Good looking and smart the Border Collie Lab mix is a popular designer dog breed. Developed by crossing a Border Collie and a Labrador, this mix inherited the best traits from both its parent breeds.
What is a Borador dog? The Borador is a mixed breed dog, developed by crossing a Border Collie and a Labrador Retriever. Medium to large in size, Boradors thrive in active homes with some kind of outdoor space. Loyal, kind, and friendly, Boradors get along with everyone they meet and make great family dogs.
If you are looking for an active and devoted companion, the Border Collie Lab mix might just be the perfect dog for you! Keep on reading to learn more about the Borador dog.
What Is a Border Collie Lab Mix?
The Border Collie Lab mix is a designer breed created by crossing a purebred Border Collie with a purebred Labrador Retriever. This crossbreed goes by several names, including Borador, Border Collie Lab, and Border Lab.
As designer dogs, Boradors aren’t officially recognized by the American Kennel Club and can’t compete in dog shows.
Brief History
There is a chance that Border Collies and Labs mated naturally over the years. However, breeders started intentionally crossing these two dog breeds in the early 2000s.
It’s most likely that breeders started to mix the Border Collie and the Labrador Retriever to create a highly intelligent family dog. As demand for designer dogs grew, breeders continued to create Borador puppies.
Border Collie
Developed to gather and control sheep, the Border Collie is a working and herding dog breed. Renowned for their work ethic and high intelligence, Border Collies are highly energetic and athletic dogs.
Labrador Retriever
Bred to be a retriever gun dog, the Lab is a working dog and one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Beloved for their kind, even-tempered, and trusting natures, Labradors are amazing companions and family dogs.
Border Collie Lab Mix
When you mix these two breeds you get a Border Collie Lab mix – a very smart and energetic canine that makes a great family pet. Friendly and affectionate, Boradors like to spend time with their families and generally get along with everyone they meet.
Characteristics of Border Collie Lab Mix
It’s to predict the exact appearance of any mixed-breed dog, and Boradors are not an exception! However, since both parent breeds are of a similar size, it’s safe to assume that your Border Collie Lab mix will be a medium to large size dog.
Most Boradors have a Lab-like build but are thinner than purebred Labradors. Expect your Borador puppy to have floppy ears, a pointed muzzle, and the head like a Lab.
Borador Highlights:
| Size | Medium to large-sized dog |
| Weight | 40-64 pounds |
| Height | 19-24 inches |
| Coat Type | Double, short to medium-long coat |
| Shedding | Moderate shedding |
| Energy Levels | Highly energetic |
| Overall Health | Very good |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
Size
Since the Borador is a fairly new mixed breed dog, there are no set standards when it comes to size. Still, you can expect your Border Collie Lab mix to be a medium to large size dog.
Height
Most Boradors are between 19 and 24 inches tall at the shoulder. But since this is a new designer breed, many can be shorter or taller.
Weight
A full-grown Borador usually weighs from 40 to 64 pounds. Then again, your dog’s exact weight will ultimately depend on the size and weight of both its parents.
Coat Color
Both Border Collies and Labradors come in a variety of coat colors. Most Boradors have white markings like those seen in Border Collies, and their coats are often a mix of their parents’ coat colors.
The most common coat colors are:
- Black
- Brown
- Tan
- White
Shedding
Depending on what they inherit from their Border Collie and Labrador parents, Boradors can have short or medium length coat. Regardless of the length, all Boradors have double coats.
Therefore, expect your mix to shed a moderate amount of hair throughout the year. If you have allergies or aren’t a fan of vacuuming, the Borador may not be the best dog for you.
Temperament
It’s difficult to predict the exact temperament of any individual Borador. But it’s safe to say that this mix will become a full-fledged family member and true companion.
Good-natured and eager to please, Boradors will do just about anything to spend time with their families.
If you like to chill on the sofa, your Borador will be there ready for cuddles and snuggles. But, they will just as eagerly go for a jog, or a hike, as long as you are there to keep them company.
The Border Collie Lab mix has an outdoing and trusting nature, so it will likely meet strangers with a wagging tail. Due to this, Boradors make better companions than watchdogs.
Bear in mind, Border Collies are herding dogs, so Boradors may try to herd and nip guests, children, and smaller pets (source). However, you can easily curb your pup’s herding tendencies with positive reinforcement and training.
Boradors are very smart and highly energetic dogs, so they need a lot of activity and mental stimulation. If not properly exercised, this mix can easily become bored and develop some destructive habits.
You can hinder unwanted digging and chewing by keeping your Borador physically and mentally challenged (source).
Pet Friendly
Due to their easy-going and friendly nature, most Boradors get along very well with other pets. Still, it is always a good idea to introduce your Borador puppy to other pets slowly and in a controlled setting.
Child Friendly
Gentle and affectionate, the Border Collie Lab mix makes a great addition to families with children. Due to their energetic and happy go lucky nature, Boradors love to play with kids and make ideal playmates.
Border Collie Lab Mix Care
Like all other mixed breed and purebred dogs, Boradors need a lot of care and attention to stay happy and healthy. To avoid any potential problems, you should develop a care routine as soon as you bring your puppy home and pay close attention to:
Health Risks
The Border Collie Lab mix is a generally healthy designer breed. However, they are predisposed to some of the same health issues that affect Border Collies and Labradors.
To prevent any potential ailments, you should take your Borador to regular veterinary checkups and stay up to date with all vaccinations.
The most common health problems Boradors face are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Collie eye anomaly
- Hypothyroidism
The Border Collie Lab mix has an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years and can reach old age without experiencing any major health problems.
Grooming
As mentioned previously, Boradors have double coats that can be either short or medium-long. Regardless of the coat length, the Border Collie Lab mix is a moderate shedder and will lose a steady amount of hair all-year-round.
Luckily, their coats are easy to maintain and you will only need to brush your mix two to three times a week, at the most. Regular brushing can help you keep the shedding to a minimum and control the amount of dog hair floating around your home (source).
If your Borador has a medium-length coat, regular grooming will also prevent mats and tangles from developing.
When it comes to bathing, you should wash your Borador once a month or when necessary. Bathe your mix only when their coat is dirty or smelly since frequent baths can cause skin problems.
The rest is basic care and involves teeth brushing, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. If you aren’t certain that you can do all of this at home, take your dog to the groomer and ask them to show you how to trim your dog’s nails and clean its ears.
Food or Diet
The ideal diet for the Border Collie Lab mix should be formulated for medium to large-sized breeds with high energy. Your Borador should eat food that contains proteins, fats, carbs, and essential vitamins and minerals that support overall health.
Please note, like their Labrador parents, most Boradors tend to have huge appetites and can eat non-stop. Therefore, they can easily pack on the extra pounds and become obese if you don’t practice portion control.
Avoid free feeding your Borador and stick to a regular schedule of two smaller meals for an adult dog. You should also limit the amount of treats you offer to your dog, and stick with a 10 percent treat rule.
Don’t forget, your Borador’s nutritional needs will change as they grow and get older, so adjust accordingly and only feed age appropriate dog food.
And as always, whenever in doubt, consult your veterinarian or canine nutritionist. They can design a feeding plan based on your dog’s individual needs.
Training and Exercise
The Border Collie Lab mix is a highly energetic breed that needs at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. Boradors can’t sit idly and are best suited for people with active lifestyles.
Activities such as jogging, swimming, biking, running, and hiking will physically challenge your Borador and allow them to release pent up energy. Besides regular exercise, you should also play with your mix every day.
Boradors love all sorts of games, and you can’t go wrong by playing fetch, tug-of-war, flyball, or Frisbee with your dog. Also, invest in some puzzle toys to keep your pup’s mind sharp and to prevent boredom.
Smart and eager to please, Boradors like to work with their owners and are fairly easy to train. Like all other dogs, the Border Collie Lab mix responds well to positive reinforcement techniques and consistent training.
With the right approach and a bit of patience, the sky’s the limit, and your Borador will quickly learn obedience commands and even tricks.
Housing
Due to their size and high energy levels, Boradors are best suited for homes with some type of outdoor space. Make sure that your yard is properly fenced, though, since Boradors like to dig and can easily escape under the fence.
This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t own a Borador if you don’t have a backyard. The Border Collie Lab mix can live happily in an apartment as long as you can keep your dog properly exercised.
Where to Get a Border Collie Lab Mix?
There are only two ways you can get a Border Collie Lab mix. You can purchase a Borador puppy from a reputable breeder or opt to adopt from an animal shelter or rescue group.
Border Collie Lab Mix Breeders
The Border Collie Lab mix is a popular designer breed, so you shouldn’t have trouble locating a reputable breeder. Be prepared to spend some time researching breeders in your area and look for established breeders who have the dog’s best interest at heart.
Border Collie Lab Mix Price
On average, a Border Collie Lab mix cost between $200 and $500. However, the price can be higher depending on the breeder, the quality of the Borador puppy’s parents, coat, and eye color.
Adoption
While Boradors are designer dogs, some end up in the care of animal shelter and rescue organizations. Since they are a mixed breed, you may have trouble finding a breed-specific rescue group for Boradors.
However, you can check your local shelters and try Border Collie and Labrador Retriever breed-specific rescue groups. These organizations often take in mixes as well, and you may find a Borador there.
Conclusion
Outgoing, affectionate, and easy-going, the Border Collie Lab mix is a true family dog. Bred to serve as ultimate companions, Boradors are gentle with children and get along with everyone they meet.
Don’ forget, Boradors are smart and energetic dogs that need a lot of exercise and stimulation, otherwise they can become bored and destructive. If you lead a sedentary life or don’t have time for long walks, the Borador may be too much to handle.
But, if you are active or have young children, the Border Collie Lab mix can make an excellent workout buddy and companion.
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