Are Border Collies Affectionate? Breed Facts & FAQ

Border Collies are popular pets in the U.S. One reason is the Border Collie’s intelligence, which is off the charts. Another is their trainability, which is just as impressive and makes Border Collies a joy to train. One question many ask, however, is whether Border Collies are affectionate dogs. You’ll be pleased to know that Border Collies are extremely affectionate. They crave human contact and, once bonded to you, will be one of the most affectionate dogs you’ve ever owned.

Knowing that Border Collies are affectionate, you likely have more questions about them. How do Border Collies show affection, for example, and do they like to cuddle? Read on to discover the answer to these and several other fascinating facts about this devoted dog!

How Do Border Collies Show Their Affection?

Unless you’ve owned a Border Collie or two, you might not know how they show you their affection. There are more than a few ways they do it, some of which you might see with other dogs, but others are particular to this breed. Below are the most common ways your Border Collie might show their deep affection for you.

Do Border Collies Like to Cuddle with Their Humans?

Cuddling is a favorite among all the ways that Border Collies show affection. If you’re a cuddle fan, your Border Collie will delight you with their cuddling prowess.

Sometimes, a Border Collie will cuddle with you for other reasons. One of them is to keep warm, and Borders also cuddle to relieve stress or protect their owner from the cold. We think you’ll agree; protecting you from freezing is a sure sign your Border Collie thinks you’re the best person in the world.

Are Border Collies Prone to Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety is when a dog gets anxious or emotional when their owner leaves them alone at home. Many dogs suffer from this condition, but some get it worse than others. One of the breeds that suffer from separation anxiety the most is the Border Collie.

When you consider how affectionate they are and how much they like being around their humans, it’s not surprising that Borders often get a bad case of separation anxiety. Some get very destructive, also. For these reasons, breeders don’t recommend Border Collies for those who spend most of their day away from home.

If you suspect your pet is suffering from separation anxiety, you should contact your vet directly for an assessment. They can provide you with more information and a care plan.

Can Border Collies Get Jealous?

When a dog or other pet has this much affection for their owner, you can be sure that they’ll get jealous occasionally. That’s very true of the Border Collie, which can be pretty jealous of anything (or anyone) that takes their owner’s attention away from them to focus on something else.

What can cause your Border to get jealous? A new baby or a new puppy or other pet can do it. An abrupt change in routine is another reason your Border Collie might get jealous. Below are some common signs that your furry friend is jealous of something or someone.

Why are Border Collies so Clingy?

If you’ve never had a Border Collie, you might not have heard the expression “Velcro dog” before. A Velcro dog is a dog that adheres to you all the time, like the ubiquitous fastener that’s been around for decades. Another way to describe this behavior is to call it “clingy.” As you might have already guessed, Border Collies are one of the clingiest dogs around.

Border collies were initially bred to herd sheep and, as a shepherd’s dog, became extremely close with a single human. Border Collies are also highly intelligent and social dogs with a high level of empathy. For those reasons, most Borders are innately clingy. Once bonded to you, your Border Collie will be at your side, for better or worse, their entire life.

Why Do Border Collies Paw at You?

We talked earlier about ways Border Collies will show their affection, and pawing at you is one of the most common. For that reason, we wanted to look more deeply at this Border Collie method of showing affection because it’s not always to show you they like you.

Pawing at you anywhere is a sign that your Border loves you, but it can also be a sign of other things. For example, if your BC is anxious, they will paw at you for attention and to calm their nerves. Some Border Collies will paw at you for other reasons, including when they want a treat, need to go potty, or want to play. Lastly, if your Border is in pain from an accident, injury, or illness, they might paw at you to communicate the problem and get help. If you would have a hard time figuring out what is bothering your Border Collie, calling your vet is one of the best ways to get advice.

Do Border Collies Bond to a Single Person?

We mentioned earlier that Border Collies were initially bred to be sheep-herding dogs and, for that reason, developed strong bonds with their shepherds. This behavior still holds to this day and means that, even in a big household with many family members, most Border Collies will bond with a single person.

While this isn’t particularly bad, per se, a Border bonded with a single person can be problematic when that person goes away for an extended time. That’s why everyone in the family should be involved in socializing with a Border Collie, which can often reduce or even eliminate this small problem.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, Border Collies are one of the most affectionate breeds. The reason is that Borders were traditionally bred as herding dogs and, as such, grew ultra-close with their owners. The typical Border Collie loves nothing more than being around you all day and will happily go wherever you go.

Border Collies can also be jealous dogs and don’t like it when someone takes the spotlight away from them. Still, as affectionate, compassionate, and loving as they are, it’s hard to fault a Border for being a little jealous. They are remarkable dogs and make exceptional pets and companions.

Featured Image Credit: Julia Zavalishina, Shutterstock