With the current trend towards designer dogs and cross breeds there is one sub-genre of crosses that has really taken hold. That is the group of poodle offspring.
The poodle is seen as one of the best dogs to use in these new breeding opportunities for a number of reasons:
✓ Firstly, poodles are good natured dogs with a high intellect, which can balance out issues with other breeds.
✓ Secondly, they have that hypoallergenic coat that many are keen to see on other family pets.
✓ Thirdly, there are three different sizes of poodles. This means a selection of sizes for the offspring.
One such poodle hybrid is the Bordoodle, a cross with the border collie.
In this guide to the border collie poodle mix will we look at some of the key characteristics of this cross breed that makes them such an interesting choice for dog owners.
We will start with the physical aspects, looking at the size and features of these dogs and that split in their genetics between the collie and poodle. This of course will lead to a discussion on their coats and the potential for grooming needs and shedding problem.
Then there are the personality traits and their suitability as a family dog. The parent animals have strong personalities and it is interesting to see how this comes out in the offspring. This leads to questions of intelligence and training, which will also be answered later on.
Then we will look closer at the breeding of this dog, both in terms of the border collie poodle mix breeder providing these dogs and the potential for a mini bordoodle mix.
Table of Contents
What are these dogs called?
We will start by looking at the names for these poodle collie mix dogs.
The Bordoodle is the name that will be used here, for consistency more than anything else, but there are other names in use.
The Bordoodle name works much like that of the goldendoodle and the labradoodle with that portmanteau of the names.
Others may use borderpoo as an alternative, much like cockerpoo. There are others that may uses the term colliedoodle, but this is a little vague and could relate to any of the collie species out there.
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The physical characteristics of the poodle border collie mix
Like a number of different hybrid dogs that are around, this is very much its own dog with its own look.
There are key traits from both parent dogs, but they merge to create something that doesn’t really look like either the border collie or the poodle.
It has a pretty round head with ears that hang down, rather than the typical erect ears of the collie.
This is medium sized dog with a height of between 15 to 22 inches and a weight of 30 to 60 pounds. This for the standard dog. Remember that there are other variants, which will we look at further later.
Then there is the issue of the coat.
The coat of this cross breed is interesting. Naturally, there are those curious to see if this is a hypoallergenic poodle mix, like the goldendoodle and other poodle mixes.
The good news here is that this is indeed the case. Those with allergies can get along well with the breed because of the lack of dander and minimal shedding.
All dogs shed, but it is barely noticeable with this animal. Still, there is some maintenance to consider because of the quality of the longer, wavy coat. Regular brushing can help with the condition of the coat.
As for the colors, there is a mixture here. They range from blacks and chocolates to goldens, creams and whites. There are also some with what is known as a salt and pepper look of mixed colors.
Further Reading: What Is The Best Brush For Shedding Dogs? (Top 15)
Caring for bordoodles
This grooming regimen is one of the more demanding elements of caring for this dog. This is simply because these animals are pretty easy going, adaptable and don’t have that many demands compared to some other cross breeds.
The exercise needs are minimal. They aren’t as active as collie and can be fine with a couple of good walks and a game of fetch.
The diet is also pretty simple. They need around 2 1/2 to 3 cups of high quality dry dog food in two meals a day.
There are even those that say that these dogs can do well in an apartment, although many would obviously be happy with a yard to play in.
Colliedoodle – Image Source
There is also little to worry about when it comes to the health care of these dogs.
There are some concerns with inherited illnesses and conditions from the parents. Possible concerns from the parent breeds are hip dysplasia, epilepsy, allergies and progressive retinal atrophy.
However, many owners find that this mix tends to be pretty healthy. Also, a good breeder will work with good stock to try and ensure that these problems don’t come through – more on this later.
In addition to this, these bordoodles are pretty long lived. The average lifespan of the bordoodle is 12-15 years.
Some will not make it this far due to ill health, and you can never expect all dogs to be long lived. Yet, there are also those that could make it past 15.
Those that are worried about the best way to look after these dogs 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.
What about the bordoodle temperament?
When it comes to the temperament of these dogs, there is a lot to love here.
These dogs have a reputation as being a good family pet with a fun personality and a good nature. At the same time, they have potential as working dogs and do well in shows and agility trails.
They are both keen to please and easily pleased, enjoy fun with the family but not being all that demanding for games and attention either.
They are affectionate and also quite loyal and protective, the latter can be a slight issue without the right training.
There are always concerns about behavioral problems with hybrid dogs and while there is always a bit of a gamble with a cross due to their genetic mix, few owners tend to have bad experiences with these dogs.
They are generally good with kids and other animals, although early socialization training is recommended for the best result here.
They are also not particularly vocal or aggressive. The only potential issue comes from the collie side, which could potentially make them a little wary of strangers. They wont bark much or be aggressive to them, but they may stay back until they are assured that they are safe.
Further Reading: The Top Ten Best Chew Toys For Destructive Dogs
Border Collie Poodle Mix Puppy – Image Source
Training bordoodle puppies
Even though these dogs have a good nature and few behavioral issues, it is still important to make sure that they are trained well.
All socialization, obedience and housetraining needs to take place from an early age to make sure they are good family pets from the start.
Thankfully, these dogs are easy to train because of their good nature and intelligence.
There is no doubt that any of these mixes will be smart because the border collie and the poodle are two of the most intelligent pure breeds there are. Their offspring are guaranteed to be quick learners with little need for repetition of commands.
Those that struggle with this breed, perhaps through lack of experience in training techniques, may decide that they need some help from a training guide. One of the best examples here is the Doggy Dan the online dog trainer.
This online training allows new owners to work through a training guide at their own pace. This, plus the lower cost, are why this is preferable to obedience schools.
The guide offers information on a range of subjects in easy to follow steps. This means that it is sure to help, whatever the problem is.
Further Reading: A Guide To Some Of Best Dog Training Books Available Today (Top 24)
Where to find bordoodle puppies for sale
If you find that you do want one of these collie poodle mix dogs, you need to research some reliable bordoodle breeders.
The biggest concern with these cross breeds is that buyers may not know precisely what they are getting from the photos or ads alone. The promise of a poodle x collie may not mean a border collie. Also, which poodle is it. The only way to find out is to visit the home and see the pups with the parents.
These visits also offer the chance for buyers to learn more about the animals, see whether they picked up that wariness of stranger and see how healthy they are.
There are some breeders online that claim to be the first, or close to the first, to breed these dogs. They claim to have perfected the lines and charge steep prices in the thousands.
Beware of those with false claims and with the risk of overbreeding. At the same time beware of those offering cheap puppies that may also be more than they first appear.
Finally, there will be those trying to cash in on a false rarity with designer “salt and pepper borderpoos” or “rare white borderdoodles”. Ignore these breeders and look for someone more reliable.
Border Collie Poodle Cross – Image Source
Alternatively, you could look into the option of adoption
Bordoodle rescue is a great option for those that are keen on the idea of a doodle hybrid but either don’t have the money to buy a puppy, don’t want to pay potentially questionable breeders or would prefer an adult dog.
Cross breeds often end up in shelters because owners don’t get what they expect. Others are left because owners could’nt fulfill care needs.
While it’s hard to imagine a reason why people may abandon a bordoodle adult, there will be some in shelters.
Visit a local shelter to see if they have any in need of a good home.
Finally, we need to discuss the potential for miniature versions of this dog
Miniaturization of designer dogs is something that is seen with some of the other doodle dogs.
This is when the miniature poodle, or sometimes also another breed entirely, is brought in to create a smaller version of the dog.
This happens when the breeder looks to turn a desirable dog into an apartment friendly dog, or a therapy breed into something more manageable.
The bordoodle dog we are talking about here is the standard poodle border collie mix. So what about a border collie toy poodle mix or a border collie miniature poodle mix?
[easyazon_infoblock align=”center” identifier=”B01EINBA76″ locale=”US” nw=”y” tag=”howtotrainy03-20″]It is possible to have a mixture of a border collie and smaller poodles, creating either a miniature bordoodle or a petite one.
Naturally, there are some potential pros and cons of opting for these types of dog.
The size difference can be considerable. This means that the miniature version really is that apartment-friendly dog that people want and the exercise needs diminish. There should also be little impact on the behavior or the intelligence of the cross-breed pup.
The only problem comes with the potential health of the pup and other genetics that may come into the mix.
Question the way that the animals were bred, check the parentage and health of the animal.
With petite dogs, there could be a toy poodle and collie cross involved to safely bring down the size. What could the genetics of this other quarter of the mix bring to the pups in terms of health and personality issues? What happens when the border collie is diluted this way?
Further Reading: Best Doormats For Dogs
Poodle and Border Collie Cross – Image Source
So what have we learned about the poodle and border collie mix?
The idea of border collie poodle mix puppies are intriguing to anyone that wants an intelligent, good natured family dog.
There is no doubt that this will be a smart, playful, loving dog that can get along with most families with the right socialization training.
They don’t require much work, they don’t shed and they have few health issues to contend with.
In the end, the bordoodle is a great option for many homes. Just be careful with their training and grooming and be careful when dealing with breeders.
Make sure you understand which type of bordoodle pup is for sale with which poodle’s genes. If you don’t you could end up with a bit of a surprise.
