Recognized as arguably the most intelligent dog breed, Border Collies are exceptionally bright canines with remarkable strength, incredible agility, and impressive work ethic. They were originally bred for herding, an ability they excel at to this day—particularly due to their trademark intense gaze that they use to intimidate and control flocks of sheep.
But Border Collies are more than herding dogs; many dog parents have taken to making this lovable dog a member of their families! As a pet, the Border Collie is loyal and eager to please with high levels of energy, making them perfect for active households or devoted dog parents who live on farms or ranches.
Because Border Collies have such high intelligence and levels of energy, they need high-quality toys that will give them the mental and physical stimulation they need. If you’re having trouble selecting the right toy for your pup, we’re here to help. Below is our quick rundown of the best toys for Border Collies that are sure to hone their skills and keep them happy and active!
1. KONG Jumbler Ball: Two-in-One Fetch Toy
KONG is known for its diverse range of durable, entertaining dog toys, and the company’s Jumbler Ball is among the best products for Border Collies. This two-in-one toy is made for interactive play, designed with a “hidden” tennis ball and a squeaker that makes your pup eager and excited to play.
It also features a handle that you can shake to grab your pup’s attention and start a fun game of fetch! This toy can withstand rough play and aggressive chewing, crafted with stiff plastic that will hold up well to even the most powerful chewer.
- Perfect for fetch games outdoors or indoors
- Interior ball tumbles with every shake to entice dogs to play
- Includes a squeaker that catches your dog’s attention
- Chew-proof material can withstand rough play
2. Trixie Interactive Dog Puzzle: Offers Mental Stimulation & Challenges Your Pup’s Problem-Solving Capabilities
As highly intelligent dogs, Border Collies need more than physical exercise: they also need mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored. The Trixie Interactive Dog Puzzle is designed to challenge your brainy canine’s problem-solving skills! This puzzle toy comes with slots and sliders, along with a cone, that encourages dogs to use different techniques to get to their treats.
It also features a booklet that offers ways for you to raise the stakes and increase challenges, such as by using cones as stoppers. This way, your Border Collie won’t get bored with it! The rubber feet under the toy also help keep it in place as your pup explores and tries to earn rewards.
- Provides necessary mental stimulation
- Encourages dogs to try different ways to get to the goodies
- Features adjustable levels of difficulty to keep your pup’s interest
- Stays in place and offers hours of fun
3. ZippyPaws Woodland Friends Burrow Dog Toy: Perfect for Independent Play
Too caught up with work to play with your active Collie? Get him to play hide and seek with the ZippyPaws Woodland Friends Burrow Dog Toy! This interactive toy features a plush log where you can hide the squeaky chipmunks and watch as your pup tries to dig those cuties out!
Not only does this toy satisfy your pup’s need to dig, but it also engages his senses and keeps him entertained for hours. After he finds all the chipmunks, you can stuff them back in and have him start all over again. While this toy may not be suitable for overly aggressive chewers, many pet parents have reported that it survived rough play with proper supervision.
- Challenges dogs to hide-and-seek games with squeaky plushies
- Promises hours of fun independent play
- Satisfies your Border Collie’s digging needs
- Perfect for staving off boredom, especially indoors
4. Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy: Long-Lasting Bone Made for Aggressive Chewers
No toy box is complete without a chew toy, and the Benebone Wishbone Chew Toy is one of the best options for Border Collies on the market! This tough bone is built to last for weeks and withstand constant and powerful chewing. It also comes with a paw-friendly grip that allows your pup to chew on it for hours with ease.
Its tantalizing flavor is made from 100% bacon, making it irresistible to your dog and ensuring he doesn’t fulfill his chewing needs with your shoes or furniture. If your pup isn’t a fan of bacon, you can try this product’s peanut and chicken flavors.
- Tough and durable chew toy
- Guarantees enjoyable, long-lasting chew sessions
- Helps keep your pup from chewing on valuable items
- Comes in 3 flavors: bacon, chicken, and peanut
5. ZippyPaws Monkey Rope Tug Toy: Best Tug-of-War Toy
Another superb toy from ZippyPaws, the Monkey Rope Tug Toy makes tug-of-war games with your pup more exciting! Featuring a plush monkey and a sturdy, durable rope used by rock climbers, this toy is designed to outlast even the roughest of games and give you and your pup hours of fun.
The monkey also comes with a squeaker that grabs and keeps your pup’s attention. Plus, its soft material is gentle on your dog’s teeth. Many pet parents have reported that, unlike other tug toys, this product is difficult to destroy even for aggressive chewers.
- Takes tug-of-war games to the next level
- Tough, durable rope outlasts rough games
- Plush monkey makes a squeaking sound that dogs love
- Perfect for all sizes of dogs
How to Keep Your Border Collie Active
Managing an extremely smart and energetic dog like the Border Collie is no easy task. This breed thrives when given a job to do; however, if you don’t exactly have a job posting for your Collie, you can find ways to keep him active, busy, and entertained.
Here are a few ways to make sure your Border Collie gets the mental and physical stimulation he needs:
Exercise your Border Collie for at least 2 hours every day
Your Collie needs at least 2 hours of exercise every day—the more exercise he gets, the better! Most Border Collie parents split these 2 hours between 2 to 3 walks and take their pups to the park every week.
Remember that walks aren’t enough to burn off all of your Collie’s energy. You can also try high-intensity physical activities with him—Collies make excellent running or hiking buddies!
Rotate toys and games
Border Collies get bored easily, so it’s best to switch up your roster of toys and games as much as possible. You can play fetch games with him one week, then go treasure hunting or take him on an obstacle course the next. It helps to be creative with spicing up your Collie’s playtime!
Fun, interactive toys are ideal for Collies, but it’s still vital to use different toys to keep him on his toes. You can also incorporate toys into his mealtime using puzzle feeders to provide extra mental stimulation for him!
Teach your Collie to play dog sports
Because of their innate agility, strength, and intelligence, Border Collies naturally excel at dog sports! Herding sports are best for this breed, although they can also perform impressively well at:
- Agility
- Disc dog
- Flyball
- Obedience
- Treiball
In Closing
Few dog breeds can rival the smarts and style of the clever Border Collie. Without proper stimulation, these pups can become bored, anxious, and even depressed. A good way to avoid this is by giving your Collie a fun, entertaining toy that’ll challenge both his physical and mental capabilities.
Go ahead and use our list below of the 5 best dog toys for Border Collies to help you select the right product for your pup—you never know, you might just find your Collie’s new favorite toy!