Thanks to the popularity of its adorable parents, the Border Collie Lab mix is becoming a very famous designer breed family dog.
This guide explains exactly what a Border Collie Lab mix is and why you need one in your life.
This hybrid dog combines the intelligence of the Border Collie and the friendliness of the Labrador Retriever; it is perfect.
Keep in mind that even though both of its parents are technically working dogs, this hybrid dog is not; it is only recognized as a designer dog breed.
Read through to get more details about why the Borador might be a great addition to your family.
The Borador
The Borador is one of the most common Border Collie mixes and, most importantly, one of the most popular Labrador mixes.
Normally, people have begun to consider this mix when they want a smaller version of a Lab, with the same friendliness it has inherited.
However, most people do not account for the fact that they also get the energy of a Border Collie.
Labradors are active enough, so you should know that with this mix, you will get a crossbreed that requires plenty of exercise.
The bottom line of this is that the Borador is a trendy mix due to how eager to train and please it is.
This is a great mixed breed for beginner dog owners, given that they respond well to semi-firm training and are not even as close to being stubborn as other breeds.
It’s time to learn more about them and what makes them unique.
Borador History
Naturally, the Borador dog breed is believed to have been around over the years; however, mixed breeders began to intentionally mix Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies in the early 2000s, likely in North America.
Breeders likely began to crossbreed the Lab and the Border Collie to produce an intelligent, family-friendly dog.
As previously mentioned, both parent breeds are working and herding dogs, and they make for a smart, loving pooch when they are combined.
As demand for designer dog breeds increased, breeders continued to create Boradors.
Some of these hybrid dogs have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescues, even though the Borador mixed breed just got its start as a crossbreed.
And if you decide that this is the breed for you, then you can consider adoption.
You can also check your local shelters, look up Borador rescues, or just check with breed-specific Border Collie or Labrador Retriever rescues, given that they sometimes take in mixed-breed dogs and find homes for them.
Size and Appearance
Border Collie Labrador Retriever mixes are medium-sized dogs.
Normally, they will be the perfect mix of Lab and Border Collie, and they rarely exceed the size of a Labrador.
Most times, you will get a pooch in the range of 40 to 50 pounds, but there have been some larger mixes that got up to the range of 60 to 70 pounds.
Normally, when it comes to height, males are around 17 inches tall, whereas females are in the 15-inch range.
The Border Collie Lab mix will normally look extremely gentle in appearance.
Typically, they are also non-aggressive and will even come up to the door to greet strangers who might not have even been properly introduced yet.
They are likely to take after either parent breed’s traits, as this is based on which breed they take after more looks-wise.
This is to say that they might come in a variety of different coat and eye color combinations.
Coat and Colors
The Border Collie Labrador Retriever mix can come in several different coat colors and eye color combinations.
This hybrid dog might also have a longer or shorter coat, as this is solely based on the parents and what genes they carry.
Most times, you will get a nice blend of the two, which ends up being a little fluffier pup that still looks like a little Labrador.
Some of the more popular Borador colors include merle, black, brown, and yellow.
They are also famous for having a red tint to their coat when bred with a red Lab parent.
Normally, they will come with amber or brown eyes. Blue eyes can happen, but as a genetic anomaly, they are quite uncommon.
Blue eyes are normally common with Border Huskies, not other mixed dog breeds.
Labrador and Border Collie Mix Character
Both Labradors and Border Collies are extremely smart, loyal, and energetic dogs, even though it is quite difficult to predict the exact temperament of any crossbreed dog.
This, in turn, means that the offspring of these two dogs will inherit these traits.
Most Border Labs are extroverts and affectionate dogs that make excellent family pets.
As a matter of fact, this blend is so congenial that they tend to greet everyone with a wagging tail.
This makes Border Labs great family companions but not good watchdogs, so just forget about them guarding your property.
In general, they get along well with children and are extremely gentle with them.
Furthermore, some Boradors might try to herd and nip smaller children or other pets, thanks to their Border Collie ancestry.
Just know that you can curb their nipping tendencies with training and positive reinforcement if your pup shows this trait.
The Borador are likely to be very intelligent too, given that they are offspring of the Border Collie, the smartest dog breed in the world.
You will need to keep their clever mind stimulated and occupied at all times, as this will make training them a breeze.
So, to challenge your dog’s mind, I strongly suggest investing in interactive toys, as this will help keep boredom at a distance.
Health
The normal Borador life expectancy is around 10 to 15 years, and they are usually healthy pups.
Even so, these Labrador Retriever and Border Collie mixes can develop a few health issues that their parent breeds are susceptible to.
This includes:
- Ear Infections
The common signs of ear infections include discharge, redness, excessive head shaking, odor, pawing or scratching of the affected ear, and swelling or scabs in the ear canal.
Boradors might be diagnosed with ear infections more often than breeds with small, pricked ears due to their floppy ears and love of swimming.
Your veterinarian might also look for underlying causes like thyroid disease, allergies, or other endocrine and autoimmune disorders if your hybrid dog has chronic ear infections.
- Hip Dysplasia
Both Border Collies and Labrador Retrievers are susceptible to hip dysplasia.
This health issue causes grinding and pain and is diagnosed when the hip joint and socket do not fit together.
There is no cure for this; however, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medications can help ease the pain. Although there are times when surgery is required.
- Epilepsy
Epilepsy is an inherited health issue that causes recurrent seizures.
It is also the most common neurological condition diagnosed in dogs.
This health problem can cause dogs to feel confused and anxious, even though the condition is not painful.
And the most popular options to diagnose epilepsy are a CT scan or an MRI. The seizures can also be helped with medication.
You will keep your pup healthy with your regular veterinarian appointments, and if you also notice signs of any of the above conditions, then ensure that you consult your vet.
Borador Care
I strongly suggest that you keep up with your Borador’s veterinary checkups, as with all dogs, as this will help detect any health issues early.
Your veterinarian can assist you when it comes to developing a care routine that will keep your dog healthy.
Boradors are likely to suffer from weight gain, and they have high energy levels.
Thus, mixed breed dogs need at least one good 30- to hour-long walk each day, with a few active play sessions and shorter activities mixed in, thanks to the fact that both Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies are working and herding dogs.
Ensure you check their ears for debris and pests daily and clean them as your vet recommends.
Normally, once or twice every month, trim your pup’s nails before they get too long.
Ensure that they are not clicking against the floor. Your groomer can definitely help you with this.
Keep in mind that maintaining your dog’s oral health is also essential.
Given that plaque can easily build up, make sure that you brush your teeth every day.
You can always go meet your vet to get instructions on how to properly brush your dog’s teeth.
Borador Feeding
A perfect Borador diet should be formulated for a medium- to large-sized breed with high energy.
They are likely to gain weight if they are overfed, and this is the same with most domestic dogs.
That being said, I strongly suggest that you stick to a regular feeding schedule and not leave food out during the day.
In addition, ensure that you also limit their number of treats.
The Border Collie Lab mix’s dietary needs, as with all dogs, will change from puppyhood to adulthood, and the change will continue into their senior years.
You should also ask your vet for recommendations about your Borador’s diet.
This is recommended because there’s far too much variation among individual dogs, including energy, health, and weight, to make a specific recommendation.
Grooming
You tend to spend more time vacuuming up the hair they have shed instead of brushing it with a de-shedder, even though Boradors are low maintenance when it comes to grooming.
Brushing them on a regular basis can help you see those unpleasant ticks under their coat that you might not otherwise see, even though their coats do not need to be brushed often.
In addition, brushing your pet can also be used as a bonding exercise.
Make sure you do this and other health checks when the pooch is young, as this will make it a pleasant experience for them and also make it so much easier when they grow older.
Generally, the appearance of the Border Collie Lab mix will be similar to one of its parents with a slight hint of another; however, given that it is a mixed breed, you cannot be certain as to which one it might take after.
The Borador’s coat is likely to be longer and softer than a Labrador's, and most Border Collie Lab mixes come with a white stripe on their underbelly like their Collie parent.
The Verdict
Ensure that your Lab Collie mix gets the exercise it needs to get properly stimulated, and then everything else will follow.
The Border Collie Labrador Retriever mix is simple to care for, lovely to have around, and easy to train.
That being said, if you want a beautiful family pet that is both smart and warm-hearted, and one that will provide you and your family with years of enjoyment and pleasant memories, then the Border Collie Lab mix is your best bet.
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