Border Collie care guide
Widely ranked the most intelligent dog breed, the Border Collie was built to out-think sheep all day. That genius is a contract: give it work — herding, agility, advanced training — or it will reorganize your household by its own rules.
Feeding
Active dogs need performance-level nutrition; portion to body condition since workload varies enormously between homes.
Exercise
Two hours daily of combined physical and mental work is a realistic baseline. A bored Border Collie herds children, cats, and cars.
Grooming
Brush the weather-resistant coat twice weekly; more during seasonal shedding.
Common health issues
- Collie eye anomaly — DNA-testable
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- MDR1 drug sensitivity — test before using common medications
Track your Border Collie's vaccinations, medications, and vet visits in one place with PetVault AI's health vault, and ask breed-specific questions with the AI vet assistant.
Frequently asked questions
Are Border Collies good family pets?
For active, engaged families, magnificent. For busy households wanting a casual pet, they're a mismatch that leads to behavior problems.
What is herding behavior in the home?
Stalking, circling, and nipping at heels — instinct misfiring on family members. Channel it into sports and impulse-control training rather than punishing it.
Related breed guides
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