Border collies are notable for many outstanding qualities and it is wise to consider if a dog of this breed is the right choice for you and your household, given these pups’ strong personalities.
Border collies are exceptional companions for active people, and for families with school-age kids. These dogs are easy to train, healthy, and quite hardy in both hot and cold climates. Border collies do need plenty of exercise and are prone to separation anxiety.
Breed Overview
| Size | Males – height: 22 in (59 cm) weight: 45 lbs (20 kg) Females – height: 21 in (53 cm) weight: 42 lbs (19 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12-18 years |
| Potential issues | separation anxiety, love to bark and chase, vigilant around new people and dogs |
Border Collie Could Be A Great Match For You If:
- You are an active person and you would like a companion for hiking, running, and being outdoors
- You have a school-age kid in your household and would like a pet who would keep them company
- There are other pets in your home, and you would like a friendly dog that gets along with other pets, as long as they are properly introduced
Border Collie May Not Be Ideal For You If:
- You are a first-time dog owner
- You work away from home and the dog will need to spend 5+ hours alone while you are gone
- You have babies or toddlers at home. It really does depend: border collies are friendly and easy to train but are instinctively predisposed to chasing and herding little kids or animals
- You are very busy or not fond of spending time outside – these dogs need your attention and exercise
Watch this video for several great insights about border collies as a breed:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BORDER COLLIES
Are Border Collies High-Maintenance?
Border collies are relatively high-maintenance because they need plenty of time and attention from the owner. They require exercise, toys, and activities to keep their minds engaged. Border collies do poorly with being home alone – separation anxiety is a rather common issue.
On the other hand, they are very easy to train, healthy, and do not need much grooming for their fur. They do shed a good amount, more so during the change of seasons.
Are Border Collies Easy To Train?
Stanley Coren, a well-known canine psychologist, ranks border collies as the #1 smartest breed of dogs, about the breed’s working intelligence, in particular.
Here is what the border collie’s high intelligence means in practical terms:
- You do not need to be experienced or skillful as a trainer to achieve good results when training your dog
- The dog will show an understanding of a basic new command in less than 5 repetitions
- The dog will remember commands and skills even without regular practice
- It almost always takes only one time to state a command for the dog to respond, and the response of very prompt
- Unlike some less intelligent breeds, you don’t need to be close to the dog for a border collie to understand and respond to you
These dogs do have extremely strong instincts, especially when it comes to chasing and nipping small animals, runners, bikers, and so on. Those instinctive behaviors can be hard to give, despite the breed’s training potential.
Can Border Collies Be Left Alone?
In general, border collies are prone to separation anxiety and do not do well with being alone for long hours regularly.
These dogs are too smart, active, and owner-oriented to be alone and idle. Among the best interventions are the company of fellow household pets, toys and puzzles for smart dogs, and walking the dog right before you have to leave your house.
Are Border Collies Good Family Dogs?
Border collies are great with school-age children but can be high-maintenance around young kids and babies.
These dogs are easy to train and very owner-oriented, so behavioral concerns, such as being overly protective or herding crawling babies, can be addressed with proper training. Still, border collies need supervision around small kids, and young kids should also be taught to respect the dog’s space, too.
Border collies do need your time and attention, given their high need for exercise. So, keep that in mind if you have a busy household. Older school-age kids are a good match for this breed of dogs because they keep each other entertained.
Are Border Collies Good Activity Partners?
Border collies are exceptional running, hiking, and other outdoor activity companions, although, as a breed, these dogs do not like water and swimming.
These dogs have great stamina, strength, and high energy levels, as well as intellectual curiosity, so they are enthusiastic about most outdoor adventures. In addition, border collies are among heat-tolerant sporty breeds, which helps if you like to hike in summer. Read our post on keeping your border collie cool in hot weather.
Are Border Collies Good Apartment Dogs?
Border collies can do well in compact homes, including apartments but they have to spend at least an hour daily walking or playing outside.
If your apartment has a balcony, that is a great feature to allow your dog to observe and provide some intellectual stimulation. The key idea is that your dog needs your attention, and opportunities to run around and play, and a house with a yard is helpful but your time and company are much more important.
Are Border Collies Aggressive?
Border collies are not aggressive dogs but they are vigilant and protective of the owner and their territory. They are very vocal, which can be mistaken for aggression, and they love to chase anyone and anything that moves fast. These dogs rarely bite but they could nip any fast-moving people or animals unless properly trained. Border collies are quite cautious around strangers, including dogs they do not know.
Do Border Collies Get Along With Other Pets?
Border collies are friendly with other pets at home, especially if they are raised together.
If you bring a new puppy, a cat, or a rodent pet to your home, the dog might need time to adjust. Your border collie will want to make sure that the new animal is not a threat to the household but will accept the new animal as long as it is obvious that you are not concerned. Include the dog with any activity you can think of with the new pet.
Do Border Collies Bark A Lot?
Border collies love to bark and the habit could be hard to overcome due to their herding background. These dogs used to herd sheep and cows, and guard property, so being vocal was a tool they had. Thankfully, border collies respond very well to training, so most dogs learn to suppress the urge to bark and howl as needed.
Are Border Collies Expensive?
Border collies are relatively inexpensive to welcome and maintain.
They are healthy, which is important given the cost of visits to a veterinarian. The cost of their food and supplies is average.
If you would like to purchase a purebred puppy, the cost could vary significantly, depending on where you live. If you are in the U.S. a puppy from a breeder could cost between 500$ and 1500$, so a wide range. As common as these dogs are, there is always a chance of finding a border collie in a shelter or from another owner looking for a new home for their pet.
