Border Collie Gifts: 14 Ideas for Owners of a Very Smart Dog

Living with a border collie means being supervised. They watch you put on your shoes, they track the ball before it leaves your hand, and they have opinions about where the family should be standing. If you are hunting for border collie gifts, you are shopping for someone whose dog is smart, busy and a little bit in charge. This guide covers practical ideas that keep that brain occupied, a few keepsakes for the person, and one personal favorite of ours: a custom pet rug with their own dog's face on it.

Start with the most personal border collie gift: a rug with their dog's face

Most border collie merchandise shows the same generic black-and-white dog. But no border collie owner thinks their dog is generic. They know the exact shape of the white blaze, the ear that flops while the other one stands, the freckles on the muzzle. A round rug made from a photo of their dog captures all of that.

Here is a real one. Murph is a black border collie mix, and Jim is his tuxedo cat roommate. Their owner put both of them on one rug, with their names across the top.

Yes, the cat got there first. That is the other thing about a rug: it gets used.

Why it works for border collie owners

• The markings matter. Every border collie's pattern is different, and the portrait is made from their photo, so the blaze, collar and speckles are theirs.
• It handles the shedding. Border collies have a double coat, rough or smooth, and the fur ends up everywhere. A rug is easy to vacuum, and you can spot clean it with cool water and mild soap.
• Two pets fit on one rug. Many collie homes have a second dog or a cat. Mention it in the special request note and both go on, like Murph and Jim.
• It stays put. The non-slip backing works on wood, tile and laminate, which helps with a dog who takes corners at herding speed.

The portrait is created in our hand-drawn art style with digital tools and reviewed by our team, then printed on a soft rug with a plush, tufted look. You can choose Classic Frame, Color Pop or Full Color, and add a name or a short line of text. See more examples on our custom border collie rug page.

13 more gifts for border collie owners

A tired border collie is a happy border collie, and a happy border collie is a much calmer houseguest. Most of these ideas feed the brain, the legs or the herding instinct. All are product types, so you can pick whatever brand fits your budget.

Under $30: small gifts that keep a collie busy

1. A snuffle mat. Scatter kibble in the fabric strips and the dog has to sniff it out. It turns breakfast into a job, and border collies love having a job.
2. A lick mat. Spread with a dog-safe filling and freeze it. Good for calming down after a long run or during a nail trim.
3. A treat pouch that clips to a belt. Border collie owners train constantly, often without meaning to. A pouch with a magnetic or hinged opening beats a pocket full of crumbs.
4. A clicker and a trick-training book. Collies pick up tricks fast and get bored with the old ones. A new book of tricks gives the owner fresh material.
5. Paw balm. Active dogs run on pavement, gravel and frozen trails. A balm for cracked pads is small, useful and often forgotten.

$30 to $75: gear for the working-dog lifestyle

6. A herding ball. These large, hard balls are too big to pick up, so the dog pushes and steers them around the yard. It is close to the real job and a lot of fun to watch.
7. A dog-safe flying disc. Many border collies are natural disc dogs. Choose a soft or flexible disc designed for dogs, which is gentler on teeth than a hard plastic one.
8. A flirt pole. A sturdy pole with a lure on a rope lets the dog chase in tight circles while the human stands still. It burns energy fast in a small space.
9. Puzzle toys with levels. Get a harder one than you think. Do not be surprised if the beginner level lasts about a minute before the dog looks up as if to say "next."
10. A hands-free running leash. A waist belt with a bungee lead is great for owners who jog or hike with their dog.

$75 and up: bigger gifts and experiences

11. A deshedding kit. An undercoat rake plus a slicker brush covers both coat types. Pair it with a grooming session at a local groomer if you want to splurge.
12. A class: agility, treibball, nosework or herding. An experience gift can be the best one for a dog who needs a challenge. Many training clubs sell beginner sessions or gift cards. Check that the class matches the dog's age and health.
13. A durable car seat cover or cargo liner. Collies go everywhere: trailheads, parks, the farm. A washable, non-slip cover saves the car.

Looking for something for a person who has a cat too, or several pets? Our guide to unique gifts for pet owners has more ideas.

How to get the photo in secret

A surprise rug needs one good photo of the dog, and border collies, of course, move. Here are a few ways to get one without giving the game away.

• Scroll their social media. Most border collie owners post their dog regularly. Look for a clear, well-lit shot where the face fills a good part of the frame.
• Offer to dog-sit or join a walk. Take a few photos at eye level in daylight. A treat held just above your phone gets you that classic collie stare.
• Ask a co-conspirator. A partner, roommate or family member can text you a recent favorite.
• Check the photo guide. Our photo guide explains what works best: sharp eyes, natural light, no heavy filters.

Then the process is simple:

1. Upload the photoPick a design, size and the name you want on the border. Add a second pet in the note if needed.
2. Get a free preview within 24 hoursWe email you the artwork. Ask for changes as many times as you like, free.
3. Approve, and we make itProduction starts only after you approve. In the US it takes 3 to 5 days to make, plus 5 to 7 days of free tracked shipping.

That is about a week and a half after approval, so for holidays and birthdays, order early. More detail is on how it works.

Which size is right for a border collie?

Border collies are medium-sized dogs who like to sprawl, so we usually suggest one of the two larger sizes.

Size	Price	Best for
24 in (61 cm)	$69	A doorway, a crate front or a puppy. A grown collie will hang off the edges.
32 in (81 cm)	$85	A good everyday size for one adult border collie, by the bed or the couch.
40 in (102 cm)	$99	Room to stretch out, or two pets on one rug, like Murph and Jim.

Still deciding? The pet rug size guide compares all three sizes in real rooms.

Questions

Can you make a rug for a border collie mix?

Yes. The portrait is made from the photo of the actual dog, so mixes, rescues and dogs with unusual markings all work. Murph, the dog in the photos above, is a border collie mix.

Can I put my border collie and my cat on the same rug?

Yes. Two pets on one rug is possible. Upload a photo of each and mention it in the special request note. The 40 in size gives both of them the most room.

Will the rug survive a shedding border collie?

Vacuum it regularly and spot clean with cool water and mild soap. You can also gently hand-wash the surface and let it air-dry flat. Skip the bleach, the iron and the hot dryer.

What if I don't like the preview?

Tell us what to change. Revisions are free and unlimited, and nothing is made until you approve the artwork.

How long does delivery take in the US?

About a week and a half after you approve your preview: 3 to 5 days to make and 5 to 7 days of free tracked shipping.

Border collie owners spend all day watching their dog. Give them a gift where the dog is watching back.

Create a rug with their border collie