Border Collie

The Border Collie breed dates back to the 1700s. Border Collies worked with shepherds in the border area between Scotland and England for hundreds of years—hence their on-the-nose name. Their days were filled with herding sheep across rugged hillsides, working-class heroes valued for their smarts, stamina, and an uncanny ability to hypnotize sheep with their stare. They eventually earned the favor of royalty. Queen Victoria famously loved the breed. They were initially brought to the U.S. in the early 20th century by British shepherds and farmers who needed excellent herders. They grew in popularity thanks to their intelligence, agility, and skill.

The perfect owner for a Border Collie is someone who can match their boundless energy, challenge their sharp minds, and provide a loving, active lifestyle. If you love walking and training, the Collie may be your ideal companion.

Border Collies are happiest when they have a job to do: think purposeful hiking, creative agility courses, and herding, of course. The Border Collie thrives on training, which is a great way to exercise their mind and body. Ignore your Border Collie and you might be left with a rambunctious pup. A bored Border Collie is a mischievous one

City life is too stressful for a Border Collie; they thrive with lots of access to the outdoors. They need space for their extensive exercise and training requirements and enjoy more of a quiet country life than a stimulating city one.

There are two types of Border Collie coats: the rough coat is medium-length while the smooth coat is shorter and coarser. The rough coat acts almost as fur armor that shrugs off rain, snow, and whatever else Mother Nature throws its way. The shorter coat is all about streamlined performance with a smooth, glossy style that allows for maximum agility and speed. In both cases, the coat is easy to maintain and grooming involves only an occasional brush a couple of times a week.

These intelligent pups are eager to please their owners but pent-up energy can sometimes lead to mischief, especially if they are bored. Owners need to be patient trainers, using positive reinforcement and creative outlets for that ample energy.

Border Collies have a ton of energy, making them perfect for active kids who love to run, play fetch, or learn tricks. Because of their innate herding tendencies, they can be mouthy companions which might be alarming to families with young children.

The cost of a Border Collie from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.