The Border Collie is a dog viewed by many as one of the perfect pure breeds around.
Many regard it as one of the smartest dogs around and its intellect, build and temperament make it ideal for herding and farm life.
This is true to the point that many families stick with this breed and wouldn’t have anything else.
This raises an important question with the Border Collie Rottweiler mix: can this cross breed really improve this wonderful dog in anyway?
In this guide we will look at the best Border Rottie cross information to answer some of these key questions.
How does this mix of genetics affect the physicality and ability of the hybrid? Also are there any new positive, or negative, behavior traits or health issues to watch out for?
Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about the Rottweiler Border Collie Mix.
Table of Contents
Few Facts About the Border Collie Rottweiler Mix
| Other names: | Border Rottie, Rottcollie |
| Weight: | 50 to 135 pounds |
| Height: | 19 -27 inches long |
| Good guard dog: | Yes |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 15 years |
| Apartment living: | No |
| Coat: | A medium length double coat |
| Level of shedding: | Moderate |
| Temperament: | Alert, smart, loyal, stubborn, protective, active, stubborn |
| Exercise needs: | At least 60 minutes of exercise a day is required. |
| Dog and Cat friendly: | May have herding tendencies, early socialization and training is required |
| Kids friendly: | Suitable for families with older kids, socialization is required |
| Price: | Around $1000 |
The Physical Features Of The Rottweiler Collie mix
The Border Collie is a lithe, slim dog with great agility and energy. This is one of the reasons it is so good at herding animals across large acres.
The Rottweiler is obviously a much more muscular dog, so what does this cross mean when it comes to the Border Collie Rottweiler mix size?
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Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Size, Height and Weight
There are many online Border Rottie photos that show a varieties of shapes and sizes, but many do come somewhere in the middle. A slightly bigger dog that is still lean enough to work hard.
The Border Collie Rottweiler mix weight will vary depending on the leaning of the genetics, as the lightest Border collie is around 30 pounds and the heaviest Rottweiler is around 135 pounds.
As for the height, this is much narrower in range, between 20 to 27 inches.
Border Rottie Coat
One parent has that classic, long-haired coat, with the black and white markings, that is ideal for colder months on the hills. The other has a much shorter coat with those trademark black and tan markings.
Again there is some variation in these pups, as seen in those photos. Some have neater coats and others retain the rougher look of the collie.
Both parents are moderate shedders, so the pups are likely to follow suit.
Regular brushing is recommended. It would appear that the black and tan marking are the more dominant trait here, but there are some pups that have that white chest of the collie as well.
Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Temperament
Are Border Rotties good natured dogs and easy to train?
One key concern when crossing a Border Collie with another dog is the intelligence of the offspring and their trainability.
The good news here is that the Rottweiler is one of the more trainable working dogs, with a pretty good intellect of his own. He isn’t known for quick thinking around livestock, but he is a smart, loyal member of many forces and security services.
The other bit of good news here is that the personalities of both parent dogs are actually quite similar. This means few surprises in the offspring.
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They are both alert, smart, loyal creatures that work well with humans with the right training. Early socialization allows for sweet, protective family dogs too.
The Border Collie and Rottweiler Mix may be smart, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a couple a behavioral problems to deal with. Therefore, training is always essential from an early age.
The Rottweiler has a bit of a stubborn, independent streak at times, which may come through in the offspring. This could make training a little trickier.
Border Collies are known to be a little sensitive or “high strung”, but it seems that this is calmed down a little with the Rottie genes.
Border Collies also have issues with barking, but this may all be tamed by the Rottweiler genes. Those that struggle with the training of these dogs should turn to Doggy Dan the Online Dog Trainer for help.
This digital guide provides help on all sorts of issues in an accessible manner. It is designed so owners can slow things down in their own home and work to their dog’s needs.
Children and Other Pets
The Border Collie Rottweiler Mix is best suited for homes with older children who know how to play with dogs. Once they are properly socialized, Border Rotties make great pets for families with kids.
Always teach your kids how to approach and play with dogs, and always monitor any interactions between small kids and dogs to prevent any issues. No dog, regardless of how friendly he is, should be left alone with a young child.
Both the Border Collie and Rottweiler are known to have a high prey drive and in most cases, they may not get along well with cats and other pets.
Fortunately, you can socialize your pet to get alone with everyone and ensure they are not aggressive towards other animals. However, it can be hard for first time dog owners to eliminate the breed’s herding instincts, so they do best with experienced dog owners.
Other important information to consider before looking for a Rottweiler Border Collie mix for sale
It is vital that all new owners understand how best to take care of these animals at home. This means the right living environment, exercise regimen and health care needs.
Exercise Needs
This cross may not be as energetic as a pure Border Collie, but still needs plenty of space and enough exercises on a daily basis to release excess energy.
Under-exercised pups often become destructive , so be sure to keep your pup busy and provide the mental stimulation he needs.
The right exercise routine for this dog should include regular walks and playtime with the family. Use interactive dog toys to keep him physically and mentally fit while indoors. They also enjoy playing or running around in a secure or fenced-in yard.
It is also a good idea to take your dog to a nearby dog park regularly so that he can play and socialize with other canines.
Not only will proper physical activity keep them fit and healthy, it will also help them develop good behavior.
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Grooming Needs
It is important to brush them 2 to 3 times each week to help reduce shedding. This will strengthen the bond between you and your canine, and also help maintain their coat in tip-top condition.
The Border Rottie also needs bathing once per month or whenever he gets dirty or smelly. However, you should avoid over-bathing since that can dry out their skin and cause other skin issues. So, it’s a good idea to invest in deodorizing wipes for dogs to help keep their coat clean and superb.
Their teeth should be cleaned every week and their ears also cleaned regularly to prevent infection.
Feeding and Diet
It’s advisable to give your Border Rottie 2 to 3 cups of high quality dog food, split into two meals per day. You also need to adjust their food intake depending on the age, size and activity level of your pup.
Dogs require at least 18 percent protein in their regular diet for optimal growth, and health muscles. We also recommend probiotics with wild Alaskan salmon oil to help promote good skin health and improve gastrointestinal function.
Apart from food, we recommend giving your Border Rottie fresh water each day to keep him cool and hydrated.
Health Problems
Rottweiler Border Collie mix health care issues include joint issues and bloat. The Rottweiler also has a tendency for weight gain, so watch the diet of these pups.
Those that are worried about the best way to look after these dog could turn to a guide such as The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health. This is a great read for first timers that are wary of how to handle these dogs.
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Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Lifespan
The Border Collie Rottweiler mix lifespan is sure to be shorter than the pure Border Collie, around 10-15 years.
Feed him high quality dog food in order to make sure that he grows healthy. This is also likely to reduce the chances of your puppy suffering from some of the health problems likely to affect the Border Collie Rottweiler Mix thus increase the life expectancy as well.
Finding Healthy Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Puppies
The best place to look for this cross breed is a reliable breeder.
There could be many ads for Border Collie Rottweiler mix puppies for sale, but not all will come from good sources.
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Find those that will welcome you into their home to show off the pups and parents. This allows for time to meet the animals, learn about health issues and make sure it really is a Border Collie cross, not another kind.
Also be careful with the price. Avoid the really cheap pups, but be wary of those charging a lot too.
Then there is the option of adopting a Rottweiler and Border Collie mix from a shelter. This is a great way to rescue an adult dog in need of a second chance.
ALSO READ: All About The Border Collie Dalmatian
The Price of Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Puppies for Sale
The average cost of a Collie Rottweiler puppy is around $1000. Since these puppies are quite expensive, make sure to do your homework before making your final decision.
However, not every price tag is cast in stone and you can shop around to find the best deal possible.
Daily maintenance and medical costs should also be taken into consideration before getting a new dog.
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Is this Border Collie Rottweiler mix a great choice, or should you stick to the pure Border Collie?
There is definitely a lot of potential with this Collie Rottweiler mix.
Those expecting a dumber, bigger, less able cross breed here will be pleasantly surprised by what they find. This dog is bigger, but still lean and able to work – and it is definitely not dumb.
There is a high likelihood of a good natured, healthy, obedient dog with the right training, breeding and health care.
Training may be trickier, and they may not live as long. But, there are the benefits of a less sensitive dog that is a little less energetic.
Those that fall for this cross should check out their local shelters and reliable breeders and make sure they understand the commitment they must make to this interesting working dog.
ALSO READ: A Complete Guide To The The Border Collie Husky Mix
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