First-time dog owners would find it rewarding to start with a mixed breed such as the Border Collie Pitbull mix. Other terms for this dog is Borderbull or Border Pit. There are several ways that you can own such a breed like buying one from a known breeder, adoption, and so forth.
On the other hand, don’t be quick to make decisions. It’s understandable that you want to bring one for your family. However, it is imperative that you know what is in store for you with this breed.
Main Characteristics
Get a quick overview of what to expect from deciding to get a Border Collie Pitbull mix.
| Borderbull Mix Breed Overview | |
|---|---|
| Colors | Bicolor, brindle, brown, black and white |
| Height | 15 to 17 inches |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
| Weight | 11kg to 22kg |
What Is Border Collie Pitbull Mix?
Border Collie Pitbull mix is a rather interesting breed. It is a cross between the ever-energetic Border Collie and the tough American Pitbull Terrier. Their offspring creates a very energetic pup. Though owners might find their ownership challenging if these dogs are not exercised.
With the positive traits of Border Collie and Pitbull as well as their wonderful characteristics, it is exciting to see what their pups would be capable of doing.
History of Borderbull Mix
There is not much information about the Border Collie Pit mix. But their parent breed is a different story. Border Collie and Pitbull both originated in England.
The Border Collie’s history can be traced back to the first century when the Romans invaded England and brought their big sheepdogs.
Cruelty to Animals Act was enacted by the British Parliament in 1835. This act prohibits the baiting of animals like bear and bull. By the time it was outlawed, people turned to “ratting”. This pitted canines against rats. They were timed to see which dog can kill the rats the fastest. Thus, the name “Pit” in “Pitbull” comes from ratting since the rats were put in a pit so they couldn’t escape.
Majority of pit bull-type canines are descendants of Terrier and British Bull. The word “Pit Bull” actually refers to a type of dog than a breed. It first originated in British Isle in 19th century when bull baiting was considered as a sport. Eventually, Pitbull was developed for hunting. Their purpose is specifically focused on restraining and capturing semi-feral livestock.
Is it Good To Breed Border Collie And Pitbull?
Border Collie Pit mixes get a great deal of physical prowess and mental acuity from their parents. These dogs are packed with lots of energy. Having said that, it is not generally recommended to keep them in cities. If you’re living in an apartment, that may not be a good idea either. These dogs would need adequate space for them to run and play around.
Appearance of Border Collie Pit Mix
Border Collie Pits are hybrid dogs. Since they’re a hybrid, it is natural that they’ve inherited traits from their parents. Because of this, one dog’s appearance could be different from the other.
For example, yours could be a medium-sized dog with a muscular and sturdy build that is coupled with a slightly wavy coat. Then again, another owner who might have the same breed as yours may be larger in size and has a sturdy body frame with a sleek, coarse, short coat.
Nevertheless, these dogs came from the same breeds.
Another thing that you should be mindful about your dog’s appearance is their ears. It could either be semi-erect or erected or has a rose shape. Eyes could be round or oval and might have Heterochromia. Meaning to say, their eyes have different colors. It is very likely that your pet possesses a strong muzzle with a slight overbite or scissor bite.
Size of Border Collie Pit Mix
Generally, Border Collies stand tall at 21 to 24 inches. They weigh somewhere around 32 to 47 pounds. Pitbull is close to Border Collies where they stand at 18 to 23 inches. When it comes to the weight department though, they’re a bit heavier at 36 to 66 pounds.
Since both the Border Collie and Pitbull are relatively of the same height, it is expected for a Border Collie Pitbull mix to be around 20 to 24 inches. As for its weight, it will be greatly affected by the more dominant gene. If it’s the Border Collie, it could weigh from 31 to 46 pounds. If it has taken the Pitbull’s gene, then it could weigh all the way up to 66 pounds.
Coats and Colors
Border Collie Pitbull mixes could sport various colors. Some of the most common are:
- Gray
- Gold
- Red
- Blue
- Fawn
- Black
- Merle
- White
- Brindle
- Red merle
Depending on the parents, this mix can have sable, tricolor, and bicolor coats. Speaking of coats, some of these breeds have a short coat, which is the more dominant feature of the Pitbull. If it has a wavy, long coat, then it is probably from its Border Collie parent.
With the combination of two parent breeds, their pup might have stiff and short, or wavy and smooth. Once again, this largely depends on which gene between the two is more dominant. But in most cases, Border Pit pups have coats that are medium in length and are taken after their Border Collie parent. That’s why most usually have a double coat that is weather-resistant and dense.
Personality & Temperament of Pitbull Border Collie Mix
Border Collie Pit may have the character of either or both parent breeds. Having said that, your dog could show personalities of alertness, active, high intelligence, loyalty, responsiveness, protective, affectionate, cheerful, sociable, and friendliness. However, be aware as well that this could make them have a moderate barking attitude.
Is Border Pit Good Guard Dog?
Because of their Pitbull heritage, Border Collie Pits often have a strong instinct to protect humans. Back then, the purpose of these dogs was intended for protection. Because of this training, it has carried over up to this day.
Several owners are shushing their dogs to stand down or stop barking. While this show who’s the pack leader, you can actually turn this around. Why not use this to your advantage and train them to be an effective guard dog? After all, this is what they are used to do back in the day. This way, you don’t just be able to control them, but also, you can count on them in terms of protecting you and the household.
Is Border Collie Pit Mix Dangerous?
The only time when a Border Collie Pitbull mix can be a dangerous breed is when they’re not raised well. At the end of the day, remember that Pitbull were mostly bred to be in the pit. This is the reason why it is strongly encouraged to train and socialize them at an early age. This has been an effective and proven way to prevent aggressive behavior.
Are Border Collie Pitbull Mixes Good Family Pets?
Border Collie Pitbull mixes are fantastic family dogs for the right household. You must shower them with exercise, love, and attention. This is a must if you wish to have one. If you can commit energy and time to take care of them properly, then this dog will be a nice addition.
Keep in mind that these dogs need a bunch of training and exercise. While it can be a commitment you have to take, it’s worthy of your time. It serves as a nice opportunity for you two to bond.
Are Borderbulls Good With Kids?
Border Collies and Pitbulls enjoy receiving love and affection. Especially, the ones coming from kids. But to make this happen, you need to train them to become socialized. If this happens, your children and your dog will create a strong connection and benefit from each other.
Are Borderbulls Good With Cats And Other Animals?
Border Pit can make wonderful house pets. And while they are truly charismatic, still take the time to introduce them to other pets in your home. In general, puppies are a lot easier to adjust to a new environment than other dogs. But the best part of getting puppies, they can be trained as to what kind of behavior you want them to have.
Are They Good With Other Dogs
In reality, both parents have less tolerance for other dogs. Sadly though, Pitbull have a terrifying fighting background that should be tamed. Such history could give them aggressive behavior towards other dogs, most especially of same-sex. Primarily, to show who the alpha is.
Don’t fret as there’s a quick fix to this. Border Collie Pitbull mix can still get along with other dogs so long as their given strong socialization training.
Training & Exercise of Pit Border Collie Mix
Border Collie Pits would go above and beyond to make their owners proud. This is something you must take advantage of. Start training early on and use that abundant energy they have.
One training that you can begin with is obedience. These dogs love being given commands and instructions. They are trainable. They’re also receptive to learning new tricks. Though, to make the training effective and worthwhile, see to it that you give them treats every time they show good behavior.
These dogs are extremely active. You want to allocate at least an hour of exercising them. It is highly recommended to take them to the park or do any outdoor activities together. If this seems impossible with your hectic schedule, letting them play in your yard can do the trick. Just make sure that it’s a big one, so they have room to move around. Through this, you can play catch, tug of war or any form of interaction to exhaust the energy they have.
These dogs could show “unwanted behavior” if you fail to give them an avenue to use their energy. For instance, some resort to chewing stuff in the house or even barking nonstop. It will be nice to have a very durable dog toy that can stand abuse from your dog.
If you are living in an apartment, having such a dog is still okay. This is assuming that you can commit the time to take them out and use their energy. Otherwise, you’d be better without a dog.
Taking Care of Border Collie Pitbull Mix
Parents of Border Collie Pit mix are both energetic breeds and love affection. So one of the things to ensure they are taken care of properly is by exercising them and giving them praise and rewards.
In honor of their Pitbull gene DNA, it is nice to give them their own blanket and bed. Not to mention, toys like food puzzles, chew toys, balls, rope toys, and stuffed animals.
Maintenance
To understand better the maintenance requirements for a Border Collie Pitbull mix, it is smart to talk about each parent’s maintenance.
Border Collie
Many would say that Border Collies are high-maintenance dogs. Still, this is debatable, depending on whom you talk to. Though, their maintenance is not generally about grooming. These dogs love being out and about and appearance is the last thing they need.
Rather, their high maintenance due to the work ethic they have, which is incomparable to other dogs. As we’ve been telling time and time again, they need an outlet for their energy. It’s among the several requirements that any aspiring owners have to take into account before getting one.
Pitbull
Pitbull is almost the same as Border Collie. They crave attention and are extremely friendly. Despite these attitudes, they show great protection towards their owners. If you are still stuck with the notion that a Pitbull is a tough dog and least need love and attention, it’s time to change it.
That’s why some Pitbull owners say that such dog is high-maintenance. If you can’t give them the love and attention they seek, there’s a possibility that their tough and fierce reputation may show up.
Borderpit
With this information, we can say that a Border Collie Pitbull mix is high maintenance especially with how to raise and take care of these dogs. Fortunately, grooming these dogs is fairly easy. You can do it on your own or have a professional do it for you.
Activity Requirements
Border Collies like to be involved in virtually anything. They feel more valued and loved if given a certain task. Don’t just expect them to sit around and do nothing. These dogs do the complete opposite.
Without an outlet for their energy, they could become a nuisance not just in your home, but to your neighbors as well. There’s also a tendency that they’d show destructive behaviors. Prevent this from ever happening by engaging them in activities like catch, fetch and recall, introducing jumps, agility, swimming, and so forth.
Pitbull on the other hand are a remarkable breed in their own right. They love showing off their agility skills, and love participating in dog sports. Much like Border Collies, these dogs love swimming, running, and catch.
With your Borador’s activity requirements, it’s safe to say that they can take on virtually any activity you throw at them. You can do fetch, recall and catch or even agility as part of their training or to use their energy. Swimming is also a great option as they’re never afraid of the water. In addition, it’s also a full body exercise that is perfect for your dog.
Health, Diet & Nutrition of Pitbull Border Mix
When it comes to your dog’s diet, it always boils down to proper nutrition and balanced meals. Thus, it doesn’t really matter whether you have a Border Collie Pitbull mix, a purebred Border Collie, Pitbull, and whatnot. The key to a healthy and happy dog is by feeding them a balanced meal.
The simplest way to ensure that canine gets the essential nutrients it needs is by giving them kibble. To get the best kibble, go with one that’s made by top brands. Top-quality kibble is not just made of grain and animal protein. It adds a healthy amount of plant-based nutrients too. Also, remember that you can add vegetables and fruits to make them healthier and more nutritious.
Now, when you are introducing new food to your dog, avoid making sudden changes. Rather, do it gradually and monitor their mood and energy. If you’re afraid that it could result to adverse reactions in your dog, seek your vet’s assistance.
Lifespan of Border Pitbull Mix
Generally speaking, Border Collie and Pitbull are healthy dog breeds. So, it is expected that their offspring will naturally inherit it. Normally though, a Border Pit mix can leave for up to 12 to 13 years. Of course, this is assuming that their needs are catered to. In fact, they could live longer if they’re with a responsible owner. Otherwise, they could live less than what is expected.
Possible Health Issues
As of now, there are no definite health issues or problems that a Border Collie Pitbull mix has. However, we could have an idea of what health condition or illness they could have through their parents.
For example, a Border Collie is prone to certain health conditions similar to Collie Eye Anomaly or CEA, Progressive Retinal Atrophy or PRA, epilepsy, Osteochondritis Dissecans or OCD and elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia.
Whereas for Pitbull, they tend to suffer from a number of bone diseases too. Some of these include but not limited to:
- Kneecap Dislocation
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Hip Dysplasia
Other potential health problems are thyroid as well as congenital heart defects.
Grooming of Border Collie Pitbull Mix
It is natural among dogs to shed. Thing is, this breed could occasionally be a heavy shedder in certain seasons. These dogs are double-coated. Expect them to blow their coat at least 2x per year. For aspiring owners, make sure to prepare your gear to de-shed and groom your dog on a regular basis.
Because of their Pitbull parent, they might also have sensitive skin. In such a case, make sure to bathe them using shampoos that are specifically formulated for dogs with sensitive skins.
Do They Shed A lot?
Earlier, we said that Border Collie Pit is a heavy shedder at least twice per year. This could likely happen during fall and spring. And what seems to be a simple shedding at this time of year could go from bad to worse real quick.
Some even say that this is like a full-time job to keep up with their dog’s shedding. If you are having a hard time or perhaps, pretty busy with other stuff, you can always bring them to professional groomers.
Male vs Female Pitbull Border Collie Mix
There’s no significant difference between a male and a female Border Collie Pitbull mix. Oftentimes, males are bigger. As stated, this is a medium-sized breed. They are averaging at 12kg to 27kg or 26 to 60 pounds for males. Its female counterpart is typically a few inches smaller.
On the other hand, a full-grown Pitbull Border Collie mix could reach a height of 21 to 25 inches and weigh in at 14kg to 62kg. You can expect to see their full maturity from a year or two of ownership.
Puppies of Border Collie Pit Mix
Border Collie Pitbull mix may show traits of either parents or both. Well, this would actually depend on the more dominant gene of the parent.
Their coat color will depend as well on their parent’s breed color. Like for example, Border Collies generally have a coat combination of black and white. Then again, Pitbull has coats of anywhere from brown, black, white, fawn, tan, blue, or brindle. So, depending on the parents, they can have a combination of these colors.
Cost of Getting Border Collie Pitbull Puppy Mix
The cost of buying a Border Collie Pitbull mix is roughly $750. However, the price can be more expensive if parents have the necessary documentation. If this figure is out of your budget, you always have the option to adopt. With this, the cost can be significantly less ranging from just $200 to $500.
Where To Get Pitbull Border Collie Mix Puppy?
There are several sources where you can get a Border Collie Pitbull mix. Two of the prominent choices are through breeders and rescues and shelters. Each has pros and cons of course. But depending on your needs and requirements, you may find one more fitting for your needs.
Breeders
Indeed, it’s a big responsibility to get a puppy. It’s something that should not be done in a rush. When in search for a dog, you should have looked at all angles. Once it’s all considered, that’s when you can start searching for breeders. When doing research, there are certain questions that you must ask them like:
- Can you meet the pup’s parents?
- Are the vaccines updated for the puppies?
- How are the puppies socialized?
- What are the requirements you look for from interested clients?
- How long they’ve been breeding?
- Are health tests done on the parents?
Depending on their answers, it’ll give you an idea of whether they’re the right choice or if should you keep on looking.
Rescues & Shelters
After making a deliberate decision, you come to the conclusion that you’d be getting one from rescues and shelters. But how you should carry on with the process?
First and foremost, you must know that not all shelters are listed online. Having said that, it is essential to look at your local rescues and shelters website for a more thorough list. It is smart to visit them in person. Sometimes, this is the only thing you need to decide whether they can cater to your needs or not. Assuming you found one, you can ask them questions like how many homes the dog had, what’s the personality of the dog and health status, whether is it potty trained, and where the dog came from.
Asking these questions will help you if you should adopt a dog with them or if you should keep on looking.
Conclusion: Should You Get Border Collie Pitbull Mix?
Getting a Border Collie Pitbull mix is not about being a dog lover or a big fan of the breed. It’s more about having the commitment and responsibility to properly take care of this dog. The individual DNA of its parents requires special care and attention from its new owner.
For instance, with its Border Collie parent, it is a must to allocate a certain time of your day to exercise or play with your dog. It doesn’t matter whether you do it indoors or outdoors. Just do anything to use its overflowing energy. Otherwise, it could resort to destructive behavior.
As for its Pitbull parent, it has a reputation for being a strong breed and is used in fighting pits. You don’t want yours to carry on with this behavior. Thus, early socialization and training are required to keep them as loving and friendly dog as they are.
While these breeds have their differences, there’s one thing they have in common. It’s the fact that they love to please their leader. By leader, this means you, their owner. Thus, use this to your advantage to do obedience training with your Border Collie Pitbull mix.
