The Border Doodle Dog: A Comprehensive Guide

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Posted Oct 30, 2024

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Fence along Border
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The Border Doodle Dog is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle, making it a unique and intelligent breed.

This mix of breeds creates a dog that is highly trainable and loves to please its owners.

Border Doodles are known for their high energy levels and require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.

They thrive on mental and physical stimulation, making them a great fit for active families or individuals.

Their intelligence and trainability also make them a popular choice for dog sports and competitions.

With proper training and socialization, Border Doodles can grow into well-behaved and loving companions.

Basic Information

A Bordoodle is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle, making them a relatively new hybrid breed.

They typically come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, brown, cream, fawn, gray, red, and white, with possible patterns like bicolor.

A Bordoodle's size can vary, but they usually weigh between 35 to 65 pounds and stand between 12 to 22 inches tall.

Credit: youtube.com, 7 Reasons You Should NOT Get a Bordoodle

They have a medium-length coat that's curly and easy to groom, which is a plus for many dog owners.

Bordoodles are known to be intelligent, active, and affectionate, making them a great fit for families and first-time pet owners.

Their energy level is high, so they need consistent daily activity to keep them happy and healthy.

With proper care and attention, a Bordoodle can live up to 11 to 16 years.

Here are some key characteristics of the Bordoodle breed:

Overall, a Bordoodle is a unique and loving companion that can bring joy and excitement to any family.

Temperament and Intelligence

Border Doodles are highly intelligent and eager to please breeds, known for their ability to learn commands and think through problems. They thrive on having a job and require regular exercise to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Both Border Collies and Poodles are highly trainable, but they might not listen on their own all the time. You'll need to start training and socialization as soon as possible and keep it up throughout their lives.

For another approach, see: Border Collies Good Running Dogs

Credit: youtube.com, Bordoodle– 11 Things to Know Before Getting One (Border Collie Poodle Mix)

Bordoodles are friendly and love people and companionship, but they can be aloof with strangers and need to be taught to warm up to new people. This makes socialization crucial for a well-adjusted Bordoodle.

They have a strong herding instinct and may try to corral or correct small children or animals, so providing stimulation for this instinct is essential. Playing fetching games and giving them a chance to run are great ways to redirect this energy.

Bordoodles are excellent watchdogs and become protective of their human family, but without proper socialization and training, this can become problematic. They bond strongly with their owners and do not enjoy being left alone, so consider this carefully if you're away from home frequently.

They are naturally easy to train and keen to please their owners, making them a great combination for novice dog owners. With the right training and socialization, Bordoodles can be fantastic pets for active families of all types.

Bordoodles are extremely loyal and may become attached to certain members of the family more than others, often the person who feeds them or spends the most time with them. This is a great trait, but it's essential to ensure they receive enough attention and interaction from all family members.

Poodles have a built-in drive to chase other animals, so it's crucial to teach your Bordoodle to come when called and provide enough exercise to prevent this instinct from becoming a problem. With the right training and care, Bordoodles can be a loving and loyal companion for many years.

Size and Health

Credit: youtube.com, Bordoodle Dog Breed Information - The Ultimate Family Dog | Bordoodle Dogs 101

Bordoodles can grow to be medium-sized dogs, typically reaching heights of 12-22 inches and weighing between 35-65 pounds.

Males tend to grow slightly larger than females, which is something to keep in mind if you're considering bringing a Bordoodle into your family.

Their size can be a bit unpredictable because they're a mixed breed, but breeders can make an educated guess based on their Poodle and Border Collie parents.

There are actually three sizes of Bordoodle, each determined by which size Poodle they're crossed with.

Here are some common health issues that can affect Bordoodles:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Eye problems
  • Hypothyroidism and thyroid disease
  • Bloat
  • Epilepsy

Size

Full grown Bordoodles are typically medium sized dogs that stop growing at around 12–22 inches tall and 35–65 pounds in weight.

Because they are mixed breed dogs, a Bordoodle's size can be hard to guarantee. Breeders will predict their size based on both the Poodle parent and Border Collie parent.

Males will usually grow a little bigger than females.

There are 3 sizes of Bordoodle, each determined by which sized Poodle they are crossed with.

Health

Goldendoodle Dog Running on a Grass Field
Credit: pexels.com, Goldendoodle Dog Running on a Grass Field

When considering the health of a Bordoodle, it's essential to be aware of the potential health issues that can arise.

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common concerns for Bordoodles, as they can lead to mobility problems and chronic pain.

Eye problems can also affect Bordoodles, requiring regular check-ups with a veterinarian to monitor their eye health.

Hypothyroidism and thyroid disease are other health issues that can impact Bordoodles, affecting their metabolism and overall well-being.

Bloat is a serious condition that can occur in Bordoodles, requiring immediate veterinary attention.

Epilepsy can also affect Bordoodles, making it crucial to work with a veterinarian to develop a treatment plan.

Here are some common health issues that can affect Bordoodles:

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Eye problems
  • Hypothyroidism and thyroid disease
  • Bloat
  • Epilepsy

Teacup

The term "teacup" is often used to describe smaller-than-usual dog breeds. However, breeders may not be able to achieve this size realistically.

Many people are interested in tiny dog breeds like the Teacup Bordoodle, but it's not a feasible goal. Breeders will not be able to make Poodle mixed breeds smaller and smaller.

In fact, the idea of a "teacup" dog is often more of a marketing term than a genuine breed characteristic.

Care and Grooming

Credit: youtube.com, How I Groom The Goldendoodle!

Your border doodle's coat can be a beautiful, wavy fleece or a curly, poodle-like hair. They require regular grooming to prevent matting and knotting.

You'll need to brush their coat daily to keep it healthy and shiny, and to remove any dead hair. This will also help spread the natural oils in their fur.

Some border doodles may shed more than others, especially during seasonal changes. Those with a border collie-like coat will likely shed more than those with a poodle-like coat.

You should also check their ears regularly for infection and keep their ear canals clean and dry. Their floppy ears are prone to infection, so it's essential to keep an eye on them.

Their toenails need to be trimmed regularly, and if you're not confident doing this yourself, it's best to take them to a professional dog groomer or a vet.

Here's a quick rundown of the grooming needs for your border doodle:

Regular grooming will help keep your border doodle's coat looking its best and prevent any health issues.

Exercise and Training

Credit: youtube.com, TRAINING 2 OUT OF CONTROL DOODLES AT ONCE! (TOUGH)

Exercise is crucial for a happy and healthy border doodle. They need at least an hour or two of exercise every day, and a bored dog is a destructive dog.

A well-exercised dog is a well-behaved dog, and border doodles will love going on hikes or running beside you while you jog or cycle. Playing interactive games is also a great way to exercise them and create a strong bond with your pooch.

Bordoodles are intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. Proper socialization will help, so allow your dog to interact with as many new things as possible from a young age.

Additional reading: Border Collie

Exercise

Exercise is crucial for Bordoodles. They need at least an hour or two of exercise every day.

In general, a bored dog is a destructive dog, and a well-exercised dog is a well-behaved dog, and the same goes for Bordoodles. They'll need an hour a day of intensive exercise, like a jog or run.

White and Brown Long Coat Small Dog
Credit: pexels.com, White and Brown Long Coat Small Dog

Bordoodles love going on hikes or running beside you while you jog or cycle. They make great exercise companions.

Playing interactive games is also a great way to exercise them and create a strong bond with your pooch. You should aim to play games such as fetch or frisbee at least three to four times a week with your pooch.

Their parent breeds, Poodles and Border Collies, were used out in the field for hours at a time and possess incredible stamina. Your Bordoodle will surely inherit some of this energy and stamina.

Without sufficient exercise, these intelligent dogs can quickly become bored and frustrated and will likely destructively release these frustrations.

Trainability

Bordoodles are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train.

However, it does require a commitment of time and effort from their owners.

Proper socialization from a young age is key, allowing your dog to interact with new things like children, other dogs, and other pets.

This helps them develop good habits and reduces the risk of unwanted behaviors.

Make each experience a positive one by praising your dog when they react appropriately.

Bordoodles are naturally affectionate and love being near their humans, which can sometimes lead to separation anxiety when you leave them.

How Long Can a Dog Be Left Alone?

Credit: youtube.com, Explaining How To Fix Separation Anxiety With Your Dog

Leaving your dog alone can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can help prevent separation anxiety from developing. It's essential to train your dog to be comfortable being by itself.

If your dog is overly anxious when you leave, it can result in excessive barking and destructive behaviour. This is especially true for breeds like the Bordoodle, which require early training to prevent separation anxiety.

To start, begin leaving your dog for short periods at first, building up to longer periods gradually. This will help your dog get used to being alone and reduce the likelihood of separation anxiety.

Barking and Compatibility

Bordoodles are known to bark a lot, a trait inherited from their Border Collie and Poodle parents.

Excessive barking can be a problem, but it's also a way for your dog to release energy when it's outside or playing.

Barking can be a sign of distress, so it's essential to address the issue with obedience training and desensitization techniques.

Credit: youtube.com, Bordoodle Dog Breed Pros and Cons

To train your Bordoodle, try to desensitize it to the things that trigger barking, such as other dogs walking by.

With patience and positive reinforcement, you can teach your dog that these things aren't a cause for alarm.

In terms of compatibility with other pets, Bordoodles generally get along well with cats and smaller pets, but they may try to herd them due to their herding history.

This means you'll need to supervise interactions between your Bordoodle and other pets, especially if they're smaller or more fragile.

Do Doodles Bark?

Doodles, being a mix of breeds, can inherit the barking traits from their parent breeds. Barking is not always a bad thing, and it can be a way for your dog to release energy, especially when it's outside or playing.

Allowing your dog to bark in these situations can be beneficial, but excessive or constant barking can be a problem. It's a sign that your dog is distressed.

Credit: youtube.com, Farfel The Goldendoodle barking

Excessive barking can also annoy your neighbors, so it's essential to address the issue. Obedience training can help, and desensitizing your dog to the thing it's barking at is a good place to start.

For example, if your dog barks at other dogs walking by, use positive reinforcement to train your dog that seeing other dogs isn't a bad thing. Be patient, as this can take time.

Pet Compatibility

Bordoodles are social dogs that generally get along great with other dogs and are fine with cats too. They do not have much of a prey drive, and even smaller pets are usually safe.

Bordoodles have a history of herding, and while they may not hunt other pets, there is a strong chance that they’ll attempt to herd them! This can be a fun quirk, but it's essential to remember that they might try to herd your other pets.

Bordoodles make wonderful pets, and they're suitable for families with young kids. They're gentle yet active, making them an ideal companion for families who love to go for walks and be active outdoors.

Your dog's diet should consist of high-quality food and limited treats. It can be tempting to reward them often with food treats, but this can lead to weight gain and related health problems.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Dog

Credit: youtube.com, [Bordoodle Dog] Pros and Cons of Owning a Bordoodle || How to Take Care of Bordoodles

Owning a dog can be a wonderful experience, but it's essential to consider the pros and cons before making a decision.

Dogs can bring immense joy and companionship into our lives, making them a great addition to many families.

Their friendly temperament is one of the most significant advantages of owning a dog, making them suitable for families with young children.

Some breeds, like the Border Collie Poodle hybrid, are even more affectionate and loving due to their intelligence.

Their intelligence also means they can be trained easily, which is a huge plus for any dog owner.

However, owning a dog also comes with its fair share of challenges, such as regular grooming.

Their soft curly coat requires regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling, which can be time-consuming.

Additionally, some breeds are prone to health issues, such as hip dysplasia, which can be costly and emotionally challenging to deal with.

It's crucial to weigh these pros and cons carefully before deciding to bring a furry friend into your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Bordoodles a good breed?

Bordoodles are a great choice for active families and individuals seeking a smart, friendly, and affectionate companion. They thrive in households that can keep up with their energetic and social nature.

Do border doodles shed?

Border doodles, specifically F1b, are generally low shedders, but shedding can be determined by a breeder as early as 6 weeks of age. Shedding tendencies may vary, making it essential to research and consult with a reputable breeder.

Sources

  1. inherent health issues (bmdca.org)
  2. Share on Pinterest Pinterest (pinterest.com)
  3. Share on Twitter Twitter (twitter.com)
  4. Share on Facebook Facebook (facebook.com)
  5. considered an F1 bordoodle (oregonbordoodles.com)
  6. Designer Dogs Kennel Club (dogbreedinfo.com)
  7. Designer Breed Registry (designerbreedregistry.com)
  8. American Canine Hybrid Club (achclub.com)
  9. puppy mill scheme (people.com)
  10. Molly and Dougal (instagram.com)
  11. Rosie (instagram.com)
  12. A post shared by Barney The Bordoodle (@barney_the_bordoodle) (instagram.com)
  13. The Ultimate Bordoodle Dog Breed Guide (coopsandcages.com.au)

Lucy Orn-Mills

Writer

Lucy Orn-Mills is a versatile writer with a passion for canine culture. With a keen interest in the world of dogs, she has penned articles on a wide range of topics, from the charming Border Terrier to the rich history of dog breeds originating in Scotland and England. Lucy's expertise extends to the fascinating realm of Terriers, a group of breeds known for their feisty and affectionate nature.