Border Collie

also known as Sheepdog, Scotch Sheep Dog

Pros Summary


The Border Collie is a medium-sized, herding dog breed that originated in the Anglo-Scottish border region. They were originally bred to herd sheep and cattle. The breed's name "Border Collie" comes from its origins in the border region between England and Scotland. The breed was first recognized by the Kennel Club (UK) in 1976. It is also recognized by other kennel clubs and organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). They are known for their high intelligence, trainability, and work ethic. They make great family pets, but they require regular exercise and consistent training.

Breed Information


Type

Is Border Collie a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Border Collies originally used for?

Sheep Herding

Lifespan

How Long Do Border Collies Live? What is average life expectancy for a Border Collie? How long can Border Collies live?

12-15 years

The average Border Collie lifespan is somewhere between 12-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Border Collie Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Border Collie?

What is the average height of a Border Collie? How big is a Purebred Border Collie height? Border Collie dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 19-22 inches (48.3 - 55.9 cm) 16.0 inches (40.6 cm) 18.0 inches (45.7 cm) 20.5 inches (52.1 cm)
Female 18-21 inches (45.7 - 53.3 cm) 15.0 inches (38.1 cm) 16.5 inches (41.9 cm) 19.5 inches (49.5 cm)
What is the average weight of a Border Collie? How much should Border Collies weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 30-55 pounds (14 - 25 kg) 15.0 pounds (7 kg) 30.0 pounds (14 kg) 37.5 pounds (17 kg)
Female 27-50 pounds (12 - 23 kg) 13.0 pounds (6 kg) 27.0 pounds (12 kg) 35.0 pounds (16 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Border Collies get fat easily?

The Border Collie is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Border Collies Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Border Collie is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Border Collie personality? What are Border Collie dogs best known for?

Intelligent
Alert
Tenacious
Protective
Energetic
Responsive
Loyal

Shedding Level

Are Border Collies heavy shedders? How Much Does a Border Collie Shed?

Border Collie dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Border Collie. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Border Collie dog?

The Border Collie dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Border Collies come from?

Great Britain

Ancestry

What are Border Collies descended from?

Roman Herding Dogs, Spitz-type Herders

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Border Collie breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
The American Int. Border Collie Registry
The American Border Collie Association

Date of Birth

When were Border Collies first bred? How old is the Border Collie breed?

1800s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Border Collie?

Herding (AKC:1995 & UKC)

Border Collie Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Border Collie eyes?

Blue
Hazel
Brown
Amber

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Border Collie nose be naturally?

Black
Brown

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Border Collie coat be naturally?

Black
Gray
Brown
Red
Cream
Blue
White
Sable
Brindle

Coat Length

How long is a Border Collies coat?

The coat of a Border Collie falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Border Collie Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Border Collie?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Border Collie have in a litter? How many puppies can a Border Collie have in her first litter?

12-15 puppies per pregnancy

A Border Collie can have a litter of 12-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Border Collies are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Border Collie Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Border Collies have a lot of health problems?

The Border Collie is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Border Collie?

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Hip Dysplasia
Pannus
Hypothyroidism
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Portosystemic Shunt

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Border Collies?

Epilepsy
Lens Luxation
Multidrug Resistance

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Border Collie breed?

Eye
Hip
Blood Test
Physical Examination

Border Collie Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Border Collies have a lot of energy?

Border Collies are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Border Collies need socialization? How social are Border Collies?

Border Collie have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Border Collies get?

The Border Collie needs a high level of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They also make great companions for people who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy running, hiking or other outdoor activities. These breeds are not suitable for people with sedentary lifestyle or those who live in small apartments

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Border Collie have? Do Border Collies sleep a lot?

Border Collies are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Border Collie drool a lot?

The Border Collie is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Border Collie dogs tends to bark less frequently than most other dogs. They tend to be quieter and less vocal than other breeds. They may only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner of something or to communicate something. They do not bark excessively, and may not bark as much as other dogs in certain situations, such as when they are left alone.

Territorial

Do Border Collies exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Border Collies mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Border Collie running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Border Collie dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Border Collies enjoy doing? How do I keep my Border Collie busy?

Go to Beach, Bike ride, Boat ride, Walk, Run, Frisbee, Go Camping, Road trip, Hike, Swim, Tug-of-war, Play, Fetch, Brushing, Shake, Dog Parks, Catch treats, Walks, Workin, Running, Swimming, Walking, 4 years, Belly rubs, Playing, Sniffing, Hiking, Chase, Being rubbed, Cuddling

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Border Collie? How much energy does a Border Collie have?

High

Border Collies are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Border Collie walk each week? How many miles should a Border Collie walk every week?

14 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Border Collie, it's at least 14 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Border Collie should exercise a day? How much activity does a Border Collie need?

90 minutes

In general most Border Collies usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Border Collie?

The Border Collie is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Border Collie?

Weekly

Border Collie should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Border Collies?

Pin Brush
Flea Comb
Dematter
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Border Collie eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 30-55 pound (14 - 25 kg) Border Collie feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Border Collie Cost Daily?

$2.50 - $3.20 / day

The average cost of a Border Collie is somewhere $2.50 - $3.20 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Border Collie Cost Per Month?

$74 - $95 / month

The average per month expenses of a Border Collie is between $74 - $95. This makes an average of $888 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Border Collie Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Border Collie?

The Border Collie breed is considered highly intelligent and very easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Border Collie dog?

This dog breed is particularly attuned to its environment and the emotions of those around it. It can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, new environments, and unfamiliar people or animals. This dog is best suited for individuals or families who are patient, gentle, and understanding of its sensitive nature. It may also benefit from a calm and stable home environment, with a consistent routine and plenty of positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Border Collie dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Border Collie do well in apartments? Are Border Collies good indoor dogs?

It's not recommended to keep the Border Collie in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Border Collies living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.

Child Friendly

Are Border Collies good with kids? Are Border Collies good around children?

A Border Collies typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Senior-friendly

Are Border Collies good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Border Collies good with cats? How friendly Border Collies are toward cats?

Border Collies are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Border Collie dogs get along with other dogs? Are Border Collies OK with other dogs?

Border Collies are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Border Collie dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Border Collies friendly with strangers?

Border Collies are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do Border Collies like to play? Are Border Collies playful?

Border Collies are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older Border Collie for a mellower experience.

Trainability

Are Border Collie easily trained?

Border Collie dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Affectionate and loyal to their family
    Border Collie are known for being affectionate and loyal to their family.
  • Therapy Dog
    This breed is ideal for therapy dog work.
  • Good with children
    They are good with children and make great playmates.
  • Quiet
    This breed is known for being relatively silent, making it a good option if you're looking for a quieter dog.
  • Intelligent
    They are intelligent and trainable.
  • Service Dog
    This breed is a suitable choice for a service dog.
  • High energy levels
    They have high energy levels and require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Cons

  • Not Hypoallergenic
    Border Collies may not be suitable for those with allergies due to their potential to cause allergic reactions.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Border Collies may find an office setting too stressful.
  • Not Apartment Friendly
    Border Collie may not thrive in a home environment.