Border Collie
Border Collie: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Border Collie: a good fit for you
Border Collie: could work, with compromises
Border Collie: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
The Border Collie first showed its worth working sheep in the hills and mountains of the border regions of England, Scotland and Wales, and it is still seen doing the job it was bred for, with cattle as well as sheep.[1] Its intelligence, speed and versatility have also brought it success in obedience and agility and as a sniffer dog for explosives and drugs.[1] The breed standard describes a tenacious, hard-working, responsive and intelligent dog.[2]
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 14–20 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
Border Collie: origin and history
The breed takes its name from those border regions.[1] ‘Collie’ is a Scottish dialect word for sheepdogs.[3] In 1873 the first recorded sheepdog trials were held at Bala in North Wales, and in 1906, after a meeting of English and Scottish sheep-men, the International Sheep Dog Society was formed.[4]
The FCI accepted the Border Collie on a definitive basis on 27 September 1977.[5] Its standard gives Great Britain as the country of origin and places the breed in Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs, except Swiss Cattledogs), Section 1 (Sheepdogs), with working trial.[2]
Fact sheet
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Size
- Medium
- Height at withers
- 46–56 cm [6]
- Weight
- 14–20 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Medium length
- Colours
- Black and white, tricolour, red and white, blue merle
- Low-shedding coat
- No
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needsvery high
- Trainabilityvery high
- Grooming needslow
- Sheddingmoderate
- Barkingmoderate
- Good with kidsmoderate
- Good with other dogsmoderate
- Good with catsmoderate
- Apartment-friendlyvery low
- Copes with being alonevery low
- Watchdog instinctlow
- Good for first-time ownerslow
- Affectionmoderate
Border Collie: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
Not as a first dog. It rates 2 out of 5 for first-time owners. These dogs learn quickly and like working with you (5 out of 5 for trainability). The biggest hurdle is the need for more than 2 hours of exercise a day. If it would be your first dog, plan for a puppy class and a trainer who knows the breed.
How long can it be left alone?
1 to 2 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. These dogs are very attached to their people and often struggle on their own (1 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
More than 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. Walks alone are not enough: these dogs also need work for the head, such as search games, fetch or a dog sport like agility.
How long does it live?
12–15 years is the typical life expectancy. That is about the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: hip dysplasia, eye disease, epilepsy, MDR1 gene mutation.
How big does it get?
46–56 cm at the withers and 14–20 kg. Size class: medium.
Is it a good family dog?
Best with older children. It rates 3 out of 5 with children. With other dogs it rates 3 out of 5, with cats 3 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Moderately: 3 out of 5 for shedding. Brush once or twice a week.
Male or female?
48–56 cm at the withers for males and 46–53 cm for females, according to the breed standard. Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Border Collie or Australian Shepherd?
Biggest difference: grooming needs (low vs. moderate).
| Border Collie | Australian Shepherd | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 14–20 kg | 16–32 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Coat | Medium length | Medium length |
| Grooming needs | Low | Moderate |
| Shedding | Moderate | High |
| Watchdog instinct | Low | Moderate |
| Affection | Moderate | High |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- love being outdoors and have 2 hours or more a day for exercise
- want an easy-care coat
- want to do dog sports such as agility or obedience
Border Collie: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Needs more than 2 hours of exercise a day
- Every day, in any weather, for 12–15 years. Without enough exercise and things to do, the dog gets restless and may start chewing or barking.
- Struggles when left alone
- 1 to 2 hours at most. If you work away from home, plan for a dog sitter or daycare from the start.
- Not a first dog
- 2 out of 5 for first-time owners. The breed needs consistent training from someone who has handled dogs before.
- Needs space
- 1 out of 5 for apartment living. The dog does best in a house with a garden or with fields on the doorstep.
- Breed-typical health risks
- Hip dysplasia, eye disease, epilepsy, MDR1 gene mutation. Choose a breeder who screens the parents, and consider health insurance.
Border Collie: puppy price and monthly costs
£800 – £1,500 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Agria Pet Insurance, 2026). From £83 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £800 – £1,500 [7] | from £83 [8] |
| United States | $750 – $3,000 [9] | $116 [10] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [11] |
| Australia | A$2,000–3,000 [12] | A$210 [13] |
| New Zealand | NZ$1,000–2,000 [14] | NZ$100 [15] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Hip dysplasia [1]
- A malformed hip joint. Both parents should be X-ray screened.
- Eye disease [21]
- Inherited conditions such as PRA or cataracts. Good breeders have the eyes tested.
- Epilepsy [22]
- Can be inherited and is often well controlled with medication.
- MDR1 gene mutation [1]
- Sensitivity to certain drugs. A DNA test tells you for sure.
Health tests for the parent dogs
19 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals): hip X-ray (HD) and eye exam.
- No health test is required for breeding in Canada (Canadian Border Collie Association); the table shows what is recommended.
- Required of club members who breed in Australia (National Border Collie Council of Australia): hip X-ray (HD), elbow X-ray (ED), and DNA tests (CA, CEA, DM, EAOD, GG, IGS, MDR1, NCL5, RS, SN, TNS).
- No health test is required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand); the table shows what is recommended.
| Test | United Kingdom [1] | United States [23] | Canada [24] | Australia [25] | New Zealand [26] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray (HD)Hip dysplasia | Recommended | Required | not in the rules | Required | Recommended |
| Elbow X-ray (ED)Elbow dysplasia | Recommended | Recommended | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| Shoulder X-ray (OCD)Shoulder osteochondrosis | not in the rules | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | Recommended | Required | not in the rules | Recommended [27] | Recommended |
| GonioscopyGlaucoma risk | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended |
| Heart examInherited heart disease, by a cardiologist | not in the rules | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Hearing test (BAER)Congenital deafness | Recommended | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| Thyroid testAutoimmune thyroiditis | not in the rules | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: CACerebellar abiotrophy (loss of coordination) | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| DNA test: CEACollie eye anomaly | Recommended | Recommended | not in the rules | Required | Recommended |
| DNA test: DMDegenerative myelopathy | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| DNA test: EAODEarly adult-onset deafness | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| DNA test: GGGoniodysgenesis (glaucoma risk) | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| DNA test: IGSImerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome (vitamin B12 uptake) | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| DNA test: MDR1Drug sensitivity | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| DNA test: NCL5Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis | Recommended | Recommended | not in the rules | Required | Recommended |
| DNA test: RSRaine syndrome (tooth enamel defect) | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| DNA test: SNSensory neuropathy | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| DNA test: TNSTrapped neutrophil syndrome | Recommended | Recommended | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
Canada and Australia: ● means the breed club’s code of ethics requires the test of member breeders; the kennel club registers litters without it.
New Zealand: the kennel club lists these tests as advice and requires none, so every test is ○ recommended.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: hip X-ray (HD), elbow X-ray (ED), and eye exam. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- DNA results of both parents for CA, CEA, DM, EAOD, GG, IGS, MDR1, NCL5, RS, SN, and TNS, or proof that both are clear by descent.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [28] [29] [30] [31]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [32] [33] [34]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [35] [36] [37] [38]
Similar breeds
Sources
- The Royal Kennel Club: Border Collie | Breeds A to Z
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 297: Border Collie (1987)
- American Kennel Club: Border Collie Dog Breed Information
- International Sheep Dog Society: International Sheep Dog Society (home page)
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Border Collie (FCI nomenclature)
- American Kennel Club (AKC): Official breed standard: Border Collie (2015)
- Agria Pet Insurance (UK): Border Collie Pet Insurance - The UK's Most Trusted Pet Insurer (2026)
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- PetMD: Border Collie Dog Breed Health and Care (2024)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Knose (pet insurer): Knose Border Collie breed page (2026)
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Pet-n-Sur: Understanding dog prices: what does it really cost to get a dog? (2025)
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics (Pugh C.A. et al.): Arginine to Glutamine Variant in Olfactomedin Like 3 (OLFML3) Is a Candidate for Severe Goniodysgenesis and Glaucoma in the Border Collie Dog Breed (2019)
- Frontiers in Veterinary Science (Santifort K.M. et al.): Phenotypic Characterization of Idiopathic Epilepsy in Border Collies (2022)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA): CHIC Program Requirements: Border Collie
- Canadian Border Collie Association: CBCA Code of Ethics
- National Border Collie Council of Australia: NBCC Code of Ethics (adopted by the member clubs, applicable to all club members)
- Dogs New Zealand: Accredited Breeder Health Tests for the BORDER COLLIE (former Accredited Breeders Scheme test list)
- National Border Collie Council of Australia: Breed Health: Hereditary Diseases in Border Collies (DNA tests available, diseases with no DNA test)
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.