BORDER COLLIE

Breed Group: Herding

For full breed standards, visit UK Kennel Club or American Kennel Club

Average height: 45.72 - 55.88 cms (18 - 22 in)

Average Weight: 13.6 - 24.94 kgs (30 - 55 lbs)

Coat Length: Short to long (varies)

Life Span: 10 - 17 years

Colours: All colors or combinations are acceptable. Black and red are the most common, but also gray, blue merle, red merle, lemon, and sable; solid color, bi-color, or tri-color. May have white trim only and may be accompanied by tan points. White markings may be clear white or ticked to any degree. Random white patches on the body and head are permissible, but should not predominate.

HISTORY

The modern border collie was developed around the end of the 19th century in Scotland on the border with England from landrace “collies”. The dog uses the first part of the predatory sequence to move the livestock — eye, stalk, chase if needed — but very rarely bites and never kills. Sheep are their specialty, but they are also used with cattle, goats, and fowl. Because they have been (until very recently) selected strictly for working abilities, there is still much variation in appearance and temperament among border collies. Today, they are still used as working dogs, but they also excel in many dog sports and have recently (and controversially) been bred as show dogs.

L.E.G.S.

Using the L.E.G.S.® model, our breed descriptions offer insights into typical behavior based on Genetics, Learning, Environment, and Self.

Knowing the sort of 'job' a breed was created for can offer valuable insights into the type of life dogs of that breed would most enjoy. But bear in mind, they are all individuals, treat the following as an indication of breed tendencies – not a prediction.

Shedding

minimal <> considerable

Grooming

minimal <> likely to need professional grooming

Barking

relatively quiet <> very vocal

Predatory behaviour around other pets/livestock

low<>high

Response to strangers

happy to greet everyone <> very wary

Affectionate with family

not at all<>very cuddly

Playful

serious<>very playful

Focus on handler (bond)

independent thinker<>very biddable

Excitable/Impulsive

very calm<>easily aroused

Motivated

laid back<>obsessive

Easy to care for

suitable for inexperienced<>challenging

Exercise needs

minimal<>hours daily

Off-lead exercise needs

happy on lead<>needs plenty of freedom

Enrichment needs

basic<>needs challenges

WHY YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR BORDER COLLIE

They are attentive to their humans, athletic, tireless, and ready for any adventure
They are type-A and want to work – whether that’s real work or play
They are serious, rule followers, and rule enforcers. They are just waiting for your instructions
If you are an active outdoorsy type or are into dog sports and have plenty of free time, this is your dog

WHY THEY MAY BE HARD TO LIVE WITH

They are a bossy control freak
They can be destructive if bored
They may nip to control or manipulate behavior
They may act as the “fun police” when other dogs are playing. They are bred to establish order
They are workaholics. There are no days off with a border collie
While they are often very tuned in to their humans, they are not typically snuggly couch potatoes, and their level of clinginess can vary widely

YOUR BORDER COLLIE PUPPY HIGHLIGHTS

Border collie puppies are ready to learn from the day you bring them home. Often called the smartest breed of dog, this can be both a blessing and a curse. If you are not teaching them, they will be learning on their own and probably not what you want them to learn. They have especially acute language abilities and can learn many words, phrases, and tones. They should be managed to protect themselves from their overzealousness which can easily result in injuries.

Border Collie puppies learn very quickly, so don't wait for unwanted behaviors to develop and start training on day one. The 'collie eye' may already have developed at eight weeks or could develop in early adolescence, so be on the lookout for this especially during socialization when instead of becoming habituated to their surroundings they may start to fixate on them. Impulse control work and teaching an 'off switch' should also be started early but most of all play and build a fun relationship with your pup so they don't need to look elsewhere for fun and entertainment. Relationship is key.

YOU MAY NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP WITH:

They can’t help chasing moving objects, even more so if they make noise – cars, bikes, kids, joggers, vacuums, rakes, spraying water. And if they don’t just want to chase things, they want to get in front of them and stop them, which, of course, can be dangerous
Hypersensitivity to lights, shadows, and sounds, which can manifest as phobias, or neurotic, repetitive, or compulsive behaviors
Excessive barking is an issue for some but not all border collies
Nipping

YOUR RELATIONSHIP SURVIVAL KEY

They will want to micromanage the world
They need a structured but interesting world that satisfies their instincts for work
They need to constantly learn new things to keep their mind healthy
Recognize and embrace the awesome intensity of having a full-time canine wingman
Border Collies are sensitive to sudden environmental contrasts. This is due to their eye being designed to detect movement at huge distances and their sensitive hearing. They are also bred to work independently and be impulsive so it's important to channel this natural instinct so they don't adopt inappropriate herding behaviors

UPBRINGING

When raising a puppy you will need to teach an off switch or you may never have a peaceful evening again. Due to being bred to control movement, they may nip at feet and legs to try and control family members, visitors and other people in the park. Collie's control movement with 'eye' and we need to be aware of when this develops. It may already be there when we bring home our 8 week old pup or could develop into adolescence. If we are unaware of this then they may start chasing cars or reacting to movement.

LIFESTYLE

These dogs must be physically and mentally stimulated every day to remain healthy. Border Collies are bred to live in rural environments and can struggle in busy urban environments due to them being incredibly sensitive to both visual movement and noise. They need adequate amounts of physical and mental exercise to keep them satisfied.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

An idle border collie is trouble. They must have work. If they have no sheep, they will be happy to round up their toys, but mindless chasing will not fulfill their mental needs and can easily lead to obsessive behavior. Using their brain will keep them sane. Border collies love dog sports and can excel at most of them. Border Collies are good at most sports and activities as they love learning and using their brain. They excel in agility, obedience, rally, trick training, flyball, and disc. They can also excel as search and rescue dogs and like scent work activities too.

EDUCATION

Border collies almost beg you to 'tell me what to do'. Keep them busy learning new things which they are brilliant at doing. Make sure they are also learning to relax and self-regulate, which does not come naturally to them. Border Collies are bred to be impulsive and work by themselves at distance. Proximity can therefore become an issue in recall where they may play 'stay away'. Impulse control training should be a key focus so they can be kept under control and safe. This then allows them greater freedom that they need.