Border Collie

Border Collies have a double coat consisting of a short, thick, fluffy bottom layer and a longer, glossier outer layer. This coat sheds a moderate amount, but Border Collies are not considered excessive shedders. Regular grooming can help keep your pup’s coat in good shape, especially given their love of spending time outdoors. Grooming can help keep bugs, dirt, leaves and debris from becoming matted in your dog’s fur or getting tracked throughout your home. Excess Border Collie fur can be lightly trimmed from around the toes and ears, but you should never give your dog a full haircut or shave—their double coat helps regulate body temperature and protect them from sunburn.

Brushing: Border Collies are not considered high-shedding dogs, but their double coat sheds moderately year-round and may shed extra hair during the fall and spring. The coat of a Border Collie is not particularly high maintenance, but give it a brush at least once a week—especially if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors and tracks in debris. A deshedding brush can help you tackle your Border Collie’s undercoat during the two seasonal blowouts, but a slicker or pin brush should be sufficient for most routine brushings.

Bathing: Border Collies don’t need to be bathed too often—about once every three months should do the trick. Excessive bathing could irritate your Border Collie’s skin and strip it of the natural oils that condition the fur. If your outdoorsy dog likes to play in the dirt, you can use a damp towel to give your pup a wipe-down. For your dog’s quarterly bath, fill the tub no higher than their knees with lukewarm water. Wet your Border Collie’s coat thoroughly, lather with a shampoo formulated for canines and rinse completely—leftover suds can make their skin dry and itchy. Afterward, towel-dry your Border Collie and finish with a blow-dryer. Make sure to dry inside your dog’s ears thoroughly with a dry towel or cotton pad.

Nail trimming: Regular nail trimming keeps your Border Collie from snagging and damaging these sensitive parts of their paws. To trim your dog’s nails, make sure your dog is in a comfortable position and hold a foot firmly but gently in your hand. Focus on one toe at a time and trim each nail at a 45-degree angle. Go slowly to avoid cutting into the quick that extends from the toe into the top portion of your dog’s nails. The quick is pink and much easier to see in light-colored claws than dark ones. It’s better to use caution than to risk hurting your Border Collie, but trim your dog’s nails enough so that they don’t touch the floor.

Teeth brushing: Some Border Collie health issues are beyond your control, but frequent brushing of your dog’s teeth is recommended to help prevent periodontal disease. Most veterinarians recommend brushing once a day, but you should brush your pet’s teeth at least three to four times per week. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste formulated for dogs and focus on the gumline and those hard-to-reach back teeth. Dog toothpaste usually comes in a tasty flavor like chicken or peanut butter to entice your dog into participating in this important ask.

Professional grooming: Your Border Collie deserves all the care and attention you can provide—and because this breed is so energetic, a lot of your bandwidth may be expended on games of fetch or long hikes. If you want to focus on giving quality time to your canine and let someone else handle the chores, choose Petco’s dog grooming services. You can request a breed-specific grooming session for your Border Collie or customize a grooming package to fit your budget and your dog’s needs. Our knowledgeable stylists are ready to give you a day off—and give your pup the spa day they deserve.

Border Collies are known for being one of the most trainable dog breeds. Extremely high intelligence, a strong work instinct and a desire to please pet parents make Border Collie training fun. Remember that your Border Collie is looking to you for guidance and partnership. It’s up to you to provide an environment that will help your dog succeed in following your cues and the encouragement that will make them proud to respond to your positive reinforcement.

Practice patience with puppies

You’ll have good odds of successful positive reinforcement training if you start when your Border Collie is a puppy. These bright dogs are ready to begin learning basic cues by eight weeks old—the age when many Border Collies go home to start a life with their pet parents. It’s recommended to begin with simple cues such as “sit” and “stay” when your pup is this young. It takes some time—and some repetition—for a puppy to develop the skill and patience to respond favorably to these new words. Your puppy will be ready to start learning more complex skills between the ages of three and six months.

Provide an outlet for energy

A Border Collie’s high intelligence helps make them easy to train, but these same traits make consistent enrichment and activity necessary. Without proper outlets for mental and physical energy, a Border Collie’s behavior can turn destructive and undo a lot of positive reinforcement training. A bored Border Collie may resort to chewing on shoes and furniture, excessive barking, digging up the lawn or other undesirable behavior. To help your Border Collie follow their positive training faithfully, give your dog plenty of exercise and enrichment—puzzle toys and interactive games like fetch are great for mental stimulation.

Mix it up

If your Border Collie seems to be getting bored during training, try keeping things fresh by incorporating several skills into each session. Spending too long on one task could cause your Border Collie’s attention to wander, especially if they’ve already picked up the skill pretty well. Because Border Collies tend to excel at complex and advanced tasks, don’t limit positive training sessions to just one activity. Keep your Border Collie on their toes by trying several cues in each session or build on basic cues with increasingly complicated ones.

Positivity for performance

Positive reinforcement training is the best approach to Border Collie training. Using force, anger, humiliation or aggression to teach your dog how to behave isn’t just inhumane—it’s also ineffective. Your smart, loving Border Collie wants to do a good job and is eager to please you. Rewarding your dog with praise and treats when they respond favorably to cues and complete tasks gives them plenty of incentive to follow your instructions. Punishing your dog when they misbehave only creates anxiety, mistrust and apprehension, making them more likely to engage in unwanted behaviors. Be a good leader and use encouragement and affirmation to guide your pup’s positive training.

Special skills

Border Collies are typically so responsive to complex cues that some pet parents decide to take positive training to the next level. Border Collies’ nimble athleticism and intelligence help them excel at agility training, dog sports and competitive events—some even flourish as service dogs. If you’re interested in having your Border Collie learn more than basic cues, you may find outlets like competitive sporting events or service dog certification ideal.

Suggested Border Collie training services

Teaching complex skills to a Border Collie can be a rewarding experience. Still, you may want some extra guidance when it’s time for positive reinforcement training with your smart pup. Whether you’re looking for group or individual classes—online or in person—count on Petco’s dog training services for a solution that fits your schedule and budget. Puppies and adult dogs alike are welcome alongside their pet parents to learn how to build trust, communication and consistency from a great positive reinforcement training team.

Border Collies tend to be generally healthy dogs, but they are predisposed to certain health problems. For example, Collie eye anomaly is a genetic disorder that can cause blindness and is particularly prevalent in Border Collies and some other herding breeds. Another potential problem is hip dysplasia, a joint issue that can be especially pronounced in highly active breeds like Border Collies. Knowing the signs of some common Border Collie health issues can help you keep your dog comfortable and dynamic.

Dental disease
Dental disease is common in dogs—especially as they age—because their gums and teeth are susceptible to infection and damage without proper care. Red or swollen gums, loose or discolored teeth, visible plaque, bad breath, and discomfort while chewing (sometimes shown as appetite or weight loss) can all signal a problem. Daily tooth brushing with dog-appropriate products is typically the best prevention, and your veterinarian can advise whether scaling or additional treatment is needed.

Weight issues
Even though Border Collies are naturally active, they can still gain excess weight if they don’t get enough vigorous exercise. Extra padding, sluggishness or increased panting can be early signs of weight gain. If keeping your dog lean is challenging, consult your veterinarian—they may recommend a different diet or adjusted feeding schedule.

Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia—abnormal hip development that leads to osteoarthritis—can be especially noticeable in active breeds like Border Collies. Pain, limping or difficulty rising may indicate an issue. Treatment can include pain-relief medications, supplements, weight management, physical therapy, laser therapy, acupuncture or—in severe cases—surgery.

Collie eye anomaly (CEA)
CEA is a genetic condition that causes abnormal eye development and can range from mild impairment to complete blindness. Signs include bumping into objects, clumsiness, confusion or hesitation in familiar places, and diagnosis is made by a veterinary ophthalmologist. There is no treatment, making responsible genetic screening by breeders essential.

Elbow dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia occurs when one or both elbows develop abnormally, leading to osteoarthritis and joint pain. Limping or discomfort in the front legs can be a warning sign. Treatment may involve anti-inflammatory medications, supplements, physical therapy, laser therapy, acupuncture or surgery in more advanced cases.

Seizures
Border Collies can be predisposed to seizures, which often first appear between six months and five years of age. Because no genetic screening test exists, a dog’s first seizure is often unexpected. Anti-seizure medications can help many dogs maintain a good quality of life, though some require multiple drugs or may not respond fully—your vet can guide the best treatment plan.

Degenerative myelopathy
Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive spinal cord condition that causes hind-end weakness, stumbling, and eventually paralysis, though it is not painful. Physical therapy, supportive care and mobility aids may help maintain comfort, but current treatments cannot slow or reverse the disease.

Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism—often caused by the immune system attacking thyroid-producing cells—can lead to weight gain, lethargy, cold intolerance and recurring skin issues. Diagnosed dogs are typically treated with a daily oral synthetic thyroid hormone prescribed by a veterinarian.

Recommended health testing

Health testing that is considered especially important for Border Collies includes hip dysplasia screening and eye examinations.

While the OFA/CHIC—Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and their Canine Health Information Center—lists the following tests as “optional but recommended,” ethical Border Collie breeders should also use DNA tests to screen their breeding pets for the following:

• Collie eye anomaly
• Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis
• Trapped neutrophil syndrome

Other recommended Border Collie screening tests include:

• Elbow dysplasia
• Shoulder evaluation
• Autoimmune thyroiditis—or hypothyroidism
• Congenital deafness
• Heart evaluation

Other tests may be recommended on a case-by-case basis—consult your veterinarian for guidance.

To get the proper nutrition that fuels their high-energy lifestyle, most Border Collies thrive when fed a high-quality, life stage appropriate, commercially available dog food. Your Border Collie should eat puppy food until they’re about 12 months old, at which point you can introduce adult dog food. Your vet may recommend that you switch from adult food to senior food as your dog enters their later years—even energetic Border Collies will eventually slow down as they age and their nutritional requirements change.

Throughout every stage of your Border Collie’s life, make sure you look for foods that have an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy on their packaging. This is a guarantee that a dog food has been certified as nutritionally appropriate for the life stage and characteristics for which it is being marketed, and it’s one of the best ways to ensure that your Border Collie receives balanced nutrition. Buying commercially available and properly certified dog food means that you provide your energetic pup with a complete array of nutrients and beneficial supplements.

Your dog’s age, size and activity level, among other factors, all influence the correct amount of food for them. Border Collies are extremely athletic and need lots of exercise, which means they can quickly pack on extra pounds when they’re not given enough opportunities to expend energy. Remember that treats should make up no more than 10% of your pup’s overall daily calorie intake. Dogs who are overweight or have other health problems have unique nutritional needs and may require special foods or supplements. Your veterinarian can help you choose the right diet for your Border Collie and answer any dietary questions you have.

Devoted, daring Border Collies are treasured for their adventurous spirit and enthusiasm. They love to romp and run just as much as they love spending time with their favorite people. That’s why accessories that facilitate outdoor excursions and interactive play are among the best dog supplies a pet parent of this breed can have on hand.

Border Collies love having a skilled job, and they love partnering with their pet parents. You can satisfy that quest for rewarding work ingrained in the Border Collie personality by going on outdoor adventures together. Border Collies are highly adaptable, and since boredom is the bane of their existence, they’ll gladly jump into a collar or a car for the sake of an expedition. Supplies that help you travel with your Border Collie—from vehicle barriers and seat belts to harnesses and leashes that help keep your dog out of harm’s way—come in handy on journeys to national parks or dog-friendly beaches.

Interactive toys that let you bond with your bright pup while providing enrichment and energy release are a wonderful choice. Those that facilitate games of fetch and tug, as well as toys that test dexterity—such as flyers that can be caught mid-air—encourage positive Border Collie behavior and indulge their desire for connection and affirmation. You might even want to try a water-friendly fetch toy that lets your active dog get wet—many Border Collies love to swim.

Since love for outdoor adventures is one of the signature Border Collie traits, protecting your dog from fleas & ticks is especially important. An unprotected Border Collie can easily pick up parasites while romping through fields and woods, leaving them susceptible to flea- and tick-borne illnesses. These illnesses can range from deeply uncomfortable to downright deadly—practice pest prevention by committing to a routine flea & tick treatment for your Border Collie.