Border Collie Owners’ Guide – Temperament, Nutrition & Health Issues
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Border Collies are a much-loved breed, due to their good looks and intelligent personalities. This dog has also proved itself to be extremely versatile. They are popular with active families, agility enthusiasts, and traditional working farms.
If you are a Border Collie owner or maybe about to care for one, it is essential that you understand this breed and how you can best care for it.
Like most pedigree dogs, there are some health concerns to be aware of, too, which will be explored as part of this Border Collie owner’s guide. Of course, we will also look at Border Collie nutrition, which is an essential part of keeping your dog fit and healthy!
Table of contents
General Border Collie Facts
Average life expectancy
10 – 14 years
Average height
The average height for males is 55cm and for females is 50cm
Average weight
Weight can range from 13kg for a small female to 20kg for a large male
Coat type
Medium-length, thick fur, will require brushing 2-3 times a week (possibly daily during moulting)
Recognised coat colours
Many coat colours are recognised, but popular varieties include black and white, chocolate and white, black tricolour, blue and white, and blue merle.
Energy levels
High
Temperament
Border collie temperament is intelligent, alert, responsive and friendly
Most suited to
Owners with a very active lifestyle and time to spend on training exercises or a working home
Border Collie Vet Ratings
Adaptability ⭐⭐
(2/5 very adaptable) - Border Collie's are not very adaptable and require lots of exercise, space and stimulation.
Friendliness/Social ⭐⭐⭐⭐
(4/5 quite friendly)
Health and Grooming Needs ⭐⭐⭐
(3/5 relatively easy to groom but prone to some health issues)
Trainability ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(5/5 intelligent & easy to train)
Exercise Needs ⭐⭐⭐⭐
(5/5 needs large amounts of exercise)
Brief Border Collie Breed History
Border Collies as we recognise them today have been around for at least 130 years, with their ancestors tracing back further.
Working Collies were invaluable in the borderlands between Scotland and England, where they were used to manage large flocks of sheep.
These dogs were specifically bred to handle extreme conditions and landscapes, as well as regular hard work. Border Collies have been known to cover 50 miles in a day, often on very rugged terrain.
Even their coat colour has been selectively bred for a purpose, with their classic white markings making them more visible for night work.
Farmers keen to show off their Collie dog’s skills started informally competing with their dogs, with the first formal sheepdog trial being held in 1873 in Wales, a tradition that continues to this day.
Due to their intelligence, endurance and nimbleness, these dogs are extremely versatile.
As well as working farms, you will find them performing sniffer dog duties for drugs and bombs, as well as competing in agility and obedience competitions.
Border Collie Breed Information
How Long Do Border Collie's Live?
Border Collies can live to around 12 years of age (10-14 years is typical), with the right preventative care and nutrition.
Average Height & Weight Of A Collie
The height range for an adult Border Collie is between 50 and 55cm when measured to their withers (shoulder area).
Border Collie's average weight varies from 13kg for a small adult female to 20kg for a large adult male, so your dog’s final body weight could be anywhere in between.
This chart gives you an approximate idea of the expected weight range for your puppy at key stages, based on these adult weights.
|
Puppy's age |
Small Female (adult weight 13kg) |
Large Male (adult weight 20kg) |
| 3 months | 5 kg | 5 kg |
| 4 months | 7 kg | 7.5 kg |
| 6 months | 9.5 kg | 12.5 kg |
| 8 months | 10.9 kg | 16.3 kg |
| 10 months | 11.8 kg | 18.4 kg |
| 12 months | 12.7 kg | 19.5 kg |
If you wish to plot your puppy’s growth and get a more accurate idea of their predicted weight at various ages then take a look at these puppy growth charts.
Weight is only a guideline when it comes to managing your pet’s waistline. One of the best tools for keeping an eye on them is the Body Condition Score by WSAVA.
Remember, always speak to your vet if you have concerns about your puppy’s weight or growth.
Popular Border Collie Colours
The British Kennel Club recognises a whole array of coat colours and combinations in Border Collies.
However, the most popular are –
- Black and White
- Black Tricolour
- Blue & White
- Blue Merle
- Chocolate and White
- Chocolate Tricolour
Grooming
Border Collies have medium-length fur which requires regular brushing to prevent matting.
Their double coat provides protection against the elements, so it is quite thick, as well as waterproof.
You should aim to brush your Border Collie at least 2 – 3 times per week, more during heavy moulting periods.
Do Border Collies Shed?
Like most other breeds, Border Collies shed a moderate amount. This means pet owners should be prepared for loose hairs in their homes. However, regular brushing can help to reduce this.
Common Border Collie Health Concerns
Hip Dysplasia
As with many pedigree dogs, hip dysplasia is commonly found in Border Collies. This inherited condition can lead to abnormal development of their hip joints.
Affected dogs may have painful lameness and early onset arthritis, due to their hip not fitting smoothly in its socket.
Eye Conditions
There are numerous eye conditions that Border Collies are prone to including Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). CEA affects the way the eyes develop leading to varying degrees of vision loss.
CEA can be seen alongside more obvious eye disorders such as microphthalmia (eyeballs that are much smaller than usual) and enophthalmia (eyeballs that are sunken in their sockets).
Epilepsy
Border Collies are at risk from idiopathic epilepsy. This condition usually starts in young adult dogs, with no obvious underlying cause.
It causes seizures which can be distressing for both dog and owner. Border Collies also seem to be more severely affected than other breeds, with some dogs not responsive to usual anti-convulsant medications.
There is currently no genetic test for this idiopathic epilepsy, but research is ongoing.
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome
Trapped neutrophil syndrome causes a fatal immunodeficiency syndrome and it is probably a major cause of death in very young puppies of this breed (fading puppy syndrome).
In older puppies a fever that doesn’t respond to antibiotics or a fever that develops suddenly after vaccination is common.
It occurs due to defective genes that prevent bone marrow from releasing neutrophils, a type of white blood cell essential in fighting infections.
Border Collie Nutrition
Conscientious Border Collie owners want to get their dog’s nutrition right.
The best dog food for Border Collies will provide a careful balance of nutrients that ensures optimum weight, joint health and coat condition.
With Years fresh dog food, all meals are personalised by a dog's breed, age, activity levels and more to ensure they get all of the specific nutrients to be at their healthiest & happiest.
You can build a personalised plan by simply answering a few questions about your dog, (it takes less than one minute).
Nutrition For Border Collie Puppies
Border Collie puppies require the correct balance of calcium and phosphorus to ensure healthy bone formation.
They also need high levels of good-quality protein to help them during this period of growth and development.
Find everything you need for your puppies nutritional requirements with our fresh puppy food.
Summary
Border Collie ownership can be extremely rewarding. With the right care and nutrition, your Border Collie can live a long and happy life.
At Years we are here to support you along that journey. If you want to find out more about how our recipes fit in with your Border Collie’s nutritional requirements then don’t hesitate to contact us.
FAQs
Are Border Collies Food Motivated?
Border Collies will often be motivated by food. Treats will play an important role in your positive association training, just make sure not to overdo it. Stick to small, high-value treats.
Are Border Collies Good With Kids And Good Family Dogs?
Border Collies are not the ideal match for families with young children. These dogs are high energy and need plenty of mental stimulation, which may not happen in a busy young family. There are always exceptions to the rule, but generally, they are best suited for homes that have older children.
Are Border Collies Aggressive?
The Border Collie temperament is not inherently aggressive, but some may try to herd and nip. This is due to years of selective breeding for working with sheep. Early socialisation and training should help to reduce the risk of aggression.
How Much Exercise Does A Border Collie Need?
Border collies are working dogs which means they’ve been bred to have plenty of stamina. As such you can expect your Border Collie to need at least 1.5 - 2 hours of good physical activity every day, depending on their age and health status.
When Do Border Collies Stop Growing?
Border Collies reach size and maturity by around 18 months of age. Females will reach their full height and weight a bit earlier than males.
How Fast Can A Border Collie Run?
Border Collies can reach impressive speeds of 20-30 miles per hour. This speed, coupled with their intelligence, makes them a great choice of dog for agility or flyball.
About the author
Dr. Becky
Rebecca MacMillan – BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS
Rebecca is a companion animal vet who graduated from the Royal Veterinary college in 2009. Since then, she has gained a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, in both clinical and managerial roles. She currently works in the South West and deals with a variety of routine and emergency appointments, but particularly enjoys medicine cases. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her bouncy flat coated retriever, George!
