The Bordoodle, also known as the Border Doodle, Borpoo, or Borderpoo, is a hyper-intelligent, soft-hearted, and designer dog. Playful, active, and friendly, these are ideal family dogs for energetic owners.
This Collie Poodle mix has gained popularity along with other poodle mixes, not only for their teddy-bear looks but because they tend to be more hypoallergenic than most dogs. You may find a Bordoodle in a shelter or from a breeder who has bred multiple generations of them.
In this case, you can get an F1 Bordoodle, which is where one parent is a Poodle and the other is a Border Collie, or an F2, which comes from two F1 parents, and so on (F3, F4, etc.).
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A Bordoodle is not a hybrid, as it is not crossed with a wolf or another type of canine species. Both the Poodle and the Border Collie purebred dogs, making their offspring mixed breeds or designer breeds.
But to truly decide if the Border Collie Poodle mix is the dog for you, we need to look at the history of both the parent breeds to understand what the Borderpoo may be like as a companion and a pet.
In this article:
History of the Bordoodle: where do they come from?
The Border Collie Poodle mix is increasingly bred deliberately as a pet and service dog. Designer dog breeders like mixing the two most intelligent breeds in the world to create a canine Einstein.
Being low shedders have the added bonus of being relatively hypoallergenic as well. But to understand their temperament, let’s have a look at the two breeds they come from.
History of the Border Collie
The Border Collie is descended from a landrace of herding dogs in Scotland. The word “Collie” probably comes from an old Celtic word, meaning ‘useful.’ Meanwhile, the “Border” part refers to Border Collies hailing from the Scottish lowlands near the English Border.
James Reid coined the term Border Collie to differentiate them from the Scotch or Rough Collie (also known as the Lassie Dog).
Interestingly, today, all pure Border Collies are descended from one herding dog called Old Hemp, who passed on his signature working style. Meanwhile, the iconic “herding pose” traces back to a dog called Wiston Cap.
As working and herding dogs, the Border Collie has little competition. They are among the most trainable dogs in the world and absolutely love to work.
Unfortunately, their high work drive has stayed with them, even after most of them have become companion dogs. This has led to many frustrated Border Collies who don’t receive enough mental stimulation and physical exercise.
Therefore, the Border Collie today can make a wonderful pet, so long as they are given enough mental and physical exercise. Bored dogs are known to be destructive and to bark excessively.
History of the Poodle
Originating in either Germany or France, the Poodle was originally the hunting dog of the aristocracy in Europe. It appears to be related to various other water dogs, such as the English Water Spaniels, the Barbet, and the Irish Water Spaniel.
The Poodle’s classic “lion-coat” clip comes from its waterfowl hunting background, where having a full coat around the chest, neck, and head kept the dog warm. Meanwhile, shaving the dog’s hindquarters helped reduce drag when swimming.
Because of the Poodle’s high trainability, they became popular in circuses and eventually as companion dogs.
Today, the Poodle has kept its athleticism and its intelligence, just like the Border Collie. Although not a guard dog, they can be protective of their family. They excel at sports and service work and do great with children.
What are the physical features of the Bordoodle?
*These physical features assume that the Bordoodle is mixed with the Standard Poodle and not one of the smaller Poodle varieties.
| Height | 18 to 32 inches at the shoulder |
| Weight | 30 to 70 pounds |
| Color | Black, apricot, white, grey, red, chocolate, creamm brindle, sable, merle, blue. Colors may be solid, have white markings, or be bi or parti-colored. |
| Nose | Usually dark. |
The Border Collie Poodle crossbreed can come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. In fact, as you can see from the chart above, nearly any color is permissible.
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They actually come in three distinct sizes, depending on which type of Poodle they were crossed with. Depending on the breeder, you can get:
The miniature Bordoodle
Height: 15″-17″.
Weight: 20lbs-30lbs.
The Medium Bordoodle
Weight: 30lbs-45lbs.
Height: 18″-21″.
The Standard Bordoodle
Weight: 50lbs-65lbs.
Height: 22″-25″.
Their coat can also vary depending on whether they get their genes from their Border Collie parent or their Poodle ancestry. An F1 litter will probably have half of the puppies born with wavy, loose curls, a quarter with the tight curls of a poodle, and another quarter with long straight hair.
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That means the length and texture of your Bordoodle’s coat can vary according to their genetics, and not all of them will be as hypoallergenic as others.
General Care of the Bordoodle
| Hypoallergenic | Maybe. Many Bordoodles are low-shedders and are less hypoallergenic than other dogs. Remember, there is no such thing as a fully hypoallergenic dog. |
| Shedding | Low to moderate shedding, depending on coat. |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Exercise | Between one and two hours of exercise per day. Of that, about 30 to 45 minutes should be vigorous. |
| Temperament | Alert, sociable, intelligent, sensitive, may be shy or aloof with strangers, great family dogs. |
| Trainability | Highly trainable. |
Energy
The Bordoodle is an active and high-energy dog. This is not the ideal dog for owners who like to take it easy. Ideally, they should get about two hours of moderate to vigorous exercise a day.
Housing
Although these are sweet family dogs that do best indoors with the family, they need space to romp and are not ideal for apartments or small spaces.
Their Border Collie genes may also make Bordoodles prone to barking, which can annoy any neighbors nearby. So, it’s best to invest in a trainer who can teach “quiet” training from early on.
They are deeply attached dogs that should not be left alone for long periods as they may develop separation anxiety.
Food & Diet Requirements
A quality diet is vital for a Bordoodle’s long-term health. Look for food that is not highly processed and is made from human-grade materials. More than ten ingredients with lots of additives, colorants, and flavorings are usually red flags.
If choosing a raw diet, make sure that you first consult a certified veterinary nutritionist, as homemade diets can be dangerously low in the correct vitamins and minerals. Any diet you choose should at least pass the NRC standards for basic maximum and minimum nutrient levels.
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Grooming
A Bordoodle will need professional grooming every month or so to keep those wavy curls in check. Besides that, brushing once or twice a week will keep their coat from matting and distribute their natural oils, keeping it glossy.
A ceramic or steel drinking bowl can help keep any white hair around their mouth from staining. Letting them drink distilled water is also helpful since iron oxide in normal water also causes those ugly yellow/brown stains.
In addition, they will need to have their ears cleaned regularly to avoid ear infections and their nails clipped to stop complications from overgrown nails. Don’t forget to brush their teeth daily, since bad dental health in dogs can cause anything from diabetes to heart and lung problems.
Health
Exercise
The Bordoodle comes from two active breeds, and so it needs a lot of exercise. A simple walk around the block won’t cut it with most Bordoodles. They also need mental stimulation, so they are ideal for sport training such as agility or field trials. They thrive as search-and-rescue dogs, and their high emotional intelligence makes them excellent service dogs.
Whether you are keeping your Bordoodle busy with training, hiking, sports, or running, activity is vital for this breed, as they may become destructive if they are allowed to become bored.
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Concerns
Mixed breeds are seen as healthier than purebred dogs since they tend to have less inbreeding in their lines. Although, Bordoodles can still inherit the same genetic issues Poodles and Border Collies may have. So their parents must be appropriately screened and DNA tested before breeding.
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | This is a common issue in larger breeds. Loose ligaments around the dog’s joints over time can cause damage and severe arthritis and lameness. They may also be prone to another joint condition known as osteochondritis dissecans. |
| Eye issues | Collies are prone to several eye issues which they may pass on to the Bordoodle, including Collie eye anomaly (CEA). Other problems might include:
|
| Hypothyroidism | This may be genetic but may also be caused by injuries such as whiplash from a collar. It can result in behavioral problems such as fear aggression, coat issues, and weight gain. |
| Bloat | Common in deep-chested dogs, this potentially deadly disease is caused by trapped gas in the gut. To prevent this, make sure your dog has plenty of healthy pre and probiotics. Try feeding them smaller meals multiple times a day and avoid exercising them 30 minutes before and after eating. |
Other conditions that Bordoodles develop may include:
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
- Addison’s Disease
- Digestive disorders
What is the Bordoodle’s life expectancy?
In general, the Border Collie Poodle mix is a long-lived breed, living for between twelve and fifteen years.
The trainability of a Bordoodle: Temperament and Intelligence
The Bordoodle is a highly trainable dog and will benefit from early obedience training. They are sensitive and may be prone to shyness or wariness of strangeness. Bordoodles also won’t respond well to harsh treatment or training methods.
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They can be a little stubborn, and they might love to take off after squirrels, so keeping them on a leash and safely buckled in while driving is essential. They may also suffer from separation anxiety, so it’s best not to leave them alone for long periods.
Early puppy school and socialization are key to having a well-adjusted Bordoodle that will respond well to training cues and new situations and people. A poorly socialized and untrained dog can lead to problems, including life-threatening situations such as running into busy roads.
Is the Bordoodle good with other pets?
Like any dog, the Bordoodle needs to be socialized with other animals at a young age to avoid problems such as chasing the neighbor’s cat! However, provided they are raised with other animals or come into frequent contact with them from a young age, they will make excellent companions for other animals.
If they are used to cats, they generally see them as pack members and tend to leave them alone or even bond with them. Some of them may be prone to chasing or herding other animals, though. Hence, obedience training and early socialization are critical.
Suitable Home: Are Bordoodles good pets?
Bordoodles are perfect family dogs since they tend to love children. The miniature and medium varieties need to be watched with smaller children since toddlers can hurt them by accident. Still, for the most part, these are great dogs for kids.
In fact, a well-adjusted and properly trained Bordoodle can even help a child learn socialization skills. A recent study found that dogs can help toddlers improve their interactions with others and regulate their emotions.
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Because this is an extremely attached dog, it might be difficult to keep them in a household where there is only one adult that works long hours.
They are not an independent breed and prefer being part of a family. Being left alone for long periods can cause behavioral problems such as separation anxiety or depression in the Bordoodle.
How much does a Bordoodle cost?
It’s always better to adopt a dog wherever you can. Some states have rescues specializing in Border Collie or Poodle mixes that can help you find the perfect dog for your family.
However, finding a reputable breeder can be helpful, since they should be able to provide you with the DNA tests and other screenings to make sure your puppy is as healthy as it can be.
Depending on how good the breeder is, a Bordoodle puppy can set you back anything from $800 to $3500.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Bordoodle is one of the smartest of the Doodle designer breeds. It is a fantastic family dog. However, it does thrive on training and exercise. So, be sure you have the time to invest in one before adopting a puppy.