You’ve probably come across the Bordoodles, also known as Borpoos and Borderpoos. They are a cross between the Border Collie and Poodle! This breed is a relatively new breed and is in the process of being accepted into the AKC. The Bordoodles are a very intelligent breed and they are known to be very good with kids. The Bordoodles are also known to be very good with other dogs.
The Border Collie Poodle Mix Breed History
The Border Collie Poodle Mix is a relatively new breed, created in the late 1980s by crossing a Border Collie with a Poodle. This mix of breeds has a sleek coat that’s easy to groom and maintain. The Border Collie Poodle Mix is a tough, smart, and energetic dog that thrives on human attention. They are very loyal dogs, but need a lot of exercise, so they are not recommended for small living environments.
While we can trace the Poodle back to ancient Egyptian times. However, people say that the breed originated in Germany, working as waterfowl retrievers and duck hunters.
As for Border Collies, we know that Queen Victoria loved the breed, which descended from British sheep-herding dogs. At one point, people used to call this herding breed the Scotch Sheep Dog.
Border Collie Poodle Mix Appearance
The Bordoodle is a medium-sized dog breed, though the size standards vary, depending on their genetics from its parent breeds.
Usually, the Bordoodle is 12-22 inches tall, weighing 30-60 pounds. However, Mini Bordoodles, bred with Miniature Poodles, are less than 30 pounds and 18 inches tall. Standard Bordoodles with Standard Poodles as parents are usually over 40 pounds and 20-22 inches tall.
Bordoodles usually have a fleece coat, meaning it’s soft and wavy or a loose curly appearance that feels silky. The fleece coat is a combination between the Border Collie and Poodle’s coat. It’s a low-shedding coat, so you won’t have to worry much about allergic reactions.
Their coat can come in various colors and patterns, such as the classic black and white with Border Collie markings. Bordoodles can also be black, brown, or blue.
Border Collie Poodle Mix Temperament
Bordoodle owners shared that their dogs are brilliant and friendly. They get along excellently with families, loving their owners, including children.
These dogs are incredibly protective of their family, being wary of strangers and loyal to their owners. They make fantastic guard dogs! Not to worry about any aggression, though, as long as you socialize them early on, they won’t hurt strangers or other animals unless forced. Bordoodles are either shy and reserved or friendly towards strangers.
While Bordoodles are content with chilling and snuggling with the family, they are an active dog breed with high energy levels and will love to spend their time exercising and playing around. Combine their high energy levels and intelligence, and you get a dog that’s easy to train and loves mental stimulation, especially when playing fetch or herding-style activities.
That said, Bordoodle’s intelligence may manifest into destructive behavior if left alone for long periods or improperly trained.
The Bordoodle’s natural hunting and herding instincts may have them adopt chasing tendencies towards smaller animals and running children. You must train the Borderdoodle to prevent them from chasing and nipping anyone around.
Other than that, Bordoodles will get along well with anyone in the family, whether adult or child, small pet, or another large dog.
Border Collie Poodle Mix Health Issues
Like many Poodle mixes, Bordoodles are generally healthy dogs. However, they still risk inheriting the similar genetic health concerns that Poodles and Border Collies face. That’s why it’s crucial to have your dog vaccinated and take him to regular vet visits to prevent and treat any conditions.
Here are the common health concerns a Borderdoodle may suffer from:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Addison’s disease
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Bloat
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Progressive retinal atrophy and other eye diseases
- Collie eye anomaly
You may take your Borderdoodle for a health screening to check what conditions he is susceptible to and learn what you can do to treat or prevent them. You have to learn to care for your Bordoodle correctly, starting with the right food.
Consult the veterinarian regarding the type of dog food your Borderdoodle needs, based on his age, size, or other special dietary requirements for his health. We recommend two cups of high-quality dry dog food a day. Choose food high in protein and without extra fillers or artificial ingredients.
How to Care for a Border Collie Poodle Mix
Bordoodles don’t have the highest energy levels among Poodle mixed breeds, but they still require adequate exercise to prevent boredom and frustration. Daily exercise is also suitable for their physical and mental health.
Bordoodles require 40-60 minutes of exercise a day as jogs, walks, hiking, swimming, playing fetch, other indoor interactive games, and physical activities or agility exercises.
As for training, this breed is pretty easy to train as they are intelligent and love to please their owners. That makes Bordoodles suitable for first-time dog owners as they will love the process and learn quickly.
When you train Bordoodles, make sure that you use reward-based methods and positive reinforcement. If you go for harsh training methods, you can’t establish a strong bond, and it won’t make your dog learn any quicker. That said, you must strike a balance and let your dog know who’s alpha in the family, or he will end up being stubborn and independent.
Start with obedience training. Once your Border doodle understands basic obedience commands, he can start agility training and learn other complex tricks!
Your Bordoodle will also require regular grooming of his thick, medium-length coat. Doing so will prevent mats and tangles, which feel very uncomfortable for your dog. It removes dead hair and keeps the Bordoodle’s coat healthy and shiny as brushing spreads the natural oils.
Besides daily brushing, take your Bordoodle to a professional groomer every 4-6 weeks for a full bath and clipping. You can also groom the Border doodle yourself if you have the right tools and expertise.
Make sure that you conduct other grooming requirements as well, such as
- Trim your dog’s nails weekly
- Inspect and clean your dog’s eyes and ears weekly to prevent infections
- Brush the Border doodle’s teeth 2-3 times a week to prevent dental diseases
How Much is a Border Collie Poodle Mix?
Since there is a massive demand for Border Collie Poodle mixes, they come at a high price. Remember, this is a designer breed that has a complex breeding process with more care requirements!
The Border doodle costs between $900 to $3,500 from a reputable breeder. When you plan to buy Bordoodle puppies, ask for health clearance from the parent dogs to ensure that the dogs are in optimal health. Professional breeders will answer all your queries and provide the requested certifications.
While the Bordoodle is a designer dog breed, many end up in shelters because of incompatibilities in their first household. You might adopt a Bordoodle instead of purchasing a puppy, which is also a cost-effective option. Contact your local rescue groups and shelters to see if they have Bordoodles up for adoption.
So, is the Border Collie Poodle mix the right dog for you? The breed is excellent for first-time or veteran dog owners who have an active lifestyle, as long as you give them the time of day for exercise and cuddle sessions. You must also prepare for the grooming and training requirements; the Bordoodle has, which takes some time, effort, and patience. While Border doodles may not be best suited for apartment living, they can still thrive in smaller homes as long as they have their daily outdoor exercise in the park or pet parks are even better!.
Thanks to the dog’s generally friendly and loving personality, almost any active family will enjoy the Border Collie Poodle mix. However, the family must train their dog correctly and socialize him early on to prevent destructive behavior.
You and your family can have an excellent companion suitable for most living conditions if you and your family follow the aforementioned care requirements.