Border Collie Dog Breed Information

Group

Herding

Weight

15-20 kg

Height

48-55 cm

Lifespan

10-17 years

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About the Border Collie

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

As you might be able to tell by the name, border collies were used as herding dogs – especially to herd sheep. They easily became highly valuable assets to shepherds. They excelled when working together in groups!

The Border Collie origin dates back to herding breeds that were used alongside humans to guard and herd. They are still used for this, you’ll be able to tell the difference between a working border collie and a regular one simply through their temperament. Working border collies are extremely well disciplined.

The type of Border Collie varied depending on terrain or perhaps the work they were needed for. Because of this, the border collie began to be associated with certain regions, from this came the Northern Sheepdogs, Highland Collies, and many others. Though they originally came from the border country which is between England and Scotland.

What is the history & origin of the Border Collie?

As you might be able to tell by the name, border collies were used as herding dogs – especially to herd sheep. They easily became highly valuable assets to shepherds. They excelled when working together in groups!

The Border Collie origin dates back to herding breeds that were used alongside humans to guard and herd. They are still used for this, you’ll be able to tell the difference between a working border collie and a regular one simply through their temperament. Working border collies are extremely well disciplined.

The type of Border Collie varied depending on terrain or perhaps the work they were needed for. Because of this, the border collie began to be associated with certain regions, from this came the Northern Sheepdogs, Highland Collies, and many others. Though they originally came from the border country which is between England and Scotland.

What is a Border Collie breed?

This dog is a mixture between the Border Collie and Shetland Sheepdog, the word Collie actually refers to sheepdogs. You might have seen them go by several names such as the ‘Sheltie Border’ or the ‘Border Sheltie’. You might have also heard them referred to as a Scotch sheep dog – this was before being recognized by the American Kennel Club.

If you are looking to find out some more about the border collie, be sure to check out the Border Collie Society of America.

Learn more about: Border Collie Colours

Who is a Border Collie best for?

This Border Collie mix really thrives in houses with large yards – they’re going to need a way to get all of their zoomies out!

They are great with other dogs as well as children – making them a fantastic family dog.

Border Collies require a lot of stimulation – you need to make sure that you are able to handle this high-energy dog. If you’re someone who is super busy with work all day, you won’t be able to give your pet all of the attention they might need – alternatively you can always look for a dog sitter. Otherwise, this might not be the best-suited dog for you.

Border Collie Grooming & Shedding

A Border Collie breed is a great option for those who want low-maintenance grooming. They have two coats of different varieties – these can be rough and smooth. The rough coat is of a medium length, whereas the smooth coat is short. If you’re not a fan of dog hair you might not get along with your border collie during shedding season. You should make sure you can keep up with brushing them twice a week and you should be set!

As well as their coat you need to make sure that you keep their nails trimmed and are brushing their teeth. As with all dogs, brushing their gnashers 2 -3 times a week is ideal – this ensures that there won’t be any tartar buildup. Their nails only need to be trimmed around once a month.

You should also be inspecting the inside of their ears once a week to make sure there is no sign of infection.

If you notice anything abnormal make sure you contact your local vet as soon as possible!

Learn more about: Border Collie Grooming Tips & Styles

Do Border Collies bark a lot?

When Border Collies get bored you’ll notice they might begin to bark, dig, or even chase cars. To deal with the barking you should make sure that they are constantly occupied. This might not be the best option for you if you want a quiet dog.

What is the average weight & height of a Border Collie dog?

You’ll find male and female border collies to be around the same height, but males are slightly heavier. With your average male border collie coming in at around 48-55 cms tall and weighing in at around 15-20 kgs.

Whereas their female counterparts are 45-53 cms tall and weigh in at 13-18 kgs. The Border Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog, perfect if you’re looking for something that isn’t too big as an adult dog.

Learn more about: Border Collie Size & Weight Chart

Are Border Collies easy to train?

Considering the Border Collie is infamously known as a herding dog, you can immediately assume they have great discipline!

You’ll still want to make sure you train your Border Collie puppy as early on as possible. Introducing them to any animals or children you have at home will ensure that they are well adjusted – it’s unlikely you will struggle with this.

Obedience training should be introduced when young so that by the time they’re adult dogs they’ll be a lot easier to handle when out in public.

Learn more about: Border Collie Training Guide – Crate, Toilet & More Tips!

How do Border Collies behave? A look at their temperament and personality

You’ll never have a dull day with a Border Collie dog breed. They are always super energetic – you might notice that it takes a lot to tucker them out before bedtime. They are an extremely athletic breed, although you might not have herding livestock, you might be interested in entering them into dog sports.

You might notice that your Border Collie puppy is quite shy – this can be quickly corrected with proper socialization. If you are unsure of how to do so you can always take your border collie to puppy classes – these will allow your dog to be exposed to a multitude of different people, as well as places. This can help your puppy gain some confidence and really show off its vibrant and energetic personality.

They love to be kept busy so they require a lot of stimulation so that they won’t become bored. You might notice that without proper stimulation they get into the habit of chasing things such as dogs, children, and even at times cars.

The border collie is also extremely loyal to its owner. You’ll soon notice that they are highly sensitive to their owner’s movements.

Learn more about: Border Collie Temperament & Personality Traits

Does the Border Collie have any common health issues?

Health issues can be expected in most dog breeds. Not all Border Collies will face major health issues but it is important to make sure you are well aware of them nonetheless. The major issue border collies can face is hip dysplasia – this is a condition where the thighbone doesn’t quite fit correctly into the hip joint.

They can also suffer from collie eye anomaly – this is a condition that can eventually lead to blindness in some Border Collies. Although this breed is extremely energetic they can at times collapse after too much exercise – this is known as border collie collapse, you’ll notice your border collie becoming dazed or confused and then eventually passing out.

It is important to get your dog from a reputable border collie breeder to ensure you know about any inherited health problems as early as possible. If you are ever concerned about any health issues or abnormalities make sure you contact your local vet ASAP!

Learn more about: Common Border Collie Health Issues

What is the lifespan of a Border Collie?

The life span of your average border collie is around 10 – 17 years. This makes the border collie a lifelong commitment!

How much does a Border Collie need to be fed?

You should be feeding your border collie around 1.5 – 2 cups of high-quality food a day – this dry food can be portioned into two meals. It is important to be careful with how much you feed border collie puppies, they require slow and sustained growth – this is to help prevent problems such as hip dysplasia.

If you’re ever stuck on what to feed your border collie or how much you should be feeding them – make sure to contact your local vet.

How much can you expect to pay for a Border Collie in Australia?

The prices for Border Collies can vary dependent on things such as colour – you might find a blue merle puppy going for as high as $4000, and purebred dogs will always be quite pricey. On average you should expect to pay around $1000 – $4000.

You might want to also look into adopting or fostering a border collie – there are so many that are in need of rescuing. You should contact your local breed club or your national breed club if you need help finding a border collie rescue!

Learn more about: Border Collie Prices In Australia

Border Collie FAQs

Are Border Sheepdogs ideal for first-time dog owners?

Due to their quite long life span, the border collie is definitely a life commitment! They can be quite easy to groom, as long as you keep up with some minimal upkeep They also make a great family pet! This might not be the best option for a first-time dog owner.