Border Collie
Brilliant and agile quick study
BCs 101
Herding groupHard-working, agile and oh-so-smart, the Border Collie is a dog who needs a job, of one sort or another. The breed is renowned not only for herding work but also for canine agility where precision and speed put these dogs atop the awards podium more often than not. They’ve worked chasing geese at airports, assisting people with disabilities, finding lost people … the list goes on.
What we love about BCs
Arguably the smartest, hardest working of all breeds.
Their success as companions is wholly dependent on their family’s ability and commitment to keeping the Border Collie’s brain and body active. They are devoted to their families, politely tolerant of friends and generally disinterested in strangers. The Border Collie is good with kids, other dogs, and smaller family pets, but may on occasion attempt to herd them.
Energy level
Energy level: 100% (Very high)
Bark level
- Very vocal
- Talkative
- As needed
Bark level: Talkative. This breed vocalizes regularly but not excessively
Size
Size: 18 to 33 inches tall. This is a Medium sized Dog.
- Breed Group
- Herding group
- Energy level
- Very high (100%)
- Bark level
- Talkative
- Height
- 18 to 33 inches
- Lifespan
- 12 to 15 years
- Weight
- 30 to 55 lbs
The Border Collie stands 18 to 33 inches tall and weighs 30 to 55 lbs. Border Collies have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They are known for a very high (100%) energy level and a talkative bark.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How big do Border Collies get?
- Border Collies stand 18 to 33 inches tall and typically weigh between 30 and 55 pounds.
- How long do Border Collies live?
- The average lifespan of a Border Collie is 12 to 15 years.
- Are Border Collies good for first-time dog owners?
- Border Collies are intelligent but have high energy. They do best with experienced owners who can provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
- Do Border Collies bark a lot?
- Border Collies are considered talkative — they bark more than average but are not excessively vocal.
My pet’s health plannerSM
Mature adult BC
Risk level for common BC conditions
Dental disease
Seizures
Trauma
Senior BC
Risk level for common BC conditions
Arthritis
Kidney failure
Vestibular syndrome
BC puppy
Risk level for common BC conditions
Foreign body ingestion
Gastritis
Trauma
Young adult BC
Risk level for common BC conditions
Foreign body ingestion
Trauma
Urinary tract infection
Mature adult BC
Risk level for common BC conditions
Dental disease
Seizures
Trauma
Senior BC
Risk level for common BC conditions
Arthritis
Kidney failure
Vestibular syndrome
BC puppy
Risk level for common BC conditions
Foreign body ingestion
Gastritis
Trauma
Young adult BC
Risk level for common BC conditions
Foreign body ingestion
Trauma
Urinary tract infection
Nationwide can help you save on your Border Collie's health care no matter what lifestage they’re in.
Border Collies were essential to the plot of “Babe,” a movie about a pig who learned to herd sheep by asking them nicely. While one of the BCs, Fly (a common Border Collie name) was kind to Babe as were her puppies, her mate Rex was dismissive of the pig’s technique, although he came around in time to save the day. The 1995 movie grossed nearly a quarter of billion dollars worldwide.
Border Collie coat care and colors
The Border Collie comes in short- and longer-haired varieties, with working line dogs generally having shorter fur and less of it. The coats are dense with downy undercoats; combing down to the skin and then brushing reduces shedding. Working dogs come in any colors or markings, while show-line dogs come in 17 options, although variations of black and white are most common.
Avoid wrestling matches with adult dogs at nail trim time by acclimating puppies to having their feet handled and nails attended to. Some dogs better tolerate nail grinding rather than trimming.
How often should I groom my Border Collie?
How often should I groom my Border Collie?
Should I trim my Border Collie’s hair?
Should I trim my Border Collie’s hair?
How do I keep my Collie’s coat shiny?
How do I keep my Collie’s coat shiny?
BC exercise & training
BC fun facts
Top girl names for BCs
of BCs are female
of BCs are male
Top boy names for BCs
Nationwide loves Border Collies of every name, from Aaron to Zog the Destroyer
Other breeds like BCs
In North America, the Collie was made popular more than a century ago by the author Albert Payson Terhune, whose Sunnybank Collies can still be found among the ancestors of today’s dogs. Terhune’s books – Lad: A Dog” is perhaps best known – are avidly traded among Collie fans, who flock with their dogs to a park in New Jersey for an annual celebration where the Terhune home once stood.
Best. Border Collie insurance. Ever.SM
- Pet insurance premiums starting at $25/mo.
- Visit any licensed veterinarian, anywhere
- Cancel at any time, risk-free