The Border Collie Poodle Mix, or Bordoodle, is a breed that is gaining popularity around the world. Their adorable appearance and playful temperament has won the hearts of pet lovers everywhere, and makes this a family dog that many people are interested in.
If you are trying to determine if the Border Collie Poodle Mix is right for your home, we are here to help! In this article we will cover the breed’s appearance, temperament, overall health, and more.
Let’s dive in!
History Of The Border Collie
The Border Collie has likely been around for as long as humans in Britain and the surrounding areas. They were the first breed of dogs that were used to guard and herd sheep on the farm, and were considered a valuable asset that a farmer could not live without.
Due to how valuable these dogs were, people began breeding the best guarding and herding dogs in the area.
They were typically referred to as some form of sheepdog, but were eventually named Border Collies to honor the Scottish word for sheepdog.
The continued breeding of these hard working sheepdogs is what led to the Border Collie we know and love today.
It wasn’t until the 1860’s when Queen Victoria fell in love with the Border Collie that the breed was on the way to worldwide exposure.
Her support of the breed eventually led to the Sheepdog trials in 1876, which aimed to show the public just how impressive these working pups were.
Once farmers learned that you could direct a trained Border Collie with hand cues and whistles, they were on their way to being a hot commodity around the globe.
History Of The Poodle
The Poodle has been around for quite some time, and is believed to have originated in Germany.
Though the breed is thought to have started in Germany, the Poodle became what it is today due to their working past in France.
The Poodle was originally created to accompany their handler while hunting waterfowl. Experts believe that the Poodle became its own breed when hunters began to breed their best waterdogs, leading to the impressive Poodle that we know today.
What makes the Poodle even more interesting is that there are drawings of Poodle-like dogs in ancient Egyptian illustrations.
These dogs sit next to Egyptian royalty in the depictions, so there’s no telling just how long the Poodle has actually been around.
Though there is quite a bit of mystery surrounding this breed’s history, we do know that it is one of the most popular breeds around today.
The Poodle made its way from Europe to America around World War 2, and soon exploded in popularity due to their regal appearance and kind nature.
Not only has the Poodle ranked as one of the most popular breeds for over 20 years in America, but the Poodle is now mixed with just about every breed you can think of.
The Cutest Mix? Border Collie Mix With Corgi!
When Was The Border Collie With Poodle Mix Created?
People first began to breed the Poodle with other dog breeds around the 1980’s, so it’s possible that the Bordoodle had its start around this time.
Once the Labradoodle took the world by storm in the following decade, breeders around the world were trying to find the next best Poodle mix.
We may not know when the first Border Collie Poodle mix was purposely bred, but we know this breed has now captured the hearts of so many dog lovers worldwide.
Appearance Of The Border Collie Poodle Mix
Now that you better understand how the Border Collie Poodle Mix got its start, let’s dive into one of the main reasons why this breed is so popular; their appearance.
Size
The size Border Collie Poodle Mix will vary from dog to dog, but they are typically considered medium-sized dogs.
Most Bordoodles will weigh anywhere from 30 to 60 pounds, with male Bordoodles typically being on the higher end of the scale.
These pups also range anywhere from 14 to 22 inches in height, but this will of course vary based on the size of their parents.
The best indicator of your Bordoodle’s Future size is by having an idea of their parent’s weight and height.
Bordoodle average size: 30 to 60 Pounds and 14 to 22 Inches height
Coat Texture & Color
Part of what makes the Border Collie Poodle Mix so popular is the variety of coat textures and colors they can sport.
Their coat is typically medium to long in length, and it is often anywhere from wavy to curly. Their coat texture is known for being soft and smooth, which makes them the perfect pup for cuddling.
Though their coat colors can come in a variety of shades, it is typically some mixture of white, black, or brown. Their markings do not appear to have any guidelines, which helps to make each Bernedoodle pup unique!
Temperament Of The Border Collie Poodle Mix
Not only is the Border Collie Poodle Mix adorable, but they have an incredible personality to match.
They have become a very popular family dog for this reason, as they have everything a family could ask for. Border Collies are often kind-natured, outgoing, sociable, loving, and become extremely bonded to their families.
Above anything else, this breed is known for being downright goofy. These pups absolutely love to play, so they will do best in a home that has plenty of people to engage with.
You may have your hands full at times when they are a puppy, but this breed will typically blossom into a well-rounded, loving canine friend.
Activity Level Of The Border Collie Poodle Mix
As we mentioned above, the Border Collie Poodle Mix loves to play!
These pups are known for being hyperactive due to their Border Collie roots, so it’s important to be aware of their exercise requirements before welcoming them into your home.
- Due to their high energy levels, most Bordoodles need at least 40 minutes to an hour of daily exercise.
These pups love to play, so they will typically enjoy anything that gets them up and moving. This could be long walks, going on hikes, games of fetch, playing tug of war, and anything else that keeps them active.
They will especially love any exercise that can be done at their owner’s side.
Grooming Requirements Of The Border Collie Poodle Mix
Though the Border Collie Poodle Mix is known for having medium to long hair, they are not known for being excessive shedders.
They will certainly leave behind a few hairs each time they rest on furniture or when you pet them, but it’s not so much that it’s overwhelming.
- In order to make their shedding as manageable as possible, we suggest brushing them 2-3 times per week.
Not only will brushing help to limit loose hair found around your home, but it will also help to promote their natural oil production on their skin. This oil production will play a key role in keeping their coat nice and shiny.
Related: Border Collie Brushes All Owners Need
Related: Why Is My Poodle Shedding & Losing Hair
Training Your Border Collie Poodle Mix
Both Border Collies and Poodles are known for being incredibly smart, so you can imagine just how intelligent the Bordoodle is.
While this can make it easy for your pup to catch on to the concepts you introduce in training, it can also lead to them being more stubborn.
Intelligence in dogs can lead to destructive and undesirable behaviors when they are not offered training, so it’s important to begin the training process from the moment they enter your home.
A well-rounded training routine for a Border Collie Poodle mix will involve both obedience training and socialization.
This means that not only should you introduce basic commands like sit, stay, and lay down, but you should also introduce them to many of the distractions they will encounter throughout their lives.
A well-socialized Bordoodle should be introduced to other dogs, new people, strange sounds, and even unfamiliar settings.
- When you start your Bordoodle’s socialization process from the moment they enter your home, the better chance they have at being a well-behaved canine companion in a variety of situations.
Overall Health Of The Border Collie Poodle Mix
The Border Collie Poodle Mix can typically live a healthy life of up to 12 to 14 years, but there are a few health conditions they are more prone to developing over the years.
Not all Bordoodles will struggle with these conditions, but it’s best to be aware of them so you can spot them if they ever develop.
Some of the health conditions that Border Collie Poodle Mixes are prone to include:
1. Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition in dogs that refers to the abnormal development of the hip joints. This abnormal development of the joints makes the hip joints too loose, which in turn causes instability as the dog grows.
This will soon cause the hip joints to rub and grind with each step the Bordoodle takes, leading to a cycle of painful inflammation.
These dogs will develop secondary arthritis in the hip joints due to the damage, which in turn leads to a painful joint condition.
2. Epilepsy
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders seen in dogs. It’s characterized by frequent seizures due to an abnormality in the brain, though not all patients will have a known cause of their condition.
Thankfully, most Bordoodles can be well managed on anti-seizure medications.
3. Allergies
Due to their Poodle DNA, the Bordoodle is quite prone to developing allergies. These allergies typically lead to significant skin irritation, which often leads to skin redness, itching, and patchy fur loss.
Environmental allergies are most common in these pups, so most need to work with their veterinarian to establish an allergy management plan moving forward.
4. Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a condition that can lead to eventual blindness for the dog affected.
This condition causes the deterioration of photoreceptor cells in the eye, which are responsible for creating the dog’s ability to see.
These cells break down over time in dogs with PRA, which in turn leads to significant vision loss or blindness.
Related: Keeping Border Collies Healthy (Top Advice)
Final Thoughts On The Border Collie Poodle Mix
The Border Collie Poodle Mix is a wonderful breed with so much to offer. Whether you have a home filled with children or you are a pet parent that wants an active dog to exercise with, the Bordoodle would be happy to be your companion.
As long as you offer them plenty of socialization and daily exercise, this breed will have everything they need to thrive. The Border Collie Poodle Mix is a breed that anyone would be lucky to have in their family!
