Bringing a new pet home is exciting — but it also comes with plenty of questions. To help make the journey easier, we asked one of our trusted Border Collie Partners to talk through the most important things every first-time pet owner wants to know (and should be asking).
From understanding what to expect in those first few weeks to grooming best practices, our Breeder Partner shares insights to set you and your Border Collie up for success.
Introducing the Breeder: Classicyds
With over 25 years in the dog world, Jason and Nadia Attridge are renowned Australian breeders and judges known for their passion and excellence.
Jason, an All Breeds Judge, has judged across Australia and internationally — from New Zealand and China to the USA, South Africa, and Canada. A qualified Endurance Trial Judge, he also competes with their Border Collies in herding, obedience, scent work, rally, and more.
Together, they’ve bred and shown 10 Supreme Champions, numerous Best in Show and Australian Champions, as well as multi-titled dogs across a range of disciplines. Nadia, also an experienced judge, has officiated across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA.
Their lifelong dedication to responsible breeding and love for their dogs truly set them apart.
“Border Collies are truly so very smart that at times you will be amazed. They are also exceptionally agile.”
Border Collie breed FAQs
How long do Border Collies live and what are the biggest health risks for the breed?
“Border Collies generally live to around 13 years old, but many will live longer than that. The biggest health risks for the breed relate to overfeeding or overexercising (as a young dog) which can lead to joint issues.”
Which health screenings are important for Border Collies?
“Prospective owners should ensure that both their puppy’s parents have had the full Orivet Breed Profile of health tests completed. This includes: Glaucoma, Early Adult Onset Deafness, Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), CL, TNS, and Raines.
Importantly, it is not an issue if one of the parents is a Carrier for any of these diseases. Mating a Carrier to a Clear will not produce affected puppies. A dog who is a Carrier of any of those diseases will not exhibit any symptoms, nor be in any way unwell.
Parents should also be hip and elbow scored. Puppies should also receive individual eye examinations.
Go to Breeders who are members not just of their state dog body (e.g., Dogs Queensland) but also members of their state’s Border Collie Club – e.g., the Border Collie Club of Queensland Inc. These Clubs have strict guidelines around Health Testing.
All of this information should be contained in the folder your breeder gives to you to take home.”
Are Border Collies good for first-time dog owners?
“Absolutely! Any new owner needs to ensure that they listen and follow the guidance from their pup’s breeder. All puppies from reputable breeders will come with a puppy booklet which specifically discusses feeding, grooming, and importantly, training.
Always speak to your pup’s breeder if you have any issues. Having a dog, any dog, is a steep learning curve, just like having a baby. There is a lot to learn, but Border Collies make truly amazing pets! Be warned, they are quite addictive!”
Can Border Collies be therapy or assistance dogs?
“Border Collies make wonderful therapy and assistance dogs. Some dogs might be too high drive for these roles. It depends on the individual pup.”
Pet care FAQs for Border Collies
How do you match puppy temperament to a buyer’s lifestyle?
“Communication is the key! We like to meet our buyers prior to them even putting down a holding fee for a prospective litter.
It’s important to find out exactly what an owner’s expectations are around having a puppy, and then together discuss just how we can together help them find the right puppy.
Once our puppies start to exhibit personality traits, we talk more with prospective puppy owners around which ones most closely align with what they are hoping for. An active family might want a super outgoing puppy, or some might want a puppy who is very calm and chilled with children, or some families have dogs already and they want a puppy who will fit in with their dog.
We always stress that the quiet pup in the litter might not be so quiet when he or she is suddenly no longer with their litter mates, and vice versa.”
How often should I bring my Border Collie for a vet check-up?
“Apart from vaccinations, a good 6-monthly check-up is a smart move. It’s no different from us visiting our doctors and getting a check-up.
Finding a great vet is super important. We always ask our prospective puppy buyers to do some research either online via community pages, say on Facebook, or research in person.
Go to a local dog park and ask the owners there about their experiences, and don’t be afraid to meet a vet before bringing home your puppy. You want a vet who knows and understands both you and your dog. Again, good communication is the key.”
How much exercise do Border Collies need per day?
“Well, this is a topic of much debate! Whilst all dogs need some physical activity, Border Collies don’t need more exercise than other breeds, but they do need mental stimulation daily.
Teach your dog to do a multitude of things, from basic obedience to little tricks. Borders love to learn and love to please you.
Our breed standard (a set of international rules which covers every breed worldwide, and is specific to each individual breed) describes the Border Collie’s temperament as “biddable” [which] in short means that your Border Collie will want to learn and follow your instructions—they just need to understand them.
10 to 15 minutes a few times a day is a great amount for training. Then, do something physical with them morning and night; whether it be a walk, or a play in the yard with a toy or a ball.
Our advice is to attend a puppy pre-school at a local vet or dog club, and then definitely find your local dog obedience club and do some basic obedience. You and your dog will love it, and who knows, you might just get hooked on one of the multitude of dog sports that Border Collies excel at.
There are so many types, some like Scent Work really are a great workout for your dog’s mind and are great for people who only have a limited amount of physical ability.”
How often should a Border Collie bathe?
“Once a fortnight is plenty, unless they are dirty. In which case, once they dry, the mud will fall off.
Border Collies have an awesome double coat, which means that they stay dry and warm in winter, even if it’s raining, and it cools them in summer. Don’t be tempted to have them shaved off; just get their coat shortened if you want.
It’s vital to brush your Border Collie a couple of times a week, especially around the tail area (we call the area around their back legs, ‘the pants’). Pants can knot or pick up burrs etc., so keep them well-brushed and if need be, use a spray-on dog grooming conditioner to help with any knots.
Bathing any dog too much can impact their natural coat oils. Border Collies are not a smelly breed, unlike some others, so as long as they are regularly brushed, you might find every 3 weeks is enough for your Border Collie in terms of bathing.”
Are Border Collies friendly with kids, cats, and other dogs?
“Like most breeds, some will be and some won’t be. When buying a pup, discuss your situation with your breeder and look at strategies for introducing the puppy to its new four-legged family.
In terms of children, the biggest learning curve is for the children, rather than for the puppy. Children need to be taught how to behave with a new pup and with an older dog, too. Your breeder will help you with this.”
What’s an ideal home for Border Collies?
“There is no one perfect or ideal type of home. But like most dogs, your Border Collie will be happiest when it is doing things with the people it loves. So a home where [their humans] want to spend time with their dog is important.
Border Collies are not good in situations where they are just left alone all day and only see their family when the food is put out. Border Collies need mental stimulation, and they love to be with you.
This doesn’t mean that they can’t be left alone, but most Border Collies make great house dogs and are happy to spend time inside and outside.
We have owned Border Collies who are very relaxed and happy to just spend their dog on their bed in the lounge room watching us go about our day. We have also owned Border Collies who crave activities with us and want to run and play.”
Is crate training recommended for Border Collies?
“In our opinion, all dogs should be crate-trained. A crate is a safe space for a dog. This stems from primitive dogs (or today’s wolves), who sleep in caves for safety.
A dog, especially a puppy, needs downtime. Having [their own space] which can be shut when needed, is ideal. And if we leave our dogs’ crates open, they will just go and sleep in them. They love their own space.
Crate training is relatively easy, and many breeders commence this prior to puppies going to new homes. Having a collapsible crate is also great for when you go on holiday and need a spot for your dog to sleep in and be separated from other people or dogs.”
What’s the best age to start training a Border Collie?
“We start training our [puppies] before they leave home at 8 weeks, as do many breeders. Puppies are like Super Soaker sponges: They want to absorb and learn. Border Collie pups are so keen to be praised and learn new things!”
How long can Border Collies be left alone?
“There is no set time. Obviously, older dogs will learn routines and be content to be alone for longer. Most Border Collies will be okay with their family going to work, as long as they are provided with activities to do on their own, like Kongs (dog toy).”
Grooming FAQs for Border Collies
Are Border Collies considered hypoallergenic? Do they shed?
“Border Collies do shed. They will shed quite a bit when they lose their puppy coat at around 12 to 15 months, and [female adults will shed] as they move through their cycle.
But as an owner, just maintaining a good brushing routine will keep that in check. We believe that a 5 minute brush either morning or night is ideal as it is a good [and] calming bonding time.
Train your Border Collie to lay on its side on a dog towel [so] you can groom one side and then the next. It’s an excellent habit to start from when you bring home your pup.”
Can you give some grooming tips for Border Collies? What should I look out for?
“As previously mentioned, a good brushing routine of a few minutes a day is an ideal process. Many people actually find this very cathartic. Importantly, make sure that there are no knots behind your dog’s ears, in their armpits, around and in their pants, or on their stomach.
We strongly advise that you learn to trim your dog’s nails and do so weekly. We provide a guide on how to do this. We also provide a guide on the grooming tools and bathing products we use. Reputable breeders will help you out with this information.”
Can Border Collies handle the heat even with their thick coats?
“All dogs need shade and multiple cool, clean water sources (think more than one bowl in a shaded area). Border Collies, as previously mentioned, have weatherproof coats, so they’re insulated.
They still feel heat, just as we do, but they [know how to adjust] their exercise in most situations. We advise having an outside fan on a wall if you’re concerned about your dog in the heat. Or having dog pools.
Every dog, just like people, is different in terms of how hot they get. We can tell you, a Border Collie loves an air-conditioned spot in your house with you during the hottest of days!”
About Knose Partner Breeders
In Australia, dog breeding is closely regulated to protect animal welfare and ensure that every puppy is raised in a safe, healthy environment.
At Knose, we partner only with breeders who meet Australia’s standards. Through ongoing education, resources, seminars, and partnerships, they continue to enrich their breeding practices and place animal wellbeing at the heart of everything they do.
We believe transparency is essential. New pet parents should feel fully informed—from understanding hereditary or breed-related health considerations to knowing what kind of care and training a specific breed may need.
The shared goal of our partner breeders is simple: to give every puppy the best possible start in life and every new owner the confidence that their newest family member has been raised with care, integrity, and love.
Disclaimer: Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply. See the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) at knose.com.au for full details. Knose Pet Insurance is issued by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 83 169 311 193, AFSL 523921). Breeders may receive a referral fee if you purchase or transfer a policy.
