Dog breed · Herding / Pastoral
Border Collie
Widely regarded as the most trainable of all breeds, and correspondingly demanding. A Border Collie without a job will invent one.
Medium12–15 yearsAnglo-Scottish borderNeeds more space
Breed characteristics
- Group
- Herding / Pastoral
- Origin
- Anglo-Scottish border
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 14–20 kg (30–45 lb)
- Height
- 46–56 cm
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Rough or smooth double coat
- Temperament
- IntenseQuick-thinkingSensitiveDriven
History
Refined in the hill country between England and Scotland for silent, eye-driven sheep herding; most working lines trace to the dog Old Hemp (1893).
Appearance
Athletic and agile with an intense gaze, in black and white, merle, tricolour and many other patterns.
Exercise and activity
Two or more hours of combined physical and cognitive work: herding, agility, scent work, trick training or flyball.
Care and grooming
Brush twice weekly, more during coat blow. Teach a reliable off switch and settle routine from puppyhood.
Health considerations
- Hip dysplasia
- Collie eye anomaly
- Epilepsy
- MDR1 drug-sensitivity mutation
- Noise sensitivity