Border Collie
邊境牧羊犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Border Collie is the world's premier sheepdog — a medium-sized, athletic herder from the Anglo-Scottish border with an intense 'herding eye' and an unmatched appetite for work. Extremely intelligent and trainable, Borders need vigorous daily exercise and a job (agility, flyball, herding); they are affectionate with their people, may be reserved with strangers, and are not a breed for a sedentary home.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 46–56cm |
| Weight | 14–25kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: herding FCI: 1 |
| Role | Herding |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 90–180min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy is reported in the breed. Ask your vet promptly if your dog has a seizure.
Congenital deafness
Congenital deafness is reported in the breed; puppies can be BAER hearing-tested. Ask your breeder about hearing tests.
Kidney disease
Kidney conditions are reported in the breed. Ask your vet about routine blood and urine checks.
Collie eye anomaly
Collie eye anomaly, an inherited eye condition, is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about CEA testing.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma or lens luxation is reported in the breed; screening tests exist. Ask your vet urgently if an eye becomes cloudy, red or painful.
Behaviour
Intelligence and single-mindedness
The CKC says intelligence and trainability are the breed's hallmark, that it can show a single-mindedness for the task at hand, is affectionate with friends and may be reserved toward strangers, and that extreme shyness or aggression is virtually unknown; the AKC stresses early socialisation through about seven months.
Not for the couch-potato owner
The CKC says 'highly active' only begins to describe the Border Collie — swift, tireless and with an incredible desire to work, it needs a job, and if there are no sheep it thrives on flyball, agility or frisbee; the AKC adds that a walk round the block is not enough and a non-working Border needs vigorous exercise every day.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 5/5 (very high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Border Collie
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Border Collie England (Herding Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Border Collie
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 12 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Border Collie (standard no. 297, group 1)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Border Collie — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Border Collie England — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Border Collie — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Border Collie — FCI standard no. 297 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.