<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
  <periodOfReport>2003-10-21</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001074530</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BOYDS COLLECTION LTD</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FOB</issuerTradingSymbol>
  </issuer>
  <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001195778</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MURLEY JAN L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O THE BOYDS COLLECTION LTD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 4385</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GETTYSBURG</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>17325</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
      <isDirector>1</isDirector>
      <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
      <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
      <isOther>0</isOther>
      <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
  </reportingOwner>
  <derivativeTable>
    <derivativeHolding>
      <securityTitle>
        <value>Stock Option (Right to buy)</value>
      </securityTitle>
      <conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <value>5.12</value>
      </conversionOrExercisePrice>
      <exerciseDate>
        <value>2004-10-21</value>
        <footnoteId id="F1"/>
      </exerciseDate>
      <expirationDate>
        <value>2013-10-21</value>
      </expirationDate>
      <underlyingSecurity>
        <underlyingSecurityTitle>
          <value>Common Stock</value>
        </underlyingSecurityTitle>
        <underlyingSecurityShares>
          <value>850000</value>
        </underlyingSecurityShares>
      </underlyingSecurity>
      <ownershipNature>
        <directOrIndirectOwnership>
          <value>D</value>
        </directOrIndirectOwnership>
      </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeHolding>
  </derivativeTable>
  <footnotes>
    <footnote id="F1">The option is exercisable in five equal annual installments beginning on October 21, 2004.</footnote>
  </footnotes>
  <remarks>The option is excercisable in five equal annual installments beginning on October 21, 2004.</remarks>
  <ownerSignature>
    <signatureName>Jan L. Murley</signatureName>
    <signatureDate>2003-10-31</signatureDate>
  </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

