On average, Border Collies weigh between 31 and 53 pounds and stand around 18 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder, with males typically larger than females. These medium-sized dogs have an athletic build.

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.

No, you should 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, making 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.

Yes, Border Collies are double coated; their double coat 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 keeping their coat healthy and in good condition.

Yes, Border Collies shed a moderate to heavy amount year-round but shed more than usual in the Spring and Fall in preparation for the upcoming seasonal changes. During this period, they will 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 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.

Border Collies live between 12 to 15 years. These sturdy dogs are generally healthy and aren’t prone to many serious health problems. Feeding your pup a high-quality diet, keeping up with regular exercise, and scheduling routine veterinary checkups go a long way to keeping the Border Collie in optimal health.

Border Collies stop growing in height around 12 months of age. However, 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 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.

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 existed for over 100 years.

Yes, Border Collies are a good choice for families. When raised with proper training and socialization, Border Collies make excellent companions for children. However, these pups have very strong herding instincts, so an undertrained Border Collie may try to herd very small children. Therefore, it's best for pet parents to start positive reinforcement training for these habits early.

As with any breed, it is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your Border Collie to keep both the child and dog safe. Teaching children how to properly approach and handle dogs is also crucial to ensure positive experiences for both the dog and the child.

No, Border Collies are not aggressive dogs. These friendly pups do have plenty of energy to burn, though, and without proper exercise, they may exhibit behavioral issues. While any dog breed can potentially exhibit aggression, Border Collies are generally known for their gentle and friendly nature.

If you are concerned by any signs of aggression or reactivity in your dog, be sure to address it promptly with the help of a professional trainer or behaviorist. Pain, discomfort, or underlying medical conditions can sometimes contribute to changes in a dog’s behavior, so it may also be worth visiting a vet to rule out their health as a cause for signs of aggressive behavior.

Yes, Border Collies are barkers. Their herding dog instincts make them highly alert, so their bark is rarely triggered without reason. They will often bark when they are hungry, excited, bored, playful, lonely, or in need of attention. Of course, every dog is different, so some Border Collies may bark more than others, and considering their high intelligence, Border Collies can 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, 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.

Border Collies start to calm down at around two to three years old. As they mature, they often become more manageable and focused, making them easier to train and live with. However, Border Collies are known for their high energy levels and can remain quite active well into late adulthood.

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 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. One Border Collie named Chaser gained fame as one of the most intelligent dogs in the world; she could understand and respond to over a thousand different words and phrases.

Yes, Border Collies have what it takes to make wonderful family dogs. They tend to form incredibly deep bonds with their people and are very affectionate towards their families.

However, these high-energy pups require active pet parents who can keep them busy with plenty of physical and mental exercise. Border Collies do not like being cooped up, and it’s important to keep their exercise needs in mind before you bring a Border Collie home to your family, especially if you live in a smaller home or apartment. Plan on spending at least two hours a day outdoors and exercising your dog.

Yes, many Border Collies love water and quickly take to swimming. Their natural athleticism and active nature mean they’re generally big fans of water-related games and sports, even if their coat isn’t as water-resistant as a Labrador’s. However, individual preferences vary, so not all Border Collies may be equally enthusiastic about water activities.

Yes, Border Collies can get along well with cats. With proper socialization, training, and supervision, many Border Collies can become fast friends with cats (or at least learn to live with them).

However, Border Collies are a high-energy, strong breed whose herding instinct can sometimes lead to them chasing smaller animals. They’ll need proper training and boundaries to live harmoniously with a feline. Introducing a Border Collie to cats from a young age and ensuring positive interactions can help foster a peaceful coexistence.

Border Collies are one of the most high-maintenance dog breeds. They need a lot of physical exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction. Because Border Collies require a bigger commitment from pet parents than most other dog breeds, they aren’t ideal for first-time pet parents.

Yes, Border Collies are one of the easiest dog breeds to train with positive reinforcement. These intelligent dogs love learning 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.

But don’t be misled by the “easy to train” label. Even highly trainable dogs take substantial time and effort to train.

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.

• Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD): This condition causes improper cartilage growth in the joints. 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.