Border Collie: Breed Profile, Temperament and Care

Group

Herding

Height

Males 19-22 in, females 18-21 in

Weight

30-55 lb

Temperament

Energetic, intelligent, keen and alert; reserved with strangers

At a glance

• A medium-sized Herding Group dog, described as energetic, intelligent, keen and alert ¹.
• A very high-energy breed that the AKC says is extremely hard-working and does best with a job ².
• Mental work matters as much as physical exercise.

Overview

The Border Collie is in the AKC’s Herding Group ². It is famous for its working ability. One Border Collie, Chaser, learned the names of more than 1,000 objects. See our Border Collie fun facts for what the research does and doesn’t show.

Size

The breed standard gives a height at the withers of 19 to 22 inches for males and 18 to 21 inches for females ¹. The AKC’s overview puts the weight at 30 to 55 pounds ². Sources I found did not give an AKC lifespan figure, so we have left that out.

Temperament

The standard describes the Border Collie as energetic, intelligent, keen, alert and responsive. It is affectionate toward friends but may be sensibly reserved toward strangers ¹. AKC advice calls the breed loving and loyal, and a very high-energy one ².

Exercise and mental needs

A dog bred to work all day needs both exercise and real mental work: training, scent games, puzzles and structured activity. Without it, bored dogs can invent their own jobs. Our guide to exercise and mental stimulation explains how to build a routine, and our training handbook covers reward-based methods.

Is this breed right for you?

A Border Collie may suit you if you are active, enjoy training and can offer daily structured activity or a dog sport. It may not suit you if you want a quiet companion or are out for long periods.