Overview
Average lifespan
These clever working dogs will often live to 12 years of age, but cared for with the right nutrition Border Collies can live up to 14 years.
Average size and weight
Border Collie male normally weighs up to 30kg and is up to 56cm tall, and a healthy female weighs up to 25kg and can be up to 50cm in height.
Care requirements
Breed personality, characteristics & temperament
The Border Collie is highly intelligent with an instinctive tendency to work and is very responsive to training. These dogs make keen, alert, loyal and sensitive companions. As well as being loving family pets they excel at obedience, agility and tracking, and make great sheepdogs. They are ‘people dogs’ and so need to interact within the family.
Compatibility with other pets
A Border Collie will enjoy having another dog for company (preferably the opposite sex). Because of this breed’s natural herding instinct, small pets that tend to run away may find themselves continually being herded into whatever area your Border Collie has designated for them. If you live on an area of land you will need to have a run made to restrain your dog when it is home alone, especially at night, as it will consider your neighbour’s stock perfect for chasing.
Care requirements
Border Collies are double-coated dogs with a short thick undercoat and a moderately long medium textured topcoat. They are easy to groom if cared for on a regular basis. Weekly combing and brushing is needed to remove dead coat and to avoid problems when moulting.
If you are not prepared to exercise your Border Collie regularly then this is not the dog for you. A walk each morning and evening is a must to keep this dog fit and happy.
A Border Collie’s strong in-built herding instinct can quickly turn into a dangerous chasing habit if not curbed. Because they are tempted to round up any moving object, this can include traffic – so train your dog to understand that ‘traffic herding’ is not allowed.
Decision time
Ideal owners
Because Border Collies grow so quickly and are extremely active, they are usually too ‘full on’ for very young children and elderly folk. Their herding instinct can also make them a problem for the young.
Decision time (resources provided by Kennel Club):
Before making a decision on getting a puppy, here are some articles you might find helpful:
What do I need to consider when thinking of buying a puppy?
How do I find the right breeder, what should I ask them?
How do you check if the breeder is reputable?
What to ask your vet prior to buying a puppy?
Where to find dogs (resources provided by the Kennel Club):
Breeders
Adoption
Shelters
Find out about important information about purchasing dogs from pet shops and traders