Border Collies are bred to work out on the field from day until night. They love having a routine and love having tasks to do. They become closely bonded to their handlers, and will be at their happiest when they’re being directed to work. 

Like many other herding dogs, Border Collies tend to herd almost anything – which may be a concern for households with small animals or children. They appreciate a regular, predictable schedule, and may feel stressed out in homes that are unpredictable or chaotic. Border Collies like things to be neat, orderly, and tidy. 

Despite this, Border Collies can be a wonderful family pet. They enjoy being part of the family, so long as they know their place in the hierarchy. They need a lot of attention and consistent rules. Even solo pet parents can do well with the Border Collie, so long as they have the time to keep up with the breed’s needs. 

They’re fiercely loyal to and protective of their family, and as a result some Border Collies may be wary of strangers or other dogs. A well-socialized and properly exercised Border Collie is affectionate, gentle, and playful. 

Because the Border Collie had to accompany flocks of sheep over wide swathes of land, they had to have incredible stamina. Covering 50 miles or more in a day would be normal for herding dogs, and most of the terrain would be hilly or rocky. Border Collies had to be athletic, agile, and have an endless well of energy. 

Even Border Collies kept as pets will have this boundless energy. Most Border Collies will need at least an hour and a half to two hours of exercise per day. Many Border Collies may even need more. For Border Collies who are working on a farm or ranch, their daily duties will provide them with the exercise they require. 

If you aren’t having your Border Collie work, you can try to tire them out with agility or obedience training. They crave mental stimulation almost as much as physical activity, so dog sports that combine the two are a great fit for the Border Collie. 

Border Collies are smart enough to come up with their own games when they get bored, and these games may have unwanted consequences for your household. Exercise is one of the keys to a happy dog, so make sure that you are willing and able to put in the effort if you’re thinking about getting a Border Collie pup. 

The Border Collie is meant to be outdoors, rain or shine. They have a dense, weather-resistant double coat of fur. There are actually two coat types for Border Collies, a rough and a smooth coat. 

The rough-coated Border Collie will have medium-length hair, with some feathering around the legs, chest, and belly. The smooth-coated Border Collie will have short hair all over the body, with little feathering. 

Both coat types of Border Collie will shed a moderate amount. However, they don’t need frequent grooming as they are well-protected from the elements by their double coat. A weekly brushing is usually enough for both types of Border Collie. 

Baths should not be needed too often, unless your Border Collie has gotten dirty from outdoor activities. It’s a good idea to keep a towel by the door to wipe off your Border Collie’s coat before they’re let inside the house. 

Daily tooth brushing is a good idea for all dog breeds, and the Border Collie is no exception. They’re not especially prone to tooth and gum disease, but prevention is still better than a cure. Nail trimming can be done once a month if your Border Collie does not wear down their nails naturally. 

Border Collies are exceptionally good at training, due to their intellect, as well as their eagerness to learn and please their owners. Border Collies find work fun, and they love being involved with their owners. 

Basic commands should be easy for most Border Collies to grasp, and they can successfully be trained to perform complex tasks and commands. However, their high intelligence also means that they get bored with repetitive training, so they’ll need variety to keep them interested. 

They love praise and rewards, so positive reinforcement is the best way to get them to follow commands. Short, focused training sessions multiple times a day will yield the best results, as opposed to one longer training session. Patience and consistency will be the keys to training your Border Collie.

Border Collies are generally healthy and have an average lifespan for dogs of their size, with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Border Collies may be prone to:

• Progressive retinal atrophy – an eye condition where the retina may gradually deteriorate, leading to a loss of vision
• Hip dysplasia – a condition where the hip joint and socket are not formed correctly, occasionally causing pain or lameness of the rear legs
• Allergies – a condition where the dog has an allergic reaction to a specific allergen, whether it be food, contact with a foreign substance, or something inhaled

Border Collies are a medium-sized breed, and aren’t overly muscular or powerful. They are bred for agility, endurance, and speed. Male Border Collies will stand between 19 to 22 inches at the shoulder, while females will be 18 to 20 inches tall. They can weigh between 30 and 50 pounds when fully grown. 

Since they were bred to be sheep herders, they have a special affinity for farms or rural households. However, they will happily adapt to suburban homes, so long as they have sufficient outdoor space to run around and play. 

Because Border Collies require a significant amount of interaction with their human family, they will often need to spend most of their time indoors with their owner.