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Hybrid breeds are all the craze these days. From the ever-popular Doodle dogs to Bully mixes, you see hybrids everywhere! So, what exactly do you get when you cross the ultra-intelligent breeds like the Australian Shepherd and Border Collie?
Well, we definitely think you should know what you’re signing up for first. This is certainly a breed that requires patience, understanding, and experience.
Breed Overview
Colors:
Merle, black and white, lavender and white
Suitable for:
Active families, experienced owners
Temperament:
Energetic, intelligent, alert, affectionate
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie are very closely related. Because of this, they will be structurally similar in both size and overall appearance.
If you want to bring home this particular mix, it is imperative that you know all you can about the breed to ensure compatibility.
Border Collie Aussie Mix Characteristics
Border Collie Aussie Mix Puppies
You will certainly have your hands full with an Australian Shepherd Border Collie mix. These dogs can be somewhat challenging to deal with and can exhibit many frustrating tendencies if they aren’t closely fostered.
These dogs require frequent attention and long periods of exercise. You should always make sure you have lots of time to spend with them as they can become rambunctious and bored quite easily.
These types of puppies will thrive on routine and connect very closely with their owners. Because they can be a little headstrong, it is important to have a firm hand during training. Because this is a hybrid breed, we highly recommend only rescuing these particular dogs.
People who are trying to profit off breeding these types of dogs are likely doing so for profit purposes only, and there is very little to no regulation on hybridized breeds. There is no use spending hundreds of dollars on a mixed puppy of unknown origin, when you can buy a beautiful animal deserving of a second chance from a rescue or shelter.
Border Collie Aussie Mix Origin & History
The Border Collie Aussie mix isn’t a verified or regulated breed, so therefore, it can have no official history. However, we would say that this mix has existed for a long time! It isn’t clear exactly how the breed got started, but chances are, they’ve mixed a time or two throughout history.
Both dogs are herders capable of incredible things! The Border Collie is a master in its field and the Aussie is close behind.
Border Collies as a breed started in the 1700s. Australian Shepherds, on the other hand, didn’t come about until about the 1800s. While the name is misleading, the Aussie was created in Spain. The Border Collie was named after the border between England and Scotland, where the breed originated.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Border Collie Aussie Mix
Because this dog is a mix of two of the most intelligent dog breeds of all, it’s no surprise that they will have unmatched intelligence. But with their intelligence, comes responsibility.
These dogs require an owner who is going to have the time to teach them basic manners and work with them on learning to control impulses and their energy. If you want a highly focused dog that is capable of learning concepts that are simple to extremely complex, this is an incredible dog to have.
They very much enjoy learning new tasks and bonding with their owners. This is certainly the kind of dog you can get if you would like to practice agility games or take them out hiking. These dogs are very good at scavenger hunts and other games where they can use their senses.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪
The Australian Shepherd Border Collie mix can make a wonderful family companion in the right situations. First, we recommend this particular mix to a home with lots of land!
Whether you have a large fenced-in suburban backyard or a rural country area where they can run free, this dog certainly needs the exercise! They do not fare well in small living spaces, making them unsuitable for apartments and other small areas.
Keep in mind that these dogs have a natural herding instinct that might cause them to nip at the heels of young children. This is totally part of the breed and is not meant to be aggressive in any way.
They are just trying to keep your little tykes in line! But it is better to have this dog around children old enough to understand the behavior. Remember that it is not that they are being bad, it is purely part of the breed’s instincts.
Because they are so energetic, they make very good playmates for children. However, because of their boisterous energy and size, they make the best pets for children age 6 and older.
These dogs are not the best candidates for people with mobility issues or physical disabilities. Not only can they knock you over, but they also need to be extremely mobile outside of the home.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
The Australian Shepherd Border Collie mix would certainly make a fabulous companion animal for other pets. These dogs have a natural desire for companionship, and would love to buddy up next to another canine.
When it comes to cats and smaller pets, we highly recommend raising these dogs alongside them so they get used to having them around. These dogs have a very high prey drive and might love to chase smaller animals.
While they might not mean to hurt them, they can do some serious damage if they get a little too aggressive. Since these dogs have a natural herding instinct as well, you could train them to work on the farm if you had the inkling.
Things to Know When Owning a Border Collie Aussie Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
These dogs will burn a lot of calories in a day! For this reason, they need a high-quality, protein, rich food selection of your choosing. We highly recommend speaking with your vet about the breed’s needs, so you can select a robust, nutrient-dense recipe together.
Dry kibble and wet canned food are still viable options available nearly anywhere you look. However, more and more families are considering fresh or raw dog food instead. While different foods have their ups and downs, we definitely want to recommend checking it out.
Fresh food is a perfect way to give your dog a bountiful burst of nutrition, ensuring they live the healthiest life possible with very few health issues. Always speak to your vet with any questions or concerns about your dog’s diet.
Exercise 🐕
Your Border Collie Aussie mix will absolutely thrive on exercise! Each one of them might be a little different as to which activities are their favorite, but you can bet it will involve using their brain as well as their bodies!
These dogs particularly love games like fetch, scavenger hunts, puzzle games, and agility exercises. They are herding dogs by nature, activities that foster this instinct can be helpful as well.
Training 🎾
You will want to train your border collie mix very early on. They require a firm hand and routine teachings. They can learn concepts very early, so never think that it’s too soon to start potty training and introduce basic commands.
These dogs will surprise you with how fast they can pick up concepts, though they might be a little hard to calm down. These dogs will likely be very motivated, so you can always use them during training sessions in your favor.
Grooming ✂️
So, the Border collie and Aussie have medium to long length coats that shed continuously year-round. For this reason, you will have to make daily brushing part of your routine.
Otherwise, these dogs will shed on your furniture and fabrics, which can be hard for some people to manage. Because they are double coated, they will have two major blowouts per year, generally in the spring and fall.
Health and Conditions 🏥
The Border Collie and Australian Shepherd both tend to be a pretty hardy breed. After all, these dogs were intended for herding, and are very weather tolerant. When you combine the two breeds, they have something called hybrid vigor, which should make them even healthier. To stay on top of sound health, it is important to make sure that your animal goes to the vet once every year after their first year of life.
Picking a vet might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s a big deal! You have to trust that they have what it takes to protect your pet when they are in need. Plus, you have to make sure that their prices are within your budget and that you agree with their vet practices.
To minimize the high impact of vet bills on a family budget, many families are turning to pet insurance, or bundling pet insurance with an existing insurance policy they have. More and more families are finding it to be beneficial, having that extra layer of protection for emergencies and other forms of care.
Each policy and company are a bit different, so we employ you to look around for quotes to see what financially suits your needs the best.
Minor Conditions
- Collie eye anomaly
- Multi-drug resistance mutation
Serious Conditions
- Hip dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Male vs Female
When it comes to males and females, there are a few noticeable differences, like the fact most males are larger than their female counterparts. Since Aussies and Border Collies are so similar, they don’t have much of a size differential otherwise.
As far as personality, every dog is different regardless of their sex. So, don’t get a dog based on sex alone if you want absolutes with personality.
Of course, males and females will be very different physically. They reach sexual maturity at around the same time but tend to navigate through the changes differently. It is important to get your pup spayed or neutered to avoid problematic issues related to remaining intact.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Border Collie Aussie Mix
1. Border Collies and Australian Shepherds have had roles in film.
Border Collies and Australian Shepherds have been in many films over the years. That is because they are highly trainable and easy to work with.
2. Border Collies are considered the smartest dog in the world.
If you get a Border Collie mix, know that you have one smart cookie on your hands! These dogs were ranked at the top of the intelligence level for canines.
3. Australian Shepherds can be heterochromatic.
Australian Shepherds are often sought after because of their interesting merle coats and two different colored eyes! It’s quite possible an Aussie mix can have these features, too.
Final Thoughts
So, what do you think? Does an Aussie Border Collie mix sound like a pup you want to bring home? Remember, these dogs work best in very active families who love having adventures. They also do well with older children and owners with training experience.
Because this is a hybrid breed, we highly recommend that you buy from a rescue or shelter to avoid puppy mills and backyard breeding.
Featured Image Credit: RyanBlissRIT, Shutterstock
