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Border Collies are hard working dogs and are widely considered to be highly intelligent. These faithful dogs are known for their livestock herding skills, primarily sheep. This breed make s for a great playful and fun family dog. These high-energy dogs are acrobatic and athletic, so a high-quality diet is important.
It’s not advised to economize on dog food that cannot address their high-energy level dietary needs. The agile Border Collie takes in some serious calories but they reward you with loads of energy and a playful disposition!
Below are some of the best dog foods available for this lovable dog breed.
#1 CANIDAE Life Stages Dry Dog Food for Puppies, Adults, & Seniors
CANIDAE Life States formula is a solid overall choice for all stages of Border Collies
This formula contains quality protein ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, and lamb meal. This recipe also contains lower levels of fat.
This product is also free of corn, wheat and soy, with peas and brown rice as its primary carbohydrates.
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | All – Adult, Puppy, Senior |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %. | 24%, 10%, 4.5% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Peas, Oatmeal |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Antioxidants (Immune), Probiotics (Gut), Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care), Taurine (Blood Flow, Brain, Heart) |
#2 ACANA Red Meat Recipe, Grain-free Dry Dog Food
ACANA’s grain free red meat formula is a solid choice for Border Collie adults.
This formula contains quality protein ingredients – beef and deboned pork. This recipe contains higher level of fats, but this works well for relatively active Border Collies.
This recipe also contains fruits, vegetables, botanicals and probiotics.
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %. | 29%, 17%, 6% |
| First Five Ingredients | Beef, Deboned Pork, Beef Meal, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Glucosamine (Joint Care), DHA (Brain Development), Probiotics (Gut), EPA (inflammation) |
#3 ACANA Highest Protein, Grasslands, Grain Free Dry Dog Food
ACANA’s Grasslands recipe’s 1st three ingredients are raw or fresh animal protein – lamb, duck, eggs. This recipe contains higher level of fats, but again this works well for relatively active Border Collies.
This formula also provides supplements for brain development, joint care, skin & coat and arthritis & inflammation as well as prebiotics/ fiber for healthy digestion.
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %. | 33%, 17%, 6% |
| First Five Ingredients | Lamb, duck, eggs, lamb meal, goat meal |
| Key Features: | DHA (Brain Development), EPA (Arthritis & Inflammation), Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Glucosamine (Joint Care) |
#4 ORIJEN Dog Original Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
ORIJEN’s dog original recipe contains 85% premium animal ingredients. This product also contains higher level of fats, but this work well for relatively active Border Collies.
This recipe also contains high quality fruits and vegetables as well – whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, whole green lentils, whole navy beans, whole chickpeas, whole peas, whole pumpkin, whole butternut squash, collard greens, whole apples, whole pears, whole cranberries
This formula also provides supplements for joint care, skin & coat and brain development
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber %. | 38%, 18%, 4% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver |
| Key Features: | DHA (Brain Development), EPA (Arthritis & Inflammation), Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care) |
#5 Wellness CORE RawRev Wholesome Grains Dry Dog Food, Original Recipe
Wellness CORE RawRev contains high protein and whole grains. This recipe contains higher level of fats, but again this works well for relatively active Border Collies.
This formula also provides supplements for skin & coat, blood flow/brain/heart, antioxidants (immune) and joint care.
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 34%, 16%, 4% |
| First Five Ingredients | Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Oatmeal, Barley |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Taurine (Blood Flow, Brain, Heart), Vitamins A & E (Antioxidants), Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care) |
#6 CRAVE Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food with Protein from Chicken
CRAVE’s grain free, high protein recipe has real, farm-raised chicken as its first ingredient.
Cooked and processed in U.S facilities
This product is also free of corn, wheat and soy, with peas and lentils as its primary carbohydrates.
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 34%, 17%, 4% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Split Peas, Lentils, Pork Meal |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat) |
#7 Adirondack 30% Protein High-Fat Recipe Chicken Meal & Brown Rice Puppy & Performance Dogs Dry Dog Food
Adirondack’s high protein recipe contains several sources of quality protein. This recipe contains higher level of fats, good for puppies and highly active dogs.
Provides ingredients for skin & coat and gut/digestive.
Cooked in the USA
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Puppy/Active Adults |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 30%, 20%, 3.8% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Ground Grain Sorghum |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Microorganisms (gut/digestive) |
#8 NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE Senior Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Kibble
NUTRO’s natural choice recipe has real chicken as its first ingredient.
This product is also free of corn, wheat and soy, with barley, split peas, brewers rice and whole grain brown rice as its primary carbohydrates.
Natural fiber for healthy digestion.
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Senior |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 24%, 12%, 4% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Barley, Split Peas, Brewers Rice |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Vitamin E (Antioxidants), Glucosamine and Chondroitin (Joint Care) |
#9 Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food
High-quality dog food well suited for dog with sensitive digestion and skin.
Primary protein sources are chicken and chicken meal.
Short and simple ingredients list with no needless additives/chemical preservatives.
| Food Type | Dry Kibble |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber % | 20%, 13%, 4% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley, Brown Rice |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat), Vitamin E (Antioxidants) |
#10 CANIDAE All Life Stages Chicken, Lamb & Fish Formula Canned Dog Food
CANIDAE’s canned wet food is high quality. They make an excellent dry kibble as well.
Primary sources of protein include chicken, chicken broth, lamb and chicken liver.
This recipe includes chicory root for digestive support.
100% free of corn, wheat and soy.
| Food Type | Wet |
| Stage | Adult |
| Crude Protein, Fat, Fiber, Moisture % | 9%, 6%, 1,5%, 78% |
| First Five Ingredients | Chicken, Chicken Broth, Lamb, Chicken Liver, Dried Egg Product |
| Key Features: | Omega Fatty Acids (Skin & Coat) |
Important Note: For wet dog food if you’d like to convert the protein on a “dry matter” basis (to compare it to dry kibble) you’ll need to do a quick calculation. Take the amount of protein in the wet food by the total amount of dry matter in the can. In the case of the CANIDAE wet dog foods above, that amount is (100% – 78% = 22%). As you see, these wet foods are very high protein.
CANIDAE All Life Stages Chicken, Lamb & Fish Formula Canned Dog Food
Dry Matter Protein Content = (10/22) x 100 = 45.5%
More About the Border Collie
Border Collies are medium-sized dogs that originated in Northumberland, a county in Northern England. Northumberland is one of two counties in England that border Scotland. The Border Collie was bred to herd livestock, primarily sheep. This breed has dominated the sheepdog trials due to their raw agility and high intelligence. The Border Collie traces its lineage back to the Romans two thousand years ago. The Romans brought their drover dogs with them. Thereafter, the Vikings who invaded this part of England some 1200 years ago and brought their Spitz-type dogs with them.
The name “Border Collie” comes from this dog’s unique geographic reputation. Iris Combe, in her book, “Border Collies,” states that in old Gaelic “collie” was the rural term for anything useful. Because this breed thrived in the border region of England and Scotland, it was dubbed the “Border Collie.”
Border Collie are aerobatic, athletic and hard working sheep herding dogs. They work diligently to herd sheep where they are intended to go.
Fully grown Border Collie males can grow as tall as 22 inches and weigh on average weigh 45 pounds. Full grown Border Collie females can grow 21 inches tall and weigh on average 42 pounds females. This breed tends to have a dog lifespan between 10 – 14 years.
Border Collie Dog Food Buying Guide
Border Collies are very active, highly intelligent and athletic by nature. Their muscular build and agility requires a significant amount of calories for their high activity level.
In general, adult dogs require about 25 calories per pound of body weight. For a 43-pound Border Collie, that’s about 1,075 calories from 2 – 3 meals. Puppies tend to require more like 30 calories per pound of body weight, with seniors needing more like 20 calories per pound. However, always also consider the specific dog’s activity level to avoid weight gain.
Top-Quality Proteins
Top-quality protein should be first on your list when selecting a dog food. Dogs in general require a decent amount of protein and the active Border Collie will require plus protein!
While most breeds are good with a diet that includes 22% protein, the minimum recommended by the Association of American Feed Controls (AAFCO), most adult Border Collies will need more like 24%+ protein to support their high activity level.
It’s not just the amount of protein you need to look for. The type of protein matters, too. Whole premium, identifiable meats such as chicken, salmon, beef are great examples. Multiple sources of protein also provide a range of amino acids. Steer clear of by products with unidentifiable or mystery meats!
Complex Carbs
High-quality, complex carbs such as sweet potatoes, quinoa, peas, oatmeal are much more preferable versus simple carbs like corn, wheat and soy. While simple carbs can provide a nice energy boost, they can also cause your dog to crash.
Higher-quality complex carbs have a low glycemic index. They absorb more slowly to provide steady energy through the day.
Healthy Fats
Healthy fats like fish oil, flaxseed and olive oil are loaded with omega-fatty acids and antioxidants. The numerous benefits include fighting free radicals, supporting the joints, improving heart health, and much more.
Most adult dogs need a diet with about 12 – 15% fat. Even more active dogs can require more. Steer clear of low-quality fats as they lead to weight gain with much less nutritional benefits.
Important Micronutrients
Finally, vitamins and minerals in dog food can provide some great added benefits. Only a small amount is needed and they can help with gut health (probiotics), boosting the immune system (vitamin A) and antioxidants (vitamins C & E). It’s also a good idea for Border Collie owners to look for glucosamine and chondroitin, for joint health for this active breed.
For more information on this topic please see our article on nutrition for dogs.
Ingredients to Avoid
Just as there are many beneficial ingredients to look for, there are also (unfortunately) several to sidestep.
Here’s are some common ingredients to avoid:
- animal by-products, mystery meats
- can contain hormones, chemicals and other bad stuff and often lack nutritional value
- chemical preservatives, colorants and other needless additives
- BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin can cause health issues over time such as kidney issues, cancer, blindness and other health problems
- artificial colors and flavors, top-quality dog food doesn’t have either
Also be aware of common human foods that dogs can not eat.
Common Border Collie Health Problems
Hip Dysplasia. Due to their short, muscular build and their high activity level this breed often has to deal with hip dysplasia.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). This occurs when the joint cartilage and underlying bone can develop cracks from accelerated growth as a puppy. Beware to make sure your Border Collie is consuming appropriate levels of calcium, as too much calcium in puppyhood is known to lead to OCD.
To help mitigate this, seek dog food recipes that contain omega fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health, making the arthritis more manageable. An active Border Collie may also require supplements for these issues. so consult your vet.
Dental Problems. Border Collies are known as being very “mouthy” – love to chew. So maintaining dental health as well as regular dental related visits is required for this breed to avoid bigger issues down the road.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy. This health issue causes the eye’s retina to slowly deteriorate. Although painless, it can in due course cause blindness.
Speak to your vet about recommended dietary changes to support optic health for this condition.
Other health issues this breed experiences include collie eye anomaly (CEA), canine epilepsy, Patent Ductus Arteriosus(POA) – heart condition, hypothyroidism (disrupts normal hormone production – symptoms inactivity and hair loss) and deafness.
Speak to your vet about these conditions so you can be on the lookout for related symptoms.
To Sum It All Up
Buying a high protein, top-quality dog food will help you keep your active Border Collie healthy for many years to come. These great dog food picks will keep your Border Collie agile and help to bypass many of the common breed health issues (at least prematurely).
