
Supremely intelligent and brimming with energy
Vital stats
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Size: | Medium |
Coat: | Requires weekly brushing |
Exercise | 2+ hours a day |
Life span: | 12+ years |
Breed group: | Pastoral |
Temperament: | Intelligent, energetic, alert |
Border Collie temperament & personality

This alert, agile breed is incredibly quick, both mentally and physically. Developed to be excellent shepherd dogs, Border Collies relish the chance to learn and let off steam.
- Border Collies will thrive in active, outdoorsy households where they can be part of the action.
- Generally a sociable breed, Border Collies normally enjoy the company of other dogs and can get along with cats if introduced from an early age.
Border Collie training & exercise

Training tips
- Due to their intelligence and working backgrounds, Border Collies are responsive and pick up training quickly.
- This breed responds exceptionally well to positive reinforcement techniques, so make sure you always have training treats on hand!
- Their chasing and herding instinct means you should spend plenty of time on recall training before letting them off the lead to keep your Border Collie safe.
Exercise
- As a working breed, Border Collies need long walks daily and lots of playtime to prevent them from growing bored and mischievous.
Keeping them happy
- Border Collies make great running buddies for active owners and will love spending extra time out and about.
- This intelligent breed loves a challenge, so keep them guessing with puzzle toys and plenty of mental stimulation.
- Border Collies are eager to please and will appreciate as much praise and attention as you can give them.
Game ideas
- Flyball is the perfect activity for the energetic Border Collie. Essentially a relay race for dogs, your Border Collie will have hours of fun chasing, jumping hurdles and socialising with other dogs.
Common Border Collie health conditions
Border Collies are one of the breeds that are prone to lameness. This can be a result of various different conditions but the ones we see frequently are hip dysplasia and arthritis. Hip dysplasia occurs when the bones that form the hip joint don’t fit together perfectly, causing wear and tear to the joints. Like other dogs, Border Collies can develop arthritis (which means ‘inflammation of the joints’) as a result of this wear and tear.
They may show signs of stiffness (especially after lying down), and be reluctant to exercise or go up or down stairs and steps. While adapted exercises can help to keep them active, long-term treatment or surgery might be needed to help them further.

Border Collie grooming

Originally from the border region between Scotland and England, this breed has a thick double coat to protect them in all weathers.
- Border Collies commonly have black and white or red merle (tan and white) coats, and have two main coat types – smooth and rough, which some dog lovers refer to as ‘short haired’ and ‘long haired’.
- Although their amount of hair can vary, Border Collies are generally agreed to be heavy shedders, especially during moulting seasons.
- Regardless of their coat type, your Border Collie will need to be groomed at least once a week, but they rarely require trimming or trips to a professional groomer.
Border Collie nutrition

As they were traditionally prized for their working ability, adult Border Collies can reach a range of weights and sizes and so their nutrition requirements vary.
- With so many variations in size and weight, it can be a good idea to ask for advice from your vet or breeder on the best food for your Border Collie – many recommend feeding a high-quality pet food twice a day.
- Try to stick to the portion size guidelines on the back of the pet food packaging, as with the right diet and exercise these dogs have a long life span.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Border Collie

Considering welcoming a Border Collie into your home? Before you buy or adopt one, here are a few important things to remember.
- Border Collies’ energetic nature makes them a popular choice as a fun family pet, but they require plenty of time, exercise and attention to keep their mischievous side in check.
- As a rule, Border Collies get on well with other dogs, and can get on with cats as well, provided they are introduced and socialised early on.
- Choose a licensed and reputable Border Collie breeder if you’re buying a puppy. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are illegal.
- Like all dogs, Border Collies can suffer from a range of health conditions so always look carefully at the veterinary cover provided when shopping around for pet insurance as not all policies are the same.
Border Collie frequently asked questions
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Border Collie insurance considerations
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Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
Petplan is a trading name of Pet Plan Limited (Registered in England No. 1282939) and Allianz Insurance plc (Registered in England No. 84638), Registered office: 57 Ladymead, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1DB.
Pet Plan Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 311969. Allianz Insurance plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register No. 121849. Pet Plan Limited is a subsidiary of Allianz Insurance plc. Fitz All Media Limited is an Appointed Representative of Pet Plan Limited.