Border Collie — Adult Care
Care recommendations — Adult stage
In adulthood, the priority for a Border Collie shifts toward maintaining an ideal body weight through portion-controlled meals and plenty of vigorous exercise, structured training, and puzzle toys to match its naturally energetic nature. The double coat sheds moderately year-round with heavier seasonal shedding, and weekly brushing keeps it in good condition. Pairing this with a yearly wellness exam and routine dental checks helps catch subtle changes early, even while the dog seems to be thriving.
⚠️ Watch for
In adult Border Collies, it's worth staying alert for early signs such as a bunny-hop gait, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, or stiffness after resting or clumsiness in dim light, hesitancy on stairs, or reluctance to move around unfamiliar spaces. These can be subtle at first, so raising them during an annual exam rather than waiting for them to worsen is a sensible approach given this breed's health background.
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