Training a Border Collie? Start with the basics: start training
Training Border Collie Start training

Border Collie Training for New Owners

Border Collies are smart, eager and always looking for work. Learn how to channel that drive with kind, reward-based training, steady exercise and early socialization.

Read the Guides Puppy

The Border Collie at a glance

From the AKC breed page and the national breed club, as they state it.

AKC groupHerding Group (AKC recognized 1995) source
OriginEngland/Scotland, Border country between Scotland and England source
Bred forSheep herding: gathering and fetching stock with wide outruns, controlling it with 'eye' and a stalking movement | Still used as a working sheepdog worldwide source
Height19-22 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female) source
Weight30-55 pounds source
Life expectancy12-15 years source
Energy5 of 5 (Energy Level; AKC scale: 1 Couch Potato, 3 Moderate, 5 High Energy) source
Trainability5 of 5 (Trainability Level; AKC scale: 1 Self-Willed, 3 Agreeable, 5 Eager to Please) source
Barking4 of 5 (Barking Level; AKC scale: 1 Only To Alert, 3 Occasional, 5 Very Vocal) source
With children3 of 5 (Good With Young Children; AKC scale: 1 Not Recommended, 3 With Supervision, 5 Good With Children) source
With other dogs3 of 5 (Good With Other Dogs; AKC scale: 1 Not Recommended, 3 With Supervision, 5 Good With Other Dogs) source
Shedding3 of 5 (Shedding Level; AKC scale: 1 No Shedding, 3 Moderate, 5 Hair Everywhere) source
TemperamentAKC summary: energetic / affectionate / smart | AKC standard (BCSA): energetic, intelligent, keen, alert, responsive; affectionate with friends, may be reserved with strangers; never shy or fearful | AKC: a bright workaholic, maybe too much for owners without time or energy source

What Border Collies do

Sports and work the breed is known for. source

Herding events, obedience, agility, rally, tracking, flying disc, flyballDominant in sheepdog trials and top-level agilityBCSA Versatility awards: herding, obedience, rally, agility, conformation, scent work, barn hunt, Fast CAT, dock diving (herding required)USBCHA sheepdog and cattledog trials with annual National Finals

Border Collie Training Guides

Practical guides on exercise, socialization, herding habits and mental work for Border Collies, built around what the breed sources say.

Puppy

From the first night home to adolescence: a Border Collie puppy's training.

Training basics

Potty, crate and leash training, written for Border Collies.

Behavior

The Border Collie problems owners ask about most, and the instincts behind them.

Exercise and jobs

How much a Border Collie needs to do, and the sports and work the breed was made for.

Border Collie Questions Answered

How much exercise does a Border Collie need?

The AKC Border Collie breed page rates energy at 5 of 5 and says the dog needs daily exercise beyond a walk or a yard romp, plus a job and space to run. The University of Minnesota Canine Genetics Lab advises stopping repeated ball retrieving at the first sign of wobbliness. Ask your veterinarian about limits.

When should I start socializing a Border Collie puppy?

The AKC Border Collie breed page calls early socialization especially vital, from early puppyhood through about seven months. Use that window for calm, positive meetings with new people, places and sounds, paired with treats and praise. The AKC also recommends obedience training early and for life, since it gives the dog mental work.

Are Border Collies good with children?

The AKC says the breed tends to herd animals and people, and suits older, well-behaved children best. Its Good With Young Children score is 3 of 5, which the AKC defines as with supervision. Individual dogs vary, so supervise young children and teach calm, rewarded alternatives to herding.

Is a Border Collie a good first dog?

The AKC rates trainability 5 of 5 and calls the breed a bright workaholic that can be too much for owners without the time or energy to keep it busy. Mental stimulation needs also score 5 of 5, so plan a job such as obedience, agility or herding.

What health screening should I ask a breeder about?

The OFA CHIC program lists a hip evaluation, an ACVO eye exam and participation in the DNA repository for the breed. The Border Collie Society of America says hips are evaluated after 24 months. Ask breeders for results, and check with your veterinarian about MDR1 drug sensitivity and other DNA tests.

Border Collie health screening

Tests the breed's club and OFA recommend for breeding dogs. Ask a breeder for results.

Recommended screensHip dysplasia: OFA radiographic or PennHIP evaluation | ACVO eye exam annually until 7 years (84 months) | Participation in the OFA/CHIC DNA Repository | Optional: elbows, shoulder OCD, autoimmune thyroiditis, BAER hearing, cardiac, CEA DNA, NCL DNA, TNS DNA | BCSA Health Statement: hips after 24 months; eyes annually… source
Health issues the club notesDNA-testable: CEA, TNS, glaucoma/goniodysgenesis, early onset adult deafness, MDR1 drug sensitivity, PLL, Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome, DH/RS, sensory neuropathy, DM, NCL, myotonia congenita | No available test: epilepsy, lymphoma, Border Collie Collapse | ABCA estimates (working-dog gene pool): hip dysplasia <11%,… source
National breed clubname: Border Collie Society of America (AKC parent club); url: https://bordercolliesociety.com/ source

General training information. Every dog is an individual; for health or behavior concerns, see your veterinarian.