Border Collie

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Size: Medium
Other Names:
Country of Origin: United Kingdom (Scotland, England)
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Herding
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Herding
United Kennel Club (UKC): Herding Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Working Dogs
The Kennel Club (KC): Pastoral
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Herding
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Working Dogs

Border Collies are medium-sized dogs, with a double coat anywhere from slick to lush, that comes in many colors, with black and white being the most common. His ears are either fully erect, fully dropped, or semi-erect. His eyes vary from deep brown to amber or blue. Occasionally, and usually seen with the merles, the Border Collie may have one eye of each color.

A herding specialist who needs a job every day; coat care is modest to serious by type, voice is watchful, and a still apartment will not hold his mind.

The Border Collie originated in the border country of England and Scotland, and is a herding dog. They are still frequently used on farms all over the world for assisting with the handling of livestock, and they have also become popular as pet and sport dogs. The Border Collie has good body balance, which enables him to change directions and speed quickly. Border Collies have a highly developed sense of smell. Coupled with their high drive, this makes them good tracking dogs and, because of this skill, Border Collies make excellent Search and Rescue dogs.

Height: Male: 19-22 inches; Female: 18-21 inches
Weight: 30-50 pounds
Color: Black and red; less predominant colors include gray, blue merle, red merle, lemon and sable; may have white trim, or be accompanied by tan points
Coat: Varied lengths: long (with well-feathered forelegs, breeches and tail, and an abundant mane), medium or smooth; straight or wavy
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Litter size: 4–8 puppies

Temperament

Border Collies are highly energetic, and are widely regarded as the most intelligent dog breed. Though known to be reserved with strangers, Collies can be protective of a human family member, and affectionate to those they know. Generally very well behaved, they can be very excitable dogs. In an appropriate home, with a dedicated, active owner, a Border Collie can be an excellent companion. Border Collies can be motion-sensitive, and may attempt to control the movements of family members, cats, squirrels, bicycles, cars, or anything else that moves, if not given enough mental and physical stimulation. Consequently, Border Collies are not generally suited for households with small children.

Training

They learn at speed and get bored with repetition. Start herding or sport work early and keep the rules consistent.

Care and grooming

Exercise sufficient to meet the Border Collie’s high level of energy is required. Their intelligence, and instinctive desire to work closely and intensely with a human handler, makes them well suited for agility training and dog sports.

Shedding

Moderate; heavier when the undercoat blows.

Health

Border Collies may inherit collie eye anomaly, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and, in some lines, the MDR1 drug-sensitivity mutation. Ask breeders for eye exams and hip scores.

Crosses that include the Border Collie

These hybrid pages list this breed as a parent. Open a name to see the other contributing breed.

Border Collie Pyrenees

Golden Border Retriever

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