Bordoodle 101: 8 Essential Facts Every Potential Owner Should Know

Have you heard of the Bordoodle? The Bordoodle combines two of the most intelligent and trainable dog breeds into one friendly and lively hybrid companion. This Border Collie Poodle mix brings together the natural herding ability and trainability of the Border Collie with the cheerful playfulness and low-shedding coat of the Poodle.

Also known as the Borderdoodle or Borderpoo, this increasingly popular designer dog makes both a friendly family companion and nimble canine athlete. Below we’ll explore what makes the Bordoodle such a pleasant hybrid dog.

An Overview of Breeding History

As a modern crossbreed, the Bordoodle is not formally recognized by major kennel clubs. However, their reputation as smart, friendly hybrids has fueled demand, especially among those looking for a lower-shedding family dog.

They first emerged in the 1990s or early 2000s, likely created by breeders attracted by the complementary traits of each purebred parent:

Border Collie – Energetic, intelligent, and obedient herding dog prized for trainability. Border Collies were bred for generations as working sheepdogs known for their athleticism, focus, and bond with their handler.
Poodle – Extremely smart, athletic breed excelling in obedience and non-shedding coat. Poodles have a cheerful, upbeat temperament and are one of the most trainable breeds.

When combined through responsible breeding, the Poodle’s sociable nature helps balance out the intensity of the Border Collie. The result is an approachable, energetic hybrid suitable for many owners seeking both intelligence and family-friendliness.

While they have only been around for a few decades, Bordoodles have fast become a popular choice among designer dogs thanks to their blend of trainability, moderate energy, and affectionate nature.

Temperament and Behavior

Most Bordoodles are highly intelligent, biddable, and trainable like both parent breeds. They tend to be moderately energetic and thrive when exercised daily. Affectionate and playful, they form close bonds with all family members.

From the Border Collie comes their trainability, focus, attentiveness, and herding instinct. Poodles lend their easygoing disposition and sense of humor. This is an observant hybrid that stays devoted to their people while politely reserved around strangers at first.

Proper socialization and training starting at a young age lays the foundation for good behavior expected of this bright crossbreed. When provided with adequate activity, the Bordoodle makes a cheerful, upbeat companion and family dog.

Bordoodles are eager to please and take well to reward-based training methods. They inherit some degree of natural herding abilities from their Collie parent. But they are not as intense as a purebred working Border Collie.

Thanks to their Poodle ancestry, Bordoodles tend to have more of an “off-switch” compared to Border Collies. Once their daily exercise needs are met, they are happy to relax inside. But they still require regular activity and training to prevent boredom-related behaviors.

Overall the Bordoodle temperament blends the best traits of both parent breeds – intelligence, trainability, loyalty, and affection. Their moderate energy makes them great adaptable family companions.

Appearance

As a crossbreed, Bordoodles can vary significantly in appearance with some dogs leaning more toward their Collie or Poodle parent in looks. Most tend to be moderate in size, averaging 30-60 lbs as adults, depending on whether a standard or miniature Poodle was used for breeding.

Their soft, dense coat can be curly like a Poodle or smoother and wavy like a Border Collie. Common coat colors include black, merle, brown, white, and tan. Ears usually hang down.

Overall Bordoodles have athletic yet cuddly builds that blend both parent breeds. Their moderately sized stature adapts well to any living situation. No two Bordoodles look exactly alike – there can be great variety even within the same litter.

Some breeders aim to produce very small “toy” or “teacup” Bordoodles but these undersized dogs often suffer health issues. Well-bred Bordoodles should fall within the typical size range of 20-60 pounds.

Their expressive eyes and endearing faces reveal the intelligence behind them. Most Bordoodles have a very appealing “soft” look to their gentle facial features. Their athleticism shows in their agile movement.

Ideal Homes for the Bordoodle

With their versatility, Bordoodles adapt well to many different households and lifestyles. Their moderate exercise needs and affectionate nature makes them a great choice for:

Active singles or couples who enjoy activities like hiking, jogging, swimming, and training activities with their dog. Bordoodles make great companions for outdoor adventures.
Families with children – with proper socialization, they get along wonderfully with kids of all ages. Their playfulness and patience suits a household with kids.
Suburban homes or apartments – their exercise needs can be met through daily walks, play sessions, and training. Access to a yard is a bonus but not essential.
Novice dog owners – Bordoodles have more moderate energy levels and intensity compared to Border Collies, making them an approachable first dog breed.
Retirees seeking a friendly mature dog – Bordoodles thrive on companionship and are happy to be a loyal partner in lower-key activities. But they still enjoy staying active.

Bordoodle owners should be prepared to provide 30-60 minutes of daily exercise plus mental stimulation through training and playtime. But extensive high-energy activities like those needed for sporting breeds are not mandatory.

Their blend of hybrid health and amiability makes them widely appealing. For owners able to provide affection, activity, and training consistency, the Bordoodle really can thrive in almost any home.

Exercise Needs of the Bordoodle

While energetic, Bordoodles have lower exercise demands than purebred Border Collies who were bred for intense levels of activity. A Bordoodle is satisfied with 30-60 minutes of moderate activity per day. Their needs make them a highly versatile companion.

Great ways to exercise your Bordoodle include:

Long walks or jogs – Bordoodles love accompanying their owner on local jaunts
Playing games of fetch and frisbee – their athleticism shines through playing ball or disc
Fun dog sports like agility or nosework – they thrive on canine activities that provide mental and physical exercise
Hiking and exploring the outdoors – they have good stamina for more adventurous activities
Interactive treat toys and food puzzles – anything that engages their intelligent mind!
Learning new tricks and commands – training exercises their brain

Providing your Bordoodle with a combination of aerobic activity and mental challenges helps them burn energy in a positive way. A yard is a bonus for playtime but not required – daily leashed walks meet their basic needs.

Compared to Border Collies who can run for hours, Bordoodles are lower maintenance when it comes to required activity. But they should never be considered “couch potatoes” – daily exercise keeps them happiest and best behaved. With the right outlets, the Bordoodle maintains a healthy activity level in even smaller living spaces.

Training Your Bordoodle

This bright hybrid tends to be highly trainable when started young and training is kept fun and engaging. Like both parent breeds, they aim to please and enjoy the mental stimulation of training sessions.

Positive reinforcement techniques work extremely well with Bordoodles. Motivate them with praise, play, and tasty food rewards. Short 5-15 minute sessions a few times daily are most effective at holding their interest.

Helpful training tips include:

Begin socialization and training early – puppy kindergarten helps build good manners
Use reward-based methods to tap into their people-pleasing nature
Practice basic commands consistently using positive reinforcement
Take training “on the road” to new locations to prevent boredom
Teach a “focus” cue to refocus their active mind back to you
End each session on a positive note and avoid overdrilling

The eagerness to bond with their owner makes training an enjoyable process for most Bordoodles. Setting boundaries, teaching commands, and rewarding them for paying attention to you enhances the human-canine bond.

Their high trainability makes picking up cues and tricks very attainable. Channel their intelligence and energy into fun activities and participate in dog sports like agility, nosework and more!

Grooming Needs

As moderate to light shedders, Bordoodles require regular brushing and professional grooming. Their soft, dense coats tend to resemble a Poodle’s wavy or curly coat. Typical grooming needs include:

Daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles – their thick coat must be brushed thoroughly and often.
Monthly bathing and combing out their coat when damp
Professional grooming every 6-8 weeks – haircuts keep their coat neat and prevent matting
Weekly ear cleaning – their floppy ears are prone to buildup and infection
Monthly nail trims – nails should not click on the floor when walking
Occasional partial clipping or shaving if the coat grows too long or hot weather approaches

Bordoodles do require more extensive grooming compared to many low-maintenance short haired breeds. Daily brushing and combing is a must or their fur will become a matted mess. Their cute faces and happy temperament make the effort worth it for most owners.

Owners not wanting to keep up with high maintenance coats can request their groomer give their Bordoodle a simple “puppy clip” trim that cuts their hair short all over for easy care.

Feeding Your Bordoodle

As energetic hybrids, Bordoodles need high-quality dog food formulated for medium-sized active breeds. Feed approximately 1.5-2.5 cups daily, splitting into two meals. Avoid free-feeding to prevent overeating.

Some guidelines when feeding a Bordoodle include:

Select a food formulated for active medium-sized dog breeds
Feed adult Bordoodles twice daily – morning and evening
Portion into a measured amount based on their ideal weight
Monitor weight closely and adjust food as needed
Avoid unhealthy “people food” treats and table scraps
Provide fresh drinking water at all times – hydration is important!

As Bordoodles can have sensitive stomachs, introduce new foods gradually. Their Poodle ancestry makes some dogs prone to food allergies. Stick to a quality diet formulated to provide complete nutrition without fillers. An occasional raw food meal adds variety.

Keeping Bordoodles at a lean, athletic weight is important to avoid excess strain on joints and organs. Don’t allow begging or overtreating. Overall they have simple nutritional needs when fed an excellent diet matched to their activity level.

Health Issues

Crossbreeding allows for increased genetic diversity and hybrid vigor. However, some potential health issues that can occasionally occur in a Bordoodle include:

Hip or elbow dysplasia – Malformation of these joints. Keeping them lean and avoiding over-exercise while young helps prevent.
Eye diseases – Issues like progressive retinal atrophy or cataracts. Reputable breeders screen parent dogs.
Allergies – Both Poodles and Collies can be prone to skin allergies and ear infections. Keep ears cleaned.
Hypothyroidism – This hormonal condition is common in many breeds. It causes lethargy, hair loss, and obesity. It is treatable with medication.
Bloat – This life-threatening condition requires emergency vet care. Feeding smaller meals helps reduce risk.
Cardiac issues – Some inherited heart problems like mitral valve disease must be screened for in breeding dogs.

Reputable breeders perform genetic health screening to reduce the chances of inherited conditions in their puppies. Ask to see proof of health testing.

While certainly no guarantees, health testing of parent dogs greatly reduces the likelihood of major heritable diseases. Combining the Border Collie and Poodle also increases overall hybrid health and resilience.

Focus on high-quality nutrition, regular vet checks, and early health screening to catch any potential issues early. With proper preventative care, Bordoodles have excellent chances of many healthy years as your faithful companion.

Finding a Bordoodle Puppy

Bordoodle puppies are often bred by private hobby breeders specializing in designer dogs. Prices range from $800 to over $2000+ depending on factors like breeder reputation, parent pedigrees, and location.

Because they are a popular hybrid, there are many breeders producing Bordoodle litters. However, finding responsible ones committed to health, genetics, and temperament is crucial:

Screen breeders thoroughly – don’t let red flags like very low pricing or instant availability sway you. Be patient and selective.
Ask to see proof of genetic health testing done on both parent dogs. This should include testing for common issues like hip dysplasia, eye diseases, and cardiac problems.
Inquire about the breeder’s practices related to socialization, deworming, vaccines, and more. Look for breeders investing in proper puppy care.
Meeting both parent dogs provides insight into temperament and conformation. Ensure the Border Collie and Poodle seem physically and mentally fit.
Check references from other families who have purchased puppies from the breeder. A good reputation is important.

Adopting Bordoodles from rescues is another excellent option. Adult and adolescent dogs allow you to know temperament and activity level beforehand. Just ask questions to ensure it will suit your needs and lifestyle.

Either way, connect with ethical breeders or organizations focused on matching families with happy, healthy Bordoodle companions!

(FAQ’s) Frequently Asked Questions About Bordoodles

Are they good with kids and other pets?

Yes! Properly socialized Bordoodles tend to do very well in homes with children and other pets. They bond deeply with all family members. However, all interactions should always be supervised as they have some herding instincts.

How much exercise do they need daily?

Plan on providing 30-60 minutes of activity per day including walks, playtime, and training. This meets their exercise needs without going overboard. They are lower maintenance than Border Collies.

Do they bark a lot?

Some alert barking is expected, but excessive vocalization is uncommon. Ensuring your Bordoodle gets sufficient exercise, training, and quality time prevents demand barking. They are not big barkers but do vocalize when excited.

What is their lifespan?

You can expect a well-bred healthy Bordoodle to live 12-15 years or longer with responsible breeding, regular vet care, proper diet and exercise, and preventatives.

Are They easy to train?

Yes, this intelligent hybrid is highly trainable and eager to please their owner. Early socialization and consistent positive training is key. Their high intellect means they thrive when learning new things.

Do They shed?

Most shed moderately. Their coat is low- to non-shedding but not 100% non-allergenic. Strategic breeding back to Poodle lines further reduces shedding. Regular brushing and professional grooming keeps their coat under control.

Is the Border Collies and Poodle mix the Right Dog For You?

If you love the intelligence and loyalty of Border Collies and Poodles but desire a lower maintenance, family-friendly hybrid, the cheerful Bordoodle may be the ideal match. Their trainability, moderate exercise needs, and affectionate nature makes them shine as companions.

For active owners able to provide consistent training, activity and grooming, it is a wonderfully versatile hybrid. Their blend of intelligence, moderate energy, and devotion when properly cared for results in an outstanding canine family member.

Work with responsible breeders focused on breeding for stellar health, temperament, and conformation. Raise your Bordoodle with proper socialization, training, and preventative healthcare – and this engaging hybrid will return the favor with years of tail wags and outstanding companionship!