The personality of a Border Collie is characterized by high intelligence and a willingness to cooperate. These dogs are both smart, active and energetic, and they require a lot of attention from their owner. They are known to be responsive and have a strong desire to work and learn new things. Border Collies have an innate and natural herding instinct, which can lead them to try to herd, that is, gather, everything and everyone around them, including children and other animals. This is called unwanted herding, and it is very important to consistently train to avoid this. The Border Collie does well as a family dog, as long as it gets enough exercise and an outlet for all its energy and desire to work. It quickly becomes fond of its pack and family, but is best suited to experienced dog owners.

The breed's long history as a working and herding dog has resulted in a high level of activity. For example, it can happily herd for several hours if given the opportunity. For a Border Collie to thrive and be happy, it is therefore important to have plenty of exercise, physical activity and mental stimulation. This is therefore not a suitable breed for those looking for a cuddle partner who will spend all day on the sofa. As a Border Collie owner, you must plan some time for longer walks and obedience training, and let your dog run, play and learn tricks.

As mentioned, training and consistent upbringing are an important part of life with a Border Collie, to overcome the herding instinct. They love to be active and can be described as real workhorses. This dog thrives on almost any form of physical or mental exercise. Border Collies also have an exceptional ability to learn both desired and unwanted behaviors quickly, and rarely give up when faced with challenges. The breed is highly valued in various dog sports such as agility and obedience, where the majority of the top competitors are often Border Collies.

Weight and size

The Border Collie is a medium-sized breed that typically weighs between 14 and 22 kg, and has a shoulder height of approximately 53 cm.

Hereditary diseases

Given that the Border Collie is a popular dog, there are unfortunately hereditary diseases in the breed. Many breeders deliberately try to breed out these diseases, and it is therefore important to carefully examine the parent animals and bloodlines. If the dog has a pedigree, you can see health statistics from several generations back.

Some common hereditary diseases to watch out for in border collies:

• Hip dysplasia
• Working Dog Retinopathy
• Osteochondrosis (OCD)
• Epilepsy
• CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly)
• TNS (Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome)
• CL (Ceroid Lipofuscinosis)

The Border Collie has a thick, soft coat that does not require much grooming. They shed moderately and can be brushed occasionally and as needed to keep shedding in check. Baths are given as needed.

When it comes to food, Border Collies need a balanced diet that provides them with all the nutrients they need. It is important to choose a dog food that is appropriate for the dog's age, size and activity level. You may want to choose to feed your four-legged friend a type of food that is specifically designed for working dogs or dogs with a particularly high activity level. Some can also be fed puppy food even into adulthood, if they are very active.