The Border Schnollie, or Border Collie Schnauzer Mix, is one of the newest hybrid dogs around. This medium-sized dog is a result of mixing the Border Collie with a Standard Schnauzer.
The energetic Border Schnollie often resembles the Schnauzer parent, but has the typical Border Collie colors (black and white).
Both the Border Collie and the Schnauzer have high energy levels and have long histories as working dogs. Combine the two together and you end up with a very intelligent canine who loves attention and exercise.
While the Border Collie and Schnauzer Mix is a lively and loyal companion, he is not the best choice for first time owners because of the breed’s stubborn nature. In the right living conditions with space to roam and an experienced owner, a Border Schnollie should be loyal, loving and fun to be around.
In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about the unique Border Schnollie, including appearance, temperament, training, exercise, health and much more. So keep reading to determine if the Standard Schnauzer Border Collie Mix is the right pet for you and your family.
Table of Contents
Some Quick Facts About The Border Collie Schnauzer Mix
| Breed Type: | Crossbreed/Mixed Breed |
| Size: | Medium-sized dog |
| Other Names: | Border Schnauzer, Border Schnollie |
| Good Guard Dog: | No |
| Average Weight: | 30 to 50 pounds |
| Average Height: | 17 to 25 inches |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 17 years |
| Ideal for: | Experienced dog owners, Individuals and families looking for a dedicated, loving, and active dog, not the best choice for families with small household pets as they have strong prey drive, not the best choice for individuals and families that tend to work throughout the day |
| Coat: | Has a wiry and rough coat or smooth coat with a dense undercoat |
| Coat colors: | Black, white, brown, grey, tan |
| Suitable for first time owners: | No |
| Trainability: | Quite easy to train, especially if you start training at an early age |
| Grooming Needs: | Brushing should be done two times per week |
| Energy Levels: | High |
| Exercise Needs: | At least 60 to 120 minutes of exercise every day is required |
| Feeding and Diet: | 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dog food each day, divided into two meals |
| Possible Health Issues: | Hip Dysplasia, Collie Eye Anomaly, Cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Playful, Friendly, Energetic, Stubborn, Affectionate, they tend to be wary of unfamiliar faces |
| Cat Friendly: | Not good, their high prey drive makes them unsuitable for families with cats, early socialization is required |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes |
| Family Friendly: | Yes |
| Intelligence: | High |
| Price: | $500 and up |
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The Parent Breeds
As the name suggests, the Border Schnollie is a cross between a Border Collie and a Schnauzer.
While the Border Schnollie is relatively new in the canine world and doesn’t have a well-documented history, both parent breeds have long histories.
The Border Collie is an English working dog that was bred from older dog breeds such as the Highland Collie and the Welsh Sheepdog.
Border Collies are famous for their great herding skills. They are intelligent, obedient and perform their duties effectively. They learn fast and at the end of the day’s work, they are just as happy going home to relax with other members of their family.
The Schnauzer hails from Germany and was originally developed as a rat catcher. They are also highly intelligent, but their background as rat catchers implies that they still have a strong prey drive.
This also means that they might not be the best choice for families with small household pets. It also implies that the Schnauzer should be kept on a leash during walks whereas the Border Collie needs to be allowed to roam freely.
The General Appearance of the Border Schnollie
The Border Collie and Schnauzer Mix is a medium-sized dog with a muscular body. He has floppy ears, and a head that is flat on the top. They have large, brown eyes that are always alert.
Size, Height and Weight: How Big Will a Schnauzer Border Collie Mix Get?
Since the Border Schnollie is a relatively new hybrid dog, few standards exist when it comes to their size, height and weight. That said, you can expect your Border Schnollie to be a medium sized dog. Most of these dogs weigh in at 30 to 50 pounds and reach around 17 to 25 inches in height.
However, smaller and larger versions do exist when crossed with Miniature Schnauzers (Miniature Schnauzer Border Collie Mix) or Giant Schnauzers (Giant Schnauzer Border Collie Mix).
Border Schnollie Coat and Coat Colors
The Border Schnollie’s coat varies depending on the parent breeds.
The Border Schnollie typically has a wiry and rough coat or smooth coat with a dense undercoat.
He can either inherit the coat colors of the Border Collie or the salt and pepper colors of the Schnauzer. He will often acquire the wiry, curly texture of the Schnauzer.
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Border Schnollie Temperament and Personality Traits
The Border Schnollie is a smart and intelligent canine. In fact, Collies are considered to be among the most intelligent breeds in the world, commonly used for dog shows.
This hybrid dog is very loyal and protective over his owner and family. They also form strong bonds with everyone in the family. They are generally good with kids, but their high prey drive makes them unsuitable for families with cats and other small animals. They are generally good with other dogs as well.
Border Schnollies can easily get bored when left at home alone for too long, so they need plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Therefore, the Schnollie is not the best choice for individuals and families that tend to work throughout the day.
Is Border Collie Schnauzer Mix a Good Family Dog?
The decision to add a Border Collie Schnauzer Mix to your family usually depends on the question: “Is the Border Schnollie a good family dog?” This is particularly important if you have kids and other household pets. It’s also important to know how much space and exercise they need, if they are friendly canines, and much more.
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(@ozzytheedog)So are Border Schnollies good family pets? Well, the Border Schnollie typically makes a great family dog. They are designed to be with their human friends and they thrive on human attention.
Both parent breeds are intelligent, loyal and affectionate. They are eager to please their owners, which makes them easy to train.
However, they can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long. Not only is separation anxiety bad for your dog, but it can also be bad for your carpets, furniture and your house. If you tend to work throughout the day, it is important to ensure that there’s someone to visit your pooch during the day.
Although these dogs will greatly love their owners and family, they tend to be wary of unfamiliar faces. Although they are not likely to be aggressive, they are generally protective. However, early socialization can help ensure that your Border Schnollie is friendly towards new people.
The Schnollie is considered a great family pet also because they form strong bonds with everyone in the family. They are also good with kids since they are tolerant and patient. They love everyone in the family and enjoy playing with anyone who is ready to play and spend time with them.
Good with Other Pets?
Although the Border Schnollie is considered to get along well with everyone in the family, he has a high prey drive towards small household pets due to the herding instincts of the Schnauzer parent. Early training and socialization is important to ensure your Border Schnollie is well-behaved around other dogs and pets.
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As with many other breeds, you need to introduce your Border Schnollie to your cats and other pets at an early stage, so they can form a good relationship with the animals.
Even if your Border Schnollie is friendly towards an existing cat, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean that socializing him with a new kitten would be an easy task. Start socializing them early, be patient and keep an eye on them especially during the early stages.
Training
In addition to agility classes, make sure to enroll your Border Schnauzer in puppy classes at a young age. That way, your Schnollie will learn not to fear new people and become more confident when you’re introducing them to strangers later in their life.
Puppy classes are highly recommended because they give your pooch an opportunity to learn how to behave in different situations.
As we’ve already mentioned, both the Border Collie and the Schnauzer parent breeds are very intelligent. These dogs are among the smartest dog breeds around, and they learn new commands quickly. However, the Schnauzer parent breed is a little bit more stubborn, so you should start housetraining your Schnollie early in life.
These traits make it important to train your Border Collie Schnauzer Mix, so they don’t learn bad behaviors and habits themselves. Your need to be firm, consistent and patient in your training.
Exercise Needs
Both the Border Collie and the Schnauzer are high-energy dogs, so your Border Schnollie should be a very energetic dog too.
He has lots of energy to spend, so take them out for daily walks and hikes. If you enjoy running, get a quality harness. Border Schnollie dogs love such additional exercises.
They also enjoy being in the water, so prepare to take him for swimming sessions from time to time.
In addition to physically tiring them out, you should provide them with interactive dog toys for enhanced mental stimulation.
Schnauzers and Collies are highly intelligent and they like using their minds to solve problems. Give them puzzle toys and engage them in various dog games to keep them physically and mentally stimulated.
Both parent breeds excel at agility training so consider these and other training classes to keep them fit and entertained.
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Grooming and Shedding
The Schnauzer is considered to be an hypoallergenic breed since they shed very little. On the other hand, Border Collies shed more hair, more frequently.
This means you could end up with a heavily shedding dog or one that doesn’t shed a lot. In most cases, Border Schnollie dogs are a combination of these two attributes. Brushing should be done each week to get rid of dead hair and to help prevent mats and tangles from forming.
Bathing should only be done when it’s absolutely necessary. Instead, you can use deodorizing wipes for dogs to keep them clean and smelling fresh.
If your Border Schnollie takes more after his Schnauzer parent, you will need to brush his facial hair more regularly, and you may have to clip his beard from time to time to keep it looking spick and span.
Brush his teeth at least three times per week and trim their nails whenever they grow too long. Also, check and clean their ears regularly to prevent infections.
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Feeding and Diet
You should feed your Border Schnollie 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dog food each day, ideally divided into two meals.
Due to the high energy levels of these dogs, you should invest in food brands that are formulated for working dogs or high energy dogs.
Such foods are high in protein, which is essential for all canines. It’s particularly important for young puppies since it helps with muscle development. Protein is also essential for working dogs like the Schnollie since it helps to maintain muscles.
You should also consider adding probiotics and wild Alaskan salmon oil to your dog’s food because they have numerous health benefits.
For example, wild Alaskan salmon oil contains numerous compounds that provide anti-inflammatory benefits to improve skin, heart and brain health. It’s also packed with Omega fatty acids that are essential for healthy joints, cognitive function and good vision in canines.
Your active Border Schnollie will also need constant access to fresh water every day to ensure he doesn’t suffer from dehydration.
Lifespan
The Border Schnollie has an average life expectancy of around 10 to 17 years.
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Border Schnollie Health Issues
The Border Schnollie is generally a very healthy hybrid dog who normally enjoys a long lifespan.
Being a mixed breed dog, however, he could inherit certain health conditions from either parent breed. Therefore, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these health issues, as well as the signs and symptoms of each condition.
Based on the various health conditions of the Schnauzer and the Border Collie, the following are the health problems that might affect a Border Schnollie:
Hip dysplasia: both Schnauzers and Border Collies are prone to hip dysplasia, so a Border Schnollie might also suffer from the same condition. This refers to a malfunction of the dog’s hip joint, leading to anthritis or even loss of limb function later in life.
Eye disorders: both parents also experience a range of eye issues, including collie eye, Progressive Retinal Atrophy and cataracts. If left untreated, each of these problems can lead to vision loss.
Just because the Border Schnollie is prone to certain health concerns doesn’t mean that every puppy will suffer from every condition.
Understand and keep an eye on your dog’s body, and honor vet appointments to maintain your pet in good health.
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How Much Do Border Schnollie Puppies Cost?
Border Collie Schnauzer Mix puppies make great family pets. Since they are a mixed breed, they generally come at a low price. You can expect to pay about $500 and up for a Border Collie Schnauzer Mix for sale.
Keep in mind that price should not be the only factor that you should consider when looking at Border Schnollie puppies for sale. You also need to consider the cost of collars, beds, toys, insurance and vet checkups.
Understandably, not all of us can afford the most expensive pet products and accessories for our dogs. Sometimes, we’re compelled to choose the more economical products for our pets while ensuring we’re getting a quality product. For the best crate, the MidWest Folding Crate for Intermediate Dogs is the best choice for the money.
Since this model doesn’t come with a dog bed, we also recommend getting the Furhaven Orthopedic Dog Bed to ensure comfort. These two quality products are a great way to keep your Border Schnollie safe and comfortable on a budget.
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You might come across a Border Schnollie being offered at a very low price. However, beware that they probably come from unethical breeders.
Both unethical breeders and puppy mills are there to make quick bucks rather than taking good care of their puppies.
So make sure to do business with a reputable Border Schnollie breeder who allows customers to meet the puppy and the parent dogs as well. They should show you medical records and explain to you what you should expect from your new puppy.
Rescues & Animal Shelters
If you’re interested in a Border Schnollie for adoption, consider talking to rescues and shelters near you.
For many rescue parents around the world, rescuing a dog in need is one of the best feelings they have ever had.
Visit a few local rescues to see if you can find a Border Schnollie listed for adoption. You can also check out breed-specific groups that deal with just one breed dog and its mixes.
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Related Questions
Can Border Schnollies be Left Alone?
No. Border Schnollies do not tolerate being left alone for long. Otherwise, they can suffer from separation anxiety.
Are Border Schnollies Easy to Train?
Yes! Both the Border Collie and the Schnauzer are considered to be highly intelligent. They can learn many new commands within a short period of time. In fact, the Collie is one of the most intelligent breeds around.
Are Schnauzer Border Collies High Maintenance?
The Border Schnollie’s coat is relatively low maintenance. All you need to do is to brush the coat at least two times per week to keep it in good condition. Bathing should also be done once in a while.
Conclusion
So there you have it, our guide to one of the most intelligent mixed breed dogs out there – the Border Schnollie! They are friendly, affectionate and loyal dogs who make great family pets. The Border Schnollie is energetic and will require lots of exercise.
Their excellent manners makes them ideal for most families, including those with children. You’ll always be happy with this guy since all he will require is exercise, attention and lots of love.
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