Breed Spotlight: Border Collie

Coat Type and Colors

Border collies have a medium-length double coat which consists of a soft undercoat and coarse outer coat with feathering on their legs, chest, and belly. Grooming for this breed isn’t excessive, but you should brush them weekly to evenly distribute the oils in their fur, and to prevent matting and excessive shedding around the house.

Border collies come in a variety of colors, and often have white markings mixed in with colors like brown, black, or gray.

Ears

These dogs have moderately-sized, wide-set ears. Like most dogs, their ears often sit semi-erect and are highly expressive, perking up even more when alert.

Drooling Level

Border collies rarely drool, making them safe for your beloved furniture and floors.

Behavior

The border collie was bred specifically to herd sheep.² Because of this, they are disciplined but have a significant amount of energy and stamina. The border collie may not be the breed for you if you’re searching for a low-energy, lazy dog. They thrive when put to task or in a high-activity environment. They’re at risk for behavioral problems if they’re not given enough exercise, meaning a walk and a bout of fetch won’t always do the trick.

The border collie is an excellent match for a pet parent interested in enrolling their pup in canine agility classes. With proper training, the border collie excels in agility competitions.

Exercise Needs

The border collie is an extremely active, energetic dog and requires a significant amount of activity. This breed needs continuous daily activity which involves some type of duty or purpose. This breed is often seen on farms assisting with the farm chores, but also benefits from long runs in the park and agility training.

Trainability

The border collie can be an easy-to-train breed due to a strong desire to please their pet parent. They’re often utilized as K9 detection dogs, military dogs, or private security dogs due to their trainability and high intelligence.

Good with Kids?

The border collie, when raised properly, is an excellent family dog. Due to their herding instincts, they may not be a good fit for some families. They may nip or bark at small children instinctually, but can be a great fit when socialized properly.

Barking Level

Border collies are a chatty breed, due to being herders by blood. Despite this, they’re very trainable and aim to please their owners, so you can curb this behavior with the right cues.

Good with Other Pets?

This breed will get along with most other dogs, but early socialization is key. Their herding instincts could come out as bossiness, which might upset playmates and lead to aggression. Teach your pup to follow the leader every now and then so they’ll be the perfect companion for other furry friends.

The Border Collie: A History

The border collie, as its name implies, was originally found on the border between Scotland and England.² Their main duty was herding livestock, which is where they get their energy, agility, and trainability. One of the border collie’s most unique abilities, bred from their herding history, is their instinct to follow commands even when their owner isn’t present. This is particularly beneficial in herding situations, but it also means they can be trusted alone!