As a breed, Border Collies are playful, intelligent dogs, who have traditionally herded sheep and cattle using their incredible unique stare – called their “eye” – all over the world.
There are still millions of working Border Collies to be seen internationally. However, the adaptable, easy-to-train Border Collie is now increasingly being adopted by active families as an energetic pet who suits their lifestyle.
So, are Border Collies good for first-time owners? Let’s take a look at this:
How Much do Border Collies Shed?
For centuries, Border Collies have been bred as sheepdogs who spend their days out in the elements rounding up flock after flock and herd after the herd. Therefore, over time, breeders have developed a warm, insulating coat to rival the fleeces of the sheep the breed is known for rounding up.
It may not surprise you, then, to learn that the Border Collie’s coat is also just as suitable as a sheep’s fleece for making wool. Their coat is a little different from a sheep’s, though.
It is possible for a Border Collie to have both a smooth or a rough variety of coats. But either way, a Border Collie has a double coat – this is an amazing waterproof and weatherproof type of fur that requires only a little basic care every once in a while.
But at certain times of the year, like the start of spring and summer, a Border Collie will start to shed heavily.
Because of this, Border Collies are not suited for first-time owners who have allergies or are not used to or prepared for grooming and brushing the large dog.
How Does a Border Collie Behave?
A Border Collie is an incredibly sensitive dog who will constantly listen to every word you say. After being bred exclusively to herd for centuries, they are also hard workers who never clock off which can be a problem.
They are a large, boisterous, and playful dog with the energy to keep going all day long. They are no lapdog – they’ll never settle down with you on the couch to watch a movie.
Yet they need lots of attention. Even if they don’t want to relax with you, they’ll want to interact with you a lot of the time. They are an intelligent breed of dog, who will find clever ways of telling you what they want you to do or how to play with them.
So in some ways, a Border Collie is perfect for a first-time owner, as long as they are prepared to be highly active every day.
A Border Collie is perfect for a family, but with older children who can play properly with such a large dog and who are physically capable of handling a dog who will pull on the lead.
Will a Border Collie be Safe Outside?
They’re no guard dog, but the Border Collie will surely chase away anything that moves, and if they can’t access or identify the moving object, they’ll bark at it to let you know – even at two in the morning.
But their amazing coat means that they will stay warm and happy even with minimal shelter in a secure yard.
So yes, a Border Collie belonging to a first-time owner should be perfectly safe and happy living outside most of the time, unless a sound like fireworks or other animals frequently disturbs them and you.
Will a Border Collie Like it Inside?
It may sometimes be too noisy or otherwise too stimulating for a Border Collie to spend time outdoors. There may be a potential danger, like adverse weather conditions. What if you bring them inside? Will they be okay indoors?
Well, many Border Collies live their whole lives inside.
But many of the same hazards associated with your Border Collie spending their time outside can be observed indoors, too. For example, as seen in the linked video, Border Collies are sensitive and dislike sudden noises like a toaster or doorbell.
So, for a first-time owner, a Border Collie will be fine living inside, as long as there are not too many alarming noises. But they’d be just as happy outside if this is possible.
Is a Border Collie Easy to Train?
The Border Collie is an incredibly intelligent dog who picks up both good and bad behaviors in an instant.
If you train them to do something like opening a door with their mouth, for example, they’ll get to grips with how to do this very quickly, but the next day you could find them letting themselves into your cupboards or out to the street whenever they feel like it.
As mentioned in the linked video, they could decide to train you, too.
You can generally leave a Border Collie alone and unsupervised, for example, to lie on your front lawn peacefully with very little training.
But at any point, their centuries spent herding can take over and they could start to herd a person jogging past, for example, or a crowd of young children playing loudly.
Even for a first-time dog owner, Border Collies are incredibly easy to train for herding or just for obedience. But you can never train a Border Collie not to herd.
What Should I Look Out For in a Border Collie?
As we mentioned previously, Collies never clock off. They will always want to round up anything and anyone who moves, and they may wander or roam, too, if they become very bored.
A Border Collie will not wander off as far as other breeds like a Terrier or Hound, but they can still easily jump out and even nip at passers-by, in an attempt to herd them.
This means that a Border Collie warrants increased security if they are being left alone in the yard. But since the breed is so intelligent, don’t be surprised if your Border Collie teaches themselves to unlock the gate or climb over the fence.
So, if you are a first-time dog owner, these are some specific things to look out for in the breed.
Where Can a Border Collie Live?
The Border Collie is a highly adaptable dog, able to thrive contentedly in most situations – they’re not just a farm dog. But a Border Collie definitely needs a certain amount of space.
Many owners say that a Border Collie requires a house with an expansive yard, at the very least. But many owners also say that their Border Collie still has a great quality of life in a flat with a nearby park.
Therefore first time Border Collie owners with at least daily access to a good space shouldn’t worry too much about amending their current living conditions.
How Much Exercise does a Border Collie Need?
A lot. As much as you can give them. When it comes to exercise, a Border Collie needs daily access to as large a space as possible. As mentioned before, this could be a park, your yard, or even a field.
They also need multiple brisk walks or runs a day, especially if access to a spacious area is limited. The Border Collie definitely isn’t content to be stuck in a yard all day long.
A fitness-loving, active first time Border Collie owner who has plenty of stamina will have lots of fun with a Border Collie.
What Games Can I Play With a Border Collie?
The Border Collie is very intelligent. They are also very loyal and will listen well to you when you train them.
Because of their high intelligence, playing with the Border Collie is important to prevent boredom that leads to destructive behaviors or wandering. But their incredible intelligence is also what makes playing with the Borden Collie so enjoyable.
Whether it’s because of the lurid, neon colors they are available in or because it appeals to their centuries of experience in tracking that one stray sheep, many a Border Collie owner will tell you about what a Frisbee fanatic their Border Collie is.
One other great game that’s very easy to play with Border Collies is Treibball. It’s basically an urban version of herding if you don’t have any sheep handy.
To play Treibball, your Border Collie must herd large balls into a football goal. When competing in the official version of this young, emerging sport, Border Collies are tasked with herding light, constantly rolling balls similar to exercise balls that are much larger than themselves.
However, you will still have success playing modified versions of this casual game with much smaller balls like footballs or tennis balls.
If you are an aspiring Border Collie owner, look into these games. They are perfect for herding dogs.
By Michelle McDaid.
