Travelling with a Border Collie

Border Collies are exceptional travel companions for the right owner. These intelligent, athletic dogs thrive on adventure, but their working heritage means they need more than just physical exercise. Understanding their mental needs, managing their instincts, and providing appropriate stimulation creates wonderful holidays for both of you.

Understanding Border Collie Travel Needs

Breed Characteristics

What Makes Them Special:

• Exceptional intelligence
• High energy and stamina
• Working dog instincts
• Loyal and bonded
• Athletic and agile
• Eager to work/please

Considerations:

• Need mental AND physical exercise
• Can be reactive to movement
• Herding instincts (joggers, cyclists, cars)
• Sensitive to stress
• Can become anxious if needs unmet
• May struggle with too much stimulation

Working vs Show Lines

Working Line Collies:

• Higher drive
• More intense
• Greater exercise needs
• Stronger instincts

Show/Pet Lines:

• Often more moderate
• Still intelligent and active
• May be easier to manage
• Same basic needs

Adjust expectations to your individual dog.

Best Destinations

Perfect Border Collie Destinations

Mountain and Moorland: Collies excel in open country with room to run.

• Lake District - fell walking
• Scottish Highlands - vast spaces
• Peak District - moorland
• Snowdonia - mountain adventures
• Brecon Beacons - Welsh peaks

Yorkshire and Beyond: Working dog heritage territory.

• Yorkshire Dales - classic collie country
• North York Moors - open moorland
• Northumberland - quiet and spacious

Scotland: Open spaces, fewer people, ideal collie territory.

• Highlands
• Borders (collie heartland)
• Islands

Less Ideal

Potentially Challenging:

• Very busy destinations
• Popular beaches in peak season
• Cyclist-heavy areas
• Places with lots of movement triggers

Not Impossible: These can work with management, but may require more effort.

Exercise Needs

Daily Requirements

Significant:

• 2+ hours exercise typical
• Mix of physical and mental
• Off-lead running important
• Mental work as valuable as physical

On Holiday:

• Multiple walks/activities
• Longer adventures possible
• Brain games between walks
• Don't underestimate mental needs

Activity Ideas

Physical Exercise:

Hiking: Border Collies excel at long hikes. Built for all-day work.

Running: Free running in open spaces. Ball/frisbee fetch.

Swimming: Many enjoy water. Good additional exercise.

Agility-Style Play: Natural athletes. Jumping, climbing, navigating.

Mental Exercise:

Training: Learn new things on holiday. Always learning.

Puzzle Games: Kong, snuffle mats, puzzle feeders.

Scent Work: Find treats, track scents. Engages brain.

New Environments: Mental stimulation from exploring new places.

Managing Instincts

Herding Behaviours

On Holiday:

• Joggers and runners
• Cyclists
• Moving vehicles
• Other dogs running
• Children running

Management:

• Anticipate triggers
• Lead when triggers likely
• Training to disengage
• Choose quiet times/places
• Manage, don't suppress

Reactivity

Some Collies Are Reactive: Sensitivity can lead to reactivity to various triggers.

If Your Collie Is Reactive: See our Travelling with Reactive Dogs guide.

Noise Sensitivity

Many Collies Are Sound Sensitive:

• Traffic noise
• Farm equipment
• Unexpected sounds
• Fireworks

On Holiday:

• Consider destination noise levels
• Rural often better
• Avoid firework seasons
• Have management strategies

Accommodation

What Works

Ideal Features:

• Enclosed garden (essential for ball games)
• Space for activities
• Rural/quiet location
• Good walking from doorstep
• Away from triggers (busy roads, etc.)

Considerations:

• Need more space than many breeds
• Active dogs need room
• Garden games important
• Location matters for triggers

Cottage Holidays

Self-catering cottages in rural locations work best for Border Collies.

See our Cottages guide.

Mental Stimulation

Critical for Collies

Brain Work Is Essential: A tired body isn't enough. A tired brain is what creates a settled collie.

Holiday Brain Games:

Training Sessions: Short sessions throughout day. New tricks or proofing known ones.

Puzzle Feeders: All meals from puzzle feeders or work-to-eat toys.

Hide and Seek: Hide treats in garden or accommodation.

Scent Games: Track treats in grass. Find hidden items.

Environmental Enrichment: Let them problem-solve on walks. Navigate terrain.

Settling

Teaching Calmness: Collies need to learn an "off switch."

On Holiday:

• Enforce rest periods
• Provide chews for settling
• Crate if trained
• Calm environments help

Travel

Car Travel

Generally Good Travellers: Most Collies travel well in cars.

Considerations:

• Movement through windows can trigger
• Cover windows or use crate
• Frequent stops for energy release
• Secure properly

Train Travel

Can Work: Collies can learn to travel by train.

Considerations:

• Movement on platforms
• Other passengers
• Need to settle
• Practice needed for some

See our Train Travel guide.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer

Benefits:

• Long days for activities
• Excellent walking weather

Considerations:

• Heat management (black coats absorb heat)
• Early and late walks in hot weather
• Swimming good for cooling
• Don't overwork in heat

Winter

Benefits:

• Double coat provides protection
• Happy in cold weather
• Quieter destinations

Considerations:

• May need coat for very wet/cold
• Shorter daylight limits activities
• Mud and wet to manage

Spring/Autumn

Often Ideal: Good temperatures, reasonable daylight, quieter than summer.

Health Considerations

On Holiday

Common Concerns:

Overexertion: Athletic dogs may push themselves. Monitor and enforce rest.

Joint Health: Active dogs need joint care. Don't overdo on hard surfaces.

Paw Health: Long hikes wear pads. Check regularly.

Fitness Building

For Big Adventures: Build fitness gradually. Don't expect an unfit collie to manage mountain days immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much exercise does a Border Collie need on holiday?

2+ hours minimum, but mental stimulation equally important. Multiple activities throughout day typical.

Are Border Collies good travellers?

Generally yes, but sensitive and can be triggered by movement. Management needed for some individuals.

Can Border Collies handle hot weather holidays?

Yes, with management. Early/late walks, shade, water, don't overwork in heat.

Best type of holiday for a Border Collie?

Rural, mountain, or moorland destinations with space to run. Quieter locations often better than busy tourist spots.

What about beaches?

Can be good but watch for triggers (joggers, other dogs running). Quieter beaches work better.

Do I need to keep my Collie's brain busy on holiday?

Absolutely. Mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise. Tired brain = settled dog.

Adventures Await Your Collie

Border Collies are exceptional adventure companions for owners who understand their needs. Their intelligence, athleticism, and enthusiasm create potential for amazing holidays. Meet their mental needs, manage their instincts, and enjoy exploring together.

Luke appreciates the intelligence and energy of Border Collies. These remarkable dogs reward owners who understand them with unparalleled companionship and shared adventures.