Last Updated on March 3, 2024 by Aftab Tariq
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix is a smart and lively combination of two breeds known for herding. This dog loves staying active and is eager to learn new things, making it a good fit for families who enjoy being on the move.
However, before deciding to bring home a Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix, there are a few things to think about.
In this guide, we’ll give you all the information you need about the Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix. We’ll cover the basics, tips for caring for them, and advice on the type of owner who would be best suited to this special dog.
Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix Overview
Learning about the unique traits and characteristics of Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes.
- Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix Weight: 30-60 pounds
- Height: 18-23 inches
- Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, loyal
- Intelligence: Highly trainable
- Shedding: Moderate to heavy
- Energy Level: Very high
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
Australian Shepherd History
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix is a special dog that comes from two breeds that have been around for a long time.
Border Collies have been known since 1890, and Australian Shepherds have been around since the 1800s. Both of these breeds were originally bred for herding animals like sheep and cattle.
Because of their heritage, Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes are very active, smart, and loyal. They love being outdoors and doing activities with their owners. Many of them still work on farms, helping to herd animals.
Since this mix isn’t a purebred, there isn’t a specific set of rules for how they should look or act. This means that each Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix can be a little different.
Some might act more like Border Collies, some might act more like Australian Shepherds, and some might be a mix of both.
Australian Shepherd Appearance
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes have a lot of different colors and patterns because their parents come in a variety of looks.
They can be black, white, red, blue, tan, or brown, and have patterns like merle, tricolor, or piebald. Sometimes, they even have different-colored eyes.
These dogs are not too big or too small – they are medium-sized. They have long legs, ears that either stand up straight or flop over a bit, and look strong because they love to be active. Their fur is thick and can handle different kinds of weather, and it even has natural oils that make it a little bit waterproof.
When they’re puppies, they are small and weigh between 5 and 9 pounds. But as they grow up, they can get bigger and weigh between 30 and 65 pounds, and be between 18 and 23 inches tall.
Australian Shepherd Size
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix is not too big or too small – they are medium-sized dogs. They usually stand between 18 and 23 inches tall and weigh between 30 and 65 pounds. Usually, boy dogs are heavier and taller than girl dogs.
Australian Shepherd Mix Lifespan
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes usually live for about 10 to 17 years. However, how long your dog lives depends on various factors like their health and the care you provide.
Dogs that are healthier and happier tend to live longer lives. Regular visits to the vet are important for your puppy’s health and well-being. This way, any health problems can be found early and treated before they become worse.
Australian Shepherd Temperament
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix is a playful, energetic, and friendly dog. They love being active and need a lot of exercise to stay happy and healthy. A few hours of play or work each day can keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
These dogs love and protect their families very much. They enjoy learning new tricks and commands and want to please their owners. Training them is important to keep their minds sharp and prevent them from getting into trouble.
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes have a strong herding instinct. They may try to round up animals or people, but this behavior can be trained. It’s important to let them play outside and exercise a lot, as they are happiest when they can do what they love.
After a busy day, they’ll happily snuggle up with you in the evening, ready to do it all over again tomorrow.
Australian Shepherd Mix Dog Breed Coat Type
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix has a thick coat with two layers. Depending on their genes, their coat can be medium-length and soft, or shorter and rougher with less fluffiness.
Because of their coat, they shed a lot and need to be brushed regularly to keep their fur healthy and prevent it from getting tangled.
Australian Shepherd mix Dog Breed Shedding
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes usually shed a lot because of their double-coat and long fur. You can reduce the amount of hair around your home by brushing your dog regularly with a de-shedding brush.
It also helps to take them to the groomer’s sometimes for a full trim and bath. The border collie Australian shepherd mix short hair is known for its low-maintenance grooming needs, making it an ideal choice for busy households.
Australian Shepherd Mix Grooming
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes have thick fur with two layers. One type is medium-length with some feathering, and the other is a bit shorter and coarser with less feathering.
Both kinds need to be brushed two to three times each week to prevent tangles, help with shedding, and make sure your dog is comfortable. They don’t need baths too often because their fur has natural oils to keep them clean and happy.
Only give them baths when they really need it. Sometimes, you might need to take them to a groomer for a trim to keep their fur away from their eyes and make sure their belly is free from loose hair.
The border collie Australian shepherd mix black and white is known for its distinctive coat coloration, blending the characteristics of both parent breeds.
Australian Shepherd Mix Dog Breed Diet
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes are usually very active, so they might need about 200 extra calories every day compared to other dogs. It’s best to give them high-quality dry dog food, and you can sometimes give them healthy treats too.
Usually, they’ll eat about 3 to 4 cups of food each day, split into two meals. But the amount of food they need can vary depending on the type of food, how big they are, and their specific needs. It’s a good idea to talk to a vet to get the best advice on how much to feed your dog.
Health Problems
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes, like many other dog breeds, can have health issues that they may inherit from their parents. Some common health problems in these dogs include:
- Issues with their eyes
- Hip and elbow joints
- Vision loss over time
- Hearing loss
- Skin cancer
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Arthritis
It’s important to take your dog to the vet every year for a check-up. If you notice any signs of health problems, it’s crucial to seek veterinary care promptly. This way, you can catch any issues early and ensure your furry friend gets the best treatment possible.
Care
Taking care of your Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix requires having plenty of space and room for them to exercise. They need about two hours of exercise every day to be happy. They’re happiest when they have things to do. Spend a lot of time training them to prevent any bad behaviors and keep them happy.
Brush your Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix a few times a week to keep their coat from getting tangled and to remove loose fur, which helps with shedding. They don’t need baths often, only when they’re dirty. But you might need to trim their fur and give them a bath once or twice a year to keep them looking neat and tidy.
Give your Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix a healthy diet of dry dog food and some treats for extra nutrition. How much you feed them depends on the type of food and how big they are.
Make sure they have toys to play with when you’re not around and try not to leave them alone for more than 8 hours at a time. They might get anxious or start being naughty if they’re bored.
Australian Shepherd Mix Dog Breed Aggression
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes usually aren’t aggressive, but they can be stubborn and assertive. Sometimes, when they’re trying to show they’re in charge or want something from their owner, they might bark, nip, or nudge.
This behavior might seem like aggression, but it usually isn’t. These dogs typically don’t attack or show other aggressive behaviors, but they might have a strong instinct to chase animals, which needs to be trained.
Is the Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix Loving?
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix is very loving and loyal. They become very attached to their families and love being outside with them, whether it’s playing, working, or learning new things. These dogs also tend to be protective of their families and like staying close to them.
Dog Breed Friendly with Children
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes can be good with kids, but they might try to herd them because they have strong instincts to do so. Each dog is different, so some might enjoy playing with kids, while others might prefer doing other activities.
These dogs are usually not aggressive towards kids and can get along with them, even if they’re young. With the right training and enough exercise, they can learn to live well with children.
But, because they have strong herding instincts, they might sometimes nip at children gently to guide them in the right direction.
Dog Breed Friendly With Other Pets
Whether your Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix gets along with other animals depends on their personality. Border Collies can be a bit assertive with other dogs, which might seem like they’re being aggressive. Australian Shepherds, on the other hand, usually get along well with other animals.
Your Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix might be a bit pushy when meeting new animals, or they might make friends easily. It’s important to watch how they interact with other animals closely.
Giving them lots of training and chances to socialize when they’re young can help them get along better with other animals.
Are Border Collie Known for Excessive Barking?
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes are usually quiet. They only bark when they’re really excited or when they’re working or herding. They don’t spend their time barking at everything they see outside, and they don’t bark just because they like the sound of it.
Australian Shepherd Intelligence
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix is known for being very smart. Both of its parent breeds are also very intelligent. This mix learns new things fast, follows commands easily, and can solve problems well.
But sometimes, they might try to be clever and could start causing trouble if they don’t get enough mental and physical activity. That’s why it’s important to train them and keep them busy.
Australian Shepherd Mix Dog Breed Training
Australian shepherd border collie mixes are usually easy to train because they’re really smart, they want to make you happy, and they enjoy staying busy.
They like trying new things and learning. Training them regularly can help keep them happy and stop them from doing things that might be bad because they’re bored or not getting enough exercise.
Australian Shepherd Mix Dog Breed Energy Level
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes are full of energy and can keep going for a long time. They’ll be fine going on hikes, playing outside all day, or working with you. They need a lot of exercise every day to stay healthy.
At least two hours of exercise, along with some training and playtime with toys, is enough to tire them out and keep them in good shape.
Suitability of Australian Shepherd Mixes for Apartment Living
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes are not ideal for living in apartments. They need a lot of room to move around and stay active, which apartments usually don’t provide. It’s better for them to live in a big house with a big yard where they can run and play outside.
Australian Shepherd Mixes as Watchdogs
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes are good at watching out for things, making them good watchdogs. They’re smart, loyal, and protective. If they see something they think is strange, they’ll bark to let you know.
They’ll quickly tell you if something seems wrong outside or inside your house. At first, they might not trust your friends and family until they get to know them better and feel comfortable with them being around.
Australian Shepherd Mixes as Service Dogs
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes might be good service dogs sometimes. They’re really smart and easy to train, which makes them seem like a good fit. But they might not always be the ideal option.
They’re very loyal to their owners and can be too protective in public, which could cause issues. Also, they need a lot of exercise and tasks to do every day, which might not work for everyone who needs a service dog.
Whether they’d be a good service dog depends on each individual situation and needs to be looked at carefully.
Finding a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix Breeder
If you’re looking to buy a Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix, you’ll probably need to find a good breeder and sign up for a waitlist to get a puppy. Searching online is the best way to find them.
Because these mixed breed dogs are popular, you might have to wait a bit before you can get one. Make sure to choose a breeder who follows proper breeding practices and cares well for their dogs and puppies.
Always check if the breeder has the necessary certifications and licenses. This helps ensure you’re not supporting puppy mills or unethical breeding practices.
Australian Shepherd Mix for Adoption
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes are rare to find in shelters for adoption because they’re considered a designer breed. However, some local and national organizations focus on rescuing and rehoming these dogs.
You can search online or ask friends who have dogs for information on where to adopt this breed instead of buying from a breeder.
Australian Shepherd Mix Dog Breed Cost
While not the priciest mixed breed, acquiring a Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix puppy can still set you back between $600 and $1,000.
The actual cost may vary based on where you are and the breeder you choose. It’s worth noting that these pups might be more expensive in rural areas, where they’re often sought after for farm work.
Are Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mixes Purebred?
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix is not a purebred; rather, it’s a crossbreed, sometimes known as a ‘designer‘ dog. This means it’s a combination of two different breeds. However, both of its parents are typically purebred.
Showing Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mixes
Border Collie Australian Shepherd mixes cannot participate in official American Kennel Club (AKC) events because they are not purebred and not recognized by the AKC.
However, some organizations specialize in shows for mixed-breed dogs and work on creating standards for certain mixed breeds. You can search for these organizations both nationally and locally to find places where you can show your Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix.