Are you lucky enough to share your life with a border collie and you have some questions about this breed? Do you want to go on vacation with your border collie? Here is everything you need to know about the border collie!

Have you heard of Chaser? This famous border collie who can remember over 1000 words and make relatively complex deductions in just a few seconds. She has literally revolutionized the way we consider dog intelligence!

Your Border Collie doesn't need to have extraordinary abilities to be a great life companion and an extraordinary travel companion 🫶 This breed of dog, known for its lively intelligence and boundless energy, is suitable for travelers ready to invest 200% for it because they are demanding dogs!

And that's good, because if you're reading this article, it's because you're ready for a Wouafement dynamic vacation with your border collie! But don't worry, there will also be moments of rest in this program 😉

Summary

Everything you need to know about the border collie

The Border Collie is often considered the most intelligent dog breed . Its quick wit, combined with a great need for exercise, means you should be prepared for some intense experiences on holiday with it!

As you probably know, the border collie is originally a herding dog . This means that it has been selected for generations for its endurance, its adaptability to all terrains and its ability to quickly solve problems (such as herding the flock while avoiding certain obstacles).

The Border Collie is therefore highly skilled in these qualities, and many dogs of this breed share this temperament. As a companion dog, it will tend to get bored easily. Since it learns quickly and likes to think, it will need mental stimulation in addition to physical exercise!

But be careful! His boundless enthusiasm can also become unmanageable for both him and you if your Border Collie is overstimulated, leading to problematic behaviors. Something often forgotten is that very energetic dogs also need to learn to be calm ! If this is a difficult lesson to teach, don't hesitate to consult a canine behaviorist.

Now that we have seen the general temperament of the border collie, let's look at the activities he will love during the holidays!

Best Activities for a Border Collie on Vacation

We're kicking off this list of activities to do with your Border Collie on vacation with a must-try: herding ! Yes, you don't have to become a shepherd to take your dog to herd sheep 😉 Some trainers and dog clubs have a flock of sheep and offer classes to teach this discipline. Border Collies are highly valued because they have a very strong instinct for this activity. What better way to reconnect your Border Collie with its original workings than by letting it do the work of its owner? It's a chance to learn together and discover a new side of your dog during your vacation…

Another super fun activity to share with your border collie during the holidays: hiking ! He'll love exploring mountain trails and new environments with you. To do it safely, I recommend our article "Hiking with a dog: it's not something you can just wing!" 😉

Finally, one of the best activities for a Border Collie is a highly stimulating one, both mentally and physically: tracking ! Perfect for a family vacation, this activity will really get your companion's nose working! You can ask a family member to hide, and then teach your dog to find them. Children will love to participate too! Remember to wear sturdy trousers, as they might cut through the undergrowth 😬

border collie tired but happy to share activities with his dogmum on vacation

PS: you can add these activities to your holiday program, but also practice them as leisure activities all year round! Your border collie will be even happier 😉

Ideal destinations for a border collie

As you may have guessed, I'm not going to recommend big cities for your holidays with your border collie... His ideal destinations will be in the mountains or the countryside!

One destination we love to tell you about at Musher is the Haut-Bugey ! The Jura mountains offer magnificent scenery and unforgettable hikes await you and your dog. I love this region so much that I've created a holiday itinerary for you , perfect for an active week with your border collie!

To enjoy the countryside with your dog, I highly recommend exploring the Dordogne . Known for Rocamadour, its cliffside village, the Dordogne Valley is sure to charm you. Between country walks and sheepdog trials, you can also discover a dog-friendly cave or even go canoeing on the river!

Finally, head to the Millau Grands Causses region , an ideal destination for a holiday with a border collie. On the agenda: exploring the Tarn gorges and coastal paths, as well as invigorating swims in the rivers and streams. What more could you ask for?

These three destinations are labeled Destination QUALIDOG: they put everything in place to ensure that your dog is welcomed as it should be. They are perfect for a peaceful vacation with a border collie! You will certainly find what you are looking for among the accommodations they offer in the “Accommodations” section of EmmèneTonChien.com.

3 Influencers Who Have a Border Collie to Follow

If you are a border collie fan and are looking for inspiration for your holidays and activities, here are 3 influencers to follow on Insta:

  • @naya_gypsyborder: Claude shares his cani-randos and cani-trails all over France with his beautiful Naya.
  • @mia_la_bordercollie: on this account, you will find travel and hiking inspiration, but also moments in the life of Manon, her dog Mia and her horses.
  • @tim.border.collie: Océane shares her caniVTT outings with her border collie, their walks in the Gard, and their trips in France.

Practical tips for traveling with a border collie

Obviously, traveling with a border collie requires a fair amount of planning and the right equipment. So here are some practical tips to help you out!

cute border collie during his hike in the mountains on vacation

First of all, you're probably planning an active holiday! The first essentials that come to mind are a water bottle and bowl, and a first-aid kit , W'ouf Course! Even if your border collie is super agile, prevention is better than cure… Speaking of agility, if you're going on some fairly steep hikes, you can put a hiking harness on him with a carrying handle to easily lift him in difficult situations. I recommend the Webmaster harness from Ruffwear.

If you're traveling in the summer, don't hesitate to equip your dog with cooling accessories . This will help them cope better with hikes. Although, of course, you shouldn't risk going out in the blazing sun at 45°C! You can also bring wet food and a lick mat, which you can freeze before giving it to your dog. They'll have a little treat after exercise, and it will also help them lower their energy levels.

Conversely, in winter, you can equip him with a dog raincoat or even a warm coat, especially for recovery periods (in the car on the way home, for example). The border collie's coat isn't very thick, so don't hesitate.

One last tip: since he'll be walking a lot during the holidays, don't skimp on the paw balm . You can also put dog shoes on him if he tolerates them.

You'll find all the items you need on the EmmèneTonChien.com shop. We've even done comparisons for some products!

There you have it, you know everything you need to know to have an unforgettable holiday with your border collie! Now you know how to adapt to his temperament, what activities he will enjoy and what are the ideal destinations to discover together. If you need more information to organize your holiday with your border collie, travel by train, how to go abroad with him, the answers to your questions are on the site 😉

Happy holidays Wouafer's! 🐾