Border Collie
One of the most intense, intelligent working breeds. Border Collies shine with serious daily activity and learning, and can become restless without a clear outlet.
size
Medium
energy
Very High
shedding
Medium
grooming
Medium
trainability
Easy
goodWithKids
Usually
barking
Medium
aloneTimeTolerance
Low
climate
Mild to Cold
Best for
- Highly active owners who want a training partner
- People who enjoy dog sports or advanced obedience
- Homes with time for daily mental stimulation
- Owners who like structured routines
Not ideal for
- Busy households with limited time for training
- People who want a relaxed, low-maintenance dog
- Homes where the dog is left alone for long periods
Temperament
- Extremely intelligent and responsive
- Often sensitive to environment and handling
- Can fixate on motion without guidance
- Thrives with purposeful work and play
Daily routine
exercise: Daily vigorous exercise plus games that use the brain, like scent work or fetch with rules.
training: Ongoing training is part of the lifestyle. Reward calm focus and settle cues.
grooming: Brush weekly, more during seasonal shedding.
Living fit
apartment: Not ideal unless you are very committed to daily exercise and training.
family: Can be great with the right routines, but needs supervision with chasing or herding behaviors.
firstTimeOwner: Usually better for experienced owners or very committed first timers.
Health notes
- Choose reputable sources and ask about health testing where relevant.
- Avoid overtraining puppies. Build fitness gradually.
Cost and time
time: Very high. Requires both physical exercise and mental work daily.
cost: Budget for training, enrichment toys, and activities like sports classes.
Find the best dog breed for your lifestyle
Prefer a guided recommendation instead of browsing?
Find the best dog breed for me