The Border Collie Poodle Mix, also called the Bordoodle or Border Doodle, is one of the trending doodle dog breeds since they are generally multicolored, loving, nonshedding, and hypoallergenic. Along with acquiring all of these exceptional genetic attributes, the Border Collie Poodle combination is a very fluffy-haired dog that’s trainable and has lots of energy. This breed of dog likes to play fetch and run, so be ready for a busy lifestyle.
Among the principal issues with the Border Collie breed is they shed hair in your house, on your clothing, in your car, and in your bed. Breeding the Poodle and Border Collie collectively creates a Border Collie Poodle mix that sheds a lot less hair because of the Poodle genetics. Generally, the Poodle coat does not shed fur and is fantastic for pet owners that have pet allergies and hate vacuuming.
Considering that the Bordoodle is not a purebred dog, you will have to be certain you can look after the Border Collie and Poodle temperaments. Both of these dog personalities are different, so in the event that you purchase a Bordoodle, you will probably notice there is an important mixture of genetics that are inherited by the Poodle and Border Collie.
Table of Contents
What’s the Border Collie Poodle mix?
When you think about the Border Collie and Poodle combination, you might be confused about why a breeder would reproduce these dogs together. On the other hand, the Bordoodle has exceptional genetic traits because they are low shedding, hypoallergenic, and usually have a multi-colored coat. Additionally, the Border Collie Poodle mix has a great personality that’s nonaggressive, exceptionally intelligent, family friend, and highly trainable.
Border Collie History
The Border Collie as a breed originated in Northumberland, a place on the very border of England and Scotland. The breed was developed for the purpose of herding livestock, especially sheep. The name “Border Collie” came from the fact the breed had been developed in a spot on the Anglo-Scottish border.
All Border Collies now are known to be descents of a dog called Old Hemp, a tri-color dog that had been raised by Adam Telfer. Old Hemp was a clever, silent dog employed by several sheep herders because he was well-known as the ideal herding dog. Border Collies had worked with and assisted several sheep herders around the border area of England and Scotland for centuries and with great success. The Border Collie did not become popular until the end of the 19th century when they were showcased in a dog herding competition in Bala, Wales. Old Hemp won the competition in first place in 1984 and continued winning many prestigious competitions. We basically have this amazing dog named Old Hemp to thank for all the popularity and fame the Border Collie has now.
Poodle History
The Poodle is one of the most well-known dogs on the planet — 7th most popular dog breed based on the AKC. This is mostly because they’re among the most intelligent dog breeds and they do not shed fur. The roots of this Poodle is generally widely debated whether they originated in Germany or even France. But, we do understand that the Poodle was utilized for water activities and other agility exercises. Since the Poodle became very popular, breeders began creating many distinct sizes and color combinations.
The Border Doodle Breed
The Poodle and Border Collie are both popular dog types around the world which is why they are bred in an assortment of shades and sizes. Poodles come in 10 standard colors and Border Collies come in 17 standard colors making their coat coloring hard to forecast. Generally, the vast majority of all Bordoodles that you will see are about 20 inches tall and weigh approximately 40 lbs. More info regarding the Bordoodle sizing is beneath.
What are the various Bordoodle Sizes?
Simply speaking, there are 3 standard sizes of the Bordoodle such as the Mini Bordoodle (less than 30 lbs), the Medium Bordoodle (30 to 40 pounds), and also the Standard Bordoodle (over 30 lbs). More info about each size is below.
Mini Bordoodle Size
The mini Bordoodle size is the tiniest of the Border Collie Poodle mix. The mini Bordoodle is often bred with a mini Poodle plus a smaller Border Collie. This is one of the most pursued Bordoodle sizes because they are smaller in size and generally have less energy. In addition, the mini Bordoodle is very good for those that reside in a smaller area like a condo, apartment, or RV. However, you will still need to exercise the Border Doodle a lot since they are a very active dog breed.
Medium Bordoodle Size
The Medium Bordoodle size is approximately 18 inches tall and weighs 30 to around 40 lbs. The medium Bordoodle is the sweet spot in size because it isn’t too big and it isn’t too small. This is a perfect dog size if you’re looking for a dog to run with or hike with. This dog will want to live in a larger house, but they can be suitable for a condo or apartment if you live an active lifestyle.
Standard Bordoodle Size
The standard Bordoodle size is the biggest of the Border Collie and Poodle mix. This dog is classified as anything more than 40 lbs and generally stands approximately 20 to 22 inches in height. This dog will demand a substantial amount of physical activity so make sure that you live an active lifestyle or have a large backyard they can run in.
Bordoodle Colors
The coat color of the Border Collie Poodle mix is almost impossible to predict without see the parent dogs. What we do know is that merle coloring is regarded as a dominant trait which is the reason why so many Border Doodles are multicolored in a merle design. However, it is not possible to predict which color a Bordoodle is going to be because of the many distinct color combinations. The best indicator of coat color is what the parent Border Collie and parent Poodle look like. The most popular colors are below:
Blue Merle Bordoodle
A blue merle Bordoodle is bred using a blue merle Border Collie and generally a lighter colored Poodle such as cream or white. The blue merle Bordoodle coloring is a dominant genetic trait therefore it generally supersedes any jacket color of the Poodle. The blue merle pattern is usually a combination of white, blue, and tan colors that generate patches of those colors across the dog’s entire body. The Blue Merle Bordoodle is among the most desirable colorings of this Border Collie Poodle mix. The merle gene may also impact the puppy’s eyes or skin color.
It must be noted that breeding two blue merle Bordoodles should never be allowed. There are acute health problems when breeding two merle dogs together which may lead to blindness or deafness.
Black and White Bordoodle
The black and white Bordoodle is a dog that generally has a black body with streaks of white along the chest and face. Generally speaking, because the black and white gene is a dominant characteristic, the coat color gets passed to the different Border Collie Poodle offspring. Additionally, you may see the black, white, and tan colors mixed together with all kinds of eye colors such as blue, brown, or green.
Black Bordoodles / Brown Bordoodles
Two other common colors of this Border Collie Poodle mix is a solid black Bordoodle and brown Bordoodle. Almost always, the vast majority of a Bordoodle’s body will be a solid brown or black and you may notice small white spots typically from the chest region of the dog. The black Bordoodle and brown Bordoodle is usually bred from a darker colored Poodle along with a darker colored Border Collie. Generally, the black Bordoodle and brown Bordoodle are somewhat more “rare” colors but are less sought after because they aren’t a distinct looking dog.
Is a Border Collie Poodle mix the ideal dog for Me?
With appropriate socialization, the Border Collie Poodle combination is a good family dog and gets along with anybody as long as they’re socialized as a pup. On the downside, the Border Collie Poodle mix takes a great deal of focus because they are a very active dog breed. Both the Border Collie and Poodle are herding dog breeds which like to run, walk, and stay occupied. Without appropriate exercise, the Border Collie Poodle mix is very likely to develop into a destructive dog around your house since they will be bored. This oftentimes contributes to disobedience and mischievous actions like chewing on items. In addition to physical exercise, you should think about psychological stimulation such as chewing on a horn or puppy puzzles. If you do not live a busy lifestyle or are not eager to accommodate an active lifestyle of a Bordoodle, then you need to probably think about another dog breed which is less energetic.
The great thing about the Bordoodle is they have exceptional genetic qualities. The Bordoodle will be mainly hypoallergenic which means you will have significantly fewer pet allergies then a standard dog. Additionally, a Bordoodle will shed less fur as compared to the regular Border Collie which means less cleaning and vacuuming. The drawback to a nonshedding dog is you will need to frequently groom them and provide them haircuts every 8 to 12 weeks. Additionally, you are going to need to brush your Bordoodle at least a few times weekly to prevent tangles and mattes from happening.
Generally, the Poodle and Border Collie are deemed healthy dog breeds which means a Bordoodle should live at least 10 years. If you are not concerned about getting the perfect purebred puppy, a Border Collie Poodle mix surely creates a fantastic pick for someone with a busy lifestyle who enjoys going outside.
Conclusion for the Border Collie Poodle Mix (Bordoodle, Border Doodle)
From our guide, you should be able to choose whether the Border Collie Poodle mix is the ideal puppy for you. The Bordoodle is among the quickest growing doodle dog breeds as they’re multicolored, fluffy, affectionate, and intelligent. Additionally, this puppy breed is excellent with children and families since they have a friendly personality. Thinking about the exceptional genetic qualities of being hypoallergenic and nonshedding, you can not go wrong with this particular dog breed. Just know it is relatively unpredictable what color, character, and temperament that your puppy will have because this is a crossbreed dog. They may either take the temperament of the Border Collie or Poodle, but it is unknown which traits will probably be dominant and which is recessive.
Other articles to read:
- Best Round Dog Bed
- Best Dog Bed with Removable Covers
- Best Outdoor Wooden Dog Houses
- Best Inflatable Dog Beds
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bordoodles Bark a Lot?
The Bordoodle is quite a vocal breed, so you can expect your Bordoodle to bark a little more than average.
Despite having one more reserved parent breed (the Poodle), Bordoodles frequently take after their Border Collie parent more in terms of personality. Border Collies are known for being pretty vocal, so it’s not surprising that Bordoodles also have this trait.
With that being said, Bordoodles don’t often bark just for the sake of it. If your Bordoodle is barking to a level that seems excessive, you might want to consider the reason why.
Bordoodles, like both of their parent breeds, are moderately active. This means that while they don’t necessarily need to go for runs or have very high-energy play sessions to stay fit and healthy, they do need to be walked for roughly 45 minutes each day.
If you haven’t been walking your Bordoodle for 45 minutes daily for whatever reason, the first step to addressing excessive barking should be ensuring that you prioritize your dog’s exercise regimen.
It’s important to remember that excessive barking can usually be circumvented altogether through early, professional obedience training.
While it’s healthy for a Bordoodle to express itself through barking in moderation and in appropriate circumstances, it’s also necessary to teach obedience in this area by offering positive reinforcement as a reward when your dog stops barking.
Are Bordoodles Good Dogs?
Here at We Love Doodles, we believe that all doodles are good dogs. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Bordoodles are typically very loving, well-behaved, and loyal dogs.
The Bordoodle is a social dog that loves to interact with both humans and other dogs. These dogs are not naturally aggressive, so the vast majority of the time, they will be friendly and gentle in social situations.
Bordoodles are very affectionate and love to be around people, especially their owners. The Bordoodle has a loyal temperament, so even though it’s not an aggressive breed by any means, it will protect its family. This trait may lead Bordoodles to be suspicious of strangers at times, but this will normally manifest in wariness as opposed to aggression.
One of the things that makes the average Bordoodle such a good dog is the fact that it’s a wonderful breed to have around children. As with any other dog, no matter how large or small, all interactions between Bordoodles and children should be supervised by a responsible adult.
Additionally, interactions with very young children should be monitored with extra care, simply because children under the age of 8 years old often don’t have a good grasp of boundaries, which could lead to your Bordoodle feeling provoked.
However, you’re unlikely to experience any problems in your Bordoodle’s interaction with children as long as the dog has been well socialized.
Because Bordoodles are only medium-energy dogs as opposed to a high-energy breed, you’re also less likely to have trouble in the behavior department.
Often, high-energy breeds can become destructive if their exercise or entertainment needs are not met. This is unlikely to be the case with a Bordoodle, although of course, you should always make sure to walk your Bordoodle for the recommended amount of time every day.
Are Bordoodles Easy to Train?
The Bordoodle benefits from having two highly intelligent parent breeds. Both the Poodle and the Border Collie are widely considered by experts to be amongst the smartest dog breeds in the world. In fact, the Border Collie is often listed as the most intelligent breed, with the Poodle coming in second.
Naturally, the Bordoodle takes after its very intelligent parents. This means that Bordoodles are typically easy to train because they pick up instructions and commands quickly and will also take to learning new tricks.
Bordoodles are also natural people-pleasers, especially when it comes to their owners. Therefore, they will be more inclined to obey your commands purely out of a desire to earn your praise than many other dogs.
However, the intelligence of the Bordoodle can sometimes backfire when it comes to training. An intelligent dog can also become stubborn, which can definitely be a problem during training sessions.
Luckily, stubborn behavior can quite easily be rectified through the combination of firmness and positivity. Using a firm tone will remind your Bordoodle to listen to you while positive reinforcement will encourage the dog to behave in order to get praise and treats.
Please do not use punishment or negative reinforcement as a method of training your Bordoodle if it becomes stubborn or less responsive. You will do much more harm than good if you get upset with your Bordoodle and this is likely to negatively affect the dog’s behavior in training even more.
Are Bordoodles Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Bordoodles are usually low-shedding, so for the most part, they are thought of as a hypoallergenic breed.
While dog hair isn’t actually the cause of dog-related allergies, moderate to high shedding releases more dander (skin flakes), which is a trigger for allergies.
However, even though Bordoodles are generally considered hypoallergenic, there are some caveats to bear in mind.
While most Bordoodles inherit the low-shedding coat of their Poodle parent, some may lean further towards their Border Collie parentage in terms of hair. If a Bordoodle has a coat that more closely resembles that of the moderate-shedding Border Collie, the Bordoodle will not be considered hypoallergenic.
This can make it a little tricky to determine whether a Bordoodle will be hypoallergenic when it is very young. Usually, a breeder will not be able to tell whether a Bordoodle puppy is hypoallergenic before the 6-week mark.
Potential Bordoodle owners should also bear in mind that just because a dog is labeled as hypoallergenic doesn’t mean it won’t be capable of triggering allergies. Even low-shedding dogs can spread dander, albeit in lesser quantities.
Allergies can also be triggered by a certain protein found in canine saliva and urine, which has nothing to do with the coat. Therefore, if you have severe allergies, you shouldn’t rely on a Bordoodle’s hypoallergenic status to keep allergic reactions at bay.
Do Bordoodles Shed?
Generally, you must plan that your Bordoodle will shed at least a small bit. The quantity your Bordoodle sheds will be extremely determined by the quantity of Poodle genetics your puppy has because the Poodle doesn’t shed.
As a guideline, you can anticipate that in the event that you receive a F1 Bordoodle (50 percent Border Collie and 50 percent Poodle) then they’re going to shed at least a tiny bit of fur.
If you receive an F1B Bordoodle (25 percent Border Collie and 75% Poodle) they will almost be non shedding. If you would like to read more about the numerous productions of doodles to choose which ones will probably be shedding you may read our guide named Labradoodle Generations: F1, F1B, F2, F2B, and F3.