Border Collie
| Size at withers | 46–56 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 13–20 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years |
| Size class | Small–Medium (10–25 kg) |
| Normal resting vitals | Heart rate 70–120 bpm · Respiration 15–30/min · Temperature 38.3–39.2 °C |
| Coat | Double coat, rough or smooth |
| Temperament | Extremely intelligent, high biddability, obsessive work drive; under-stimulation → destructive behaviour |
| Common health issues | Hip dysplasia; collie eye anomaly; epilepsy; multi-drug resistance (MDR1 gene mutation — sensitive to certain medication classes) |
| Exercise needs | Very high — 90+ min/day AND daily mental work |
| Climate & housing suitability | Poor fit for apartment and urban living without exceptional owner commitment. |
| Owner notes | The most intelligent breed by most measures; also the most commonly mis-owned. MDR1 genetic testing is important before certain medication classes. |
Origin and purpose
Herding (AKC). Origin: Scottish–English border.
The most intelligent breed by most measures; also the most commonly mis-owned. MDR1 genetic testing is important before certain medication classes.
What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the owner's job is to give it somewhere to go.
Temperament and training
Stated temperament: Extremely intelligent, high biddability, obsessive work drive; under-stimulation → destructive behaviour
This is a biddable breed that wants to work with you, which makes it forgiving of a novice's mistakes — but biddability is not the same as needing no training. Reward-based training, started early and kept short and frequent, is what these dogs thrive on. Punishment-based methods damage exactly the willingness that makes the breed easy.
Conditions this breed is predisposed to
Idiopathic epilepsy
MDR1 (ABCB1) drug sensitivity
Collie eye anomaly
Hip dysplasia
Health screening — what to test, and when
| Screen for | Test | When |
|---|---|---|
| Collie eye anomaly | Ophthalmologist examination of puppies, plus DNA test | Puppies at 6–8 weeks — the window matters; DNA once |
| Hip dysplasia | Radiographic hip evaluation (hip scoring) | Once at 12–24 months; earlier if lame |
| Idiopathic epilepsy | No screening test. Diagnosis is by exclusion, after blood work and imaging | Investigate the first seizure; do not breed from affected dogs |
| MDR1 (ABCB1) drug sensitivity | DNA test (cheek swab) | Once, ideally before the dog ever needs medicating — then tell every vet |
Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.
For breeders — test before you mate
- Collie eye anomaly — Ophthalmologist examination of puppies, plus DNA test
- Hip dysplasia — Radiographic hip evaluation (hip scoring)
- Idiopathic epilepsy — No screening test. Diagnosis is by exclusion, after blood work and imaging
- MDR1 (ABCB1) drug sensitivity — DNA test (cheek swab)
Feeding
The most forgiving size to feed. A good-quality complete diet appropriate to the life stage, measured with a cup or scales rather than judged by eye, split into two meals a day. Weigh the food; guessing is how dogs get fat. Treats counted within the daily allowance, not added on top.
Exercise and enrichment
Stated requirement: Very high — 90+ min/day AND daily mental work
This is a genuinely high-energy dog and the commonest reason such dogs are rehomed is that their owners underestimated this. It needs hard daily physical exercise AND a job to think about; a walk around the block is not exercise for this breed. An under-exercised dog of this type becomes destructive, noisy, and anxious — behaviour problems that are, correctly understood, an exercise deficit.
Coat and grooming
Double coat, rough or smooth. Brush 2–3× weekly; more in moult.
Climate and living conditions
Stated suitability: Poor fit for apartment and urban living without exceptional owner commitment.
Ageing and senior care
Life expectancy: 12–15 years. This dog is a senior from around 8–9 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Watch for the gradual onset of arthritis, dental disease, and the endocrine conditions of middle age. Senior care →
Before you take one home
- Ask the breeder for the health-test results listed above — for BOTH parents, on paper, before you pay a deposit. A breeder who has done the tests will be proud to show you; one who deflects, or who tells you the tests are unnecessary in this line, is telling you what you need to know.
- Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.
