Crossbreeds are the new pure-bred or so it seems. With the surge in demand for designer cross breeds such as the Golden Doodle, the Cockapoo, and the Pitsky it is no wonder the Border Collie, with its high ranking trainability and agility skills, has got in on the action too. One popular Border Collie mix is the Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix – more commonly known as the Border Aussie or the Aussie Collie.
Bred from two high-energy, herding dogs this mixed breed isn’t for the faint-hearted but if you are up for the challenge you will end up with the most loyal furry friend you have ever had.
The origins of the Border Aussie
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix is bred from two herding shepherd breeds – the Border Collie and the Australian Shepherd.
The Border Collie is a working dog originally from the Scottish-English border. This explains its name. Border – its geographical place of origin, and Collie – Coming from Scots language origin and considered to come from the Scots word for helpful. They were believed to have been developed from a mixture of herding dogs in the area.
The Border Collie has been the farmers’ dog of choice for hundreds of years. Perfectly adapted to herding farm stock, with its high energy levels and intelligence, and incredible agility skills, this dog has long been the working dog to beat. Even today, centuries later, the Border Collie is still used for their traditional work of working the farm and herding its animals but in recent years it has also become an increasingly popular family pet.
The Australian Shepherd has a much more complicated and vague history. Don’t let the name fool you, these herding dogs are considered an American breed. Australian Shepherds were developed in the nineteenth century on American ranches, where the ranchers were looking for an all-round farming dog who could keep up with the workload of the modern farm.
It’s unsure where Australian Shepherds came from but some people believe they were developed from herding dogs brought over to America by the Basque people of Western Europe. The breed itself went through various names, such as Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, and California Shepherd before the Australian Shepherd moniker became the more common name to use.
The Border Aussie hybrid is a fairly new breed, breeders have been mixing the Border Collie with other herding breeds for many years, and like many other mixed breeds of dog, their history is relatively unknown. What we do know is that the Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix has become increasingly popular with breeders today, who are trying to move towards AKC recognition of the breed.
What does the Border Aussie look like?
The Border Aussie is a medium build dog weighing in anywhere from 30lb to 65lb. The dogs’ size can vary depending on their gender with females generally coming in smaller than their male counterparts.
In terms of who they look like, it is a toss of a coin as to whether your Border Aussie looks more Border Collie or Australian Shepherd. The good news is that both breeds are fairly similar in appearance with the Australian Shepherd being ever so slightly more stocky than the slim, agile Border Collie. Generally, they have strong limbs with a narrow chest making them perfectly built for sprinting.
Most Border Aussies have rough coats especially if they are bred through reputable breeders. Most breeders who are breeding puppies from the two different breeds tend to choose rough-coated Border Collies and Australian Shepherds instead of smooth-coated dogs as the long hair is more desired by potential owners.
Border Aussies eyes are usually almond-shaped but can be oval-shaped and due to the mixing of the breeds, it is a lot more common for Border Aussies to have the eye condition heterochromia, where the eyes are different colors. However, this eye condition does is not a health defect. Heterochromia is also common and normal in Border Collies.
Border Aussie: Coats and Colors
The Border Aussie coat color is one of the biggest draws potential owners have to the Border Aussie. Their color combinations are vast and very beautiful. The Border Collie itself has around 17 different official colors, ranging from the traditional black and white markings to red and blue merle. As for the Australian Shepherd, this breed only has four official colors – Black, Blue Merle, Red, and Red Merle.
Aside from the recognized colors of either breed they can also come in different color mixes, they just aren’t recognized by the AKC as official breed colors. So the Border Collie Australian Shepherd can pick up any of the genetics and end up with a real variety of coat colors.
Even though the coat colors of the Border Aussie are varied and unreliable, their coat texture generally remains the same. Border Aussies have a thick, double-coat with medium-length fur and sometimes have feathering on their tails and legs. Their double coat also means, on top of general, all-year-round shedding, they tend to experience shedding seasons much as the Border Collie does. Having Blow-Outs twice a year where they lose a lot more fur than any other time of the year.
How big does a Border Aussie get?
The Border Collie Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog. Males have an average height of 19 to 23 inches and usually weigh in at 35 to 65 pounds. The females, although coming in smaller than the male Border Aussie, average heights of 18 to 21 inches and weights of 30 to 50 pounds.
Some Border Aussies can come in a little smaller or bigger than the average weights, due to their mixed-breed status, but overall the Border Aussie isn’t a large breed of dog and you can still comfortably share your sofa with one.
The Border Aussie personality
Thanks to their high-energy descendants, Border Aussies are very intelligent, incredibly active, and have a real need to please. They are known to get bored very easily. This can then lead to destructive behavior like chewing and digging, so plenty of exercise and brain-heavy tasks are needed to keep your Border Collie Australian Shepherd occupied and happy.
Much like their parent breeds they are incredibly loyal pets and make a fantastic addition to a family. Border Aussies can take time to warm up to new people. However, if socialized properly during the puppy years reactive behavior shouldn’t be an issue. The Border Aussie is a very affectionate dog so you can expect plenty of kisses and cuddles from this dog – just keep an eye on the jumping. This breed, at times, can jump like it is half kangaroo. The Border Collie-Australian Shepherd mix is not aggressive.
With the correct training, this breed of dog is like no other. As a dog owner, you will consistently be astounded by his ability to learn and at how fast he does that. Being aware of the breeds’ high energy is important. Not only do you as a prospective owner need to know what to expect and what the breed needs. Many Border Aussie first-time owners find the energetic Border Aussie too much and end up surrendering or rehoming their dog.
How to care for your Border Aussie
The Border Aussies are one breed that can have specific care needs, due to their parentage of the Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. Like maintaining his double coat, dealing with the seasonal shedding, applying appropriate training techniques to avoid unwanted and destructive behavior, and the correct nutrition to keep this active breed running into old age.
It sounds like a lot of work but once you have researched or had advice from a reputable trainer, it will seem like a walk in the park.
Feeding a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix
Border Aussies are a high-energy breed. This means that when it comes to what food you decide to feed them, you need to ensure your dogs’ calorific needs are met. Border Aussies tend to need between one and a half to two and a half cups of kibble each day. You can break this up into as many feeds as you like over the day However keeping it to two different meal times works very well.
Border Aussies are also notoriously fast eaters. Just like the Border Collie and the Australian Shepherd. So a reliable tip from many reputable dog trainers is to use a tool like a Kong to slow them down at mealtimes. This also allows them to use their puzzle deciphering skills as they try to get the kibble out of the Kong.
Providing good quality food is very important. High protein food is a necessity to help keep up with their high energy. Good quality food also helps with shedding by keeping their coat as healthy as possible.
It is important to note that these are just guidelines. The amount your dog eats can be different and depends entirely on his energy requirements, age, size, and many other factors.
Exercising a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix
Border Aussies need plenty of exercise. Many owners will take their dogs for two different walks, at least an hour-long, every single day. This breed is an excellent running partner and once trained properly will be the ultimate dog to take on a jog. However, if you are an owner who is home with your dog during the day, these exercise activities can be broken down into shorter spells over the day.
A good variety of exercise is also important. Some popular choices are training exercises, agility lessons, ocean swimming, playing catch with a ball, and working dog exercises. There are so many different types of exercise for your dog. Sometimes it takes trying a few different ones to work out what fits well with your dog.
Border Aussies are eager and always willing to please so any activity you decide you want to try will be easy with a dog that just wants you to be happy with them. It is important to take into consideration this breed’s activity requirements as if you are unable to meet them you could end up with a very unhappy pup who could start displaying some negative behaviors.
Grooming a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix
Due to the Border Collie Australian Shepherds coat, this breed requires a little bit of extra work when it comes to grooming. Regular grooming is a must, we recommend at least once a week of good brushing is usually enough during regular shedding. However, the Border Aussie experiences what is called seasonal shedding where they will blow their coat twice a year. During these seasons, which typically last a few weeks, you will find you may have to brush them once or twice a day to combat the extra hair.
You can also bathe your Border Aussie. Once a month is generally enough as over bathing your dog can give your pooch some really uncomfortable skin conditions from over stripping the natural, protective oils from the hair and skin. Choosing products that have been formulated specifically for dogs will help avoid the itchy or sore skin that they can sometimes get if you use regular soaps or shampoos.
Trimming your dogs’ nails may be something you do have to do. If you can keep your dog active a lot of the time these exercise activities will keep the nails at a nice length avoiding the need to clip them. However, if you find your Border Aussies nails are getting a little too long you can purchase dog nail clippers or even get your vet to do it for you.
Good tools will make grooming your Border Aussies much easier. We recommend The Furminator products when grooming your Border Aussie. We also have a Guide to Minimizing your Border Collies shedding where all the information is suitable for the grooming of a Border Aussie.
Is the Border Collie-Australian Shepherd Mix a Healthy Dog?
As with any dog, there can be health issues. These aren’t always genetic but it is prudent for you to be aware of any health issues that are breed-associated. When it comes to the Border Aussie some health issues will be related to its coat color. So it is important not to purchase a puppy bred from merle coat dogs as this can increase the risk for blindness and deafness.
Some other conditions the breed can be at higher risk of are, but are not limited to:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Collie Eye Anomaly
- Thyroid Disease
- Epilepsy
- Cataracts
These are all potential health risks but this list doesn’t necessarily mean your dog will ever experience any of these health issues but it’s always a good idea to at least be aware of them in case an issue arises. Spotting these health problems earlier on is the best way to treat them.
How to train a Border Aussie
Training your Border Collie Australian Shepherd is the fun bit. They are such an eager breed, that with consistency you will have a perfectly behaved pooch in no time. If you are new to the breed it is always a good idea to get advice from a reputable trainer and take classes, to get you well on your way to a well-trained dog.
Border Aussies love to work. It’s really what they were bred for. So your dog will always be happy if it has a job to do. This doesn’t mean that if you lack a farm and a herd of sheep, that you should stop considering this breed. All it means is you need to find things your dog loves to do and get them to do it. From hiding favorite toys around the house and then getting them to go and find them or even just fetching the mail, this dog can do it all.
You will also find they can be a very food-driven breed. This means treat and reward-based training works very well. The Border Aussie will pick up many tricks very quickly as long as you put in the time. The only downside to the Border Aussie is that they can lose focus very quickly so keeping your training sessions short and sweet will sidestep any boredom frustration from both you and your pup.
This breed does require a lot of socialization during puppyhood. Border Aussies are very emotionally intelligent, if you miss this step you can land yourself with a reactive dog who can’t help but bark and lunge during walks. Lack of socialization can lead to aggressive personality traits in your dog. If you socialize your dog during the puppy years this shouldn’t be an issue and you will find yourself with a playful and friendly dog.
Are Border Aussies good family pets?
Border Collie Australian Shepherds are fantastic family pets but you have to be the kind of person who is willing to spend the time and money on them that they deserve. Their loyalty is what speaks to many owners. Border Aussies are very playful. Although this is a great personality trait it does also mean if you have younger children in the home they may see any children as other puppies. So it is important to watch them in the beginning and teach them not to jump or nip. They may also be inclined to herd children who are running about, they are a herding breed after all, but with training, you can teach them what behavior is acceptable around children.
They can also be fantastic with a variety of other pets from cats right through to guinea pigs, especially if they are raised alongside these other pets. If you are a lone pet household you may find their interest in smaller animals can lead them to want to chase them, so more training will be needed here to ensure you don’t lose your dog to a squirrel chase.
How much do Border Aussies cost?
Prices for dogs, in general, have seen an atmospheric rise in the last couple of years. Ask anyone who already owns a Border Aussie or one of their parent breeds and you will find a massive range from $50 right through to $3,000. You’ll also notice the further back the dog was purchased the cheaper they were.
It’s important to either get your Border Aussie from a dog rescue, where the rescue will have vetted the dog for any negative personality traits or behavioral issues, or a reputable breeder but the average price for a Border Aussie right now is around $500 – $1800. The price is reflective of many different factors such as the breed line, location, the breeders’ reputation, and even the coat color.
Border Collie Australian Shepherds are a fantastic Border Collie crosse breed with popularity in the breed rising year on year. If you are looking for an active dog with a tonne of love to give you can never go wrong with the Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix. They may require more exercise and training than some other breeds but it is work that is one hundred percent worth it when it comes to this particular breed.
