Border Collie

Personality

Border Collies are driven, alert and very smart. They are happiest when working, whether that means moving sheep, learning tricks or chasing a ball with laser focus. Many are sensitive, eager to please and strongly bonded to their person.

The herding instinct is built in. Expect a Border Collie to stare, stalk and try to round up children, other pets, cars or anything else that moves. Nipping at heels is a common problem if the instinct is not channeled.

They tend to be reserved with strangers and can be sound-sensitive or anxious if they are not well socialized. Boredom is a serious problem: an under-stimulated Border Collie may develop obsessive behaviors such as shadow chasing, fence running or excessive barking. They are devoted, funny companions for people who love the challenge, but they rarely settle for a casual life.

History

The Border Collie was developed in the border region between Scotland and England, where shepherds bred dogs for their ability to control sheep on rugged hill country. The AKC notes the name reflects that border region, and that collie was an old rural term for a useful dog. The emphasis was on working ability, not looks, so the breed's type has always been less uniform than that of show breeds.

Much of the modern breed traces to a dog called Old Hemp, born in September 1893 in Northumberland, England. His descendants spread through the shepherding world. In 1915, James Reid, secretary of the International Sheep Dog Society, used the term border collie to distinguish the society's registered working dogs from the Kennel Club's collies.

The breed remained primarily a working dog for a long time. The AKC accepted it into its Miscellaneous class in 1955 and fully recognized it in 1995, over the objections of many working-dog groups. Today it is a star in herding, agility, flyball and obedience, and it remains one of the best working stock dogs in the world.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Border Collie is an agile, athletic dog slightly longer than tall, with a balanced, light-footed look. The head is moderate with a tapered muzzle, intelligent medium-sized eyes and ears that may be erect, semi-erect or folded. The tail is low with an upward swirl at the tip.

Border Collies typically stand about 18–22 in (46–56 cm) at the shoulder, with males taller than females, and weigh roughly 30–55 lb (14–25 kg). There are two coat types: rough, which is medium length with feathering, and smooth, which is shorter and coarser.

Colors and patterns vary widely. Black and white is the most common, followed by black tricolor, and other colors include red and white, liver and white, red or blue merle and brindle. Working-bred Border Collies often look different from show lines, so appearance is a less reliable guide than temperament.

Training

Border Collies learn faster than most dogs, which is both a gift and a risk. They pick up commands, tricks and bad habits quickly, so consistency matters. Reward-based training with toys, food and praise is best, and sessions should be short, varied and engaging.

Beyond basic manners, give them jobs. Agility, obedience, herding trials, nose work, flyball and frisbee are all excellent outlets. Without them, the dog will invent its own work.

Watch for herding behavior. Teach a solid down, leave it and recall to redirect the instinct, and never punish herding but redirect it to appropriate activity. Early socialization to noises, traffic, strangers and other dogs is vital. A crate can help with rest and housetraining; see our crate training guide. Teach an off switch deliberately, because many Border Collies do not relax unless they learn how.

Exercise

Border Collies are among the most demanding breeds for exercise. An adult usually needs at least one to two hours of vigorous activity daily, plus mental stimulation. Walks alone are rarely enough. Running, fetch, frisbee, hiking, swimming and herding work are all popular ways to burn energy.

Mental work counts as much as physical. Puzzle toys, scent games, training sessions and learning new tricks keep the mind engaged. Our guide to how much exercise a dog needs offers useful general principles, but this breed lives at the high end.

Take care with puppies and teenagers: avoid repetitive jumping and hard impact while joints develop. Watch for overheating in hot weather, and provide water. Avoid creating an adrenaline junkie by relying only on ball chasing; mix in calm training and rest. A well-exercised Border Collie settles at home; an under-exercised one will not.

Grooming

Border Collies are moderate-maintenance. The rough coat should be brushed once or twice a week to prevent tangles, especially behind the ears, on the britches and under the legs. The smooth coat needs less, but weekly brushing helps with loose hair.

Expect shedding all year and a heavier seasonal blowout in spring and fall, when daily brushing with an undercoat rake helps. Bathe only when the dog is dirty; frequent baths strip natural oils.

Check and clean the ears, since PetMD lists ear infections among the breed's concerns, trim nails regularly and brush the teeth; our guide to brushing your dog's teeth shows how. Active dogs pick up burrs, ticks and small cuts, so look over the coat and paw pads after outdoor adventures. Do not shave the double coat, since it protects against both heat and cold. Starting grooming sessions in puppyhood makes them stress-free.

Feeding

Active Border Collies burn a lot of energy, but the amount to feed depends on age, activity and body condition. Use a complete and balanced diet suited to a medium, active dog, and adjust with your vet's advice. The dog food calculator offers a starting estimate.

Working and sport dogs may need more calories, while pet dogs with less activity can easily put on weight. Keep the ribs easy to feel and watch the waist. Our guide to checking if your dog is overweight offers a simple method.

Training uses lots of treats, so count them in the daily total, keeping treats to about 10% of daily calories, or use part of the meal as rewards. Puppies need a puppy formula in measured meals, and PetMD notes that low blood sugar can affect Border Collie puppies, so avoid long gaps between meals. Avoid heavy exercise right after meals. Fresh water should be available at all times, especially after intense play.

Health

Border Collies are generally healthy, and PetMD gives a life span of 12 to 15 years, but several conditions occur. Hip dysplasia can lead to arthritis. Collie eye anomaly is a genetic eye disease present from birth that can cause vision defects or blindness, and epilepsy, a seizure disorder, commonly starts around two to five years of age.

Other inherited issues include trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS), an inherited immune disorder that UC Davis links to a mutation in the VPS13B gene, ceroid lipofuscinosis (a fatal neurological disease), and MDR1, a gene mutation that makes affected dogs more sensitive to some veterinary medications, including certain flea and tick preventives. A DNA test can detect MDR1, TNS and collie eye anomaly, so ask the breeder and your vet.

The Border Collie Society of America is the AKC parent club, and it recommends hip evaluations and eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist for breeding dogs. Call your vet or an emergency clinic right away if your dog has a seizure, collapses or injures a limb.

Health conditions to know about

• Hip dysplasia — A malformed hip joint that can lead to arthritis and lameness.
• Collie eye anomaly — An inherited eye condition present from birth that can range from mild to causing vision loss.
• Epilepsy — A seizure disorder that commonly begins in young adulthood.
• MDR1 drug sensitivity — A gene mutation that makes some dogs more sensitive to certain medications; a DNA test is available.
• Trapped neutrophil syndrome — An inherited immune disorder seen in the breed, with a DNA test available.
• Ceroid lipofuscinosis — A fatal inherited neurological disease that is listed among the breed's conditions.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Collie eye anomaly DNA test
• MDR1 DNA test
• Trapped neutrophil syndrome DNA test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Border Collie

Border Collies do best in homes with space, activity and company. A rural property, a large fenced yard or an active suburban household suits them. They can adapt to smaller homes only if their owners are committed to daily hours of exercise and training.

They need to be part of the family. Left alone for long periods, many become anxious or destructive. If you work away from home, plan for a dog walker, daycare or a job such as nose work or agility to burn off energy.

With children, they can be fine if raised with them, but the herding instinct may lead to chasing and nipping. They usually get along with other dogs, and early introductions help with cats. Fences should be secure, because some Border Collies are escape artists. This is a breed that rewards effort but punishes neglect.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Border Collie puppy prices vary widely, and the right breeder depends on what you want. Working lines are bred for herding ability and can be intensely driven, while show and sport lines may look and behave differently. Be honest about your lifestyle and ask breeders which lines match it.

A responsible breeder tests for hips and eyes and for the relevant DNA conditions, lets you meet the parents and can describe temperament. The Border Collie Society of America, the AKC parent club, is a sensible place to start. Avoid sellers who offer puppies without health information.

Border Collies are sometimes surrendered to rescues when owners underestimate them, so adoption is a good option and rescue groups can help match you to a dog. Whatever you choose, budget for training classes, sports and vet care. Our puppy weight calculator helps you track growth.