Border Collie Golden Retriever Mix (2024)

3 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a Border Collie Golden Retriever Mix

Raising a Border Collie crossed with Golden Retriever may have several disadvantages to the owner.

• They shouldn’t be alone for a long time.
• They shed so much.
• Their intelligence can become annoying.

If your work requires you to be outside of your home for more than eight hours, think again if you will be able to raise the said mix. A Golden Retriever Border Collie mix can have separation anxiety once they are left alone for an extended period. Before adopting, make sure that there will be someone who can supervise the dog because their mental health can be your problem too.

This mix, also known as Golden Collie, tends to shed their coats frequently. They got this trait from both parents, especially the Golden Retriever. Consequently, they need extensive grooming to maintain their high-quality furs. If you are prone to allergies, you should not adopt the said mix because their coats can irritate you easily. The amount of shedding can leave furs on your clothes, and it can get difficult to remove them.

A Golden Collie is an intelligent dog. Both the Border Collie and the Golden Retriever are highly intellectual dogs. However, if they are not properly trained, their intelligence can be a burden. They will continuously seek for activities that will enhance their mental performance. Before adopting this breed, make sure that you can dedicate your time training it. If you don’t want it to become a nuisance at your home, you must give them the mental exercises. You can also hire trainers if you consider getting one.

Corgi Golden Retriever Mix puppies can have a bossy streak and big-dog ego, which they could inherit from the Corgi breed. This trait will imply that you need to be extra wary when they play with kids younger than eight years old.

Golden Retriever crossed with Corgi puppies have a moderate to high exercise needs. They will require an above average physical and mental stimulation. For people with a hectic schedule, their moderate to high exercise needs may be inconvenient.

Note sure the Border Collie Retriever is the perfect pup for you? Check out our full list of 30+ Golden Retriever mix breeds types.

Want to do a lot of research? Here are the Internets most in-depth puppy reviews on Golden Retriever mixes:

1. Labrador + Golden Retriever Cross Breed
2. Husky + Golden Retriever Cross Breed
3. Bernese Mountain Dog + Golden Retriever Cross Breed
4. Pitbull + Golden Retriever Cross Breed
5. Corgi Golden Retriever Cross Breed
6. German Shepherd + Golden Retriever Cross Breed
7. Rottweiler Golden + Retriever Cross Breed
8. Great Pyrenees + Golden Retriever Cross Breed
9. Dachshund + Golden Retriever Cross Breed
10. Australian Shepherd + Golden Retriever Cross Breed

3 Reasons Why You Should Get a Golden Retriever Mixed with a Border Collie

Aside from the cons, adopting a Golden Retriever mixed with a Border Collie also has pros. Consider some of the following advantages:

• They are highly intelligent.
• They are excellent family pets.
• They can be your exercise buddy.

Although their intelligence can be listed among the disadvantages, their intellects are one of the main reasons why they are adorable. They can be trained easily. They are known to perform several tricks. Moreover, when you teach them the place where they should pee and defecate, they will automatically remember that. Their good memory serves as their charm.

Next, if you’re planning to add a new member to your family, a mix of Golden Retriever and Border Collie can be a good addition. If you have children at home, they can radiate the same energy as the children; therefore, your dog and your children can be playmate buddies. They can socialize easily with the members of your family. Surely, you will not have a hard time introducing this dog to your family because they are adapted to living inside the house. Your visitors can also play along with them.

Lastly, if you want an exercise buddy, they are the perfect match. You can do your exercise session simultaneously with theirs. They are known to have high stamina and agility. You and your dog can motivate each other through your exercise sessions. They are willing to run or jog with you. Also, a simple walk in the park or nearby your neighborhood can be a good exercise session together with your dog.

Appearance, Personality, and Traits of a Border Collie Mixed with Golden Retriever

Height and weight of this breed are dependent on their parents’ genetics and environmental factors such as food. A Border Collie mixed with a Golden Retriever can have variations in their weight ranging from 45-75 pounds. An adult of this breed can grow from 21 inches to 24 inches.

Because of crossbreeding, their coats resulted in variations of types and colors. The most common type coat in this breed is the straight one. Their coat types can be dense and rough or soft and shaggy also. As for the color, tan and yellow or white and black are dominant in most of these puppies. There can also be several colors such as red and gold in some.

Due to the genes of both parents, this mix also sheds its coats frequently. Even if the seasons are not changing, they will shed continually. Shedding can be reduced if proper grooming technique is applied.

For a first-time dog owner, Border Collie crossed with Golden Retriever can also be called as Golden Border Retriever is the perfect choice for you. They are very affectionate. You can get along easily with them. The bond you can form with this breed can last as long as both of you are living. They are also intelligent and playful.

Golden Retriever Crossed with Border Collie Puppies for Sale

A Golden Retriever crossed with Border Collie mother can deliver an average of 1-4 litters. Because they are medium-sized, they can only hold a few puppies in their wombs. Once the puppies are ready for adoption, they should be free from diseases as screened by a veterinarian. You need to make sure that the breeder has high credibility, so you can verify if the money you will be shelling out is worth the puppy’s price.

There are several characteristics considered in pricing a puppy. The price is dependent on the quality of the coat most of the times. Different genders also have different rates. A female puppy is usually more expensive than a male one because females can give birth. A female dog can be used for breeding in the future. A Golden Border Retriever puppy has an average cost of $750 to $1500. They are popular among crossbreeds.

One more thing you should ask the breeder is the health history of the puppies. Upon their birth, they should be screened so you can know if they are free from certain diseases. Some crossbreeds are prone to disorders. Moreover, the puppies should receive the initial vaccines needed by a dog; the rabies vaccine can be included. To reduce the risks of diseases, proper vaccines should be given to the puppies before releasing for adoption.

Below is a list where you can find credible breeders of Border Collie crossed with Golden Retriever puppies.

1. Greenfield Puppies
2. PuppyFinder
3. Golden Retriever Mix
4. McGregor Goldens

Grooming Your Golden Retriever Border Collie Mix Dogs

Regarding the grooming of this mix, extensive processes are required. Since they are known to shed frequently, they can cause allergies and other irritations. The basic grooming processes needed are:

1. Brushing their furs weekly with a solid bristle brush to prevent them from shedding their coats too much;
2. Cleaning their ears weekly to prevent ear infections;
3. Bathing of one to two times a month; and
4. Having their nails trimmed once they get too long.

For first time owners who do not have experience with grooming dogs, this can be difficult because this breed requires high-maintenance grooming. You should see a veterinarian first to ask the grooming practices necessary for your dog. You need to follow the practices always.

Excessive shedding is possible, so bath should be given at most twice a month. Their skins can also dry out if bathing is done irregularly. When bathing your dog, use a shampoo specialized for their furs to keep the quality.

This mix is also prone to ear infections. Prevention is better than cure, so every week cleaning of the ear should be done. Their ears are one of the essential parts of their body. They cannot carry out their daily activities if their ears are in bad condition.

Also, you must also trim their nails if they got too long to avoid future injuries from scratches. There are times that they even scratch their skins, so you must always monitor their nails.

Golden Border Retriever Health Problems

If the parents of the mixes have disorders, the chances are high that the offspring can inherit the disorder. However, there are cases in which the puppies are healthy even if one of the parents is diagnosed with a disease. It is better to check the pedigree of the crossbreed to verify if it is free from a severe illness. In biology, there is an incident known as hybrid vigor; it means that the offspring is better than its parents in several aspects such as physical characteristics and health.

When you adopt a Golden Retriever Border Collie crossbreed, these are the following disorders that can attack your puppy:

1. Skin Allergies
2. Bloating
3. Heart Diseases
4. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Because this breed shed too much, they are vulnerable to skin allergies. Once grooming is not taken care of, allergies can follow. Aside from the allergies that the shedding will bring you, your dog can also be affected by excessive removals of coats.

Even though they are medium-sized dogs, bloating is also common to them. When the food matrix is not followed correctly, obesity can happen; it is a prerequisite to severe disorders. The excess weight of your dog can result in heart problems.

As mentioned, this breed is highly intelligent, one of the mental diseases that this breed can develop is the Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which can be similar to humans. It will be a nuisance not just for your dog, but to you also.

If they have their check-ups regularly, most of these mixes live up to 15 years. Make sure to prioritize their health.

Border Collie Mixed with Golden Retriever Food Requirements

Researches have proven that the amount of food intake in an individual dog is varying. The nutritional requirement of each dog is dependent on factors like weight, height, and the activities done by your dog. In the case of Border Collie mixed with Golden Retriever puppies, there is also no suggested food servings.

For this breed, table foods or the foods consumed by humans cannot be fed to them. They are sensitive regarding the food they are eating. The dog food that you must give to the puppies should contain the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals for their growth. Puppies can be fed thrice in a day.

As they grow, their needs for food is decreasing. To prevent obesity in dogs, a meal given twice in a day is recommended. Adults’ diet must include the number of proteins needed by the dog to perform its daily activities. Make a schedule on when to feed them so that they will be used to it; make sure to follow it regularly.

In feeding your dogs, make sure to check the suggested amount of servings in the pack of the dog food that you bought. Monitoring the feeding habit of your dogs is essential. Their optimum performance will be achieved if they are given the right amount of food.

There are also diets designed for highly skilled dogs. You should consult a veterinarian if you are planning a diet for your dog. Sometimes, the diet that you will make is not meant for your dog’s hobbies. Make sure to match their food matrix with their activities.

If you want to give your pooch a happy and healthy life, start with nutrition. Avoid food that could be harmful to their health, such as the worst dry dog food. Search for the best dry dog food, for example, Wellness Core Dog Food, Dog For Dog Food, or Nutra Thrive dog food supplement. In case you brought a puppy to your home and the little munchkin is just getting used to regular food, take a look at the list of the best puppy food brands. Older dogs should also eat healthy food which is suggested in the best senior dry dog list.

Your puppies come from two different parents, which makes them more likely to grow to love dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Don’t make any drastic changes in their diet without consulting the vet first!

Border Collie Crossed with a Golden Retriever Dog Exercise Requirements

From puppies to adults, Border Collie crossed with a Golden Retriever are highly energized. They require long hours of exercise. An average of 90 minutes a day is recommended. The hours needed for their exercise is comparably longer to the number of minutes required by some breeds. The reason for this is their highly active lifestyle. Without exercise, the level of their energy can be difficult to match.

Even if you are not supervising them, they can exercise on their own. Allocate a place in your home where they can play around. They will eventually stop exercising once they get tired because these dogs know their limits.

If you have a backyard at your home, it is the perfect spot for your dog to exercise. Let it run around your yard. With that simple activity, risks of developing serious heart conditions can be reduced. Besides, extra calories can also be burned; therefore, they can be less prone to obesity.

I’m sure you also need to burn those extra calories. As discussed, Golden Collie can make a great exercise companion. You can have them join you in your exercise routines such as:

• Jogging
• Walking
• Running
• Hiking
• Playing frisbee

Together with your dog, you can both build up your stamina and agility. This breed has a high level of agility typically, and it can be enhanced further. With the right amount of exercise, you and your dog can have a healthy lifestyle. Also, intense exercises can be given to them because they can easily follow the exercise routines.

Golden Retriever Border Collie Crossbreed Training

Since both parent breeds are highly intelligent, the hybrid is also smart; in most cases, crossbreeds have higher intellectual capacity than their parents. To further stimulate their mental capacity, proper training is required.

Train them to become good house pets. Once they are trained, they will know your routines inside the house. Have them become familiarize with their own ‘restroom’ so that they will know the right places to release their wastes. Being a good house pet that they are, you can let them inside your house without destroying your stuff.

If you don’t have enough time to do an exercise session, you can always give them work to do. Because they are obedient, they will do the job you asked them to. Of course, you should know what jobs they should do. You can let them open the door for you. But they will not wash the dishes for you because that sounds extreme for them.

You should not force them in their training, take it slowly. For example, you can begin their training by teaching them how to fetch a ball. When they mastered the first trick, teach them another. Make sure to give them rewards or treats after a session.

Because of their high intelligence, they can be trained easily. However, you should not set your expectations high for them because they are subjected to failure at most times. With their quick wits, they can become stubborn. Do not let their intellects become a nuisance for you. Establish a connection that you are their master and not them.

Border Collie Golden Retriever Crossbreed and Families

This breed can develop strong relationships with families, especially with children. With their charismatic temperament, they are very lovable. Aside from being a pet, they can also be your child’s best friend. They are a very playful breed. However, during your dog and your child’s playtime, you should watch over your child. Do not let your child be alone with dogs. Your child might do activities that can irritate the dog, and the dog can release its aggressiveness on your child.

The Golden Collie dogs develop a strong affection to its human family. They can be very clingy, and they are considered one of the most loyal breeds. The bonding you can form is steady. Even though they are good with people, they are aware if someone is a stranger. This mix will alert you if there is a stranger that is a bother to it.

Since they are clingy, they can require a whole lot of attention from you. You can leave them in your house for no more than eight hours. They can get depressed easily once they are separated from their owners for a long time. They can become aggressive if they are always left alone. Make sure that there is someone who can monitor them most of the time. Or you can also talk to them and assure them that you will be out for work and you will be back. Communicate with them, they can understand you.

If you’re asking if Golden Border Retriever puppies are an excellent choice to add to your family, I would say yes. Aside from their physical appearance which is very charming, their temperaments are also one of the primary reasons why you should get them.

Best Dog Food for Collie Golden Retriever Mix

Fuel the health and happiness of your Collie Golden Retriever Mix with the finest nutrition options available. These carefully chosen dog foods cater to the unique dietary needs of your beloved pet, promoting overall well-being, energy, and a lustrous coat. Elevate mealtime for your furry companion with our top recommendations for the Best Dog Food for Collie Golden Retriever Mix.

References:

1. Holly, Vanessa L., et al. “Golden Retriever Cystic Uveal Disease: a Longitudinal Study of Iridociliary Cysts, Pigmentary Uveitis, and Pigmentary/Cystic Glaucoma over a Decade in Western Canada.” Veterinary Ophthalmology, vol. 19, no. 3, 29 June 2015, pp. 237–244., doi:10.1111/vop.12293.
2. Taylor, Susan, et al. “Border Collie Collapse: Owner Survey Results and Veterinary Description of Videotaped Episodes.” Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, vol. 52, no. 6, 29 Sept. 2016, pp. 364–370., doi:10.5326/jaaha-ms-6436.
3. Bauer, Nona Kilgore. Golden Retrievers for Dummies. Hungry Minds, 2000
4. Gregory, Judith. The Border Collie: Your Essential Guide from Puppy to Senior Dog. Pet Book Publishing Company, Limited, 2014.
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Collie