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Breed profile

Border Collie

Probably the most trainable dog on earth, and the most likely to invent its own jobs.

Black and white Border Collie panting with its tongue out, close-up portrait outdoors
The Border Collie: bright eyes, busy mind.Photo: IketaniDaisei / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Weight
12–20 kg26–44 lb
Height
46–56 cm18–22 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Pastoral / Herding
Origin
England & Scotland
Popularity
#26 US#20 UK · 2025

Known for: Working dogsRunning partnersEasy to train

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Intelligent, Intense, Work-driven, Sensitive.

Health problems to know about

  • Collie eye anomaly
  • Epilepsy
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Trapped neutrophil syndrome (genetic test available)

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Hours of physical and mental work daily. Without it, expect herding of cars, kids and cats.

A good fit for

Very active owners, dog-sport competitors, farms.

Probably not ideal for

Apartments, busy households, first-time owners.

Sources

  1. Royal Kennel Club: Border Collie breed information
  2. VCA Animal Hospitals: Border Collie
  3. Wikipedia: Border Collie

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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Mudi

A quick, wavy-coated Hungarian farm dog that herds, guards and learns fast. Keen, vocal and happiest with a job to do.

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The Australian sheepdog: lean, tireless and quick-witted. Bred to work all day in heat, so it needs a real job.

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Australian Cattle Dog

Tough, tireless Australian drover with a sharp brain. Devoted to its own people and happiest with a job; an idle one will invent its own.

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