Border Collie dogs are known for their wonderful working nature, their activity level and their intelligence. Thriving as a working dog but also a popular companion to many, the Border Collie has been crossed with other dog breeds to create a range of Border Collie Mixes.
Below we will explore different Border Collie Mix breeds and the wonderful dogs that can be created by mating different breeds with the driven and energetic Border Collie. Inheriting different temperaments and traits from their parents, often these dogs can feel like a lucky dip which is what makes them such fun pups to be around!
What is a Border Collie?
Border Collie’s are driven by their work ethic and are primarily a herding dog. While they also make excellent companions, these dogs need to be given a job to do and will need to be placed with a family who will understand their needs. This dog certainly isn’t one for cuddling up next to you on the couch — they’ll want to be out all day, exercising both their mind and their body!
It is no secret that the Border Collie can be a handful. They are very intelligent dogs and are not difficult to train, but they have an instinct to herd everything that they can — including children! They are not the best family dogs and will often thrive on a farm or somewhere where they can feel useful.
That being said, if the Border Collie is socialized and trained from a young age, they are very adaptable dogs who can live in any situation, including in a family with children. They can be very playful and will love to play games, especially dog sports such as agility and flyball.
Why Should I Get a Border Collie?
The Border Collie’s work ethic is one of the main reasons they are bred with other dogs. By breeding with more laid-back and relaxed dogs, breeders hope to tame the Border Collie’s working dog nature so they can become more of a family dog, yet still have these wonderful active and driven traits.
Border Collie Mixes have less of a need for both mental and physical stimulation, especially if the Border Collie is crossed with a smaller dog or a lazier dog! This creates the perfect pooch for those who simply don’t have the time to be outside all day exercising their pup, or prefer a less active lifestyle.
A mixed Border Collie will also require less time spent playing brain games and puzzles. While they are certainly not stupid dogs and retain the Border Collie’s intelligence, you may be able to leave some Border Collie’s alone in the house without worrying they are going to get bored and become destructive.
If you’re interested in learning more about Border Collie Mixes and finding the dog with the traits and temperament to fit your lifestyle, take a look at the most popular Collie Mixes below.
The Most Popular Border Collie Mixes
Aussie Shollie (Border Collie and Australian Shepherd)
The Aussie Shollie, also known as the Border-Aussie, is a mix between the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie. This hybrid dog is playful and active but also has a sweet nature that makes it a great family dog. They love to spend their time with humans, including children, and can be great playmates. A trip to the park with their family is their favorite way to burn off energy!
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix will do best if they are brought up in a home with a big back yard where they can run around. With both parent breeds working breeds, they do have quite high energy needs and being kept holed up will likely result in them becoming bored and frustrated which can lead to undesirable behaviors.
Aussie Shollie’s can still retain some of their herding nature and are therefore not always advised as pets in homes with other dogs. They can get on well with other animals, bu they will need to be socialized properly from a young age.
These pups do require some grooming too to keep their fur in good condition. Their coat can be long and it can matt easily when not brushed, so this is something to keep in mind when purchasing one of these dogs.
Border Lab (Border Collie and Labrador Retriever)
When we cross a Border Collie with a Labrador Retriever we get a Border Lab — a friendly dog that takes their intelligence from the Border Collie but their easy-going and happy nature from their Labrador parent. This means that they can make a wonderful family pet who is excellent with both children and other animals. They are also known to be quite affectionate with those who love them.
Thanks to their intelligence, the Border Lab, also known as the Borador, is very easy to train and the whole family can join in. They haven’t lost their Border Collie energy and will still love to exercise, accompanying their family while out hiking or running.
Fortunately, the Border Lab is extremely easy to care for. Although they have quite high exercise needs, they do not have high grooming needs and will only need to be brushed a few times a week.
Bordoodle (Border Collie and Poodle)
The Bordoodle, also known as the Bordoodle, Colloodle, Borpoo, Borderdoodle and Borderpoo, is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle. The Bordoodle is an intelligent and energetic dog, both traits their parent breeds hold, and they can make wonderful family pets.
The Bordoodle will inherit the fun-loving and friendly nature of the Poodle which means they will get on well with everyone, including children. However, both the Poodle and the Border Collie were originally working dogs, specifically hunting dogs, and there is a high chance these instincts will be passed down to the Bordoodle.
Therefore, you will need to supervise the Bordoodle around very young children and ensure you train and socialize your dog from a young age. You will especially need to focus on recall training, so they don’t run off while you’re out walking in the park! Fortunately, their intelligence means that they are easy to train and will pick things up quickly.
Despite the fact that the Poodle has a hypoallergenic coat that does not shed very much, don’t expect your Bordoodle to inherit this coat too. The Border Collie is known to shed quite a lot and the chances are the Bordoodle will too!
Border Jack (Border Collie and Jack Russell Terrier)
The Border Jack is the cross between a Border Collie and a Jack Russell Terrier. Both different in size and appearance, it can be difficult to know exactly what the Border Jack is going to look like. Despite the fact that they are normally larger in size than the Jack Russell Terrier, they remain quick and agile just like them which means they excel at dog sports such as agility and flyball.
These dogs are very intelligent and are therefore extremely easy to train. Occasionally, they can be a little strong willed, so it is best to use positive reinforcement training to get them to understand what you want them to do.
The Border Jack can make a great family pet, but they are best suited to active families who will take them out walking or hiking. These dogs are not really the pet to lay down on the couch and watch TV with you. They want to be part of the action all the time!
Border Pit (Border Collie and Pitbull)
The Pitbull Terrier has a bad reputation as being an aggressive dog thanks to their fighting history, but when raised in the right environment these dogs can be very affectionate and loving. When we cross the Pitbull with the Border Collie we get the Border Pit, a loyal and intelligent dog who loves to be near their owners!
This mixed breed doesn’t like to be left alone for too long and can begin to suffer from separation anxiety if away from those they love for large periods of time. This can result in destructive behaviors, so they will need to be socialized properly.
The Border Pit loves all humans, children included, and can make an excellent family pet and playmate to anyone! They also love other animals and really are known for being a sociable dog. Due to their intelligence, these dogs need to be kept entertained otherwise they can end up chewing everything in sight. Lots of training and getting them some fun toys to play with will help!
Shollie (Border Collie and German Shepherd)
The Shollie dog is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Border Collie. An extremely active dog that is bred from two working dog parents, this pup has high exercise needs and requires a home with a large yard. They will need access to large open spaces daily, so will not do well in an apartment. They also require a lot of mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored.
They can be known to be energetic and boisterous, which is why it is not recommended to leave these dogs alone with small children. However, they can make a great family pet for an active family who wants to play. Thanks to their intelligence, Shollies are also highly trainable and have a desire to please their owners.
The Shollie is often mistaken for a purebred and can look either like a German Shepherd or a Border Collie. Due to being a hybrid dog, they are not known to suffer with many health problems and can live to be 15 years old on average.
Great Collie (Border Collie and Great Dane)
The Great Dane and the Border Collie really do look quite different from the outside, but in fact they have very similar personalities! Both friendly and eager to please their humans, when we crossbreed these two dogs we get the Great Collie — an affectionate and intelligent breed of dog.
The Great Dane is one of the largest dogs in the world. They stand between 28 and 34 inches tall and can weigh between 100 and 200 pounds. In contrast, the Border Collie stands between 19 to 22 inches tall and weighs between 30 to 50 lbs, so we can expect the Great Collie to be somewhere in between.
Despite the fact that Great Dane is a large dog and quite relaxed, they are also quite active. When we mix this with the energetic and active nature of the Border Collie, the Great Collie tends to be a dog who loves exercise! These dogs are an intelligent breed too, so you’ll need to keep them mentally stimulated as well as physically. You can play brain games and puzzles with them. Fortunately, their intelligence means they are also easy to train.
The Great Collie is known to shed and therefore is not the pet for those with allergies. They have quite high grooming needs and will need to be brushed every day.
Borgi (Border Collie and Corgi)
The Corgi and the Border Collie have quite different personalities — as we have mentioned above, the Border Collie is an active dog that doesn’t really like to be cuddled or doted on, where as the Corgi is a loving and affectionate breed who loves to play with their family members.
Fortunately, this mixture of personalities means we get an active and affectionate breed that makes a great family pet. The Borgi doesn’t really like to be left alone for long periods of time and will prefer to be by their owners side at all times. If you have to leave them, it is recommended that you take them for a walk beforehand so they can get rid of some of their energy and may be less likely to tear up the house!
Due to the Corgi’s stature and short legs, the Borgi is likely to inherit some health problems from their parent. The most common issue is hip dysplasia, which is when the thighbone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. Taking your Borgi for regular vet checkups will help to catch the issue before it becomes a real problem.
Golden Border Retriever (Border Collie and Golden Retriever)
The Golden Border Retriever is created by breeding the Border Collie with one of America’s favorite dogs of all time — the Golden Retriever. These two breeds are very different; the Border Collie is very hard working and active, while the Golden Retriever is far more laid back and relaxed. This makes for the perfect balance within the Golden Border Retriever!
Often, these dogs are fun-loving and active, yet they’re also super friendly and affectionate with their family members. If they take after their Golden Retriever parent more, you can expect them to be excellent with children, even very young children. They are kind and gentle dogs that know when playtime is.
While it can be difficult to know the exact temperament of the Golden Border Retriever because the parents are so different, if you give these pups enough exercise and attention, they will certainly be happy!
Border Heeler (Border Collie and Blue Heeler)
The Border Heeler combines two of the best herding dogs of all time — the Border Collie and the Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Blue Heeler. Therefore, the Border Heeler is also a herding dog by nature, which means they need early and continues socialization around children and other animals. This way they will learn they don’t need to herd everything!
That being said, the Border Heeler can make an excellent family dog when placed in the right environment. These dogs have extreme energy levels and their owners will need to be ready to keep up with them! Their intelligence means they also need to be kept mentally stimulated too, so lots of games and toys are required.
Despite their energy levels, the Border Heeler can make a wonderful pet that is very loyal and protective of their family. They will always been on the lookout to warn you if anything is out of place!
Summary
As you can see above, there are so many adorable Border Collie Mixes! Whether you are looking for an energetic working dog such as the Border Heeler or a fun-loving and friendly family dog such as the Border Lab, there is a Border Collie Mix out there for you. Normally with fewer exercise needs than the purebred Border Collie, these Border Collie Mixes allow breeders to take the best traits from each parent and combine them to make fantastic new breeds suited to many different owners. Which Border Collie Mix do you think is right for you?