Meet the Bordoodle: A Comprehensive Guide
A Bordoodle, the delightful mix of a Border Collie and a Poodle, is a unique breed that combines the best of both its parents. This intelligent, playful, and affectionate breed has captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe.
If you’re considering welcoming a Bordoodle into your family, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the essential information about these charming and playful pups.
What Is a Bordoodle?
A Bordoodle, also known as a Borderpoo, Borpoo, or Borderdoodle, is a crossbreed that has a purebred Border Collie and a purebred Poodle as its parents. This breed is quickly gaining popularity due to its amazing personality and cute looks. These include intelligence, a friendly demeanor, and a low-shedding coat, making them an excellent option for those with mild allergies.
They’re also really friendly, charming, and sociable. They’re sweet and love to play and make friends. They can be excitable – but that just adds to their charm. Many owners say they’re the perfect balance between excitable Border Collies and intelligent Poodles.
The Origins of the Bordoodle
While the exact origins of the Bordoodle breed remain unclear, it’s believed that they were first intentionally bred within the last few decades, during the rise of designer mixed breeds. The aim was to create a breed that combines the intelligence and energy of the Border Collie with the low-shedding and playful nature of the Poodle.
The Border Collie Poodle mix is not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as it is not a purebred breed. This means that there isn’t an official breed standard for breeders to follow, which can lead to these pups looking very different.
However, it has gained recognition from several hybrid and designer dog registries, including the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Bordoodle Characteristics: What to Expect
The characteristics of a Bordoodle can vary greatly, as puppies may take after either the Border Collie or the Poodle parent. However, most Bordoodles are medium-sized dogs, standing between 12 to 22 inches tall and weighing between 30 to 60 pounds.
Appearance of a Bordoodle
Bordoodles often inherit the basic build and facial structure of a Border Collie but feature the curly, soft hair reminiscent of a Poodle’s coat. Their curly coat length is typically medium to long and comes in a variety of stunning colors including black, gray, brown, red, blue, and combinations of these.
Some Bordoodles may even exhibit the unique blue merle color, a trait inherited from the Border Collie parent.
They often have adorable floppy ears and big, expressive eyes which are impossible to ignore.
Temperament of a Bordoodle
Bordoodles are known for their loving, warm, and protective nature. They are loyal to their family members and form strong bonds quickly. Though they may be slightly reserved with strangers initially, with proper socialization, they can be taught to be friendly with everyone they meet.
This breed is also highly intelligent and enjoys mental stimulation. They have a natural inclination towards training and learning new tricks. If not provided with adequate mental and physical exercise, such as puzzle toys, they may resort to undesirable behaviors due to boredom.
Health and Lifespan Of a Bordoodle
Bordoodles are generally healthy dogs with an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Like all dog breeds, they are predisposed to certain health conditions, including hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and epilepsy. Regular veterinary checkups will help monitor their health and catch any potential issues early.
Furthermore, breeders should be able to provide you with the correct health checks from both the puppy and parent dogs to ensure they’re only breeding healthy dogs.
Living with a Bordoodle: What You Need to Know
As a potential Bordoodle owner, it’s crucial to understand what it’s like to live with this breed on a day-to-day basis. The following sections will provide insights into their diet, exercise, training, grooming, and compatibility with families and other pets.
Bordoodle Diet Requirements
The diet of a Bordoodle should be balanced and nutritious, tailored to their age, weight, and activity level. High-quality dry kibble formulated for medium-sized breeds with medium energy is a good choice. It’s important to avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity, which can lead to various health issues.
Fresh dog food could be another great option for these pooches. It gets added nutrients and veggies into their diet and is often pre-portioned, which can help them maintain a healthy weight.
Whilst they’re a great tool for training, treats can be packed full of extra calories that your pooch doesn’t need. Try to replace shop-bought snacks with healthy alternatives, such as blueberries, chunks of plain shrimp, or cucumber.
Exercise Needs
These intelligent dogs have medium exercise needs and require about 45 minutes of activity each day, divided into two walks. However, due to their high intelligence, they also need mental exercise. Activities such as obedience training, playing fetch (you could use a dog ball launcher), and participating in dog sports are all excellent ways to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
Training Your Bordoodle
Bordoodles are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. However, it’s important to start training from a young age and use positive reinforcement techniques, such as verbal praise and treats (the healthier the better). Consistent training will help curb any stubborn tendencies and promote desirable behaviors.
It’s also really important to socialize your Bordoodle puppy. Early socialization is crucial for dogs as it helps them to learn about the world around them and meet other pups. It helps them to become confident in different situations and develop all round.
Grooming Needs
Despite being low-shedding, Bordoodles require regular grooming to keep their coat in top condition. They can have quite curly hair which can easily tangle and become painful if not correctly cared for. Brushing their coat two to three times a week and scheduling regular trips to a professional groomer will help prevent matting and keep them looking their best.
They only need to be washed every 6 weeks or so, or when they roll in something and start to smell (you could always try a dry shampoo for dogs in between washes to keep them fresh). Be sure to use a dog-specific shampoo and not overwash them, as this can cause them to have sensitive skin.
As with all furry friends, dental hygiene is really important. Try to brush their teeth regularly as well as take them to the vet for checkups.
Family and Pet Compatibility
Bordoodles make excellent family pets. They get along well with children and other animals, making them a wonderful addition to households with other furry members. Of course, all dogs need to be well-socialized and learn how to interact with other pups and kids.
Likewise, young kids should be taught how to safely and properly play with a family dog. This is quite a bouncy breed, so you should always supervise interactions between Bordoodles and kids.
Can Bordoodles Live In Apartments?
Bordoodles are active dogs and need lots of time outdoors, playing and exploring. They prefer to be in homes with an outdoor area for them to play in and enjoy. But, if you’re willing to take your pup out for more walks and outdoor experiences, they might be able to stay in an apartment too.
How Much Does a Bordoodle Cost?
The price of a Bordoodle puppy can range from $700 to $1,600. The cost can vary depending on the breeder’s reputation, location, the puppy’s lineage, and other factors. It’s essential to choose a reputable breeder who can provide health clearances for both parent breeds to ensure you’re getting a healthy puppy. You might find pooches that are cheaper but always do your research as they may be breeding Bordoodle puppies unethically.
What’s more, you can always look in a shelter to give a pooch another home. Bordoodles are becoming increasingly popular dogs, so pet parents will have to be lucky to find one – but you still might! Or at least find a dog that looks similar and that you fall in love with anyway.
The Mini Bordoodle
In addition to the standard-sized Bordoodle, there’s also a smaller version known as the mini Bordoodle. This variety is bred from a miniature Poodle and a Border Collie (so has a different parent breed to a standard Bordoodle), resulting in a smaller, more compact dog that is equally charming and intelligent as its larger counterpart.
They usually have the same colorings and coat type and look very similar to a standard Bordoodle – they’re just a little smaller!
They also have a really affectionate and sweet personality. They’re active, love spending time with humans, and are very playful. They’re highly intelligent too, so need their brains to be exercised as well as their bodies.
The Final Verdict
The Bordoodle, with its intelligence, playfulness, and loving nature, is an excellent choice for many families. From living in apartments to large homes with yards, they can adapt to various living conditions. Whether you’re an active individual looking for a furry companion to join your adventures or a family seeking a playful and affectionate pet, the Bordoodle is a breed worth considering.
However, potential owners should be prepared to invest time and effort in training, socializing, and meeting the mental stimulation needs of this intelligent breed. With proper care and love, a Bordoodle can be an amazing addition to any household.
