What do you get when you mix an intelligent, energetic Border Collie with an equally intelligent, eager and athletic Poodle? A Bordoodle, of course! Bordoodles are friendly, playful and very intelligent, and they make excellent family dogs.

Physical Characteristics

Bordoodles can look like either of their parents or somewhere in between. Here is a rough guide of what to expect:

• Height: Between 12 and 22 inches
• Weight: Between 35 and 65 pounds
• Coat: Medium to long, soft and wavy, incorporating the Border Collie’s silkiness and the Poodle’s curls.
• Color: The most common coloring is black and white, but a mix of black, white, gray, blue, red, cream, fawn, chocolate or brown in any combination is possible.
• Lifespan: 12-15 years

Temperament and Other Traits

Bordoodles are loyal, friendly and affectionate. These clever dogs are easy to train, easy to groom, and they love water. They have a lot of energy and need regular exercise, making them the perfect pet for an active family.

Care

Poodles are prone to developing plaque and tartar on their teeth, so it’s important to brush your Bordoodle’s teeth regularly to avoid tooth decay.

The amount of shedding varies from one Bordoodle to the next, depending on which parent they take after. Poodles have hypoallergenic coats that hardly shed at all but don’t count on your Bordoodle inheriting that trait. Chances are your puppy will need to be brushed at least a few times per week.

Health Considerations

Bordoodles could inherit any of the health complaints typically associated with their parent breeds, but this does not mean that they will. They could live perfectly healthy lives as well. These conditions include:

• Progressive retinal atrophy
• epilepsy
• hip dysplasia

As with any pet, it is important to schedule regular checkups with your vet to identify and treat health issues as soon as possible.