Last Updated: 04/06/2025
Border Collie Complete Breed Guide
Border Collie questions? Shedding? Kids? Energy? Our breed guide has the answers.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 56 minutes - long read
The Border Collie, widely recognized as the world's most intelligent dog breed, is known for its energetic, highly intelligent, and diligent nature. This breed thrives when given a job to do and requires plenty of exercise. Originally bred for herding sheep, Border Collies enjoy the mental challenge of herding and can become bored easily without sufficient stimulation. They are highly responsive and easy to train, with an uncanny ability to anticipate their owner's commands. With proper time, leadership, and energy, a Border Collie can be an irreplaceable and lifelong companion.
All about Border Collies
Place of origin
United Kingdom
Weight range
14-25kg
Breed size
Medium
Height range
46-56cm
Breed group
Working, herding
Life expectancy
12-15 years
Coat colours
Black and white, red and white, tricolor, blue merle, red merle, and sable
Grooming needs
Moderate
Coat type
Short to long, single or double coated, rough or smooth
Health issues
Hip dysplasia, Eye problems, Epilepsy
Shedding factor
Moderate
Exercise needs
High, at least 2 hours of activity daily
Play style
Fetch, herd, chase, independent
Housing needs
Need plenty of outdoor space
Trainability
High, eager to please
Social needs
Moderate, affectionate but reserved with strangers
Family suitability
Suit active families with older children, couples or singles
Tendency to bark
Moderate, high if mental and physical needs are not met
Nutrition
A healthy and happy Border Collie starts with a high-quality diet that is appropriate for their age and size. Proper nutrition can also help manage common health issues in Border Collies, such as joint problems or hip dysplasia, which can lead to reduced mobility.
Best food for adult Border Collies
Due to their high activity level, Border Collies may require a diet with higher levels of energy and protein to keep them in peak condition. This particularly true for working dogs and those regularly participating in dog sports such as agility and flyball. Active adult dog food formulas with increased levels of protein for muscle maintenance, as well as fat and low GI carbohydrates for sustained energy release are a good place to start. These recipes also often contain added beneficial nutrients such as Green Lipped Mussel powder or fish oil to support joint health and may help to slow development of joint degeneration due to wear and tear over time.
What to look for
Increased levels of fat and low GI carbohydrates for sustained energy in highly active dogs
Increased levels of high quality protein to maintain healthy muscles
Nutraceuticals such as fish oil or green lipped mussel powder for joint support
Vet picks
Best food for Border Collie puppies
Medium breed puppy formulas are an excellent choice for most Border Collie pups, as they are a medium breed dog. The best food for Border Collie puppies is rich in energy and quality protein to support physical growth and development. It should also be easy to digest and enriched with ingredients to support gut health, such as colostrum and prebiotic fibres.Choose a formula enriched with DHA for brain and eye development to support your Border Collie puppy's high intelligence and hunger to learn.
What to look for
Rich in energy and quality proteins for physical growth and development
Highly digestible formula with added prebiotic fibres and colostrum for gut health
DHA for healthy brain and eye development
Vet picks
Flea & worming
Protecting your Border Collie from common parasites including fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms is crucial for their ongoing health.
Best flea and worming treatments for Border Collies
For the health of your pet and other family members, Border Collies need to be protected year round against fleas, heartworm and intestinal worms. For those living in or likely to visit tick areas, year round tick coverage is also recommended. Tasty chewable tablets are a convenient and mess free option, while external top spots are an effective alternative for dogs who do not readily accept chewables or tablets.
You may wish to use an 'all in one' product for simplicity, or supplement an annual heartworm injection from the vet with flea, tick and intestinal worming treatments. To ensure effective coverage, always double check your dog's weight matches the weight range of your chosen product and make sure you follow the instructions regarding frequency of doses.
Ivermectin sensitivity
There is a genetic mutation known as ABCB1 (formerly known as MDR-1) which can affect Border Collies, but is much more prevalent in other collie breeds. Affected collies are sensitive to certain drugs including ivermectin which can lead to serious illness including tremors, salivation, seizures and death. It is possible to detect this genetic mutation with DNA testing, but if you are unsure whether your collie is affected, it is recommended to select parasite control products labelled as safe for ivermectin sensitive collies such as NexGard Spectra and Simparica Trio. If your dog has a history of seizures or drug sensitivity, consult your veterinarian prior to beginning any new parasite treatments.
What to look for
Products safe for ivermectin sensitive collies
All in one products for simplicity
Always double check the weight range to ensure an effective dose
Health
Border Collies generally enjoy good health, however they can be susceptible to a range of health issues including hip dysplasia and arthritis as well as epilepsy. While any management plans for these conditions should be formulated with your vet, there are some steps you can take at home to help support your Border Collie's health.
Best joint supplements for Border Collies
The boundless energy and athleticism of Border Collies can sometimes result in joint issues from wear and tear as they age. To safeguard their joint health and ensure they maintain maximum mobility and performance, many Border Collie owners proactively choose to use joint supplements.
These supplements typically contain Glucosamine and Chondroitin, the building blocks of cartilage and sometimes also Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a rich source of organic sulphur, another building block of cartilage and bone. By supplementing these compounds, owners can support cartilage health and potentially slow down its degradation.
For Border Collies already experiencing joint pain or inflammation, more potent joint supplements are available. These often incorporate Green Lipped Mussel Powder or Fish Oil, rich sources of Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which possess powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Other potentially beneficial anti-inflammatory ingredients in joint supplements include turmeric and rose hips.
Remember, while joint supplements can be beneficial, it's important to consult with your veterinarian before starting your Border Collie on any new supplement regimen. They can advise on the appropriate type and dosage based on your dog's age, activity level, and overall health. In some cases, your vet may recommend a mobility and joint health vet diet rather than a supplement, particularly if your Border Collie has other coexisting health conditions such as obesity.
What to look for
Glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM based supplements for preventative joint care
Green lipped mussel and fish oil based supplements for dogs with existing arthritis or joint problems
Joint health and mobility vet diets if recommended by your veterinarian
Supporting Border Collies with epilepsy
Border Collies are a breed which can be predisposed to idiopathic epilepsy, a condition with an unknown cause that causes seizures. A diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is typically made by a veterinarian when a dog has recurrent seizures and other potential causes such as inflammation, tumours or organ dysfunction have been ruled out.
Idiopathic epilepsy is able to be well managed in most dogs with anti convulsant medication. Dogs on epilepsy medication will require regular monitoring bloodwork to ensure that the drug is present in the bloodstream at effective levels. It is not uncommon for dosages to need adjustment from time to time, so it's important to speak with your veterinarian if your dog has breakthrough seizures despite being on medication or if they appear to be experiencing side effects such as sedation or incoordination.
Aside from medication and monitoring, there is some evidence to suggest that feeding a diet enriched with medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) can help to improve neurological function, which could benefit dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. If you wish to explore nutrition or supplements as an adjunctive treatment for your dog with epilepsy, it is critically important to consult your veterinarian first. Choose products which have strong evidence to support both their safety and effectiveness.
CBD for dogs with epilepsy
There is increasing interest from pet parents around the potential benefits of Cannabidiol (CBD) based products for management of seizures in dogs. While there is some evidence for this, it is important to note that these products can only be accessed with a prescription from a veterinarian and are not available for purchase over the counter. Other hemp derived products, such as hemp seed oil, are more readily available however they contain only negligible amounts of CBD and are therefore unlikely to provide any of the potential benefits of prescription CBD oil.
Training and activity
Border Collies absolutely thrive when given training and direction. Explore sports like agility and flyball to give your dog an outlet for their boundless energy and help strengthen the special bond between you.
Best toys for Border Collies
Fetch balls and launchers are an essential in any Border Collie toy box, satisfying both the need for speed and interactive activity with their human. These can be supplemented with other fetch favourites like frisbees and safe sticks (avoid the temptation to use actual sticks for games of fetch due to the risk of injury).
As well as exercising your Border Collie's body, it's essential to give their highly intelligent brain something to do also. Invest in a range of foraging and puzzle toys to pair with kibble or small training treats and rotate through them regularly to keep them occupied and out of mischief.
Chew toys, particularly those which can hide treats, are also very useful for enrichment and can be a good distraction at times when your dog may otherwise become quickly bored, for instance when confined to their crate.
What to look for
Fetch toys including balls, launchers, frisbees and safe stick alternatives
Foraging and puzzle toys for mental stimulation
Chew toys, particularly those which can hide treats
Training essentials for Border Collies
As with all breeds, positive reward based training is widely recognised as the most effective training method for Border Collies. A source of reward such as high value training treats or a special toy are pivotal to this training philosophy and a must have for all pet parents. For food motivated dogs, choose training treats that your dog considers high value and are easy to dispense in small amounts. While all dogs are different, some popular options are air dried or freeze dried meats, lickable pastes and jerky style treats. Combining treats with clicker training can help to communicate your desired behaviour with your dog more precisely and deliver faster results.
Recall training (training your dog to come when called) is a key skill to master for Border Collie owners. Exploring the smells and sights of outdoor spaces is an important form of enrichment and in some cases can be as effective as a brisk walk or run in preventing boredom in Border Collies. An extra long dog lead (or horse lunging lead) is essential in teaching recall training as it allows you to increase the distance between you and your dog without losing control. Only let your Border Collie off leash in a public space if it is permitted and safe for you to do so. Be sure you are certain of your ability to recall them as there is little chance you will be able to catch them otherwise!
What to look for
Long leads for recall training and extended sniffing sessions
Training clicker for clearer communication and faster learning
High value training treats like freeze dried or air dried meats, pastes and jerky
Harnesses, leads and walking accessories for Border Collies
Daily exercise is essential for your Border Collie's health and sanity, and running or hiking are great ways to achieve this. When choosing a harness and lead for your outdoor adventures, look for products that are comfortable but still keep you in control. Lightweight vest style harnesses with cargo pockets to carry treats, poo bags or water are super practical for longer hikes and hands free or shorter bungee style leads can be a convenient option for use on runs.
While we tend to pay a lot of attention to our footwear for running or hiking, pet parents can often forget to consider our dog's feet. While many dogs are happy travelling barefoot, if you are covering long distances, rocky terrain or very hot or cold surfaces boots are a must to prevent abrasions, cracks or burns to your Border Collie's paws.
What to look for
Lightweight hands free or bungee leads
Harnesses with cargo pockets for hiking longer distances
Protective boots for rocky terrain, and hot or cold surfaces
Grooming
Coat lengths and textures can vary among Border Collies and most, but not all are double coated. Regular grooming helps keep your Border Collie's coat healthy, prevents mats and knots from forming, and reduces shedding.
Best brushes and grooming products for Border Collies
It's recommended to brush your Border Collie's coat with a grooming glove, slicker or pin brush at least 2 to 3 times per week to remove loose hair and prevent matts or knots forming. Pay close attention to areas of the body where there is a lot of movement like the groin and 'arm pits' as knots tend to accumulate more quickly there. Coat sprays can help to aid in detangling while also adding shine and a fresh scent to your Border Collie's coat.
Double coated Border Collies typically shed their coats seasonally in Spring and Autumn, during this time you may wish to brush more frequently to reduce the amount of hair that accumulates around the house. Deshedding tools can be particularly useful at this time as they are specifically designed to pick up undercoat hairs.
Due to their level of activity, Border Collies can be predisposed to put extra wear and tear on their paw pads, particularly if travelling long distances, hiking rocky terrain or walking on hot or cold surfaces. Protective boots are ideal for protecting your Border Collie's paws, but using a Paw Balm regularly can help to soothe dry or cracked paw pads.
What to look for
Deshedding tools to pick up loose undercoat hairs during periods of seasonal shedding.
Grooming gloves, slicker or pin brushes to prevent matts and knots
Paw balm to soothe dry or cracked paws
Sleep and home
Setting up a designated bed or crate for your Border Collie at home is crucial for their well-being, as it provides them with a secure and familiar space to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed or need to rest. Having their own space also helps prevent destructive behavior by giving them a designated area to relax and chew on their toys.
Best crates and bedding for Border Collies
Crate training benefits Border Collies in a number of ways including by providing a safe haven, aiding house training, easing travel stress, preventing destructive behavior, and offering a controlled space for recovery or adjusting to new environments. Remember to introduce the crate positively and never use it as punishment. When choosing a crate, make sure that it is large enough for your Border Collie to stand up and turn around comfortably with bedding material in place. This will vary based on your dog's specific measurements, but typically a crate for a Border Collie should be a minimum of 90cm long, 60cm wide and 65cm high.
When initially crate training your Border Collie, a wire crate that can withstand destructive chewing is essential. Once your dog is used to being crated, you may wish to consider a more lightweight, portable crate option for use when travelling away from home. Inside the crate you will need to include a supportive bed large enough for your Border Collie to comfortably lie down, rectangular mattress or cushion style beds are ideal for this purpose due to their low profile compared to larger bolster style beds.
What to look for
Durable wire crate for everyday home and secure travel use
Choose size based on your dog's specific measurements
Low profile mattress or cushion style bedding for use within the crate
Border Collie FAQ
