The Border Collie has been referred to as one of the brightest of dog breeds – easily trained and incredibly intelligent. However, without a job this athletic herding breed can quickly turn into a nightmare to live with. While many breeds need a job in order to keep them mentally fit… this goes double for the Border Collie! Not a breed for the novice owner, even well-seasoned dog people might not be a good match for these clever athletes. The exercise and time they require goes well above what many people may expect. However, although they require more work than the average dog, many owners insist that they return that investment many times over.
Border Collies were originally bred to be sheep herding dogs which means that most have very high herding instincts. They will chase the cat, herd the kids, and occasionally nip a person or animal in the butt to get them to move in a desired direction. Some are car-chasers – a very dangerous habit. As such, they do need consistent training so they know what they are, and are not, allowed to get away with. They are not always recommended for kids – particularly young kids or those that race around the house a lot, as they tend to be reactive to movement and their herding instincts will often override. The more supervision and discipline the parents are able to give, the better the outcome of the dog living harmoniously with the kids.
Requiring more exercise than many other breeds, Border Collies must be given enough physical stimulation every day to tire them out. A short walk around the block will not cut it, and neither will a single game of fetch. The breed is only recommended for those who are already active and therefore will be able to provide the jogging, hiking and other physical exercise requirements needed. This is NOT including the mental exercise the dog will need as well (obedience and a job such as herding or agility). As the breed is extremely versatile, they don’t necessarily need to herd sheep in order to have a job, and most Border Collies will take any assigned job very seriously, even if it’s a game of frisbee. Oftentimes a good way to tell if the dog considers the activity a job is whether or not he goes into his “natural working position” (head down, stalking pose).
Luckily, Border Collies are one of the easiest dogs to train. Eager to please, extremely intense and with an almost-endless drive, training this breed is both exciting and rewarding! Furthermore, their athleticism makes them great competitors in dog sports requiring speed. This is a big reason why there are so many people competing with Border Collies in all manner of events – and often winning! The downside to their intensity and drive is that if they are not worked enough, they can become very destructive and even neurotic. Digging holes, chasing other pets, and OCD behaviors are common issues with dogs who haven’t been given enough to do. Every year, loads of Border Collies are relinquished to shelters or rescue groups, or even put down because their owner didn’t realize the commitment they were signing up for when they bought one. This is why obedience and exercise cannot be stressed enough. 
Those seeking a Border Collie for herding work should direct their gaze to breeders who focus on breeding working dogs. While many dogs from show stock will have a herding instinct, a buyer will have more luck finding a high-drive dog if the breeder uses dogs that regularly compete in herding trials. Note that while many show-stock dogs have a similar appearance, working Border Collies often are quite varied in how they might look. The breed is allowed to be any color, and both smooth and rough coated – although many show dogs are rough coated, black and white dogs. Working dogs often have a bigger variation in their appearance. Eye color can also vary considerably, as well as the set of the dog’s ears (prick, semi-prick or dropped).
Border Collies, particularly rough-coated dogs, do indeed shed. Beyond brushing and the occasional bath, they also require regular nail trimming and teeth cleaning. Like any dog, regular veterinary care is important as well as a healthy diet. When taken care of, the breed is fairly hardy although they do have some genetic susceptibility to eye problems, hip dysplasia and deafness. Make sure that the breeder health-tests the parents!
Many Border Collies are known for having a high startle reflex, and can react suddenly if they are surprised by a loud noise. They may react by nipping at the dog or person sitting next to them, or they may try to flee the room or the house. Some develop problems with obsessive barking. In order to minimize these risks, it is important to socialize them from a young age so that they grow comfortable with unexpected events happening. Well-bred and well-raised Border Collies shouldn’t be shy or anxious, but the work must be put into them early in order for them to be the stable companions they have the potential to be.
