Are you looking for a Border Collie puppy and are you curious about the facts about the breed? With its unique herding instinct, willingness to cooperate and intellect, the Border Collie has become a popular dog breed worldwide among dog sports enthusiasts and herders. This breed is especially suitable for active dog handlers and those who like to spend time outdoors and moving. Read more about the history, personality and needs of the Border Collie!
race facts

Family friendly

Activity level

Fur care

Training needs

Clearing

Size
Facts about the breed
The Border Collie is one of the most intelligent dog breeds, and is known for its unique ability to herd sheep. It also has a very high work ethic and energy level. The breed originally comes from the border areas between Scotland and England, where it was used as a herding dog. The Border Collie is easily recognized by its thick, soft coat, usually in black and white or brown and white, and its alert gaze.
What can you expect as a border collie owner?
Personality
Personality
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.
Activity level
Activity level
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.
Training
Training
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.
Health
Health
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)
Fur
Fur
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.
Food and nutrition
Food and nutrition
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.

Border Collie
Do you want a border collie puppy? Then we recommend contacting the Norwegian Sheep and Goat Club , which is the breed club for herding dogs. It is important to choose a seller where you get information about how the dog was bred, to ensure that you are not contributing to uncontrolled or illegal dog trade. Unfortunately, not everyone breeds in a responsible and correct way, which can lead to serious diseases in the puppies. Being well prepared and finding a reliable breeder is therefore the best thing for both you and your dog.
