HerdingScotland / England

Border Collie

The sheepdog with the legendary eye.

Weight: 30–55 lbs
Height: 18–22 in
Lifespan: 12–15 yrs

In short

The Border Collie is a herding dog from the border country of Scotland and England, bred to gather sheep with an intense stare called eye. Adults weigh 30–55 lbs and live 12–15 years. They need a real job every day; without one, the herding drive turns to chasing cars, kids and shadows.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a partner for herding, agility or disc
love training and teaching new skills
have space and time every single day

Think twice if you…

want a dog that's fine with a daily walk
are gone long hours
have young kids and no time to manage herding

The daily plan

Exercise: 90–120 min
Training: 3–5 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 80–125 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study10.0/10

EnergyAthlete10.0/10

Calm at homeSettles well6.0/10

SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10

What sets it apart

01
The herding eye
An intense, fixed stare used to control sheep; at home it can turn into staring at balls, cats or kids.
02
Low, stalking crouch
Built to creep and crouch, then explode into a sprint, which makes them agility naturals.
03
Rough or smooth coat
Two coat types, both double coats that shed and need regular brushing.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	35–55 lbs	30–45 lbs
Height	19–22 in	18–21 in
Lifespan	12–15 yrs
Coat	Rough (medium-length) or smooth double coat

Side profile 18–22 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Border Collies are always thinking, always watching and ready to work at any moment. They are sensitive to tone and movement. Under-employed, they become anxious, noisy or obsessive.

With kids

Affectionate with family kids but may herd and nip at running children. Supervise and teach calm play.

With other pets

Usually good with dogs and cats, though many try to herd them. Some are intolerant of rude dogs.

With strangers

Often reserved, and some are sound- or movement-sensitive. Early socialization reduces shyness.

Alone time

Tolerates moderate alone time if well exercised; under-stimulated dogs may chew, bark or pace.

Training

Border Collies learn faster than almost any breed, including the things you didn't mean to teach. Clear cues and consistency matter more than repetition.

How often

3–5 sessions of 5–10 minutes spread through the day.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Use 8–16 weeks for sounds, traffic, kids and moving things, so the herding drive doesn't attach to cars or bikes. Build calm confidence in busy places.
Self-control

Teach a settle and an 'all done' cue so they learn to switch off. Proof a 'leave it' around moving things like bikes, joggers and cars.
What it works for

Most work for toys, especially balls and tug, as much as for food. Use small, high-value pieces for precision, and play as the jackpot. Keep treats within 10% of daily calories.

Exercise

Border Collies need both physical work and problem-solving every day. Herding, agility and structured games outlast any amount of ball throwing.

Exercise a day 90–120 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Herding lessons or trials
Agility or flyball
Frisbee or disc dog

Brain work

Trick training and shaping games
Nose work
Puzzle toys and 'find it' games

Best home

Best with space and an active owner; apartments rarely work long-term.

Watch for Obsessive ball chasing can cause injuries and fixation, so cap repetitive fetch and mix in calm thinking work.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Border Collie (30–55 lbs) lands around 800–1,250 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,000–1,575 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 100–160 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 5–8 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 800–1,250 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 80–125 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 4–6 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 1,100–1,725 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 110–175 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–9 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 700–1,100 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 70–110 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 4–6 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,000–1,575 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	100–160 kcal	5–8 pieces
Adult Maintenance	800–1,250 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	80–125 kcal	4–6 pieces
Active / Working	1,100–1,725 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	110–175 kcal	6–9 pieces
Senior	700–1,100 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	70–110 kcal	4–6 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Border Collies are generally healthy, with inherited eye, hip and nerve disorders the main concerns. Choose a breeder who DNA-tests and screens hips and eyes.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder for results)
Collie eye anomaly and other eye disease	CAER eye exam plus CEA DNA test	Eye exam yearly in breeding dogs; DNA once
TNS and NCL (CL)	DNA tests for trapped neutrophil syndrome and neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis	Once, in breeding dogs
MDR1 drug sensitivity	MDR1 DNA test	Once; share results with your vet

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Border Collie breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
DNA sample banked with CHIC

Also recommended

Elbow evaluation
Shoulder evaluation
Thyroid panel
Hearing test (BAER)
Heart exam
Collie Eye Anomaly
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate year-round, heavier in spring and fall

Brush rough coats 2–3 times a week and smooth coats weekly, daily during spring and fall sheds. Bathe as needed. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.

History

1700s–1800s

Border shepherd dogs

Shepherds in the hills along the Scotland–England border bred working collies for herding ability alone.
1893

Old Hemp

Adam Telfer's dog Old Hemp, born in 1893, became the foundation sire of the modern Border Collie, and trials shaped the breed from the start.
1906–1995

A working registry

The International Sheep Dog Society, founded in 1906, still registers working dogs; the AKC recognized the breed in 1995.

Questions owners ask

Are Border Collies easy to train?

Yes. They learn extremely fast, but they also learn bad habits fast, so clear, consistent training and daily mental work are needed.

Are Border Collies good with kids and other pets?

Usually. They are affectionate but may herd and nip at running kids or chase cats, so early training and supervision are key.

How much exercise does a Border Collie need?

About 90–120 minutes a day, combining physical activity with problem-solving. Herding, agility or training games work best.

Do Border Collies shed?

Yes, moderately year-round and more in spring and fall. Brush weekly, or 2–3 times a week for rough coats.

What health problems do Border Collies have, and how long do they live?

Most live 12–15 years. Watch for hip dysplasia, collie eye anomaly, epilepsy and inherited disorders like TNS and CL, plus MDR1 drug sensitivity.

Is a Border Collie good for apartments or first-time owners?

Usually not. They need space, daily work and an owner ready to train every day.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Border Collie needs only 4–6 pieces a day, well inside the 80–125 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Border Collie ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.