The Borderdoodle

---

---

A hybrid dog can inherit traits from both parent breeds but just how much and what is really mostly up to mother nature. The Borderdoodle is a recent hybrid and so does not have a detailed history though it is believed her origins are in America in the last two decades. To better understand where a Borderdoodle comes from you can look at her parents the Poodle and the Border Collie.

What colors are Borderdoodles?
Borderdoodles come in a wide variety of Colors.... and many with "Irish Spotting" pattern as is common associated with the Border Collie. Colors of Black/White, Red/White,  Chocolate/White, Blue  Merle/White, Solid Black, Solid Red, Solid Brown, Merle, Parti (red & white, black & white), and Tri-color. The most common color is black and black/white.

What size are Borderdoodles?
Borderdoodles come in a variety of sizes ranging from 20 lbs to 80 lbs, most often depending upon the size of the poodle parent. However, most Borderdoodles are between 35 and 45 lbs, similar to the size of the average border collie. Height ranges from 15 inches to 26 inches with the average being 18-22 inches, similar to the average height of a border collie.

Borderdoodle Temperament.
Because they are a cross between the two smartest dogs in the world, Borderdoodles possess a wonderful mind. They like having things to do, playing games and going places. They are tolerant, affectionate and very loyal. They are ideal as family pets and well suited for kids.

Can you predict the temperament of a Borderdoodle?
While there is a general expected temperament for Borderdoodles, each individual puppy has its own "personality". Volhard Temperament Testing (Volhard.com) can help you determine the natural temperament of most puppies… whether it is considered to be reserved, playful, independent, outgoing, etc...  Testing will reveal that some pups are more assertive while others are more reserved. Some pups may be more suitable as lap dogs, others as "service dogs", while others may have the temperament to be an agility champion.  The test will also reveal which pups are brave and which may be timid. You'll also find out which puppies are natural fetchers, while the others can of course be taught to fetch. Temperament profile testing is an absolute must for those who are acquiring a puppy for future use as a service dog, or looking for the ideal dog for your lifestyle. 

Do Borderdoodles shed?
“F1” Borderdoodles may or may not shed. Most “F1b” Borderdoodles do not shed. At 6 weeks of age, an experienced breeder can usually tell whether or not the puppies will shed.

Are Borderdoodles hypoallergenic? 
Typically a dog that is hypoallergenic is one that does not shed. Some Borderdoodles are hypoallergenic and some are not. Once pups reach 6 weeks of age an experienced breeder can usually tell which pups will be hypoallergenic and which ones are not.

Borderdoodle grooming.
Borderdoodles that do not shed have coats that continue to grow (hair) and definitely need regular grooming and haircuts.

Do Borderoodles make good family pets?
Because Borderdoodles are smart, tolerant, loyal and super affectionate, they make wonderful family dogs and personal companions. They love to play games, go on hikes and be part of the family. Borderdoodles love kids and get along well with other animals. They don't usually bark, except to warn of a stranger on your property. Borderdoodles also excel in agility sports and are super desirable as service dogs due to their high I.Q. and astonishing reasoning ability, which makes them super easy to train. Your Borderdoodle puppy can be easily trained to proficiently obey all basic obedience commands by just 11 weeks of age!

How much exercise do Borderdoodles need?
Generally speaking most Borderdoodles need a moderate amount of exercise and do best in homes with large yards and/or with people who have active lifestyles. A morning and evening walk (20 minutes) on a daily basis would be bare minimum for this breed. However, the requirement of exercise depends a bit on the Borderdoodles natural temperament which can be discovered by Volhard Testing young puppies and also by observation. Puppies that inherently have low anxiety will require less exercise than a puppy with high anxiety.

Are Borderdoodles predisposed to any health conditions?
Borderdoodles may very well be the healthiest of all “doodles” existing today. Because the Border Collie has always been bred for health and temperament as opposed to looks, the Border Collie is considered one of the healthiest purebred breeds in the world. A good breeder will DNA test both the Border Collie parent and the Poodle parent to ensure that they are free of any mutated gene that may cause certain diseases that poodles and/or Border collies may be predisposed to developing. A good breeder will also perform OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) testing on the parent dogs prior to breeding to ensure that they have no predisposition to hip dysplasia or joint problems.

What is life expectancy of Borderdoodles?
Because of the strong genetics of the Border Collie and Poodle, their life span averages between 13-16 years. This is based on the study of Poodles living 12-15 years and Border Collies living to be 14 -17 years of age. Actual studies on the life span of the Borderdoodle have not been concluded as the breed is only about 10 years old. Thus, the time span stated is an average of both the Border Collie and Poodle. This does not take into consideration the “Hybrid Vigor” factor. 

What are the highlights of the breed? 
This breed is ideal for people and families with active lifestyles and families with children. Due to their superior brains and intuitive nature, along with their superior physical makeup, Borderdoodles also make superb service dogs excelling in “Mobility Assistance”,  “PTSD” and “Therapy” work.