🐕 Dogs

Border Collie

The workaholic genius of the dog world.

Border Collies are tireless herders with exceptional intelligence. They shine in agility, obedience and herding, but they need a lot of physical and mental work to stay happy.

Lifespan12–15 years
SizeMedium · 30–55 lb
Care levelAdvanced
Typical cost$100–180 / month
Great for
Very active ownersDog sportsRural homesDrivenIntelligentResponsive
Border Collie

Photo: Unknown · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Care guide

Daily care

Space to run is ideal; apartment living is tough for this breed.

High-quality, active-dog diet portioned to workload.

2+ hours daily of running, herding, agility or trick training.

Weekly brushing; more during shedding seasons.

Health

Common health concerns

Know what to watch for. Early detection makes most of these far easier and cheaper to treat.

  • Collie eye anomaly
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • MDR1 drug sensitivity
  • Trapped neutrophil syndrome
Veterinary care

Vet visits

Annual exams; ask about MDR1 genetic testing before using certain drugs.

Find a vet near me

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This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Costs are rough U.S. estimates for food, supplies and routine care. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet’s needs.