If you're looking for a Border Collie, Adopt a Pet can help you find one near you. Use the search tool below and browse adoptable Border Collies!
Trixie
Border Collie Mixed Breed (Large)
Pete
Border Collie Mixed Breed (Medium)
Rooby
Border Collie
Dusty
Border Collie
PATCH
Border Collie
Maggie
Border Collie Labrador Retriever
Learn about about Border Collie basics like where Border Collie come from, how many different types of Border Collie you can find, and what other breeds mix with Border Collie.
Border Collies live between 10 to 17 years, longer than many breeds of similar size. These sturdy dogs are generally healthy and they aren’t prone to many serious health problems. Feeding your pup a high-quality diet and keeping up with regular exercise will go a long way to keeping the Border Collie in optimal health. Early diagnosis is the key to a long and happy life so be sure to schedule routine veterinary checkups.
Border Collies stop growing in height around 12 months of age. But they’ll continue to grow in terms of muscle and body mass for several more months, until around 15 months of age.
No, Border Collies are not hypoallergenic. Border Collies produce allergens in their skin, fur, and saliva, which triggers allergies in individuals who are sensitive to dogs. If you have allergies and are considering a Border Collie, it’s essential to spend time with them to see how your allergies react before bringing them into your home.
Mixed-breed Border Collies are quite popular including:
Border Jack (Border Collie + Jack Russell Terrier)
Bordoodle (Border Collie + Poodle)
Golden Border Retriever (Golden Retriever + Border Collie)
Border Heeler (Border Collie + Blue Heeler)
Border Collies originate from the border between Scotland and England. Their name comes from the invaluable service they provided to shepherds with massive flocks of sheep in the area. First known as Scotch Sheep Dogs, Border Collies have been around for over 100 years.
Learn about about the Border Collie general appearance like their size, colors, and grooming needs.
Border Collies come in more than 17 colors but they are most commonly black with white markings. Other common base coat colors outside of black include gold, sable, blue merle, brown, and red.
Black: Black border collies have a coat that is predominantly black, with white patches on their head, neck, chest, feet, and tail.
Red: Red Border Collies appear in different tones of red. Red is one of the most common colors seen in this breed.
Blue: Thanks to a gene that dilutes black coloring, the blue coat on blue Border Collies is actually a progressive ash gray.
Blue merle: The Blue Merle Border Collie has a white chest with a gray base coat that has patches of black on their ears, face, back, and tail.
Brindle: Brindle is a striped tiger-like pattern that is a normal coat pattern in purebred Border Collies.
Gold: Gold Border Collies, also sometimes called blondes, have a coat color most commonly associated with Golden Retrievers.
Lilac: Lilac Border Collies are actually red with a gene that dilutes their pigment. They appear somewhat purple in natural light.
Red merle: Red merle Border Collies have a red base coat, some white markings on their chest, face, neck, and tails, and random dark patches.
Sable: Sable is a pattern associated with a tan or red coat with black tips on each hair.
Yes, Border Collies have webbed feet, but their webbing is less pronounced than that of water-retrieving breeds. While they are not primarily water dogs, the Border Collie’s webbed feet can be an advantage when they encounter wet terrain or need to cross bodies of water.
On average, male Border Collies weigh between 40 to 52 pounds and stand around 18 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder, while females are typically smaller, weighing between 30 to 45 pounds. These medium-sized dogs have an athletic build.
Yes, Border Collies shed a moderate to heavy amount year-round. But they will also shed more than usual in the Spring and Fall in preparation for the upcoming seasonal changes. During this period, they will completely lose their thick, wooly undercoat; this process is known as “blowing their coat.”
There isn’t anything you can do to stop their shedding, but regular brushing will typically keep your Border Collie’s shedding under control and can help reduce the amount of hair they drop around your home.
Border Collies have a double coat that consists of a dense, insulating undercoat and a coarser, weather-resistant outer coat. The undercoat provides warmth and helps regulate their body temperature, while the outer coat acts as a protective barrier against the elements. Proper grooming and maintenance are essential to keep their coat healthy and in good condition.
Never shave a Border Collie. It’s unnecessary and harmful as their double coat is essential for regulating their body temperature and protecting their skin. Shaving can disrupt this natural insulation and make them more susceptible to temperature extremes. Fur also tends to grow back irregularly after shaving, leading to issues with their coat’s texture and appearance.
Learn about about the Border Collie temperament and how well they fit into your lifestyle, home environment, and family.
Yes, Border Collies are barkers. They will often bark when they are hungry, excited, bored, playful, lonely, or in need of attention. Their herding dog instincts make them highly alert so their bark is rarely triggered without reason. Of course, every dog is different so some Border Collies may bark more than others. But considering their high intelligence, Border Collies can definitely be discouraged from barking with proper training and exercise.
Yes, Border Collies will howl in communication, social bonding, and response to certain sounds. While the breed isn’t known for its howling like Huskies, they are definitely capable of it and can even be trained to howl on cue.
Border Collies are one of the fastest dog breeds and can reach impressive speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Their exceptional speed and agility make them excellent at dog sports where quick movements and precise control are required.
Yes, Border Collies are affectionate and enjoy cuddling with their humans. They often form strong bonds and like to be close to their pet parents. But just like people, each Border Collie is unique so others may be more independent.
Border Collies make great service dogs because of their innate problem-solving abilities and trainability. Border Collies can excel in roles such as assistance dogs for people with disabilities. These high-energy dogs need time to mature though and their suitability depends on their individual temperament.
No, Border Collies are not aggressive dogs. These friendly pups do have plenty of energy to burn though, and without proper exercise, may exhibit behavioral issues. While any dog breed can potentially exhibit aggression, Border Collies are generally known for their gentle and friendly nature.
Border Collies start to calm down around 2 to 3 years old. As they mature, they often become more manageable and focused, making them easier to train and live with. But, Border Collies are known for their high energy levels and can remain quite active well into late adulthood.
Yes, Border Collies are one of the easiest dog breeds to train with positive reinforcement. These intelligent dogs love to learn and are very eager-to-please making them highly trainable. The high-energy dogs excel in obedience and agility training and do well with a job.
Yes, Border Collies are protective of their families. They may show protective behaviors by staying close to their people or alerting them to potential dangers. Their herding instincts can lead to behaviors such as intense staring, crouching, or positioning themselves between their family and a perceived threat. These actions are not aggressive but rather a way for them to assess and manage a situation to keep their loved ones safe.
Border Collies are widely considered the smartest dog breed. They possess amazing problem-solving abilities, which is a key factor in their success as herding dogs. Chaser, a Border Collie, gained fame as one of the most intelligent dogs in the world. She was able to understand and respond to over a thousand different words and phrases.
Learn about about the Border Collie health outlook and what diseases they may be prone to at various stages of their life.
Border Collies are fairly healthy dogs but there are a few health issues they are more prone to developing. Some of the most common health problems for Border Collies include:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Two of the most common skeletal diseases seen in Border Collies. They are similar diseases in which the joint has grown abnormally. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from properly meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): PRA is a group of genetic diseases that affect the retina. They are progressive degenerative diseases and will eventually cause blindness in both eyes.
Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD): This condition causes improper growth of the cartilage in the joints in Border Collies. The lack of cartilage properly covering the bone creates stiffness in the joint to the point that a dog becomes unable to bend their elbow.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA): This congenital defect causes abnormalities or unusual changes in the eye.
Others: Cancer, seizures, allergies, and compulsive behavioral issues are also a concern in this breed.
Learn about about acquiring a Border Collie – the pros and cons of adopting versus going through a breeder, and associated costs.
The average cost to buy a Border Collie puppy is $700, with some costing as much as $4,000 depending on their breeding, location, and color. Alternatively, you can adopt a Border Collie from a shelter or rescue for less than $400.
The easiest way to adopt a Border Collie would be through a rescue that specializes in Border Collies. A great place to start would be by starting a breed search on Adopt-a-Pet.com. The search will show you all the available Border Collies in your area.