At What Age Do Border Collies Calm Down?

Written and verified by the psychologist Sara González Juárez

Last update: 07 March, 2024

Border collies are known for their boundless energy, especially when they’re puppies, so many guardians often wonder at what age they calm down. And although this is a breed that will always need large amounts of activity, they do become somewhat calmer as they reach adulthood.

If you’re thinking of adopting a border collie or want to improve their quality of life, you should know that a proper approach is required to meet their needs and keep them calm in the home.

We’ve prepared the following article with this in mind. Below, you’ll find a description of the activity level of these dogs, as well as the age at which you can expect their energy levels to slow down a bit. We’ll also tell you how to encourage calm behavior in this breed. Keep reading!

The border collie and its activity level

The border collie is a breed created for the purpose of working, above all, in guiding flocks of sheep. To perform this work, dogs were needed that were able to run without tiring and had the will to fulfill tasks and commands.

As a result, quite intelligent dogs emerged with a great desire for activity. At the same time, these animals have a great need to move, chase, and control objects (or even people).

For an animal with this level of physical demand, training and environmental enrichment play a key role in avoiding behavioral problems that can result from stress. It’s very important to be able to provide the care your dog needs to preserve your pet’s well-being, as well as your own, as you’ll see below.

What should you know before adopting a border collie?

Before adopting a border collie, it’s essential that you think about the needs of this dog. Not only will it need daily exercise, but it will also require mental stimulation to remain stabilized. In order to meet the second need, experts recommend the following activities:

• Agility
• Intelligence games
• Obedience training

In this way, the canine can cope with stress and develop self-control, as described in a publication by Dog Behavior.

Therefore, keep in mind that the border collie isn’t a suitable breed for every household. This need for movement can become overwhelming for those with less fast-paced lifestyles or who don’t have enough time to dedicate to their pet. Consequently, before adopting, make sure you’re going to be able to meet those needs.

At what age do border collies calm down?

Even if you love daily exercise with your dog and spending long play sessions with it, it’s normal to wonder at what age border collies calm down and acquire a more stable personality.

As you can imagine, there’s no exactness in this change, as the decrease in activity varies according to different factors. Among them, we can point out the following:

• Environment: A canine that lives in a stressful environment will have difficulties when it comes to being calm, as it’s an empathic species and is affected by the emotions of its peers.
• Level of stimulation: When their psychological needs aren’t met, border collies will display a series of behaviors to alleviate stress and boredom, such as seeking physical activity on their own.
• Training approach: Since the first decade of the 21st century, positive training has been known to favor a more stable personality and the canine’s own calmness, as pointed out in this article from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior
• Socialization: Dogs need to socialize with other members of their species. An already active breed, such as the one in question, will display a series of dysfunctional behaviors if it doesn’t learn to socialize properly.

It can be stated that border collies become calmer as they approach adulthood. This would be between the ages of one year and 18 months.

What do I do to keep my border collie calm at home?

Do you come home after an outing full of games and races and, after just two hours indoors, your border collie is already asking to go back out? Don’t worry, because at home, there are also very good activities to calm your pet’s energies. Here are some that are ideal:

• Enrich walks: There’s no need for outings to consist solely of running and jumping. You can also implement games indoors -such as training or sniffing- to find hidden prizes. If, in addition to this, you have the possibility of socializing your pet outside of the house, all the better.
• Stimulate your animal’s mind: At home, there are hundreds of games and activities that serve to calm any dog, from obedience games to toys that test their cognitive abilities. Scent mats, for example, are very stimulating.
• Encourage proper rest: Your home should be a calm and safe environment for your dog. You should also be attentive to other details, such as a good bed or making sure that your dog doesn’t go to bed hungry.
• Practice canine sports: There are some activities that you can share with your pet, such as running or agility, which will help you tire it out before you get home.
• Spending time with your dog: This can involve both playing and resting. Bonding with your dog is beneficial for it and for you as well, as it’s a complex form of socialization that requires physical and mental resources.

Border collies calm down with age–but not that much

It must be emphasized that it’s very rare, if not impossible, to find a border collie that spends its afternoons sleeping, even once it reaches adulthood. However, if you think this breed fits your lifestyle, we recommend that you adopt one, as few animals bring as much joy as dogs do.