Owning a Border Collie
Border Collies are intelligent and loyal, making them a perfect choice for families. Their high activity drive also makes them suitable for people who love walking or exercising outdoors. They require an owner who has the time to spend on mental stimulation as they can get bored quickly which can lead to negative behaviour. However, their intelligence makes them easy to train.
History and origin of the Border Collie
The Border Collie originates from the Anglo-Scottish border and was traditionally a breed used for herding sheep and other livestock, due to their agility and stamina. This dog breed has since become known for their dedication and ability to learn, making them a fantastic addition to families.
What is the average lifespan of the Border Collie?
The lifespan of dogs depends on various things, and the same applies to Border Collies. They are considered to be puppies up until they reach maturity around the age of 2 and become a senior dog around the age of 8.
A Border Collie can live between 12 and 15 years, however, things like diet and health can impact this.
Do Border Collies have any health issues?
Border Collies are generally known as a healthy breed, but like all breeds they can be prone to some health conditions, including:
Hip Dysplasia
This is a common problem in Border Collies and it is caused when the ball of the joint doesn’t fit properly into the socket, leading to the bones rubbing causing inflammation and pain. Why this happens isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to be inherited, so it can be passed on from generation to generation.
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
Osteochondritis Dissecans is where a piece of bone covered by cartilage separates from the end of a bone within a joint. This is a developmental joint disorder that typically affects the shoulder joint, in fast growing breeds, like the Border Collie, and is more common in males.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
Also known as Choroidal Hypoplasia (CH), is a condition where the choroid – the tissue layer behind the retina – develops abnormally, possibly leading to vision issues. For a dog to develop this issue, both parents need to carry the mutated gene.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
This is a group of eye issues that are common in Border Collies and other breeds, where the retina deteriorates over time, leading to progressive vision loss and even blindness. Again, this is an inherited condition, so genetic testing can help reduce the number of dogs suffering with this condition.
Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy is an inherited condition that causes seizures. Seizures typically start from 1 to 4 years of age. Border Collies can also suffer from reactive epilepsy where seizures are triggered by other health conditions like infections or heart issues. (1)
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Border Collies are known for being clever and highly trainable additions to any home. Typically eager to please and incredibly obedient, these courageous dogs require plenty of physical and mental stimulation to keep them occupied.
Their natural love of herding can mean they are best suited to families with older, well-behaved children, as they may be keen to round up any running toddlers unless taught otherwise!
The perfect addition to an active family, these dedicated dogs can be trained relatively easily, enjoying working hard. However, if they are not given adequate exercise, they can become unhappy and destructive.
Throughout their lives, the Border Collie may display different types of behaviour, but the right socialisation and active training will encourage this hyperactive breed to stay out of trouble.
Border Collies’ behaviour by lifestage
As puppies, Border Collies have bundles of energy and are incredibly playful. They naturally mouth things while they explore, as well as using this as a way to relieve teething discomfort. Being calm and patient with training is key to allowing Border Collie puppies to express themselves without causing damage to the home. Healthy dog treats can be a wonderful addition to any training routine.
While they are still lively, some calm down a little as they enter adulthood, with those from the age of six usually displaying slightly less excitement. Remember that a suitable exercise routine and adequate mental challenges are great ways to make sure Border Collies lead fulfilled lives.
From around the age of 8, a Border Collie may begin to show slight behavioural changes, including having less energy or pace. As they get older, they are likely to become less playful, and you may notice changes in the amount of attention that they want to be given. It’s important to take note of senior Border Collies’ changing preferences, as well as tailoring the amount of exercise to their abilities. Mixing up walking and running with scent work and other games can be a great way to reduce the strain on Border Collies’ bodies while making sure they have a great mental and physical workout.
| Lifestage | Age | Border Collies’ behaviour | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppyhood | 0-2 years | They are bundles of energy and incredibly playful They naturally mouth things to relieve teething discomfort | Be calm and patient with training Establish a training routine with healthy dog treats |
| Adulthood | 2-8 years | They are lively, some calm down a little From the age of six, they tend to display less excitement | Have a suitable exercise routine and adequate mental challenges |
| Senior years | 8+ years | They have less energy and pace, and are less playful Their desire for attention reduces | Reduce exercise as needed and tailor it to their abilities and incorporate enrichment games for mental workout |
What is the typical size, height, and weight of the Border Collie?
Border Collies are medium-sized dogs. Their height and weight can vary based on a number of factors.
Border Collie height
When fully grown, a Border Collie stands around 18 to 22 inches (45-55 cm), with males being slightly taller than females. At 12 months old, they will be full height but may continue to fill out their chest until they’re 18 months old.
Border Collie weight
Typically, a fully grown Border Collie weighs between 13kg to 24 kg, depending on things like age, size, and activity levels.
It is important to keep Border Collies within a healthy weight range, as excess weight puts additional strain on the joints, worsening symptoms of hip dysplasia and arthritis. By feeding an appropriate, nutritious diet in the right quantities, Border Collies can remain at a healthy weight throughout their life. To find out how much you should be feeding your Border Collie, click here and enter your dog’s weight.
Border Collie weight ranges by age for males and females
| Age (months) | Male weight | Female weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.3 to 2.2kg | 0.9 to 1.8kg |
| 2 | 2.2 to 4.5kg | 1.8 to 3.6kg |
| 4 | 5.8 to 8.1kg | 4.9 to 7.2kg |
| 8 | 12 to 15kg | 10.4 to 12.7kg |
| 10 | 13 to 18kg | 12.7 to 14.5kg |
| 12 + | 15 to 24kg | 13 to 20.4kg |
Learn more about how to check if your dog is overweight, underweight or at their ideal weight.
How much exercise does a Border Collie need?
As a highly active dog, a healthy adult Border Collie should have at least 2 hours of high-quality exercise per day. The amount of exercise should be tailored to fit their health. For example, a more energetic dog should have more exercise and an older, less mobile one will need to have less.
Splitting this exercise between at least 2 different walks is a great way to make sure Border Collies are able to lead active lifestyles that support their health. Remember to keep dogs’ brains active as well as their bodies, encouraging scent work and introducing challenges during times, where they are active, as well as typical walking or running exercises.
For Border Collie puppies, as a rule of thumb, you should take them out for five minutes of exercise per month of age, up to twice a day until they are fully grown. It is important not to over-exercise puppies, as this can lead to joint and mobility problems in later life. As they grow older, their stamina will increase.
How often should a Border Collie be groomed?
The Border Collie’s coat can vary from dog to dog, between short and long hair, and rough or smooth coats. Due to their love of running around and exploring, they often pick up debris in their coats, meaning regular maintenance is essential to keep knots and tangles away. While Border Collies shed their coats when the seasons change, they do shed all year, meaning a regular grooming routine will also help to keep your home looking fantastic… Win win!
With two layers to their coat, the Border Collie should be brushed around three times per week, removing any loose hair. Top tips include:
- buying a good quality dog brush,
- getting puppies used to grooming from a young age,
- and brushing them outside to reduce mess.
Within every dog’s grooming routine, you should also check their ears are clean and have their nails trimmed around once per month to keep them at a suitable length.
| Border Collie grooming task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Brushing their coat | Three times per week |
| Clean their ears if needed | Once per month |
| Trim their nails if needed | Once per month |
What is the best diet for a Border Collie?
A healthy, natural diet is best, as this supports Border Collies to be a healthy and suitable weight. Ensuring that excess weight is not an issue will help reduce the chances that Border Collies develop common conditions made worse by obesity. This includes conditions such as hip dysplasia or arthritis.
A raw diet helps this breed thrive and balance their boundless energy levels. This is because raw food avoids unnecessary fillers and sugars, so it provides balanced energy levels throughout the day, helping to keep their bundles of energy somewhat under control!
What is the best dog food for Border Collies?
Meals that contain fillers are best avoided as these are often grains, gluten, or other additives, which have very little nutritional value. The ideal meals for Border Collies are ones that contain beneficial ingredients so that your dog’s digestive system can absorb all the right nutrients to support their health and growth. (2)
It is also best to adapt their food to their life stage. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Ensure to feed your puppy food that will support their growth in the early stages of their life, such as Bella+Duke’s raw puppy food. The University of Helsinki have carried out several studies on the effect of raw feeding in puppies, and the evidence shows that it’s beneficial for many different health conditions as the pups grow into adults. You can learn more about these in the following studies: (3), (4), (5).
As Border Collies reach adulthood, ensure their meals are tailored to maintain their health. Bella+Duke’s range of adult raw dog food has a host of different options, depending on your dog’s needs. This includes different meats, single protein meals as well as meals specifically targeted at working dogs.
Bella+Duke also have specially formulated senior dog food that has been enriched to support an active and fit lifestyle for as long as possible to ensure your Border Collie’s health in their old age.
Bella+Duke reviews from Border Collies
Here are some of the many reviews we got from our customers with Border Collies. Many customers say that even their fussy and picky Border Collies lick their bowl clean, their dogs thrive on Bella+Duke and several of them also mention that it’s an excellent option for Collies with sensitive tummies or intolerances. Many of them also highlight our excellent customer service, the convenience of free delivery, the free vet nurse consultations and the free 24/7 video vet care you get with your subscription. But don’t just take our word for it, read the reviews!
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References
- Hülsmeyer, V., Zimmermann, R., Brauer, C., Sauter-Louis, C., & Fischer, A. (2010). Epilepsy in Border Collies: Clinical Manifestation, Outcome, and Mode of Inheritance. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 24(1), 171-178. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0438.x
- Raw feeding in dogs and cats, Craig, J M, 2019/12/02, doi: 10.12968/coan.2018.0068, Companion Animal, 578. 584, 24, 11, https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2018.0068Grundström, Sari, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Influence of nutrition at young age on canine hip dysplasia in German Shepherd dogs, 2024-09-28T00:31:48Z, 2014,
- Hemida M, Vuori KA, Moore R, Anturaniemi J, Hielm-Björkman A. Early Life Modifiable Exposures and Their Association With Owner Reported Inflammatory Bowel Disease Symptoms in Adult Dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2021 Feb 1;8:552350. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.552350. PMID: 33598486; PMCID: PMC7882719.
- Hemida, M. B., Vuori, K. A., Borgström, N. C., Moore, R., Rosendahl, S., & Anturaniemi, J. (2023). Early life programming by diet can play a role in risk reduction of otitis in dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1186131. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1186131
FAQs
What health problems can Border Collies get?
Border collies are known for experiencing joint problems such as hip dysplasia, as well as eye problems and canine epilepsy. Living a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce the likelihood of developing some health problems, however you should always seek veterinary advice if you have any concerns. A raw food diet can help contribute and lessen the chances of your Border Collie developing hip dysplasia.
Border Collies are prone to something called Collie Eye Anomaly, or CEA. This affects both eyes if your dog has this condition. It is often detected at a young age, but unfortunately, cannot be reversed. It can cause mild eye issues or complete blindness in severe cases.
Some Border Collies are of the Merle type, meaning that they will have beautiful grey, white or light red coats. However, it can be associated with genetic issues, especially if a dog is a double Merle puppy, meaning that both parents are Merles Border Collies. In those cases, puppies have a very high risk of being both blind and deaf when born.
Is a Border Collie a good family dog?
Yes, the Border Collie can be a great family dog, as they are eager to please, lively, friendly and even-tempered. This does, of course, depend on every individual dog, as they each have their own personalities and traits.
Is a Border Collie a lazy dog?
No. A Border Collie is an energetic dog that loves to run around. It is important to ensure they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation for them to lead happy, fulfilled lives. Because of this, they do particularly well in active households.
How long do Border Collies live?
The average Border Collie lifespan is between 10 to 17 years. This number can vary depending on various individual factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and diet.
Do Border Collies smell?
Despite having long double coats, the Border Collie is not typically a smelly dog, providing they are clean and healthy. Grooming should play a key role in keeping their coats clean and spotting any health issues that could result in an unusually strong scent. The Pet Health & Happiness Survey 2022 survey revealed that when feeding a raw Bella & Duke diet, 18% of owners noticed an improvement in their pet’s body odour.
Are Border Collies hypoallergenic?
No, as Border Collies are shedding dogs so they can’t be classed as a hypoallergenic breed.
Do Border Collies bark a lot?
This depends on each dog, but as a naturally alert breed, they easily spot unusual activity and may bark to alert their owner of this. Border Collies are prone to separation anxiety and may bark excessively if they’re left alone for long periods.
Do Border Collies shed a lot?
Border Collies have a double coat which makes them shed more than a single coat breed. Collies also have seasonal shedding, where in the spring and autumn they transition from their summer and winter coats.
Can Border Collies swim?
Yes, Border Collies can swim but it’s down to each individual dog if they enjoy it or not.
Why are Border Collies so smart?
Border Collies are near the top of the list for intelligence and it’s because they’re naturally talented, have been bred for herding, and have a natural ability to learn quickly and adapt their behaviour.
