Want an active dog to join your family? A Border Collie cross might be just right for you! But before you opt for this crossbreed, it's important to research both parent breeds in depth. So first, let's take a look at the Border Collie!
The Border Collie
Originally known as the Scottish Sheepdog, this breed is from the region between Northumberland and Scotland. The Border Collie dog is a workaholic, used for herding sheep. The dog, when working, will crouch down and appear to hypnotise the cattle with his penetrating stare. Having great stamina and boundless energy levels, this breed is also very intelligent and easy to train.
Personality of a Border Collie
The Border Collie is one of the most popular breeds in the UK. It is famous for its energetic personality and beautiful looks. This breed needs an active owner who will provide him with lots of physical and mental stimulation. Indeed, the Border Collie is very smart and super active, and can quickly get bored, which can result in bad behaviour.
The Border Collie is a great family pet, and gets on very well with children. However, he will need early socialisation and training, because his herding instinct might cause him to nip, chase or bark at kids and other pets.
Common health issues of the Border Collie
The Border Collie is generally a healthy dog, but just like any other dog breed, he is prone to health problems such as:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Epilepsy
- Collie eye anomaly
- Allergies
Training a Border Collie
First of all, due to the high intelligence levels of the Border Collie, training should begin at an early age. Secondly, a Border Collie that doesn’t get sufficient exercise will almost certainly become anxious and agitated. Vigorous daily exercise is recommended if you want training to be successful.
Top 10 Border Collie crossbreeds
The physical characteristics and personality that will come out when you breed a Border Collie with another dog will depend on the looks and character of each of the parent breeds. When choosing a mixed breed dog, it’s important to understand the features and qualities of each of the parent dogs. Here are 10 of the most popular Border Collie crossbreeds and their important traits:
Border Jack: Border Collie x Jack Russell
The adult dog reaches a medium size. A Border Jack will usually have the body shape typical of a Jack Russell with a narrow chest and body. They have a rough, short coat, a smallish head and ears that flop forward. Popular colours are merle, brown and white, brown, brindle, white, black and white and black. The Jack Russell is also an active breed, therefore the Border Jack will be very active and will need a huge amount of exercise to feel fulfilled.
Border Collie Pit: Border Collie x Pitbull
Adult dogs measure between 17 to 23 inches high and anywhere between 30 and 65 pounds in weight. Their appearance is slightly stockier than a Collie's. The Border Collie Pit is extremely friendly and will love to have fun with its owner.
Borderdoodle: Border Collie x Poodle
This dog’s coat is likely to be either wavy or curly, and of a medium length. The Borderdoodle is extremely intelligent and energetic. They will need a huge amount of exercise and they will also need to be stimulated mentally to avoid them getting bored.
Borador: Border Collie x Labrador
This dog will shed fairly frequently. With an expected lifespan of up to 15 years, the Borador is certainly a healthy dog. The Labrador parent should be checked for any joint issues that are fairly common in this breed. A Borador dog, like its parents, will require extensive daily exercise to maintain its fitness levels.
Border Point: Border Collie x German Shorthaired Pointer
The Border Point's coat colour can be fawn, liver, white or black. If the predominant genes favour the Pointer, the offspring may be slightly taller than an average Collie. The Border Point is extremely energetic and will need at least 2 hours of intensive physical activity per day. This breed is extremely affectionate and will love to cuddle with you.
Bodacion: Border Collie x Dalmatian
The Bodacion is medium sized, with large, floppy ears and a small head with various colourings from silver, brown, white and of course with the famous Dalmatian spots. The Bodacion is extremely protective and independent. He will enjoy spending time on his own. However, he is an extremely active dog and will need a huge amount of exercise everyday.
Border Aussie or Aussie Collie: Border Collie x Australian Shepherd
This cross makes for a beautiful, extremely smart, and VERY energetic pup. You can't be laid-back when you own a Border Aussie - on the contrary! You have to be ready to give this pup plenty of mental stimulation and at least 2 hours of vigorous exercise a day. If you don't think you have the time for that, don't get this cross!
Border Collie Pyrenees: Border Collie x Great Pyrenees
This crossbreed makes for a dog a little calmer than the Border Collie and a little more active than the Great Pyrenees. This cross can be very aloof with strangers, so make sure you start training and socialisation early. As with both parent breeds, you'll have to deal with a lot of shedding, so make sure you keep that vacuum handy!
Border Heeler: Border Collie x Blue Heeler
Blue Heelers, also known as Australian Cattle Dogs, are very energetic, just like the Border Collie. So it comes as no surprise that a Collie/Heeler mix is an extremely active dog that requires space and lots of exercise. While very smart and easily trained, these dogs can get frustrated and anxious if they don't get enough physical and mental stimulation.
Golden Border: Border Collie x Golden Retriever
This crossbreed will make for a dog slightly calmer than the Border Collie, and more family-oriented than work-oriented. Very smart, this crossbreed will be easy to train, as long as they are given sufficient exercise.
There are, of course, other marvellous amalgamations of crossbreeds when a Border Collie is used as one parent. Consequently, we have the:
- Bordernese (crossed with a Bernese Mountain dog)
- Border Beagle (crossed with a Beagle)
- Border Newfie (crossed with a Newfoundland )
- Border Schnollie (crossed with a Schnauzer)
- Dobie (crossed with a Doberman)
Border Collie cross puppies
Border Collie cross puppies have different personalities and come in different sizes and colours. By choosing a mix or cross breed puppy, you are more than likely going to get features from both parents. Each drop of Border Collie DNA in your pup has the capacity to produce an energetic pup, so be prepared to get out there and exercise! Your pup will most certainly be very intelligent too, so be prepared to put lots of effort into training them. For a dedicated and active pet parent, a Border Collie cross can be a great pet!
Check out these other mixed breeds:
- The Beagle cross
- The Border Terrier cross
- The Chihuahua cross
- The Dachshund cross
- The Dalmatian cross
- The French Bulldog cross
- The German Shepherd cross
- The Golden Retriever cross
- The Husky cross
- The Jack Russell cross
- The Labrador crossbreed
- The Pomeranian cross
- The Poodle cross
- The Pug cross
- The Rottweiler cross
- The Shih Tzu cross
