You see them at the park and usually, you just see a blur of black and white. Most people look at a border collie long haired variety—technically known as the "rough coat"—and think about how pretty they look when the wind catches that fur. It’s majestic. Honestly, though? That hair isn't for show. It’s gear.
In the sheep-dotted hills of the Scottish Borders, where this breed originated, the weather is basically a constant rotation of "damp," "freezing," and "sideways rain." If you're a working dog out there for ten hours, a thin coat is a death sentence. The long-haired Border Collie exists because the environment demanded a biological raincoat.
But here’s the thing most new owners miss: that beautiful coat is a double-edged sword. It’s a masterpiece of evolution, but if you don't know how the layers actually function, you’re going to end up with a matted, miserable dog and a vacuum cleaner that’s given up on life.
The "Long Hair" Science: It's Not Just About Length
We call them "long haired," but the AKC and other kennel clubs use the term "rough." This is a bit confusing because the fur often feels quite soft. The "rough" designation really refers to the presence of a distinct undercoat and longer guard hairs.
A border collie long haired dog is a double-coated machine. You’ve got the outer layer, which is the long, coarser hair that handles the wind and the dirt. Underneath that, there’s a dense, soft, woolly layer. This is the insulation. In the winter, it traps heat. In the summer? Surprisingly, it helps regulate body temperature by trapping a layer of cooler air against the skin, provided the coat is brushed out and not a solid brick of felted fur.
Never shave them. I can't stress this enough. People think they're doing the dog a favor when it hits 90 degrees in July. They aren't. Shaving a double-coated dog destroys their natural thermoregulation and exposes their pale skin to sun damage. Plus, it often grows back "funky"—the undercoat grows faster than the guard hairs, leading to a fuzzy, patchy mess that actually traps more heat.
Where the Hair Actually Goes
It’s on your couch. It’s in your coffee. It’s probably in your car's air vents right now.
Border Collies don't just shed; they "blow" their coat twice a year. This is a seasonal avalanche of fur where the undercoat decides it no longer wishes to be attached to the dog. During these periods, usually spring and fall, you’ll find literal tumbleweeds of hair rolling across your hardwood floors.
If you’re a neat freak, this breed isn't for you. Kinda simple as that. You can brush them daily—and you should—but you will still find white hairs on your black leggings until the end of time.
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Living With a Border Collie Long Haired Athlete
These aren't couch potatoes. You probably knew that. But the long hair adds a layer of maintenance to their athletic lifestyle that smooth-coated owners don't deal with.
When a long-haired Border Collie runs through a field, they become a mobile collection unit for the local flora. Burrs, foxtails, sticks, and mud. It all sticks. Foxtails are particularly nasty; these barbed seed heads can work their way through the long fur and actually enter the skin, leading to nasty infections or even internal damage.
I’ve spent hours picking individual cockleburs out of "trousers"—that’s the long, wispy hair on their hind legs. If you live in an area with lots of brush, you have to be vigilant. A quick post-walk "pat down" is mandatory. Run your hands through the "feathers" (the long hair on the back of the front legs) and the chest. If you feel a lump, check it immediately.
The Genetic Lottery of the Rough Coat
While the black-and-white look is iconic, the border collie long haired phenotype comes in a wild array of colors. You’ve got blue merle, red, chocolate, and even lilac. The length of the hair can vary too. Some "rough" coats are moderately long, while others look like they belong on a runway.
Interestingly, the gene for long hair is recessive. If you breed two smooth-coated Border Collies that both carry the recessive "long" gene, you can end up with a litter that looks like a mix of both. This genetic diversity is why the breed stays so healthy compared to more "standardized" dogs. Working breeders generally care way more about how the dog moves and thinks than whether their hair is exactly three inches long.
Grooming Without Losing Your Mind
You don't need a professional groomer every week, but you do need the right tools. Skip the cheap plastic brushes from the grocery store.
Get a high-quality "slicker" brush and an undercoat rake. The rake is the secret weapon. It reaches past the long guard hairs to pull out the dead fluff from the undercoat before it mats.
Focus on the "high friction" areas:
- Behind the ears (mats form here almost overnight).
- The "armpits" where the legs meet the body.
- The breeches/trousers on the back legs.
- The base of the tail.
If you find a mat, don't just hack at it with scissors. You’ll likely nick the skin because Border Collies have surprisingly thin skin under all that fluff. Use a de-matting tool or, honestly, just a bit of cornstarch to help slide the hairs apart. It sounds weird, but it works.
The Bathing Myth
You don’t actually need to wash them that often. In fact, over-washing strips the natural oils that make their coat water-resistant. Unless they’ve rolled in something truly offensive—which, let's be real, they will—a good brushing once the mud dries is usually enough. The dirt just kinda falls off.
Health Considerations Specific to the Long-Haired Variety
Is a border collie long haired dog prone to more skin issues? Generally, no. But the hair can hide things.
Ticks love the long hair. It’s a jungle for them. Even with a good preventative, you have to do physical checks. I once found a tick on a long-haired collie three days after a hike, even after brushing. It was tucked deep in the thick ruff around the neck.
Also, watch for "hot spots." These are red, inflamed areas of skin that happen when moisture gets trapped against the skin by matted fur. Because the hair is so thick, you might not see the redness until the dog has chewed a literal hole in their coat. If your dog starts obsessively licking one spot, part the hair and look.
Performance: Does the Hair Slow Them Down?
In the world of agility and herding trials, there is a constant debate about rough vs. smooth coats. Some swear the smooth coats are faster and more aerodynamic. Others argue the rough coats handle the elements better during long trials in the rain.
The reality? It’s mostly preference. A border collie long haired dog can clear an agility jump or weave through poles just as fast as any other dog. They just look a bit more dramatic doing it. The "eye"—that famous Border Collie stare—is just as intense whether it's framed by short fur or a massive mane of hair.
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What actually matters is the structure underneath. A dog with a long coat but poor angulation in the hips will always be slower than a well-built smooth coat. Don't pick a dog based on the fluff; pick it based on the breeder's focus on health and temperament.
What People Get Wrong About the "Show" Look
There’s a growing divide between "show line" Border Collies and "working line" ones. Show lines are often bred for an explosion of coat. They look like big, fluffy bears. While beautiful, these dogs often have so much hair that it actually becomes a hindrance in a true working environment.
Working-bred long-haired dogs usually have a more "functional" coat. It’s long enough to protect them but not so long that it's constantly getting snagged on every bramble in the county. If you're looking for a pet, the show lines might be a bit lower energy (though "low energy" for a Border Collie is still more active than 90% of other breeds). If you want an athlete, look for the more athletic, "rangey" long-haired types.
Real-World Advice for the Aspiring Owner
If you’re thinking about getting a border collie long haired pup, be ready for the lifestyle shift. You aren't just getting a dog; you're taking on a part-time job in hair management and a full-time job in mental stimulation.
A bored Border Collie with a long coat is a recipe for disaster. They will "self-groom" out of anxiety, often leading to bald patches or licked-raw paws. Or they’ll just find something of yours to destroy. They need a job. Even if that job is just "finding the tennis ball I hid in the laundry room," they need to use their brains.
Actionable Maintenance Routine
To keep a rough coat healthy and your house (mostly) clean, follow this non-negotiable rhythm:
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- The Daily 5-Minute Check: Every evening, run your hands over the dog. Check for burrs, ticks, or new mats behind the ears. This saves you hours of work later.
- The Weekly Deep Dive: Once a week, use the undercoat rake. Go over the whole dog, focusing on the heavy shedding areas. You should end up with a pile of fur the size of a small cat.
- The Seasonal Blow-Out: When the seasons change, double your brushing. This is also a good time for a "hygiene trim"—just a little bit of a trim around the paw pads and the "sanitary area" to keep things clean.
- Nutrition Matters: A coat is only as good as the fuel going in. High-quality fats (like Omega-3s from fish oil) make a massive difference in how much the hair tangles and how shiny it stays. Dull, brittle hair is often the first sign of a dietary deficiency.
The long-haired Border Collie is a stunning, brilliant, and demanding companion. If you can handle the grooming and the shedding, you get a dog that looks like a masterpiece and thinks like a scientist. Just buy a really good vacuum first.
Next Steps for New Owners:
Locate a reputable breeder who performs OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) testing for hips and elbows, as well as DNA testing for CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly). Before the dog arrives, invest in a high-velocity dryer; it’s the only way to truly get a long-haired collie dry after a bath and is incredible for blowing out loose undercoat during shedding season. Finally, sign up for a basic obedience or "puppy foundations" class immediately—not because they’re hard to train, but because they’re so smart they’ll train you if you don’t have a plan.