Heritage in Motion: The Border Collie Then & Now

Originating in Tradition, Thriving in Today

Originating in the rugged hills and borderlands of Scotland and England, the Border Collie was bred for intelligence, agility, and an unwavering work ethic. These remarkable dogs have evolved from dedicated herding companions into versatile partners who now thrive in homes across the globe. Whether in the show ring, on the farm, or at the heart of a loving family, the Border Collie continues to impress with its brilliance, loyalty, and boundless energy.

The Origins of the Collie

The history of the Collie dates back to the early 1800s, originating in the rugged borderlands between England and Scotland. The name "Collie" is derived from an old Celtic word meaning "useful"—a fitting description for a dog bred to serve with purpose and loyalty.

These dogs were indispensable to shepherds, working tirelessly from dawn to dusk to manage flocks across challenging terrain. Whether moving sheep between pastures or tracking lost animals through snow-covered hills, Collies performed their tasks with unwavering determination and intelligence. In times when shepherds earned little and food was often scarce, these devoted dogs remained faithfully by their master’s side, sharing every hardship with quiet resilience.

Personality

Border Collies are known for their high energy, balanced temperament, and strong desire to please, making them excellent companions for active families. They generally get along well with children and other pets when properly introduced and socialized. Their playful and spirited nature means they can be exuberant, so supervision around infants and toddlers is recommended. Border Collies are intelligent, hardworking, and highly responsive, yet equally affectionate—combining boundless energy with a deep capacity for cuddling and companionship.

AKC Breed Standards

The Border Collie was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1995. This medium-sized, athletic herding dog typically stands between 18 and 22 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 30 and 55 pounds. Border Collies often live 12 to 15 years or longer with proper care.

Known for their muscular yet agile build, Border Collies are hardworking dogs that have remained true to their heritage—unaffected by passing trends. They come in two coat types, rough and smooth, with a variety of colors and patterns. One of their most distinctive features is their almond-shaped eyes, often called the “herding eye,” which reflect their sharp intelligence and intense focus.

Border Collies are among the most agile and balanced dogs, excelling in activities like agility, herding, and obedience. Providing them with a job or purpose is essential to their happiness and well-being. Friendly and affectionate with family and friends, they can be somewhat reserved around strangers, making early socialization important.

AKC Border Collie Standard

🐾 THE COLLIE LINEAGE: TRACING THE ROOTS OF A REMARKABLE BRE

A Quick Look at Our Border Collie Roots

At JoVi Border Collies, we’re proud to be part of a rich herding heritage. The Collie Family Tree shows how today’s collie breeds—including the Border Collie—descended from the old working shepherd’s dogs of Great Britain and Ireland.

While the term "collie" is often used, you might also hear "sheepdog" or "shepherd’s dog"—all have been used interchangeably over the centuries. These dogs were bred for their brains, agility, and instinct to herd, with each region shaping its dogs to suit local needs.

The Border Collie comes from a long line of dogs selected for their ability to handle sheepdog trials, farm work, and hill work, especially in Wales, Scotland, and northern England. Over time, their cousins spread and adapted around the world, leading to related breeds like the Australian Cattle Dog, McNab, Australian Shepherd, and more.

Though we focus on the modern Border Collie, this family tree reminds us how connected these herding breeds truly are—a global family of smart, driven dogs with deep rural roots.

Why Diversity Matters

Why Genetic Balance Matters at JoVi

At JoVi Border Collies, we care deeply about preserving the health, soundness, and working ability of this incredible breed. A key part of that is understanding the value of genetic diversity—and how to maintain it responsibly.

Genetic variation gives the breed flexibility. It allows Border Collies to thrive in different roles, environments, and family settings. While many modern dog breeds have been shaped to fit a specific appearance or job—sometimes at the expense of their gene pool—Border Collies remain one of the most versatile and naturally diverse breeds thanks to their working heritage.

That said, narrowing the gene pool doesn’t automatically lead to disease. In fact, careful linebreeding is a valuable tool in preserving desirable traits and maintaining genetic clarity within a line. The problem arises when breeding is done carelessly—through excessive inbreeding, overuse of popular sires, or neglecting health screening—leading to bottlenecks that increase the risk of inherited conditions.

By honoring the breed’s diverse roots and practicing thoughtful breeding, JoVi aims to strike the right balance: preserving what makes Border Collies great while safeguarding their future. We work to maintain healthy, functional dogs who can adapt to a wide range of roles—from herding to sports to family life—just as they’ve always done.

🩺 Border Collie Health & Comorbidities

Border Collies are generally a hardy, energetic breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to specific health concerns. At JoVi Border Collies, we are committed to the long-term well-being of the dogs we produce. That means health testing, transparency, and breeding only with the future in mind.

Below are some common conditions that can affect Border Collies. We actively screen and manage for these through thoughtful, responsible breeding.

✅ What We Screen For:

Hip Dysplasia
A structural condition affecting the hip joint that can lead to pain or arthritis. Screening ensures healthy movement and working longevity.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
A genetic condition that can impair vision, ranging from mild to severe. We DNA test to prevent passing it on.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
A degenerative eye disease that leads to gradual vision loss. Breeding dogs are screened to ensure they are not carriers.
Deafness
Can be congenital (especially in merle or heavily white-marked dogs) or develop later in life (EAOD). We use BAER testing and avoid pairings known to increase risk.
Epilepsy
Border Collies can develop idiopathic epilepsy—a neurological disorder that causes seizures. While it is not curable, it can be managed. We avoid breeding lines with known epileptic history.
MDR1 Gene Mutation
Affects how certain medications are processed. Dogs with the MDR1 mutation can suffer toxic drug reactions. We test for this gene to avoid high-risk pairings.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)
A rare but fatal neurological disease. DNA testing helps ensure we only breed clear or safe-status dogs.

🐾 Border Collie Traits & Characteristics

Thinking about bringing a Border Collie into your life? Here’s a snapshot of what makes this breed so special. We’ve rated key traits on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being most likely/most intense) to help you understand their needs and personality.

🏡 Family Life

Affectionate with Family – ★★★★★
Loyal, loving, and eager to bond closely with their humans.
Good with Children – ★★★☆☆
Generally good with respectful kids, especially when raised together.
Good with Other Dogs – ★★★☆☆
Can get along well with others, especially with proper socialization.

🐕 Physical Traits

Coat Type – Smooth or wavy double coat
Coat Length – Medium
Shedding Level – ★★★☆☆
Seasonal shedders, especially in spring and fall.
Grooming Needs – ★★★☆☆
Regular brushing helps keep their coat healthy and reduces shedding.
Drooling Level – ★☆☆☆☆
Not big droolers—usually a clean-faced companion.

🌍 Social Behavior

Openness to Strangers – ★★★★☆
Friendly and curious, but may be reserved at first.
Playfulness – ★★★★★
Energetic and fun-loving—play is a big part of their day.
Protective Nature – ★★★☆☆
Alert and watchful, but not overly aggressive.
Adaptability – ★★★★★
Can thrive in different environments with enough activity and structure.

🧠 Personality & Drive

Trainability – ★★★★★
One of the most trainable breeds—eager, smart, and responsive.
Energy Level – ★★★★★
They need daily exercise and thrive with a job or purpose.
Barking Tendency – ★★★★☆
Vocal and communicative, especially when excited or under-stimulated.
Mental Stimulation Needs – ★★★★★
Boredom can lead to mischief—keep their brain busy!

Border Collie Brilliance in Action

🧠 Chaser, known as “the smartest dog in the world,” learned the names of over 1,000 different objects and could even categorize them. Her work with cognitive psychologist Dr. John Pilley changed the way we understand canine intelligence.

🛹 Jumpy, a Border Collie mix, stunned the world by setting a Guinness World Record—skateboarding 100 meters in just under 20 seconds. His balance, focus, and agility made him a viral sensation and a testament to the breed’s physical capabilities.

🧩 Rico – A linguistic pioneer, Rico amazed researchers by learning and retrieving the names of over 200 objects, even demonstrating category recognition and basic reasoning. His work gave early insight into the breed's cognitive capacities.

Border Collie Brilliance on Screen

🎬 Fly from Babe – This wise and nurturing Border Collie became a household favorite as Babe’s adoptive mother in the 1995 film Babe. She helped highlight the breed’s intelligence, gentleness, and emotional depth to a worldwide audience.

📺 Shep from Blue Peter – One of the most beloved dogs in British television history, Shep was the loyal companion of presenter John Noakes on the BBC show Blue Peter. His charm and trainability helped endear the Border Collie to generations of viewers.

🎥 Bandit from Little House on the Prairie – Introduced in later seasons, Bandit brought the classic Border Collie traits of devotion and loyalty to life on screen, becoming a favorite among fans of the show.

These beloved dogs on screen remind us that Border Collies have the capacity to be so much more than society gives them credit for. Unfortunately, much of social media has painted them as a breed too intense for the average person—overwhelming, unmanageable, and best left to professionals.

But at JoVi, we know that isn’t the full story.
Border Collies are brilliant, adaptable, and deeply devoted—and with the right foundation, they thrive in active family homes. That’s the heart of our mission:
To change the narrative, and raise Border Collies who are not only exceptional in structure and instinct, but also capable, loving companions for the modern lifestyle.

This is the JoVi vision—and we’re honored to share it, one pup at a time.

Border Collies owned by celebrities

A Royal Bond: Queen Victoria & the Border Collie

Queen Victoria was one of the earliest notable admirers of the Border Collie. During her reign in the 19th century, she discovered the breed during her travels in Scotland and quickly became enchanted by their intelligence, loyalty, and elegance. So taken was she by these remarkable dogs that she began keeping them at Balmoral Castle, helping to bring early recognition and esteem to the breed.

Her patronage played a role in elevating the Border Collie from a working shepherd’s companion to a beloved and respected breed across Britain. To this day, the qualities Queen Victoria cherished—biddability, beauty, and brilliance—remain hallmarks of the modern Border Collie.

Robert Burns & His Beloved Luath

Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, shared his life with a loyal Border Collie named Luath. Far more than a companion, Luath was a source of deep emotional connection and even literary inspiration. In Burns’ famous poem “The Twa Dogs,” Luath appears as one of the central characters—a faithful, thoughtful dog representing the working class, contrasted with a wealthy man’s pampered pet.

Luath’s presence in Burns’ life and poetry is a testament to the deep bond between shepherd and sheepdog, and to the Border Collie’s historical role not only as a worker, but as a companion rich in character and intelligence.

Burns was so devoted to Luath that when the dog died, he was heartbroken—and later named one of his sons after him.

Modern Devotion: Anna Paquin & Her Border Collies

Even in the world of Hollywood, the Border Collie’s brilliance stands out. Actress Anna Paquin has shared her love for the breed, owning multiple Border Collies over the years. Known for their intelligence and emotional depth, her dogs have been a grounding presence behind the scenes of a fast-paced career.

Her choice of breed reflects what many JoVi families come to discover—Border Collies aren't just stunningly smart and agile; they’re deeply connected companions who thrive in homes that value heart and harmony.

Heart & Loyalty: Jon Bon Jovi’s Bond with Border Collies

Rock icon Jon Bon Jovi has long been known for his music, but behind the scenes, he’s also a dedicated dog lover—with Border Collies among his companions. Known for their loyalty, intelligence, and soulful presence, it’s no surprise this breed found a place in the life of someone who values connection and heart.

His quiet appreciation for the breed mirrors what many JoVi families discover: that the Border Collie’s devotion isn’t just legendary in the field—it’s deeply felt at home.

🌟 A Legacy You Can Live With

From world records and groundbreaking research to unforgettable film roles and cherished companions of royalty and rock stars, the Border Collie has long been admired for its brilliance, beauty, and boundless heart. But these stories aren’t just legends—they're possibilities.

At JoVi Border Collies, we believe that every family has the potential to experience that same connection, capability, and joy. Whether you're raising a loyal hiking partner, a focused performance dog, or a loving family companion, the traits that make Border Collies remarkable—intelligence, drive, devotion—are not reserved for the famous.

They’re waiting to shine in your home, too.

Through careful, ethical breeding and a deep respect for the breed’s heritage, we help match families with Border Collies who are ready to thrive by your side—not just on screen or in the spotlight, but in everyday life filled with love, learning, and adventure.

The brilliance of the Border Collie isn’t a dream—it’s a legacy. And it can begin with you.