Breed library

Border Collie

Border Collie photograph.
Border Collie 600.jpg - Sannse. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Border_Collie_600.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Border Collie is a breed of British herding dog of the collie type of medium size. It originates in the region of the Anglo-Scottish border, and descends from the traditional sheepdogs once found all over the British Isles. It is kept predominantly as a sheep-herding dog or as a companion animal. It competes with success in sheepdog trials. Some have claimed that it is the most intelligent breed of dog.

  • Country of origin: ScotlandBreed reference country of origin.
  • Country of origin: United KingdomBreed reference country of origin.
  • Country of origin: EnglandBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • In a study done by Grant on a hillfort named Danebury, today's collie is mentioned as a comparator for dogs of the type used by Celtic herders.
  • Many Border Collies today can be traced back to a dog known as Old Hemp.
  • In 1915, James Reid, Secretary of the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) in the United Kingdom first used the term "border collie" to distinguish those dogs registered by the ISDS from the Kennel Club's collie (or Scotch Collie, including the Rough Collie and Smooth Collie) which originally came from the same working stock but had developed a different, standardised appearance following introduction to the show ring in 1860 and mixture with different breeds.
  • The Border Collie is a breed of British herding dog of the collie type of medium size.
  • Some have claimed that it is the most intelligent breed of dog.

Size and appearance

Border Collies are, on average, medium-sized dogs with a moderate amount of coat, which is often thick and prone to shedding. They have a double coat that varies from smooth to rough and is occasionally curled. While black and white is the most common colouring, the breed appears in just about any colour and pattern known to occur in dogs. Some of these include black tricolour (black/tan/white), liver and white, and red tricolour (red/tan/white) which have also been seen regularly, and other colours such as blue, lilac, red merle, blue merle, brindle, and Australian red (also known as ee red, blonde, recessive red, or gold) which is seen less frequently. Some Border Collies may also have single-colour coats. Eye colour varies from brown to green, and occasionally eyes of differing colour occur; this is usually seen with merles. This trait is known as heterochromia. The ears of the Border Collie are also variable - some have fully erect ears, some fully dropped ears, and others semi-erect ears (similar to those of the rough collie).

  • Body mass reference: 12 - 19 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 12 - 19 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 14 - 25 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 14 - 25 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 46 - 56 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 46 - 56 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 48 - 60 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 48 - 60 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 53 cmBreed reference height.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat texture: curly
  • Coat texture: smooth
  • Height category: tall
  • Height category: medium
  • Weight category: large
  • Weight category: medium

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.07 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.78 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.95 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.81 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.42 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.01 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.55 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.86 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.11 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.51 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.57 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.72 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.75 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 3.07 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Border Collie.

Exercise and activities

Common uses of the Border Collie include herding, tracking, and dog sports.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat texture: curly
  • Coat texture: smooth

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

The Border Collie is descended from landrace collies, a type found widely in the British Isles. The name for the breed came from its probable place of origin along the Anglo-Scottish border. Mention of the "collie" or "Colley" type first appeared toward the end of the 19th century, although the word "collie" is older than this and has its origin in the Scots language. Combe preferred the idea that the word 'collie' comes from an old Celtic language word for useful, although she did recognize that Onions' etymological work superseded.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Border Collie - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Border Collie, revision 1376306822. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Border_Collie&action=history
  2. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  3. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  4. File:Border Collie 600.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Border Collie 600.jpg - Sannse. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Border_Collie_600.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.