When it comes to the Border Collie vs collie, both of these dogs are beloved herding breeds—they excel at sports and have lovable natures, which make them fantastic companions. However, while there are certainly lots of similarities between these two energetic dogs, there are some key differences, too.
The Border Collie is definitely the more active of the two, and they need a lot of physical and mental stimulation each day to keep them from becoming bored and destructive. Super smart and very affectionate, they do best with experienced owners who can meet their needs.
While still an athletic breed, the collie doesn't need as much exercise to keep them happy. They are incredibly fond of children, love to play, and make fantastic family pets. Sensitive souls who are deeply devoted to their humans and like to be in environments where someone is around all day to keep them company.
We know what a big decision adopting a dog is, which is why we turned to expert vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan to get her thoughts on these two breeds and how suitable they are for you and your lifestyle. Below, you'll find everything you need to know about these dogs, including training, exercise, grooming, and health information.
Size: Border Collie vs collie
The Border Collie is the smaller of these two breeds, with males measuring 19–22 inches and females coming in slightly shorter at 18–21 inches. They're also a lot lighter than the collie, with an average weight of between 30–55 pounds.
Male collies typically stand 24–26 inches tall, and females come in just behind that at 22–24 inches. There is a difference in weight between males and females, with the former weighing 60–75 pounds and the latter a bit lighter at around 50–65 pounds.
Appearance: Border Collie vs collie
Although they do differ in both size and weight, there isn't a lot that separates the Border Collie and collie when it comes to their actual bodily structure.
The Border Collie is the sleeker-looking of the two breeds, and because they don't have as much fur, they have more definition in their torso, haunches, and legs, which gives their athletic appearance a more refined look. Their head is wedge-shaped but moderate in length, and their ears may be pricked or partially folded.
In contrast, the collie has a much more voluminous coat and significantly more feathering than the Border Collie. They have a much more cylindrical shape, and while they also have a wedge-shaped head, it is much longer in length than that of the Border Collie.
Both the Border Collie and the collie come in different coat colors, but there's much more variety with the border collie, which can be anything from the traditional black and white to red and white, blue and white, merle, and many others. The collie, on the other hand, comes in just four colors—sable and white, tri-color, blue merle, or white.
Intelligence and trainability: Border Collie vs collie
When it comes to the smartest dog breeds, the Border Collie will win that crown every time. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're an easy breed to train!
"The Border Collie is one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs, but this does bring some challenges, especially to novice owners," Dr MacMillan says. "These dogs can lose interest during training if they are not being properly challenged. Border Collies excel at things like agility and flyball, thriving on both the physical and mental aspects."
So, how does the collie fare in comparison?
"Collies are still pretty smart, but they are usually the easiest of the two breeds to train, as they have an eager-to-please nature and are a bit more relaxed than the high-energy Border Collie," Dr MacMillan explains.
If you're wanting to train your dog on your own, it's worth noting that all breeds benefit from a patient and consistent approach with lots of positive reinforcement. But this is particularly true for the Border Collie, which can be strong-minded. Keep sessions short and fun, and put their herding instincts to good use with specific herding training.
Exercise needs: Border Collie vs collie
Regardless of whether you adopt a Border Collie or a collie, you're going to want to provide them with lots of physical and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
"Both dogs are working breeds, so they need a decent amount of physical exercise," Dr. MacMillan confirms. "However, the Border Collie is the more lively of the two and needs at least two hours every day, whereas collies are OK with around an hour."
The Border Collie and the collie are both athletic dogs, but they also have very bright minds, so it's important not to neglect their brains when it comes to exercise. The best dog puzzle toys will offer them both a good mental workout, and there are ways you can keep dog walks fun through parkour and scent work, which are brilliant for both body and mind.
Border Collies in particular are a very high-energy breed, and without a significant amount of exercise each day, they're prone to becoming bored and destructive. Mixing things up is key with this breed, so be sure to incorporate games of fetch, agility training, flyball, swimming, hiking, and running, as well as lots of opportunities to sniff off-leash in a secure area.
Grooming: Border Collie vs collie
When it comes to the grooming needs of the Border Collie and collie, the two breeds do differ, with the Border Collie being the more low-maintenance of the two.
"Some Border Collies have a silky coat, whereas others are a bit denser. They are all generally low maintenance, though, and will just need brushing once or twice a week, depending on how easily they tangle," Dr MacMillan says.
In terms of the collie, those with long, rough coats will need more maintenance than smooth-coated collies.
"Rough collies require brushing a few times a week and possibly daily during shedding season, while smooth collies will have more similar needs to the Border Collie," explains Dr. MacMillan.
She goes on to add that, as with all dog breeds, daily teeth brushing is also recommended and nail trims as required. If you're nervous about dealing with your pup's pearly whites, check out our vet's guide to how to brush a dog's teeth—you'll be a pro in no time!
Health considerations: Border Collie vs collie
For many of us who are pet parents, health considerations play a key role in our decision-making process when it comes to deciding on which breed of dog to welcome into our family. While we understand that our canine companions won't be with us forever, we still want to have them around for as long as possible. That's where really studying a breed's predisposition to certain health issues can come in handy.
"Both Border Collies and collies are generally healthy dogs," says Dr. MacMillan. "However, they are at increased risk of progressive retinal atrophy and collie eye anomaly, both of which can cause blindness in affected animals. Epilepsy seems more common in border collies than collies, with some dogs relying on multiple medications to keep their seizures under control.
“In my experience, collies are more prone to urinary incontinence. This is especially common in older, overweight, elderly females. I have seen this cause hygiene issues, with their thick, rough coat very easily becoming saturated with urine.
“Hip dysplasia can affect both breeds, along with many other pedigree dogs. This hereditary problem causes a developmental abnormality in one or both hip joints. This leads to joint pain, mobility issues, and early-onset arthritis. Buying your collie or Border Collie from a reputable breeder who carries out all the recommended health screening in their dogs is essential."
Owner suitability: Border Collie vs collie
Thinking of getting a puppy or adopting an adult dog? If so, it's worth giving some thought to your home environment and lifestyle to be sure the breed you choose is the best fit for you. Here's what Dr MacMillan has to say about these breeds.
"The collie is much more suited to family life than the Border Collie as they are more laid-back and less demanding than the highly energetic Border Collie. They are good companion dogs, with only moderate exercise needs, so they can be quite adaptable.
“Border Collies need experienced owners who can put plenty of time into stimulating their dogs. If you are looking for a dog to take to agility or compete with, then the border collie is definitely the right choice for you. Sadly, many Border Collies end up with behavioral issues as they are adopted by people who just can’t meet their needs sufficiently."
Before you decide on a breed, make sure you have the time and energy to devote to them and that you're aware of how to meet their unique needs to ensure they thrive in your care.
Read next: Facts about Border Collies
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver
