An age-old discussion has been on if mixed dogs are better than pedigree dogs. Nevertheless, no matter which end of the scale you like to perch upon, you can’t deny that the soaring popularity of designer mixed breeds. Mixed breed dogs have been gaining a lot of traction in recent years.
Whether you believe that these designer breeds are nothing more than a fancy mutt or you are 100% behind the pedigree mixes, It is hard not to fall in love with many of them.
For example, the Border Collie, an incredibly popular pedigree in its own right, has become a highly favored pedigree pooch for one-half of many of these designer mixed breeds. One of those popular mixes is the Border Collie Golden Retriever mix.
The Border Collie Golden Retriever mix is also known as the Golden Collie or sometimes the Gollie or a Coltriever. This mix has been getting more and more popular in the last few years.
The Golden Retriever is already a regular family pet addition so it makes sense that these two breeds have been cross-bred in recent years. Designer breeds are specifically bred from two different purebred dogs and have been given their unique names. However, very few of them are considered by the AKC as purebreds in their own right.
In this guide, we are going to talk you through the ins and outs of the ‘Golden Collie’ so you can decide whether this is the pup for you.
We also have guides on the Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix, Border Collie Labrador Retriever mix, and the Border Collie Poodle mix. Check out these border collie mixes to learn what is peculiar about them and decide which border collie mix is best for you.
The Origins of the Golden Collie
Designer breeds are a relatively new branch of dog breeds, and because of this many mixed breeds have an ambiguous history. When it comes to the Border Collie Golden Retriever they are considered to have most likely appeared on the scene in the 1980s. Although, it can be difficult to pin down an exact timeline for the breed.
However, the history of the Border Collie Golden Retrievers pedigree parents is much clearer. Starting with the purebred ancestors is the best place to start when you need to understand your designer breed.
Border Collies have been a favorite for centuries. It was rumored that Queen Victoria had a real soft spot for the breed. Border Collies were originally working dogs, being used for farm work in Scotland. The Border Collie can be seen in its element when it is herding farm animals, like sheep. Its agility and speed have made it the go-to dog choice for many farmers for hundreds of years.
Although it is more common to find the Golden Retriever as a family pet nowadays, it was a highly desired hunting dog in the beginning. Although black sporting dogs were thought to be far more desirable in the 18th century. Sometime during the late 19th century, and thanks to a man named Marjoribanks, the golden-colored Retriever became the go-to gentlemans’ sporting dog.
Having moved away from the popularity of hunting with dogs, the Golden Retriever has become a familiar face in the family home. Mainly because of its friendly manner, intelligence, and loyalty.
However, don’t expect this breed to protect you from intruders. It has become a common joke that this dog will roll over on its back for tummy tickles from all strangers.
Fast forward to the 1980s and designer breeds have been slowly coming on to the market. Although they were more often than not still considered mutts, it was around this time that the cross-breeding of the Border Collie and the Golden Retriever would have become intentional, resulting in what we now know as the Golden Collie.
What does the Golden Collie look like?
The Golden Collie is considered to be a medium-sized breed and can weigh anywhere from 50-75lbs. However, as with all designer breeds their sizes and weights greatly vary and you can never be 100% sure which end of the scale your dog may end up on.
The Golden Collie can inherit a multitude of physical traits from either of its parent breeds but as an average overlook of their physicality, the Golden Collie often has a long face with floppy, hanging ears. Almond-shaped eyes and a long nose.
Since both the Border Collie and the Golden Retriever have double coats, Golden Collies will have a double coat also. However, the Golden Retrievers coat tends to be far silkier and wavy than the rough coat of a Border Collie. So your hybrid could end with either of these coats.
The Golden Collie personality
The Border Collie Golden Retriever comes from a strong lineage of personalities. So you know you are bound for a pooch with an overflowing cup of quirky personality traits.
Both the Border Collie and the Golden Retriever have high energy-requiring lots of exercises. One hour of leisurely walking a day is unlikely to be enough for this busy dog. Two hours of rigorous movement would be much better. This activity can be broken up through the day to keep your dog entertained for longer.
The Golden Collie is an intelligent dog, so training is a must. But you will be surprised by how quickly they will pick up anything you teach and how willing they will be to show off their tricks – especially for a tasty treat. However, they are also incredibly loving and, mixed with their genetic personality traits, Golden Collies are a big bundle of fun.
They are loving, kind, and very loyal at their core. That is why the Border Collie Golden Retriever hybrid is becoming such a popular designer breed for families.
Golden Collie: Coats and Colors
Thanks to the double coats that both parent breeds have your Golden Collie will also have a dense, double-coat. Double coats possess two different characteristics. The shorter and faster-growing undercoat coat and the longer, slower-growing top coat.
Double coated breeds come with slightly more care requirements. So this is something to consider when deciding upon a Border Collie Golden Retriever mix.
As for their coat colors. Border Collies have 17 official coat colors. Although, there are many unofficial variations as well. You can find Border Collies in their traditional Black and White coloration. They even come in blue merle, red merle, tricolor, and even all white. This is to name a few as the Border Collie is the prism of the doggy world when it comes to their coat colors.
As for the Golden Retriever, they have a much smaller color pool. They only have three AKC-recognized colors: Dark Golden, Golden, and Light Golden.
With the large variety of colors brought to the table by the Border Collie, it’s surprising that the Golden Collie tends to draw most of its coat colors from its Golden Retriever parent.
Common colors for the Border Collie Golden Retriever are:
. Black
. Black and White
. Yellow/Golden
. Light/Dark Brown
. Chocolate
. Red
However, most Golden Collies will have a mixture of these colors within their markings.
Thanks to the Golden Collies double coat, this is not the kind of dog for anyone allergic. They are not a hypoallergenic breed and shed profusely during shedding seasons.
How big does a Golden Collie get?
The Border Collie Golden Retriever mix is generally considered a medium-sized breed and can weigh anywhere from 50 to 75 lbs with an average height of 24 to 25 inches.
As with all designer breeds it really can come down to luck when it comes to your dogs’ size. These numbers are just a guide and you can find Golden Collies that come below or above the average weights and heights.
Generally, much like all dogs breeds, the female will be slightly smaller than the male Golden Collie.
Although they are good-sized dogs you don’t need a lot of space in the home but they would be much happier with a large yard to run around in.
How to care for you Golden Collie
Thanks to your Golden Collies’ pedigree forebearers, their care needs can be a little more intensive but that shouldn’t put you off this wonderful mixed breed. With a little planning, some targeted products, and a lot of know-how, caring for your Golden Collie and keeping him happy and healthy should be a breeze.
Feeding a Golden Collie
Golden Collies have high calorific needs thanks to their high energy and exercise needs. So you must feed them a high protein, high-calorie diet.
Most food serving suggestions on your chosen brand’s packaging can be fairly reliable when deciding how much food to give your dog. However, on average a Border Collie Golden Retriever will need anywhere from one and a half cups of dry kibble to two and a half cups each day.
Whether you decide on wet food, dried kibble, or a mixture of the two for your pooch, you should always check the ingredients list making sure the first ingredient is a protein source. Many dog food brands, even some of the more recognizable names, will use grains as fillers in their foods. This isn’t always the best for your dog.
Golden Collies can be very greedy dogs which means they can eat very fast. Usually, this isn’t a problem. If your dog is prone to gulping down their food, however, they can be more at risk for a condition called bloat. Bloat can, in many cases, be fatal for your dog. Causing the stomach and intestines to twist on themselves and sending your dog into shock.
One way of stopping this from happening is forcing your dog to slow down their eating with products like Kongs. With Kongs, you stuff your dogs’ food into them and your Golden Collie will have to spend extra time working out how to get the food out of it. This is also a great way to give them some much-needed mental stimulation.
Exercise needs of a Golden Collie
Golden Collies have what seems like unending amounts of energy. Meaning their exercise needs are pretty high. One hour a day of exercise per day would be a bare minimum when it comes to this breed. Two hours of rigorous exercise would be better for this kind of dog.
Walking isn’t the only exercise option you have. If you jog this breed will be your new training partner. There are so many other ways to keep your Golden Collies exercise requirements met as well. Ocean swimming, playing fetch with a ball or a frisbee. Agility classes are another fantastic thing you could get involved in for this breed.
Either way, it’s a good idea to be aware of how much exercise this breed will need so you can decide if you can realistically meet their needs.
Grooming a Golden Collie
It’s no secret your Golden Collie can be high maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs. The Border Collie Golden Retriever has a double coat which means shedding can be a pain. Brushing your dog once or twice a week should help combat tumbleweed furballs from invading your home.
However, most double-coated breeds experience what is called seasonal shedding. Your dogs’ seasonal shed can increase their grooming needs from time to time.
Seasonal shedding is where your dog, usually twice a year in the autumn and the spring, sheds far more fur than any other time of year. This is called Blowing Out. Your dog will shed its seasonal coat in preparation for the following months and you could find yourself needing to brush their coats once or twice a day.
Targeted products like de-shedding brushes can make this job a little easier and help remove more of their coat before it drops – saving your hoover a lot of painful work.
You can bathe your Golden Collie with shampoos formulated for dogs, not only during blowouts to ease the shedding season but anytime. However, go easy on how often to throw them in the suds. Over bathing can cause some pretty nasty and uncomfortable skin conditions. Once a month is enough to keep them clean without disturbing their natural, protective skin oils.
You should also be brushing your Golden Collies teeth regularly to avoid any dental issues. Sore or rotting teeth could also potentially cause your pooch a lot of pain.
Golden Collie health issues
The mixed breeding of designer dog breeds has done a wonderful thing for genetic health issues. Selective designer breeding can dilute these genetic health risks ever so slightly.
Some of the health issues your Golden Collie hybrid may experience are:
. Cataracts – An eye condition potentially causing blindness
. Elbow dysplasia – One cause for limb lameness in dogs
. Epilepsy – A neurological disorder causing fits and spasms
. Collie eye anomaly – congenital, inherited, bilateral eye disease of dogs which can cause blindness
. Deafness – Hearing loss which can sometimes be genetically traced to certain coat colors
Any reputable breeder will have health tested their dogs even before they decide to breed them. Breeders should be able to tell you any potential health risk your puppy may be more at risk for. If they haven’t health tested the parents this can be a major red flag.
With proper care, your Golden Collie can be expected to live for an average of 12 to 15 years.
Are Golden Collies a good family pet?
Golden Collies are an excellent family pet. With their loving, playful temperament they can be fantastic around children and other pets. Especially if they have been raised alongside them. As with all dogs, it is important to oversee any interactions between your dog and your children. Teaching your Border Collie Golden Retriever what behavior you expect from them when they are around children is very important and should be part of your training routine.
The Golden Collie has such a sweet and loving disposition. All they will want is to be around their humans. This does mean some Golden Collies do suffer from separation anxiety so it is better for this breed if someone is home most of the time so they don’t get lonely.
The Golden Collie will be great with strangers as well, don’t go ahead and get this breed if you are looking for a watchdog though. As loyal as this Golden Collie is, he is no guard dog.
How to train a Golden Collie
Thanks to the Golden Collie parent breeds they are excellent when it comes to training. As long as you are consistent and have a few tasty tidbits stashed away in your pocket, this breed will do almost anything for you.
Starting training during puppyhood is essential to avoid any anti-social and destructive behavioral habits. Puppy classes are a fantastic resource that you shouldn’t discount. They are also a great way of socializing your dog with a variety of pooches and people.
Border Collie Golden Retrievers are insanely intelligent. Boredom is something this breed and its owners fight daily. Puzzle toys are great for providing for this need for the Golden Collie. Puzzle toys are also a good idea for when you have to leave your dog for a short time, keeping them occupied while you are away.
How much do Golden Collies cost?
Golden Collies are surprisingly not one of the priciest Border Collie mixed breeds to own. You can usually find Border Collie Golden Retriever anywhere from $500 to $800. With the current soaring prices for puppies, this is a bargain-basement price for a quality dog.
Higher-priced puppies tend to be because they come from a fairly esteemed line. Sometimes where they are geographically can influence their price too.
It’s also highly likely that you will be able to find this breed in a shelter with so many surrenders. So if you can adopt instead it’s something you should consider.
Conclusion
All in all, if you have the time, energy, and love to give that the Golden Collie needs, you will be rewarded with a loyal and loving dog.
Suitable for families and people living alone, this breed pretty much has it all. Being 100% sure that you can meet this dog’s needs is so important. Many Golden Collies find themselves in dog rescues because people have underestimated their energy and exercise needs.
Golden Collies are a popular dog breed and we can completely see why. Who doesn’t want the unconditional love this dog has to offer.
