Border Collie
Height
19-22 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female)
Weight
30-55 pounds
Life Expectancy
12-15 years
Size
Medium
About the Border Collie
People are often drawn to the Border Collie for its affectionate, energetic, and smart mix wrapped in a medium-size herding frame. They fit best when active households can plan around daily exercise and mental work and noise management instead of treating the breed like a plug-and-play match.
The Good
- Medium build can be easier to fit into everyday routines than the largest breeds
- High-drive personality is a great match for active owners who want a do-something dog
- Often gives owners a workable foundation for skills and routine-building
The Bad
- You need real time for movement and mental work, not just quick potty walks
- Barking can become a real quality-of-life issue if it goes unmanaged
- This is not a set-it-and-forget-it breed match for the average owner
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