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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+14
Dogs
# The Border Collie: temperament, price, health, and breeders
United Kingdom
A brilliant, intense and tireless herding dog, made to work and learn.
Size MediumLife expectancy 12–15 yearsBudget ≈ €110/monthPuppy €800 – €1,500
[Find a breeder 83](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=border-collie)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs Very high
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Excellent
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Remarkable intelligence: he learns quickly, easily understands routines and excels in many exercises
- Great working capacity: his endurance and concentration make him an excellent partner for sporting or utility activities
- Strong cooperation with humans: well supervised, he likes working as a team and responding to instructions
- High need for activity: without sufficient physical and mental activity, it can become difficult to live with
- Sensitivity to boredom: lack of stimulation encourages agitation, vocalizations or repetitive behaviors
- Not ideal for all households: its natural intensity requires time, consistency and real commitment
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- People with plenty of time: they can offer him companionship, outings and regular activities
- Sporty households: this dog appreciates owners capable of sharing a dynamic lifestyle
- Dog training enthusiasts: his responsiveness allows for refined and motivating work when he is well understood
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary households: they may not meet its exercise and stimulation needs
- People often absent: boredom and lack of interaction do not suit it well on a daily basis
- Adopters looking for an easy dog without investment: this breed requires more involvement than a simple calm companion
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
52 cmBorder Collie
- Height at the withers
- 48–55 cm
- Weight
- 18–28 kg
- Coat
- Medium-long, dense
- FCI group
- 1
- Origin
- United Kingdom
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Border Collie in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Border Collie has been known since the 17th century in the border regions between England and Scotland, the Borders, from which it takes its name. Long selected above all for herding work rather than as a show breed, it was used to gather sheep and to assist farms thanks to its liveliness, its precision and its ability to concentrate. The modern breed was built from several lines of sheepdogs, with often-cited influences from breeds such as the Bearded Collie or the Bobtail, as well as from certain hunting dogs. Its standard was recognized by the FCI in 1977.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog, elegant, athletic and very harmonious, slightly longer than tall. Its chest is well let down, its ribs are well sprung and its musculature is lean, designed for endurance and mobility. The skull is not very broad, well proportioned to a rather short but powerful muzzle, with a distinct stop. The ears are medium-sized, erect or semi-erect depending on the individual, and the almond-shaped eyes are generally brown, although some merle individuals may have one or two blue eyes. The tail, naturally carried low and well furnished, reaches the hocks. The coat can be medium-long or of moderate length, always dense and protective, and the coat colour exists in many colours without white predominating.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Lively, very intelligent and extremely responsive, the Border Collie stands out for a strong desire to cooperate with humans. He is attentive, sensitive and often very close to his home, but he retains an intense temperament that requires a clear framework. His herding instinct can be pronounced, which influences the way he observes, anticipates and sometimes channels the movements around him.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Easy to train Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
On a daily basis, the Border Collie needs a lot of physical activity, mental challenges and regular interactions to remain balanced. If it is sufficiently stimulated, it is pleasant, focused and very responsive. On the other hand, boredom, lack of exercise or a living environment that is too restricted can encourage agitation, repetitive behaviors, hypervigilance or certain attempts to control the movement of people and other animals. Apartment living rarely suits it without a very significant daily commitment.
Training
## Training and socialization
The Border Collie’s training must be consistent, early and rich in varied exercises. This breed learns very quickly and readily responds to instructions, but it needs to expend energy to remain fully available to listen. Calm, clear and positive methods should be favored, with careful work on recall, managing excitement, self-control and socialization. It may be wary of strangers without being aggressive by nature, which makes early habituation particularly useful. Well supervised, it excels in obedience, agility, herding and other cooperative activities.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Border Collie
The purchase price of the Border Collie varies mainly depending on the quality of the selection, the health tests carried out, the lineage and the reputation of the breeding kennel. Beyond the purchase price, you should anticipate a regular budget for food, veterinary follow-up and activities.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/border-collie/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Border Collie is generally a robust breed when it comes from serious selection, but it warrants careful monitoring of vision, the musculoskeletal system and certain neurological or genetic risks. Among the conditions regularly cited in the breed are in particular hip dysplasia, Collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, certain drug sensitivities and, more occasionally, gastric torsion.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/border-collie/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Border Collie needs a quality diet capable of supporting its activity, muscle mass and recovery. The ideal ration depends on the level of exercise, age, size and temperament of the dog.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/border-collie/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Border Collie is often cited among the most intelligent dog breeds. Its reputation is based as much on its learning ability as on its capacity to memorize a large number of signals and to take initiatives in herding work. The female dog Chaser became famous for having learned more than a thousand words, which strongly shaped the breed's public image. The Border Collie Bandit also contributed to its notoriety among the general public in the series Little House on the Prairie.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Border Collie
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Border Collie suitable as a first dog?
Not always. Its great intelligence and intensity make it an exciting companion, but it requires time, consistency, and a real ability to meet its physical and mental needs.
### Can the Border Collie live in an apartment?
No, an apartment is not suitable for a Border Collie: it needs space, plenty of exercise, and intense mental stimulation every day. This living environment can only be suitable in exceptional circumstances, with a very available owner and long outings every day.
### Does the Border Collie get along with children?
It can live well with them if it is well socialized and supervised, but its herding instinct may lead it to watch over or control movements. Interactions must therefore be supervised, especially with young children.
## Find a Border Collie breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Border Collie breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Border Collie breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine13](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/nouvelle-aquitaine) [Border Collie breeders in Occitanie11](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/occitanie) [Border Collie breeders in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté10](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/bourgogne-franche-comte) [Border Collie breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes10](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Border Collie breeders in Grand Est9](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/grand-est) [Border Collie breeders in Centre-Val de Loire7](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/centre-val-de-loire) [Border Collie breeders in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/provence-alpes-cote-dazur) [Border Collie breeders in Brittany5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/brittany)
### Border Collie breeders by country
[243 breeders of Border Collie in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/germany) [136 breeders of Border Collie in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/italy) [83 breeders of Border Collie in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie) [65 breeders of Border Collie in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/netherlands) [47 breeders of Border Collie in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/denmark) [34 breeders of Border Collie in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/united-kingdom) [30 breeders of Border Collie in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/austria) [29 breeders of Border Collie in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/spain) [7 breeders of Border Collie in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/croatia) [7 breeders of Border Collie in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie/finland)
[All breeders of Border Collie in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie)
## Ready to welcome a Border Collie?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-border-collie)
## Compare Border Collie with other breeds
- [Australian Shepherd vs. Border Collie](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare/australian-shepherd-vs-border-collie)
- [Border Collie vs. Belgian Malinois](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare/border-collie-vs-belgian-malinois)
## Discover other breeds
[Bearded Collie
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bearded-collie)
[Smooth Collie
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/smooth-collie)
[Rough Collie
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/rough-collie)
[Miniature American Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/miniature-american-shepherd)
[Australian Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-shepherd)
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