Border Collies were originally bred to herd sheep – they had to be able to manage long days on the go, in all sorts of weather and across varied terrain. In fact, it’s a job they still excel at today.

The traits that make them such good working dogs also mean they dominate when it comes to canine sports like agility and flyball. But if you’re planning on taking on one of these speedy pups as a pet, you need to know just how much exercise and attention they will need to keep them happy and healthy.

How much exercise does my Border Collie need?

Border Collies are notorious for being high-energy dogs, so getting the right amount of exercise is crucial.

Most healthy adult Border Collies will need at least 90 minutes of exercise per day. 

However, this will vary depending on your dog’s age, health, and general fitness. Working dogs and those involved in canine sports will generally do far more exercise than those kept purely as pets, whereas puppies and senior dogs will need less exercise to protect their bones and joints. 

To get a tailored activity goal for your Border Collie, simply download the free PitPat app and enter your dog’s details. We’ll tell you how much they should be getting, and we’ll automatically adjust it as they age. Then simply pop on a PitPat Dog Activity Monitor to keep track of just how much they are doing every day – they’ll be hitting their goals in no time!

Border Collies love to explore, and can quickly disappear within moments if they find something more interesting than you when out on walkies. Walk them off-lead with confidence using PitPat GPS Dog Tracker, and know you’ll be able to find your dog for just £149 with no subscription. It’s small, waterproof and easy to use, and has all the activity monitoring features you know and love, so you can just focus on enjoying walkies.

How much exercise does a Border Collie puppy need?

Whilst it can be tempting to wear your Border Collie puppy out by giving them loads of exercise, it’s important that you keep a close eye on how much they are doing. If they get too much exercise, it can damage their bones and joints, which will trouble them later in life.

Once your puppy has had all their vaccinations, you can start taking them out for walkies – aim for five minutes of exercise per month of their age. 

Whilst they are a puppy, walkies should be all about introducing them to new experiences, teaching them good manners and perfecting that recall.

How much exercise does a senior Border Collie need?

As your Border Collie gets older, they’ll start to slow down, needing less exercise that is less intense. 

You’ll be able to spot the signs that your dog is slowing down – a stiffness after walks, reluctance to go for long distances, less interest in that tennis ball. Make sure you take walkies at their pace and reduce the intensity – a gentle stroll in the park will be preferable to a session on the agility course!

Keep track of how much exercise they are doing with a PitPat Dog Activity Monitor or a PitPat Dog GPS Tracker. If you notice that their pace has suddenly slowed dramatically, it may be worth a visit to the vet in case there is a health issue causing the slowdown.

What types of exercise are best for Border Collies?

Border Collies thrive when they use their brains, so they love activities that get their minds working as hard as their bodies. 

Why not try swapping up your daily walk with one of these great sports – your dog might just love it!

• Agility
• Flyball
• Sheepdog trials
• Obedience
• Canicross
• Heelwork
• Disc dog

Can Border Collies be left alone?

No dogs should be left alone for more than a few hours, especially Border Collies. They are particularly likely to develop separation anxiety, especially if they’ve been left alone without adequate exercise and mental stimulation.

If you plan on leaving your Border Collie at all, make sure they have had an interesting walk and plenty of playtime beforehand and that you’ve left lots of fun enrichment toys to distract them while you are out.

Border Collies are one of the most popular PitPat breeds, and it’s not hard to see why their owners love to see how much they’ve been up to. Start tracking your dog’s activity and see how much time they’ve spent walking, running and playing with a PitPat for just £39. Or, upgrade to a PitPat Dog GPS Tracker so you can find them if they ever run off, plus all our award-winning activity monitoring tech for just £149.

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