The Border Collie Golden Retriever mix is a cross between a Border Collie and a Golden Retriever, and the hybrid is known for being very loving and smart. These dogs are great family dogs, but they are larger dogs that require plenty of grooming and exercise. If you’re considering a Border Collie Golden Retriever mix as a new pet, you’ll want to take a closer look at the hybrid’s history, temperament, appearance, and grooming needs before making your decision.
Origin and History
Designer dogs first became popular in the 1990s, and while the exact origins of the hybrid are unknown, it’s thought that the Border Collie Golden Retriever mix got its start during that time. Although there’s not a lot of information about the mix, you can learn a lot about the hybrid by taking a closer look at both of the parent breeds.
The Border Collie has a long history and is thought to trace all the way back to the first century B.C. The dogs we’re familiar with today trace back to Old Hemp, a dog that was born in Northumberland, England in the 1890s. Later, the breed was imported to the United States, and they’ve been a popular breed through the years. Still today they are used for herding on farms and ranching, and they perform well in agility and herding competitions too.
Golden Retrievers also trace back to England and were ancestors of the wavy-coated retriever. While the Golden Retriever was relatively unknown, they were finally recognized as “retrievers – yellow or golden” in 1913. In the early 1900s, these dogs came to the United States, quickly becoming popular. The breed surged in popularity in the 1970s, and they continue to be one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. today. Today they’re used as tracking dogs, search and rescue dogs, hunting dogs, guide dogs, service dogs, and more.
Appearance
You can expect your Border Collie Golden Retriever mix to be quite large, standing at about 24 inches tall at their shoulder. They usually weigh in at 45 to 75 pounds, so these medium-large dogs need plenty of space and aren’t suitable for small apartment living. The hybrid usually has almond shaped, deep set eyes that are extremely expressive, as well as long, floppy ears. Usually their tail is very long and they have a medium length muzzle.
The coat of the Border Collie Golden Retriever mix can be rough, dense, and corded like that of a Border Collie or it can be thick and water repellent like that Golden Retriever. They may have a variety of different coat colors, including white, black, yellow, golden, chocolate, and brown.
The Border Collie Golden Retriever Temperament
Since both parent breeds are very smart, the Border Collie Golden Retriever mix is a very intelligent dog. These dogs are also very active and alert, and they learn quickly too. They love being around people, and they are friendly, playful, loving, and affectionate, especially with their family. However, it’s still important to socialize these dogs early so they don’t become shy.
Since the Border Collie Golden Retriever mix is so active, you’ll need to make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. They’ll need about 1-3 hours or exercise every day, including both mental challenges and physical exercise. Failing to make sure they get enough exercise may result in destructive behavior.
The hybrid is very eager to please, so they are fairly easy to train. Since they are smart and want to make you happy, you’ll have no problems training these dogs. You’ll only need to use positive reinforcement techniques, and it’s important to avoid using any harsh techniques with these dogs.
Grooming
The Border Collie Golden Retriever mix is going to require quite a bit of grooming because they’ll have long, thick coats, no matter which parent they take after. You should brush their coat once a day to make sure any loose hair is removed, since these dogs tend to shed a lot. Only give them a bath when they are dirty, since it’s important to avoid stripping away their coat’s natural oils. Usually these dogs wear down their nails on their own, but if they don’t, regular clipping is important. It’s often a good idea to let a professional groomer take care of their nails, since they have nerves and blood vessels in the lower parts of their toenails. Brushing their teeth three times a week is also essential, and their long ears should be cleaned and check regularly to make sure there aren’t any problems.
Working Roles
These dogs may do well at retriever or they may even do well at herding. However, they are generally kept as family pets, although they can make great care and comfort dogs.
Health
Border Collies have an average life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years, while the Golden Retriever has an average life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years. This means the Border Collie Golden Retriever mix will have an average lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. Hybrids are generally healthier than their parents, but you still need to watch for the breed health concerns of the parents, including:
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Pericardia effusion
- Cancer
- Elbow dysplasia
- Myasthenia gravis
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cataracts
- Muscular dystrophy
- Subaortic stenosis
- Obesity
- Hypopigmentation
- Hock osteochondrosis
- Skin disorders
- Mucocutaneous
- Insulinoma
- Familial cerebellar degeneration
- Collie eye anomaly
- Nodular episclerokeratits
- Epilepsy
- Congenital deafness