Do Border Collies Get Along With Other Dogs?
[The Ultimate Guide]

author
Aaron Rice Expert Dog Trainer
Written: January 17, 2022

Some call Border Collies “man’s best friend,” and it truly is so. They are one of the best breeds of dogs to have if you’re looking for an obedient pet. Border Collies are great with humans and their commands. They are smart, easy to discipline, and energetic, so you never have to worry about a couch potato of a pet. 

Coming to questions like “Do Border Collies get along with other dogs?” or “Will my Collie like other dogs?”. To answer this, there are multiple things one must consider. Firstly, understanding that no two dogs are the same. Two dogs of the same breed may react completely differently to the same situation. Therefore, nothing is universal. 

This doesn’t mean we can’t make assumptions that are basic but accepted by most! For starters, all dog owners will agree that, unlike the human world, in the dog world, “opposites attract” is not a true statement. Dogs with similar personalities have a better chance of getting along with each other. 

Things to know before you bring home another dog

We know that Border Collies are herd dogs and their job as a shepherd’s dog is to keep the herd together. This makes them protective of the herd and alert for any intruders. They are instinctively ready to herd and nip at other dogs, sometimes even family members. 

But many Border Collie owners have witnessed that their Collie isn’t aggressive can be very affectionate and loving. A classic example of “Breed does not define the dog.”

In general, Collies are energetic, ready to work, and assertive with other dogs. Therefore, while deciding which dog companion you should bring home for your Border Collie, you must look for some particular traits in the other dog. 

You should avoid breeds like the English Bulldog, which generally prefer snoozing around than going for a walk. Avoid dogs smaller than Border Collies as they can be easily injured by your dog’s rough play. Prefer dogs that can easily stand their own. 

Overall, go for a dog that matches your Border Collie’s personality. A good match will open the scope for a good bond. And honestly, that’s all we’re looking for, right?

What dogs get along with border collies?

Now that you know the basics, you are probably thinking. “Just cut to the chase!” right? 

I know, I know. To save you time and make it super easy for you to choose a companion for your Border Collie, I’ve assembled a list of dog breeds that you can bring home and get along quite well with Collies. 

German Shepherd

Anyone familiar with the problems of having two canines knows how much dog owners love German Shepherds. They are affectionate, extremely loyal, and discipline-lovers themselves.  

The breed has an excellent grasp of commands and instructions. Training them is smooth and mostly obstacle-free. But what makes them special for you is their overall personality.

They need quite a lot of physical movement and a routine that helps them use their high amounts of energy! This is great because your Border Collie needs a lot of workouts too! 

Therefore, number one on our list is the German Shepherd.

  • Australian Shepherd

One of the toppers in the list of intelligent dog breeds is the Australian Shepherd. They are great with commands and obedience training. 

As far as responsiveness and learning are concerned, they are quite the match for Border Collies. Another similarity between both breeds is that they’re both herd dogs and have similar instincts.

A note of caution, though. Two herding dogs can be challenging to manage. This is why you must make sure you have the resources and capacity to handle both and then decide. 

  • Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers are one of the very few breeds popularly believed to be easy to manage, loving, and immensely loyal towards their owners.

They are smart and very responsive from the early stages of training itself. Golden Retrievers are also active and can be highly energetic. They will do as you train.

  • Labrador

Another famous dog breed found in many households. Labrador is loved and adored by all. They are flexible, intelligent, and very kind. But what makes them popular is their loyalty and affection towards their family. 

Their kindness is another reason why they get along with other dogs very well too. They are quite lovable and good as trainees too! As a buddy to your collie, Labradors can easily be one of the top choices. 

  • Standard Poodle

Unlike tiny poodle breeds, a Standard Poodle is quite large and can play rough. A small dog has the risk of being rolled over, getting bitten easily, and they can’t even hold their own. 

A Standard Poodle needs almost the same amount of physical activity as a Border Collie, so you don’t have to worry about exhausting your new pet. 

  • English pointer

Intelligent and good trainees, English Pointers, are also affectionate and lovable.

What’s important is that dogs find them fun to play with. So the chances of your Collie liking their new buddy are quite high.

  • Belgian Shepherd (Belgian Tervueren)

Just like their size, Belgian Shepherd’s heart is huge too. They are loving and playful.

They are enthusiastic about working out and, therefore, make a fairly good companion for a Border Collie.

  • Dalmatians

Some say that Dalmatians are an aggressive breed, but I’ve said this before, and I say it again. Aggression is not typical of a breed. It’s a personality trait and subjective to each dog. 

Dalmatians need a dedicated and substantial amount of time to train. They can be a little stubborn, but it won’t come much in the way of your training.

Something important to know about them is that most Dalmatians require more physical activity than Border Collies.  

  • Boxer

Boxers are lively and large, full of energy, and love to play. Compared to the other breeds, they need more exercise. In fact, they may need more physical activity than Border Collies as well. They are intelligent and quite smart as a breed. 

However, Boxers can be a little naughty. Some find it difficult to train them as they can be rebellious. But this is no reason not to bring home this lovely breed. Early training and consistency will solve all your training problems with Boxers. 

If you’re ready to commit to a strict training regimen, go ahead and get your Border Collie a Boxer buddy. 

Do Collies like other dogs?

Every dog wants to establish their territory. That’s why no dog likes another canine in their field of right. Border Collies feel the same way. 

Their herding tendencies make it more difficult. They perceive any alien being as a threat and may react aggressively. Being a shepherd dog, Border Collies have a natural instinct to herd and nip, and this only blows up the problem. 

Border Collies don’t like other dogs getting too close to them or barking too loudly around them. You’ll see them show their teeth or snarl at the other dog immediately, asking them to back off. 

It’s not that Border Collies don’t like or can’t get along with other dogs, though. With the right training and efforts, your Collie can be friends with another dog and share a mutual trustworthy bond too.

Is it better to have two Border Collies?

One reason behind getting another Border Collie might be that the one at your home is getting older or is sick and might leave you soon. Or if you’re someone who needs herd dogs, it makes sense. 

But if you don’t have a particular requirement for a herding dog, getting another Border Collie will be nothing less than highly overwhelming. 

Especially if the two are from the same litter. Sibling Collies are more playful, more active, and fight more too. This is why it is super difficult to manage two Collies. 

Training becomes essential even if you get both from the same litter or not. Training both the Border Collies separately will do you good in all ways and speed up your process. 

Border Collies also tend to get jealous and territorial towards their family. So that’s something you’ll have to manage with two dogs now. 

Border Collies are great dogs. They are loyal and protective. And amazing Shepherd dogs. Getting one Collie is an experience in itself. However, if you don’t need it, getting another Border Collie doesn’t make sense. You can opt for a dog from the list of breeds mentioned above or find some other that you see fit according to your requirements. 

Are border collies jealous dogs?

As we already know, Border Collies are super loyal to their owners. They look up to their humans and are always at their service. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to you then that Collies can be jealous of others around their family. The instinct of being territorial in Border Collies can get stronger when another dog is near or playing with their family. 

This behavior can be exclusively observed towards one family member, towards whom the Border Collie is the most loyal. Did you know that some call Collie a “one-person dog”? Border Collies are very loving and devoted to their family, but when they feel that someone might be intruding, they can come off as aggressive and particularly non-friendly. 

In fact, you might get surprised if I tell you that a Border Collie as a family dog can be one of the most attached ones to their owners. Many have reported separation anxiety in Border Collies when the owner was gone for too long, or the dog simply couldn’t see them. Border Collie’s compassion is truly a beautiful thing to witness. 

However, you will be able to see a clear difference in the behavior of Border Collies when they are jealous. This can be when the owner is with someone else, cuddling with another person, or just feeding another dog! Yes, your Border Collie can be quite an attention seeker, and it will be useful for you to know that they do not like to be ignored. 

With babies, Collies are gentle and show kindness. A Border collie will do anything to protect the baby and keep their family safe. All they want is your attention. 

That being said, it’s easy to infer that your Border collie wants your love, attention, and time to be exclusive to them, and therefore, bringing home another dog is definitely going to be tricky. 

How to make Border Collies get along with other dogs?

  • First meet is important

Imagine meeting someone for the first time and immediately not liking them. After a couple of meets, though, you realize that they are not that bad, and you two had just gotten off on the wrong foot. 

This is what happens most of the time when a dog meets another dog. Most of my clients come to me after introducing their two dogs, and there lies the problem. 

How two dogs get along doesn’t depend as much on which breed they are, as it depends on how they are introduced to each other.  

To get an idea of how you can go about it, watch this:

 

 

  • Your confidence reflects in the dogs

Another factor that plays a major role while trying to make two dogs get along with each other is how confident you are about the whole process. Whatever you are feeling will reflect in the dogs. So if you’re unsure or scared, they will be too. If you feel in control and confident, your dogs will meet each other with those feelings too. 

  • Let the Alpha status be established

As a dog trainer, one mistake that I notice most people making is them trying to establish equal status between the two canines by interfering in their playtime, trying to keep them both calm, so they don’t bark at each other, and other such things. There are two things wrong with this approach.

Firstly, you don’t let the two get to know and get comfortable with each other. The solution is to let the natural process happen. Letting them sniff the other, bite a little, and bark even. Secondly, trying to pacify two dogs when they are amidst a fight or play doesn’t allow them to establish who’s the alpha. 

As a dog owner and lover, you may feel that both your dogs are equal and no one is more loved or important than the other. But amongst canines, it is only natural to decide who is the alpha. Of course, in the house, you are the boss. But between just the two of them, the sooner the alpha is known, the sooner the dogs will get along with each other. 

  • Train with a professional

To ensure a smooth transition from having one pet to having two dogs, you can get your dogs to undergo training with a professional. Obedience training will allow both to get used to each other while learning a new foundation of the discipline. 

  • No fuel, no fights

On a more regular note, give your dogs more exercise and make sure they run out of their energy reservoirs by the end of the day. Exhausted pups will have no fuel left to fight, and eating and sleeping together will only help them bond stronger. 

Conclusion

A dog only is only as confident and comfortable as its owner. If you’re nervous about the dogs not getting along, it’s going to show in your pets too. Be calm, keep them at a distance where they are easily accessible for you, and let them do their thing. 

I’ve made sure that you get all the answers to and related to the question “ Do Border Collies get along with other dogs?”. You now know how friendly they are, if Border Collies are jealous dogs, which dogs are most suitable as companions to Collies, and how you can get your dogs to get along. 

Now that you know the facts decide if you want to get your Border Collie a friend and which one if yes. Make sure you take into consideration the uniqueness of your dog and the situation at your home. If you do bring home a new member, remember that you got this!

You may also enjoy reading:

Are Border Collies
Affectionate?

Do Border Collies
Bark?

Do Border Collies Get Along
With Cats?