There is something inherently comical about the idea of a Goldendoodle Border Collie Mix.
Just think about it, the Border Collie is intrinsically linked with images of sheep herding while the shaggier variety of light-colored Goldendoodle bears more than a passing resemblance to a sheep itself.
Once we get past this slightly odd image, could it be that this hybrid offers up the potential for a great dog for those who are active and outdoorsy? Read on to find out more and we will set out just what a mix of these two seemingly very different breeds could offer up.
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Goldendoodle History
The Golden Doodle is a hybrid breed, created by crossing a purebred Poodle with a purebred Golden Retriever.
While there were likely accidental crossings of these two popular breeds many years prior, the first documented intentional breeding of a Goldendoodle was recorded in 1969. At this time the breed was developed to offer up a variation on the Golden Retriever, which was commonly used as a guide dog. Breeders discovered that crossing the Golden with a Poodle made for a curlier, lower shedding coat which was less problematic for those who required a guide dog but who also had sensitivity to dog hair and dander.
It wasn’t until the mid to late 1990s when the internet propelled a whole wealth of new and emerging Doodle hybrids into popularity, that the Goldendoodle really began to take off.
Fast forward to the common day and the Goldendoodle remains a favorite of many dog owners and Doodle fans the world over.
Border Collie History
The Border Collie that we know and love today has roots as a working breed favored by shepherds who worked the Border countries of Scotland and England in the distant 18th and 19th centuries.
The breed is famed for its intelligence, athleticism, and stamina. All things that stand it in good stead for its working career as a sheep and livestock herding dog. Unlike many breeds which have largely moved from working roles to that of the domestic pet, the Border Collie still retains its position on many working farms.
Of course, it has made a move to domestic pet, where many active owners find them the perfect companion for hiking, running, and adventurous pastimes.
What Names are there for a Goldendoodle Border Collie Mix?
There have already been dalliances between the Border Collie and the purebred Poodle with the resultant offspring being dubbed “Bordoodles”. Likewise, the Golden Retriever and Border Collie can be crossed to create a “Golden Border”.
There are much fewer documented instances of the Goldendoodle Border Collie Mix, therefore a name has yet to be coined. Here at Know Your Doodles, we think a suitable title would be a “Golden Bordoodle”.
Why is the Goldendoodle Border Collie Being Bred?
Like many Doodle crosses, the Goldendoodle Border Collie mix offers the opportunity to reduce the shedding associated with a Border Collie by creating a wavier, curlier coat more akin to the Poodle.
Why use a Goldendoodle then when a Poodle has the traits we want? Well, when creating a first-generation hybrid, where the litter is exactly 50% Poodle and 50% Border Collie it can be a lottery as to whether the pups will be more Poodle-like or more Border Collie-like.
Second or multigenerational hybrids, offer the chance to try and further select the desirable traits. Therefore, a breeder might select a second or third-generation Goldendoodle that has the exact type of desirable coat which will have a greater chance overall of passing this on.
Is a Border Collie Goldendoodle Cross Ethical?
In theory, yes. The Goldendoodle comes in various sizes due to the potential of it being crossed with a Standard, Miniature, or Toy Poodle. This allows breeders to pick a Goldendoodle of a similar size to the Border Collie parent which reduces the risk of significant weight and size variations in the pups.
Where it can get a bit murkier is if less conscientious breeders seek to breed ever smaller variations due to the perceived popularity of small and toy dogs. As the Golden Retriever and the Border Collie are not small breeds it is likely that issues may occur if they are indiscriminately sized down in subsequent generations.
The Benefits of a Goldendoodle Border Collie Mix
This is a crossbreed with the potential for tremendous levels of intelligence. The Border Collie and the Poodle frequently come atop the dog intelligence charts and the Golden Retriever measures up well in the brains too.
The addition of the Goldendoodle over the Poodle can also temper some of the stubbornness sometimes associated with the Poodle and the Border Collie alone.
The Cons of a Goldendoodle Border Collie Mix
This is not a widespread cross to date and as such there can be a lot of unknowns. While there are similarities between the Goldendoodle and Border Collie in terms of intelligence and energy there can be quite distinct behavioral/temperamental traits in some lines of Border Collies which can be unpredictable.
Similarly, with the popularity of the Goldendoodle, some breeders have included dogs in breeding lines that have less desirable traits of hyperactivity or anxiety.
If a particularly hyperactive Goldendoodle was paired with a more headstrong or volatile Border Collie parent, the resultant litter could be more challenging to train.
Size and Weight
As we don’t have the luxury of plenty of examples of the Goldendoodle Border Collie mix we can give estimated size and weight based on the parent breeds.
First off there is the Border Collie. When fully grown they are likely to be between 22” and 26” in height and weigh in the region of 28lbs to 45lbs. Generally speaking, female Border Collies will be 10 to 15% smaller than males.
The Goldendoodle by comparison comes in three size variations dependent on the size of the Poodle used in the hybrid.
- Toy Goldendoodle: Less than 15” and 10lbs to 25lbs
- Miniature Goldendoodle: 15” to 20” and 25lbs to 50lbs
- Standard Goldendoodle: 20” to 26” and 50lbs to 90lbs
When comparing the sizes of the Goldendoodle and the Border Collie it is likely that if a smaller Border Collie is used then a Miniature Goldendoodle may be the best match. On the other hand, if the Border Collie is on the larger end of their averages, a smaller Standard Goldendoodle may offer up the best match.
It is certain that a Goldendoodle Border Collie mix will be a larger-sized dog and could conceivably range from 16” to 25” in height and weigh between 28lbs and 60lbs.
It is important prospective owners plan for the larger estimates when deciding if this could be the dog for them.
Color and Coat Types of the Border Collie Goldendoodle Cross
The Goldendoodle and the Border Collie have two seriously different coat types. The Border Collie can be rough coated (long and coarser) or smooth (shorter and smoother). Both types shed.
The Goldendoodle can vary between the curly, wavy, and flatter like their Golden Retriever parentage. Most often the curly-coated variety is specifically chosen for cross breeding in the hope of passing on its lower shedding attributes.
It is hoped that by crossing the curly-coated Goldendoodle with a shorter coated Border Collie the resultant litter will have a shorter, curly to wavy, single coat. They will require regular brushing. If a rough coat Border Collie is chosen, the overall coat may be longer and could still retain an element of shedding.
In terms of color, we will start with the shades that the Border Collie may pass on. The most common and more recognizable variation of this breed is black and white. However, they also come in brown, blue, lilac, red, and sable variations. Commonly they are white with one other color, however, on occasion can be tri-colored.
The Border Collie also carries the genes to produce a Merle coat pattern however this is often avoided for onward hybrid breeding due to the potential for it to cause some associated health problems.
The Goldendoodle comes in a whole variety of coat colors and patterns, largely due to the variety of the Poodle genetics. Many people are surprised when a Goldendoodle is not necessarily golden in color however in reality it is a 50/50 chance between that color and the color passed on by the Poodle line. That being said they often can be apricots, whites, and tans but equally could be black or mixed coloring.
In terms of the color of a Goldendoodle Border Collie mix, it really is a bit of a lottery as they could conceivably be any of the parent breed colors or markings. A bit like a very cute lucky dip!
Health of the Goldendoodle Border Collie Mix
As this cross is not widely bred, we do not have a wealth of data to draw on regarding its health. We can however look at conditions present in the parent breeds, the Goldendoodle and the Border Collie. While crossbreeding reduces the instances of some conditions, if it is present in both parent breeds then it may be passed on.
The following conditions are seen in both the Border Collie and the Goldendoodle. Of course, careful health screening of the parents reduces the possible risk.
- Hip Dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Eye disorders
- Some hormone disorders
Temperament
Be prepared for an energetic and lively crossbreed. The Border Collie brings stamina and endurance while the Goldendoodle brings playfulness and energy.
This has the potential to tip over into hyperactivity if the Goldendoodle Border Collie cross is not adequately challenged both physically and mentally.
The good news is both parent breeds are amenable to training and have an inbuilt desire to please. Capturing this enthusiasm and channeling it into things like obedience training, agility or assistance tasks is a great option.
They are likely to be incredibly loyal and bond firmly to their owners, which can sometimes make them appear slightly aloof around strangers.
Exercise Needs
This will be a high-energy, high-exercise requirement dog. Think between 1 and 2 hours of vigorous exercise a day, however, when fully grown they will happily be capable of even double this.
The Goldendoodle Border Collie cross will be strong and athletic and more than able to keep up on hikes, swims, or running trails.
Feeding Requirements
Given the wide band of potential height and weight, feeding requirements will really be dependent on the individual dog. As this crossbreed will be active and energetic it is important to select a good quality food option that will provide the nutrients and supplements required to support healthy bones and muscles.