Most important facts
- Group
- Pastoral
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 12–20 kg
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Double, medium
- Energy
- Very high
- Height
- 46–53 cm
- Colours
- Black and white, plus others
- Shedding
- Moderate
- Est. feeding cost
- ~£29/mo
- Gear to consider
- Puzzle toys, long training line, ball launcher
Typical dry food, adult
About the Border Collie
The Border Collie was bred along the border of England and Scotland to work sheep on hard hill ground, and almost everything about the modern dog follows from that. The name, the crouch, the stare and the stamina are all working inheritance. Many of the world's top competitive sheepdogs are still Border Collies, and the breed remains the working farmer's first choice.
Border Collies are lively, loyal and seriously clever, with a strong work ethic and an instinct to herd whatever moves, from sheep to bicycles to small children at a family barbecue. That intelligence is a joy to train and a responsibility to occupy.
They need far more than a walk round the block. Without real physical and mental work, agility, scent games, training or an actual job, that clever mind finds its own projects, and you won't like most of them.
Common health conditions
Things Border Collie owners commonly watch for. Guidance, not veterinary advice.
Hip dysplasia
Screened through the BVA and Kennel Club scheme. Keep a growing pup lean and save the serious mileage until the joints have finished growing.
Collie eye anomaly
An inherited eye condition with a DNA test available, so buy from breeders who test their breeding dogs.
Epilepsy
Seizures can occur in the breed and are managed with veterinary medication, so record what you see and talk to your vet early.
MDR1 drug sensitivity
A genetic sensitivity to some common medicines. Tell your vet if your dog may be affected, and a DNA test can settle it.
Feeding a Border Collie
A working or sporting Collie burns through serious energy and needs a complete food with the energy density to match. A sofa-companion Collie needs far less, and feeding the working portion to the pet dog is how a lean breed gets heavy. Puppies should grow steadily rather than fast, even in a medium breed.
Because the gap between a busy Collie and a quiet one is so wide, feed the dog in front of you and adjust with the seasons of its life. The Food Finder asks how much yours actually does and sizes the portion to that.
Every dog is different — weight, age and activity all shift what a Border Collie needs. The turns these breed tendencies into a shortlist matched to your dog’s age, size, budget and needs.
Typical adult weight
12–20 kg
Est. daily calories
540–1,320 kcal
A broad guide for an average-activity adult in good body condition — not veterinary advice. Real needs vary with age, neutering, activity, health and body condition, so no two Border Collies eat exactly the same. Get a personalised estimate or estimate feeding costs.
- Per day
- ~£0.95
- Per month
- ~£29
- Per year
- ~£348
A broad typical monthly budget guide, not a live price quote. Food format, calorie density, pack size and retailer pricing all change the real cost.
Best food for Border Collies
All food reviews →Matched on score, life stage, food type, breed size, fit, value and retailer availability. How we score.
Ranked shortlists for Border Collies
Want the full food shortlist?
See foods matched to your Border Collie by score, price, life stage and fit.
Breed at a glance
- Exercise needs10/10
- Appetite5/10
- Trainability10/10
- Good with children7/10
- Shedding6/10
- Tolerates being alone3/10
The good & the worth-knowing
The good
- Quick to learn and loves to work
- A tireless partner for active owners
- Loyal and closely bonded to their people
Worth knowing
- Needs intense daily exercise and mental work
- The herding instinct can be a handful
- Not suited to quiet, low-activity homes
Best matched accessories
All accessories →The collections that suit the breed, judged by the same independent standard.
Common owner questions
How much should I feed a Border Collie?
It depends on how much yours works and how old they are. A sporting or working Collie can need half as much again as a companion of the same size, so feed to their waistline and adjust when the workload changes. Weigh the daily amount rather than scooping by eye. The Food Finder asks about activity to size the portion.
What is the best food for a Border Collie?
A complete food with a clear named protein and enough energy density for a genuinely active dog. Working dogs may do better on a higher-energy recipe, while quieter companions need something leaner to stay trim. See the matched foods below or run the Food Finder for a ranked shortlist matched to your dog's workload. Split the day's food across two meals, and more on hard-working days.
Do Border Collies need a high-protein diet?
They need enough good protein and energy for their workload, but more is not automatically better, and a high-performance recipe fed to a pet dog mostly performs at the waistline. Match the food to what your dog actually does, which is exactly what the Food Finder asks about.