👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Border Collies Milo; Cooper is the 2nd most popular male name. Meanwhile, most of our users with female Border Collies love Luna, then Bella.
Border collies are incredibly playful and friendly medium-sized dogs. They are very high energy and need at least two hours of rigorous play each day to meet their needs for exercise and movement. They’re intelligent and love people, making them a great choice of dog for those with larger families and friend groups. They are sweet with children and quickly accept other dogs into the pack after a short introductory period. They are skilled watchdogs and fearlessly loyal, making them a favorite breed of choice for families.
If you’re considering a border collie but have other dogs or children in the home, train your new border collie from puppyhood to help it socialize and cohabitate with your other furry friends and family members.
Border collies are generally physically healthy and known for their low-maintenance attitude. They’re predisposed to mental health conditions such as littermate syndrome due to their high intelligence and emotional awareness. Here are a few genetic health issues to be aware of to help your border collie have as healthy and happy a life as possible.
The average annual cost of caring for a border collie is about $1,000 to $2,000 for food, toys, grooming supplies, and veterinary care. It also includes puppy training and socialization sessions for your highly-energetic border collie.
Your exact costs may be more or less, depending on your lifestyle, location, and other factors, but owning a pet can be expensive. That’s why we recommend investing in pet insurance to offset many out-of-pocket medical expenses. A pet savings account is another great way to keep money available for any unexpected medical needs you might encounter with your border collie.
The border collie was bred in Scotland to shepherd farm animals, descending from Landrace sheepdogs found across the British Isles. They became so valuable over time that border collies were bred and exported to help others around the world. This resulted in the launch of many protective organizations such as the Border Collie Society of America and International Border Collie Association. Today, this breed is more than a century old and celebrated for its empathetic, high-energy, and loving personality.
Caring for your new border collie puppy can be overwhelming. Line up key care tools and resources to give your pup the best experience possible. Book your dog’s first trip to the vet and finish any incomplete vaccinations. You’ll also need to puppy-proof your home to prepare your space in advance for teething. This is especially important for your border collie pup, as you may see more chewing due to their high energy levels and clinginess.
Read on to learn more about other care basics for your border collie pup.
Border collies require a minimum of two hours of exercise per day. They are an energetic breed and love to romp and play indoors and outside. Dog sports, toys, and any other forms of play that cater to their ability to learn and master is a good idea. The border collie breed is very intelligent, so play and physical exercise that challenges them is always a good idea.
If you’re considering a border collie for your next pet, it will need lots of room to run and explore and does best with wide open spaces. Take a look at your schedule and consider how much time you have to show your border collie attention and love. Border collies are emotionally attached to their human pals. Their high intelligence makes this need for attention and love even more intense than other dogs, so block plenty of time in your schedule for your furry friend.
Border collies have a relatively simple grooming routine with minimal trimming and brushing needed for their double-layered coat. The exterior side of this coat can be smooth or rough, layered on top of a soft, dense undercoat filled with fine fur.
Frequent brushing is a must for your collie. Due to the length and structure of its coat, build in brushing time at least once a week to keep the shedding under control and support your dog’s comfort.
Border collies are clean dogs who do a lot of the grooming themselves, but they still need a little extra help with tasks that require thumbs: ear cleaning, teeth brushing, and the occasional nail trim.
Border collies are highly active dogs, which means they need a little extra nutrition compared to smaller or more sedentary breeds. On average, however, border collies eat about 2 cups of dry dog food across two to three meals daily. Border collies enjoy a balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats.
Your dog’s actual intake and food type may vary depending on their size, life stage, and other factors. Check with your veterinarian — they can help you with the proper portions and types of food your border collie should be eating.
Border collies are extremely trainable, which is great for owners who want to work with their dogs on certain skills. Border collies do equally well with professional trainers or at-home exercises. If you choose at-home training, keep your collie’s attention with treats, toys, clickers, or other incentives, motivating them to push through some of the most difficult parts of the learning process.
You can also train in different environments after a period of exploration, engaging and satisfying your collie’s need for adventure.
Not quite sure that a border collie is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:
Border collies make excellent pets, and are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and kind personality. They are fiercely devoted to their human pals, and will enjoy every minute of time they can get to play, love, and learn with you.
Border collies are very vocal and bark often to communicate their needs. You can work with a trainer to reduce excessive barking.
Border collies are obedient, especially once trained. However, they are also highly independent and intelligent, which means they may choose to do things their way when possible.
Border collies bond with their humans closely and may feel jealous of other family members or pets. Generally speaking, they do well in smaller families but can acclimate well to larger groups with introductory periods, training, and time spent together. Their intelligence makes them incredibly versatile and resilient even during periods of stress or change.
