Border Collies are herding dogs who were bred for endurance, energy, drive, and stamina. It’s in these dogs’ blood to herd livestock like sheep. If you have a Border Collie, a Border Collie mix, and especially a BC from working lines, and can’t provide it with the exercise it needs, you’re in for a handful.

Border Collies live to work and please their owners. They are extremely intelligent and need a job to do. Sometimes bored Border Collies take it upon themselves to create jobs to perform: you may find them attempting to herd family members, other people, and other animals.

Exercising Your Border Collie

• Agility – Because Border Collies crave mental and physical stimulation so much, they often excel at dog sports like Agility. Agility requires learning various commands, working with the handler, and traversing obstacle courses at great speed – all activities which Border Collies love. If you aren’t able to join an Agility club and start training and competing in the sport, consider setting up an obstacle course in your backyard or even finding obstacles for your dog on your walks. You have no idea how much joy a Border Collie can get out of a couple of jumps and a tunnel. You can get your Border Collie to jump over logs and streams, weave posts around your neighborhood, climb sand dunes, duck under branches, and other natural obstacles you come across.
• Running and Cycling – Border Collies have such great endurance that they can make perfect running and cycling partners. They can also handle day-long hikes.
• Other Dog Sports - Border Collies can excel in virtually any dog sport. As long as they have a job to do, they’ll give it their all. The Border Collie is the perfect breed if you want to try your hand at various canine sports.A one-hour walk per day or a 10 minute game of fetch is likely to not be enough for a Border Collie. If you’re thinking about getting this lovable, intelligent breed, make sure that you can keep up with their energy and demands for mental and physical stimulation. And if you already have one, time to start exercising!

Obesity can cause serious health problems in dogs. Weight gain and loss can also be caused by underlying health problems. If your Border Collie is obese or experiences sudden weight gain or weight loss, it is always recommended to take it to a vet for a checkup.