The Border Collie has a thick coat with a dense undercoat. So, do Border Collies shed? Yes, they shed all year round. If you’re wondering, are Border Collies hypoallergenic? The answer is no, they're not. Although they don’t shed as much as some other breeds, they do still shed a fair amount. For this reason, they’ll also need regular grooming to help prevent their hair from getting matted. It will also help to keep their coat looking healthy and shiny. During the heavier shedding seasons, they’ll need to be brushed more regularly.
The smooth, short hair Border Collie won’t need grooming as often but will shed just as much.
They’ll only need a bath every few months - unless they roll in something unpleasant. You will need to brush their teeth regularly and clean their ears.
This breed needs daily physical and mental stimulation. They’ll enjoy activities that challenge them and like to have a job to do. They’ll do well at agility training and love to play fetch or jump for frisbees. Without exercise they can become destructive in the household. This can include chewing on furniture, scratching at doors, barking and howling.
Border Collie health
Border Collies are generally quite a healthy breed. But, of course, as with all dogs there are health conditions you need to be aware of. These include:
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Hip Dysplasia
- Pannus
- Hypothyroidism
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Portosystemic Shunt
There’s also a chance of epilepsy, lens luxation and multidrug resistance — although these are only minor concerns.
If your Border Collie was to develop one of these conditions, you won’t want to be worrying about how you are going to pay for their treatment. Browse and compare top pet insurance providers to ensure you have the best cover for you and your dog.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy will affect both the eyes. It starts with night vision and then day vision, so eventually the dog can become entirely blind. It happens so gradually you may not even realize until their eyes become opaque and cataracts form.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is when the ball and socket rub and grind in one or both hip joints. This is inherited and can happen at any age. It will become very painful and restrict their movement. Supplements and physiotherapy may be able to help with this condition.
Pannus
Pannus — also known as Chronic Superficial Keratitis — is believed to be an autoimmune disease, although the condition isn’t fully understood. It appears to be worse when it’s very sunny. It starts with a pink tinge in the eye, but can result in blindness if not treated. Unfortunately, there’s no cure, so a dog will require treatment for the duration of his or her life.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is the result of an underactive thyroid. It’s most common in medium-sized dogs and often happens between the ages of four and 10. It slows the metabolism down so it affects all parts of the body. For this reason, there can be a wide range of symptoms including changes to their behavior.
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Osteochondritis dissecans will often occur when the dog is growing rapidly and can be apparent from three months. It’s when a fragment of cartilage comes away from the bone and gets lodged in the joint. This is mostly likely to happen to the shoulder of Border Collies and is more common in males. It can lead to osteoarthritis if not treated.
Liver Shunt
A
liver shunt — known as a portosystemic shunt — is when the portal vein, a blood vessel which enters the liver and detoxifies toxic elements, isn’t connected properly. This means the blood goes back into the body without being detoxified. They may need a surgical procedure called a
portosystemic shunt ligation.
Feeding a Border Collie - what’s the best diet?
Border Collies are an active breed, so they need a high-calorie, good quality diet. The main ingredient should be protein such as chicken, duck, beef or fish instead of grains or byproducts.
Border Collie puppies will need feeding three times a day. This can be reduced to two meals a day when they become an adult.
They need around 1,000 calories a day (although the exact amount will depend on various factors including their age.) But, you do need to be careful not to overfeed them. This is a breed that’s unlikely to say no to food and so, despite their active lifestyle, they could start to become overweight — especially as they get older.
You want to make sure you are feeding your Border Collie the best possible diet, don’t you? Take a look at the advice from our trusted partner Dog Food Advisor, including the best dog food for small and medium breed puppies.
