The Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix is a large designer dog that results from the mixing of the Great Pyrenees and the Border Collie.
Also known as the Border Collie Pyrenees, this crossbreed is very intelligent and excels as a working and herding dog.
So if you’re looking for a large herding dog, then this crossbreed might be a good choice for you.
Let’s find out more about this loyal and intelligent Mix, including his pictures, history, temperament, health issues and more.
Table of Contents
Few Facts About the Border Collie Great Pyrenees Mix
| Country of Origin: | United States |
| Other names: | Great Collie, Collie Pyrenees, Border Collie Pyrenees |
| Bred For: | Herding Dog, Guard Dog, Companion Dog |
| Suitable For: | Active owners with a spacious yard |
| Size: | Large-Sized |
| Weight: | 45 to 120 pounds |
| Height: | 22 to 32 inches |
| Good guard dog: | Yes |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 13 years |
| Apartment living: | No |
| Coat: | Double Coat, Long or Short, Rough or Smooth |
| Common Coat Colors: | Black, White, Red, Grey, Cream, Tri-Color |
| Eye Color: | Black, Brown |
| Level of shedding: | High |
| Temperament: | Loyal, Loving, Intelligent, Confident, Alert, Energetic, Strong-Willed |
| Activity Level: | High |
| 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: | Yes |
| Price: | $500 – $1000 |
What Is a Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix Called?
A Border Collie Great Pyrenees Mix is also known as a Great Collie, Collie Pyrenees or Border Collie Pyrenees.
Both the Great Pyrenees and the Border Collie are large-sized dogs, and so is their offspring, the Border Collie Pyrenees.
However, every Great Pyrenees Collie Mix puppy will be different. It is almost impossible to predict exactly how each Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix puppy will look like. This is because each puppy will inherit different characteristics from each parent breed.
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To gain a better understanding of this crossbreed, let’s take a brief look at each parent breed.
Great Pyrenees Breed History
The Great Pyrenees is said to have been originally bred around the Pyrenees Mountains of Northern Spain and Southern France.
This is a very old dog breed that was commonly used to protect and herd livestock. They were cherished for showing bravery against bears, wolves and other predators.
Over time, the Great Pyrenees became extremely popular in Europe. These dogs were known not only for their great beauty, but also for their gentle disposition.
The breed eventually made its way to the US in 1824, being officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1933.
Border Collie Breed History
An iconic farm dog, the Border Collie is an agile bundle of energy, bred for herding sheep.
The dog was created on the Anglo-Scottish border, and hence, the word ‘border’ in the breed’s name. Legend has it that Old Hemp, the very first Border Collie, surprised observers with his spectacular herding style: intimidating the sheep into moving by looking at them in the eye.
This story is most likely true since this is a typical herding tactic of Border Collies even today.
Although the Border Collie was originally used as a herding dog, the breed is also commonly found as a family pet.
The General Appearance of the Collie Pyrenees
When you’re considering bringing a mixed breed dog home, you want to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of both parent breeds.
Although crossbreeds are not always a perfect combination of their parent dogs, and many take after one parent or the other, it’s essential to ensure you are well prepared for your new puppy.
The Border Collie Pyrenees Mix is a cross between the Great Pyrenees and the Border Collie, so you should expect a large dog. This hybrid can have traits from both or either of the parent breeds.
At first glance, the Great Collie has a strong body that can support their huge weight. The limbs are medium-sized and well-proportioned, perfectly designed for activity. Each limb boasts a rounded and padded paw. The muzzle and head are generally proportional to the rest of the body.
Their eyes are oval or almond-shaped, depending on the characteristics inherited from their parents. They have medium-sized ears that are raised, floppy or half-looped.
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How Big Will A Border Collie Great Pyrenees Mix Get?
A full grown Border Collie Pyrenees has an average height of around 22 to 32 inches and can weigh anywhere between 45 and 120 pounds, depending on the dominant genes.
Coat and Coat Colors
The Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix has a thick coat that can withstand cold climates and chilly winters.
They also have a double coat, which means they have both an undercoat and a topcoat. Their coat can be short or long, smooth or rough, depending on the characteristics inherited.
Common coat colors include black, white, grey, red and cream. These colors often come as a double or a triple color combination.
Other colors might also be present, but these colors usually appear as patches on a characteristic white coat.
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Temperament, Behavior & Personality
As we’ve already mentioned, your Border Collie Great Pyrenees Mix will be a large dog because one of his parents is the Pyrenees. This mix is also intelligent since he inherited this trait from the Border Collie parent.
Since they have great hearing abilities and the Border Collie personality traits, they are always alert. They are loyal, watchful, protective and devoted to their owners. This makes them great watchdogs.
They tend to be wary of strangers and will alert their owners by barking whenever an intruder is near. The barking might not stop since they tend to bark at almost anything moving near them, especially at night.
They love chasing other animals. They probably inherited this trait from both parent breeds. Socializing your puppy early can help reduce this undesirable trait.
The Collie Pyrenees is also a great guard dog. They are always loyal and protective of their family.
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Due to their large size, high energy levels, and guarding tendencies, these pooches are not recommended for apartment living. A spacious yard is recommended for them to get sufficient exercise.
Since both parent breeds originate from cold climatic regions, the Collie Pyrenees tolerates cold weather quite well. However, extremely hot conditions can cause them discomfort. So, it’s not a good idea to get this pup if you stay in a tropical climatic region.
Both parents are high-spirited dogs. Without proper exercise and attention, this mix will resort to barking and howling.
The Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix does not do well if left alone for a long period of time. If lonely and bored, he could develop destructive behavior due to separation anxiety.
Are Border Collie Great Pyrenees Mixes Good Family Dogs?
Yes! The Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix can make an excellent family dog. Ideally, they need a home with a large, fenced-in yard.
Although they will be happy to curl up near you for a nap, they are extremely active so they need plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
Without proper exercise and mental stimulation, a Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix will develop destructive behavior. They will chew your shoes and destroy your cushions. As such, you should keep them in their yard with plenty of interactive dog toys if you intend to be away for some time.
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Does Collie Pyrenees Mix Get Along With Kids?
Yes! The Collie Pyrenees is mild-mannered and gets along well with children. They also make excellent playmates for kids since they are gentle and tolerant of them.
However, you should teach your children how to behave around all dogs. Adult supervision is important when allowing your children to interact with your dog.
Does This Breed Get Along With Cats And Other Pets?
Although the Collie Pyrenees loves chasing after other non-canine animals, they are generally good with other dogs. They enjoy making friends and can get along with cats and other household pets if they are socialized early.
You should keep in mind that these are active herding dogs. So you should ensure they are tolerant of cats and other family pets before adding Border Collie Pyrenees dogs to your family.
ALSO READ: The Ultimate Guide to the Great Pyrenees Australian Shepherd Mix
Are They Suitable For First-Time Owners?
Some people say that the Collie Pyrenees is not the best breed for first time owners due to their size, energy and willful nature. However, if you’re familiar with, and accept, any negative traits, the positive traits can make Collie Pyrenees ownership a worthwhile experience.
With proper exercise training and care, a Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix can be one of the best dogs you’ll ever own. With a lack of exercise, training and care, however, they could turn out to be one of the worst dogs for a first time dog owner.
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(@_sweet.as_honey)How to Train a Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix
The Great Pyrenees Border Collie Mix should have ongoing training from the moment you bring him home. Despite their size, these pups need positive reinforcement.
Due to their intelligence, they will never forget anything you teach them, which is why you should use a gentle approach during training.
Negative training can make your Border Collie Pyrenees Mix shy, nervous and fearful.
Housetraining can benefit any dog and you should do it at a young age to ensure they abide by the house rules.
To prevent bad behavior, socialize him early with other pets and children. This will help them to develop the gentle temperament of the parent breeds.
If you do not start training them from puppyhood, they can develop destructive habits. The last thing you want is a big dog that is very active and unruly. Firm but positive training is a must.
Use treats, praise and cuddles to encourage them to learn new tricks. They can learn easily due to the inherited intelligence from both the Border Collie and the Great Pyrenees.
Start training your puppy before his willful or stubborn character sets in. If they get older, the stubborn nature of the Great Pyrenees parent will be more noticeable and troublesome.
Training a Border Collie Great Pyrenees can be challenging, but it can also be much easier if you start early and do so consistently and with kindness and patience.
Exercise Needs
Since these large dogs are very energetic, they need an outlet to expend any excess energy. Imagine a combination of the powerful Great Pyrenees and the agile Border Collie.
Any excess energy can make it difficult for you to keep up with their energy levels and meet their dogs exercise needs.
Before you get this crossbreed, be prepared to dedicate time and effort to meet his unique energy requirements.
A Border Collie Pyrenees requires an hour long walk each day along with quality playtime to keep them both physically and mentally stimulated.
Since both parent breeds are very intelligent, you also need to find good ways to keep his mind active. There are quite a variety of interactive dog toys available out there, and these pups simply love them.
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Grooming and Shedding
These large fluffy guys need proper maintenance and grooming. As with all other double-coated canines, Collie Pyrenees dogs will require daily brushing to help get rid of the shedding hair. Otherwise, you want to take your pup to a professional groomer during the shedding times.
The large size and thick coat of these dogs might make grooming a challenging task even for seasoned dog owners.
Bathing should be done every six to eight weeks, but you should also use deodorizing wipes for dogs to keep them clean and tidy when you’re not bathing them.
Veterinarians also recommended brushing your dog’s teeth regularly to prevent gum disease and other dental issues. Periodic ear cleaning with ear wipes for dogs is also recommended.
Trimming their nails regularly is also a good idea. You should introduce this early as it will allow them to learn the process and get used to it early.
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Feeding and Diet
Being a large and active dog, your Great Pyrenees Border collie will require a lot of high quality dog food. All dogs require a well-balanced diet, and the Great Pyrenees Border collie Mix is no exception.
Being a mixed breed, you can’t find a dog food brand that has been specifically formulated for them. Instead, you should buy a premium brand of dog food that is formulated for large and active breeds. These will contain the perfect blend of high quality ingredients that will help keep your dog healthy and happy.
Of course, you should also buy quality dog food brands that are recommended by your vet. It is important to provide the right portions, depending on your dog’s age, size and weight.
Also, give your dog probiotics and supplements like wild Alaskan salmon oil to help keep them healthy. Your dog should also have access to fresh water each day.
Health Issues
As with all dogs, some health conditions are passed down from the parent dogs, and the Border Collie Pyrenees is no exception.
Some health problems with the Border Collie Pyrenees include:
- iHip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Deafness
- Collie eye anomaly (CEA)
Keep in mind that early health screening in a Border Collie Pyrenees puppy can help prevent or prepare for any genetic health issues in the future.
Border Collie Pyrenees Life Expectancy
The lifespan of a Border Collie Great Pyrenees is around 10 to 13 years.
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Finding a Border Collie Pyrenees Mix For Sale/Adoption
If you think the Border Collie Pyrenees is the right dog for you and your family, then finding a puppy from a reliable source is strongly recommended.
You can visit a Border Collie Pyrenees rescue near you or go to a nearby animal shelter.
Although rescues and shelters do keep all breeds, crossbreeds and mutts, finding a Border Collie Pyrenees Mix for adoption at a specific time at these places is a matter of luck.
Most rescues also cover the initial veterinary fees, ensuring their pups are ready for their new, loving homes.
If you’re wondering how much a Border Collie Pyrenees Mix costs, then you should note that these puppies cost anywhere from 500 to over 1000 dollars. The price will vary depending on the location, the breeder and availability of puppies.
The most important thing to do is to research the breeder to ensure you’re buying from a reputable source.
Since the new puppy could inherit traits from either parent, make sure to inquire about the health issues and behavior issues with the parent breeds when you’re considering buying any mixed breed dog.
You should also ask about the temperamental or health issues with previous litters from the parent dogs.
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Conclusion
The Border Collie Pyrenees is a Mix between a Pyrenees and a Border Collie. This is a large and energetic dog. Therefore, this dog does best in a large home with a sizable backyard.
These intelligent dogs need enough room for physical and mental exercises. The Great Collie will also thrive in families with active members who enjoy being outdoors.
With proper exercise, training, and care, his family will cherish and enjoy this pup for many years to come!
ALSO READ: A Complete Guide To The Border Collie Rottweiler Mix
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