herding.


• A particularly intense stare, called “eye.” Useful in herding, this staring helps to intimidate and then control the movement of the sheep or other livestock.

Unique Personality

A Border Collie is rather single-minded — it’s all about work! This breed is happiest when they have a task to do. Their favorite activities involve working as a team with their person. This makes Border Collies ideal dogs for active lifestyles and dog sports, especially agility. Intelligent and independent, a Border Collie wants to save the cuddling for after their workday is over. Their brain is always going and they are very responsive to their environment. Border Collies need their rest so they don’t become high-strung and nervous. Providing a calm resting place and sufficient “downtime” is crucial for this breed.

History of the Border Collie

Border Collies are descendants of dogs brought to Britain by the Romans to guard and herd the livestock that came with them. These Roman dogs weren’t ideal for the highland terrain of Scotland and Wales, and over time shepherds created better-suited herding dogs. As the Roman empire dissolved, Viking invaders introduced their spitz-type breeds to the British Isles. When crossed with the larger Roman dogs, the results were perfect for the rough terrain and cold climate. These dogs were the foundation for our modern-day Border Collies.

While integral in the lives of Scottish and Welsh shepherds for centuries, it wasn’t until the end of the 19th century that the Border Collie breed was truly refined. Old Hemp, a Border Collie born in 1893, is considered the father of the breed. Owned by Adam Telfer of Northumberland, Old Hemp had a quiet yet intense working style compared to other Collies of the time. His herding style became highly sought after, and he is said to have sired more than 200 puppies before he passed away in 1901.

Lumped in with other Scotch Collies of the time, the term Border Collie was first used in 1915 to distinguish them from the Collie and Bearded Collies. Primarily bred for working ability and registered with the International Sheep Dog Society rather than the Kennel Club, the Border Collie wasn’t big in the show ring for quite some time. In fact, the Border Collie didn’t officially join the American Kennel Club’s herding group until 1995, after spending 50 years in the miscellaneous group.

Border Collie Behavior & Training

Border Collies are not for the faint of heart. This breed requires a huge commitment of time and energy to meet their working dog needs. But if you have the energy and can handle sometimes being outsmarted by your dog, you’re in for an amazing experience. These dogs are eager to please, making training fun. Many Border Collies are more toy and play-oriented than food motivated. Use positive reinforcement training to build a strong working relationship with your Border Collie.

Plays Well with Others?

• Border Collies tend to be reserved with strangers and don’t usually enjoy their space being invaded. Set your Border Collie up for success by practicing positive socialization and handling exercises from puppyhood and continued positive training through adulthood. Proper proactive exposure to new sights, sounds, people, dogs, and other animals as a young puppy is essential for their future socialization skills. Trainer Tip: Pair meeting new people or animals with high-value training treats or a favorite toy, and keep introductions short and sweet, so it doesn’t get overwhelming.




TRAINER TIP

Pair meeting new people or animals with high-value training treats or a favorite toy, and keep introductions short and sweet, so it doesn’t get overwhelming.



• This breed’s natural herding instincts can make living with younger children difficult. They will do better with older children that don’t run around or squeal, which often triggers herding and nipping behavior. However, they can make wonderful family dogs if socialized with children from puppyhood and given appropriate outlets for their herding instincts. Children should always be taught how to interact with dogs in a respectful and polite way to help keep everyone safe. Young children and dogs should always be supervised, and it’s helpful for a dog to have their own “safe space” where they can go when they need some quiet time.


• Border Collies will do well with other animals in the home if they are properly socialized from puppyhood, and if their herding instincts are directed to appropriate activities.

Exercise Requirements

Border Collies were bred for stamina to herd all day. As such, they need more than a daily jog or a game of fetch to burn off their excess energy. Aim for at least one hour of physical exercise paired with lots of mental enrichment and brain games. Participation in active dog sports that let your Border Collie run will go a long way in providing the exercise they need (both for their bodies and their brains!).

That being said, it’s important to provide a Border Collie with time to rest and recharge. Their herding instincts mean that they are very responsive to movement and other environmental stimuli. If they are constantly bombarded with activity, they can become overstimulated, nervous, and reactive. After a long day at work, make sure they have a quiet and calm place to relax and recover.

Speak with your veterinarian about appropriate exercise for a Border Collie puppy. Until they are full-grown (bone growth plates typically all close by around 1 year of age), avoid strenuous or repetitive activities like jogging or running — as this can increase their risk of damage to the growing bone and cartilage, causing pain and future joint issues.

Mental Enrichment Needs

Mental enrichment and brain games will help you meet the extensive physical exercise needs of a Border Collie. Put their brains to work with puzzles, work-to-eat toys, training games, flirt pole play, and scent work activities. Mental exercise burns excess energy and will prevent your Border Collie from finding their own job to do. Border Collie puppies especially benefit from enrichment and puzzles as they grow up.

Fun Activities the Border Collie Enjoys

Border Collies excel in many different activities:

• Herding / Treibball


• Agility


• Nosework


• Disc Dog


• Canine Freestyle


• Rally Obedience


• Search and Rescue


• Trick Training

Border Collie Coat Type

A Border Collie can have one of two types of double-coat: a longer rough coat or a shorter smooth coat. This breed can have any coat and eye color, including merle patterns. The most common color seen in Border Collies is black and white.

A Border Collie needs regular brushing, especially if they have a longer coat, to prevent tangling and keep their skin and fur healthy. While average shedders, you might notice an increase of shedding during seasonal “blowing of coat,” which tends to be twice a year during spring and fall. Brushing more frequently during these times will help keep the furballs around the house to a minimum.

Best Brush for a Border Collies: Pin comb, Slicker brush

Famous Owners of the Border Collie

• Ethan Hawke (Actor)


• Anna Paquin (Actress)


• Jon Bon Jovi (Singer)


• Robert Burns (Poet)


• Queen Victoria (Royalty)


• James Dean (Actor)

Famous Border Collies

Chaser, who is known as the smartest dog in the world, has even impressed Neil deGrasse Tyson

Border Collies in Books, Movies and TV

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Common Health Conditions for the Border Collie Breed

Use the chart of Trupanion claims data below to find out what health conditions happen most frequently for Border Collie. Every Border Collie is unique, but understanding what health conditions are likelier to occur can help you be a more prepared pet owner.