Having a dog as intelligent as a Border Collie, while delightful, can present its own unique challenges.  They are very perceptive, constantly thinking and figuring things out – like how to open gates and doorknobs.  Commands need to be very specific, as a slight variance will be perceived as a “different” command.  Life with a Border Collie can be compared to life with a gifted, but very young child.

Exercise Needs

Sheep herding requires physical stamina and endurance and can entail day long running across miles of farmland.   If you can’t provide work for your Borer Collie to do, you do need to find another outlet for your dog to channel his boundless energy, and you need to have the time to do something with your dog every day.