Border Collies run 30–55 lb with the highest sustained work metabolism of any common breed: a genuinely working collie can need 1.5–2× the calories of a同样-sized pet dog, while a retired couch collie needs strict rationing.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Target weight | 30–55 lb; lean, athletic build |
| Daily calories (pet, neutered) | 780–1,050 kcal |
| Daily calories (working) | 1,400–2,000+ kcal during trial/stock season |
| Formula fit | 27–32% protein, 15–20% fat for active dogs |
| Meal rhythm | Two meals; performance days may split three |
The two-metabolism problem
No common breed has a wider pet-vs-worker calorie gap. A pet collie at 40 lb eats about 900 kcal/day; the same dog in agility or stock season burns 1,600+. Feeding the same volume year-round produces an obese pet in winter and a rib-thin athlete in summer. Seasonal ration adjustment — up or down 30% — is standard practice, and our working-dog file details the transition math.
Performance fueling basics
Working collies need fat-forward fuel (15–20% fat beats carb-loading for endurance) and protein at 27%+ from named meals; the Sport 30/20 review covers the classic performance formula. Exercise timing matters: no hard work within an hour of meals, and rehydration matters more than any supplement.
FAQ
What should I feed a working Border Collie?
A performance formula (28%+ protein, 16–20% fat), portioned to body condition seasonally. Sport 30/20 and similar working-dog lines are built for this.
My pet Border Collie is overweight — how much should he eat?
Start at 850–900 kcal/day for a 40 lb neutered dog, weigh monthly, and adjust by body condition toward a visible waist.
Related reading: Working-dog feeding file · Sport 30/20 review · All breed guides · Feeding tools