They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. They can pull five times their own weight and are considered the smartest dog breed in the world.
My border mix ran next to my bicycle or skiis.
Here's my dog playing on the ice in a 12 meter long leach so he could run around but still under control especially if he'd happen to run on a thin ice patch.
I used to hide a ball or treats for him to find. He'd sniff and search an entire football field and within seconds, he could find the toy or the treats. You constantly need to up your game and keep challenge them.
You need to make all the time on your hands for them. The best is if you can agility train them or let them herd animals.
It's fun and they're great dogs if you're up for the responsibility. It's not a dog for a binge watcher or stay at home parent. This dog needs an active exercising leader/leaders.
Hard work. Loyal to the bone, and extremely intelligent. I had a Border Collie when I was 18 as a puppy, she lived for 16 years. It wasn’t easy in the early years, she had too much energy and took a lot of training. I wouldn’t have a Border Collie again. She was a Border Collie cross Jack Russell.
@Softandsweet2 Not just a yard. That's just a tiny part of the daily stimulation they need.
They still need daily walks 3-5 times a day. And they must be at least 30-1 hour long. Mainly for their psyche. It's a mental stimulation and challenge you can't skip just because you have a yard.
They are social dogs and are not made to be alone in some back yard.
Up there in intelligence and for doing what i consider worthwhile work (herding,guide work etc) but i don't see them as "masculine" dogs that can guard and protect vulnerable members of the family, which means we'd never own one.
They'd make top watch dogs and i still like them, though they shed too much and i wouldn't invest in one, personally.
Great dogs: it's a pity when people keep them as "pets" but don't give them the physical and mental stimulation they need then wonder why they end up neurotic and unmanageable.....
