The Ultimate Bordoodle Dog Breed Guide

Bordoodle

The Bordoodle is a Border Collie Poodle mix. They are a designer dog breed rapidly growing in popularity as backyard pets.

They are also known as a Borderdoodle, Borderpoo, Borpoo or simply a Border Collie Poodle mix.

Both the Border Collie and the Poodle parent breeds are intelligent, active and incredibly sweet.

What is a Bordoodle?

A Bordoodle is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle and are bred to be companion dogs.

They can also be show dogs and trained therapy dogs. Because they are a mixed breed, they are not officially recognised by the American Kennel Club.

Bordoodle Temperament

However, in the last 10 years designer dogs also known as Oodles have grown in popularity, especially hybrid poodle breeds. There are now many groups that do recognise them.

These include the:

  • Designer Dogs Kennel Club
  • American Canine Hybrid Club
  • International Designer Canine Registry
  • Designer Breed Registry
  • Dog Registry of America.

Where Do Bordoodles Come From?

It is unknown when the first purposely bred Bordoodle was created.

People first began crossing Poodles with other breeds in the 1980’s. The Labradoodle was created first to be a hypoallergenic guide dog.

A trend of designer dogs then followed, with Poodle cross breeds becoming incredibly popular as pets.

No one has recorded being the first person to create the Bordoodle. It is estimated they were first developed in the USA sometime in the early 2000’s.

Parent Breeds

The Bordoodle’s parent breeds are the Border Collie and the Poodle dog breeds. Their origins are well documented.

Border Collie

The Border Collie is a medium sized dog. They are highly intelligent, active and have a strong work ethic.

They were first developed in the 19th century, used to herd livestock. They officially became their own defined breed is 1915.

They were first called the ‘Scotch Sheep Dog’ but later changed to ‘Border Collie’.

They are called ‘Border’ Collie was they were first developed in the ‘border’ region of England and Scotland.

Poodle

The Poodle is an intelligent and friendly breed.

They were first developed in 17th century Germany from various dog breeds including Asian herding dogs and European water dogs.

They were used as hunting dogs, trained to retrieve game from the water.

They originally only came in the standard size but are now also available in miniature and toy sizes.

What is an F1 / F1B / F2 Bordoodle?

Which generation of Bordoodle you get can affect your dog’s health, coat and behaviour.

It is therefore important to understand the differences below before welcoming a Bordoodle into your family. Click here for more information.

Physical Appearance

Bordoodles are adorable! They look like a teddy bear version of a Border Collie.

Bordoodle breeders will aim for a uniform appearance but because they are a hybrid their looks may vary depending on the breeder and the parent breed appearances.

Their head is round with floppy ears and almond shaped eyes. Their tail is long and curls towards the end.

Bordoodle Appearance

How Big Do Bordoodles Get?

Because they are mixed breed dogs, a Bordoodle’s size can be hard to guarantee. Breeders will predict their size based on both the Poodle parent and Border Collie parent.

Males will usually grow a little bigger than females.

There are 3 sizes of Bordoodle, each determined by which sized Poodle they are crossed with.

Standard Bordoodle

This is the most common size. They are mixed with a standard Poodle.

Standard Bordoodles weigh over 18kg. They are between 50-55cm tall.

Because they are the largest size, they will require the most exercise and will need a decent sized backyard to run around in.

They are a similar size to a Golden Retriever or Labrador.

Miniature Bordoodle

Sometimes referred to as a medium Bordoodle, this is the second most common size. They are mixed with miniature poodle parents.

They weigh between 12-18kg. They are around 45cm tall.

They are most similar in size to their Border Collie parent. They can handle a smaller backyard as long as you make time to exercise them every day.

Toy Bordoodle

Toy Bordoodles are crossed with a toy Poodle. However, they usually grow bigger than the average toy Poodle because the Border Collie parent is medium sized.

They weigh less than 12kg and are shorter than 45cm.

Their small size makes them suitable for living in smaller houses however they still require daily exercise as they are an active dog.

Teacup Bordoodle

It is currently very popular to make Poodle mixed breeds smaller and smaller. Whilst many people may be interested in a ‘teacup’ tiny Bordoodle, breeders will not realistically be able to achieve this.

The Border Collie is a medium dog so if you mix it with any smaller breed, the offspring will be bigger than the smaller parent breed.

Coat

Bordoodles have a fleece coat. It is soft with a wavy texture.

Poodles have tight curls and Border Collies have a straight, hair coat. So the Bordoodle’s fleece coat is a cross between the two.

Bordoodle Coat

It is low shedding, making them a great option for people who don’t want to clean dog hair off their clothes and house all the time.

Their coat will grow to a medium length and needs to be clipped every 3 or 4 months to stay tidy and clean.

Colours

Bordoodles can come in many impressive colours. Puppies will often have the traditional Border Collie markings with a combination of Poodle colours.

Common colours include:

  • Black
  • White
  • Chocolate
  • Blue merle

Breeders will often charge more for puppies that are a rarer colour and sometimes puppies may change their colouring slightly as they grow older.

Temperament

Bordoodles are one of the friendliest dogs you will meet!

Both Border Collies and Poodles are incredibly sweet dogs that love to spend time with their human owners.

The combination of these two makes the Bordoodle extra affectionate in nature.

Bordoodle Temperament

They are good with children as they are very playful and active whilst also being gentle.

This makes them suitable to most family units, particular those who can dedicate time to training and exercising with their Bordoodle regularly.

In addition, Bordoodles are intelligent dogs as both Border Collies and Poodles are very smart. They are naturally easy to train and keen to please their owners.

They are extremely loyal and may become attached to certain members of the family more than others.

This will usually be the person who feeds them or spends the most time with them.

Health

Like most hybrid breeds, Bordoodles are overall very healthy.

Compared to purebred dogs, hybrids have less genetic defects and a larger gene pool. This results in less health concerns.

Border Collies typically live 12.25 years and Poodles live on average 12 years.

This means your Bordoodle is also likely to live up to 12 years of age. The first Bordoodle ever purposely bred is likely still alive today!

Problems

The most common health concerns in Bordoodles are those that affect the Border Collie and Poodle.

These include epilepsy, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, bloat, Addison’s disease, Von Willebrand’s disease, progressive retinal atrophy, bloat and deafness.

You can keep your Bordoodle healthy by feeding it a high quality diet, keeping your dog active, making sure it stays at a healthy weight and taking it to the vet if any problems arise.

Bordoodles as Pets

Bordoodles make wonderful pets. They are gentle yet active so suitable for families with young kids.

They are ideal for a family who loves to go for walks and be active outdoors.

Your dog’s diet should consist of high quality food and limited treats.

It can be tempting to reward them often with food treats but this can lead to weight gain and related health problems.

They are an adaptable dog when it comes to climate.

If they are sleeping outside, always provide them with a warm kennel or enclosure to protect them from the elements.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Bordoodle

The Border Collie Poodle hybrid breed makes a great pet and the pros far outweigh the cons. This is what makes them such a popular breed.

Bordoodles Pros & Cons

The positives of a Bordoodle are their friendly temperament, intelligence, hypoallergenic fur, adorable appearance and the fact that they are so suitable for families with young children.

The negatives of this mixed breed are having to groom their soft curly coat, that they are prone to hip dysplasia and other health issues, and because they are a hybrid dog breed their traits can sometimes be unpredictable.

Is A Bordoodle Hypoallergenic?

Bordoodles are classed as a hypoallergenic dog, meaning they are a low shedding breed. No dog is completely hypoallergenic as they all lose some hair.

However, Bordoodles lose such a little amount of hair that people with dog allergies often don’t suffer reactions when around then.

People with severe dog allergies may still experience some reaction as Bordoodles still produce saliva and dander that people can react to.

The Bordoodle gets its low shedding coat from its Poodle parent.

A Poodle coat is also very low shedding. This means that the more Poodle genes a Bordoodle has in it, the more allergy-friendly it will be.

An F1B Bordoodle is 75% Poodle and therefore will barely shed at all.

On the other hand, a Border Collie does regularly shed hair. So a Bordoodle with more Border Collie genes will be less suitable for those with dog allergies.

Do You Have to Groom a Bordoodle?

All Bordoodles require regular grooming. But their requirements can vary depending on their coat type.

A Bordoodle’s coat is wavy and fleecy. However, some have more of a Poodle’s coat and some have more of a Border Collie’s coat.

Those with more of a Border Collie’s coat will be easier to groom. They require weekly brushing at home to prevent tangles and remove loose fur.

They need to be brushed more regularly during periods where they are shedding more, such as the start of summer.

If you want to, you could wash and trim your dog’s hair at home.

For those whose coat is most like a Poodle, their fur will be thicker and curlier. They are very prone to tangles so need to be brushed regularly.

Their fur can be more difficult to wash and trim yourself so we recommend visiting a professional groomer every 6-8 weeks.

Regularly check and clean your Bordoodle’s teeth and ears.

Your dog’s nails will need to be trimmed regularly. If you are not confident doing this yourself, it is best to take them to a professional dog groomer or a vet.

Exercise Requirements

Like most medium to large dog breeds, Bordoodles are energetic dogs.

Both Border Collies and Poodles have high energy levels. Border Collies are especially active.

It is recommended you exercise your Bordoodle for 30-60 minutes each day.

Bordoodle Exercise Requirements

Their favourite activities are going for a walk, visiting the dog park or playing fetch with their favourite toy.

Most Bordoodles are strong swimmers and this is a great way to exercise them if you have a pool.

Exercise not only keeps them physically healthy but stimulates them mentally. This results in a tired, happier and more well behaved dog.

Are Bordoodles Easy to Train?

Training is important to prevent unwanted behaviours and to keep your dog and your family safe.

Bordoodles are intelligent and are eager to please their owners, making them easy to train.

However, you still need to commit time and effort into teaching them.

Always use positive reinforcement for good behaviours, rather than punishment for bad behaviours.

Poodles have a built in drive to chase other animals, so it is important to teach your Bordoodle to come when it is called.

Similarly, Border Collies have a natural urge to nip at the heels of sheep. This could result in them biting other dogs, other pets or small children.

It is important you teach your Bordoodle not to do this.

Proper socialization will help. From a young age, allow your dog to interact with as many new things as possible including children, other dogs and other pets.

Make each experience a positive one and praise your dog when it reacts appropriately.

How Long Can a Bordoodle Be Left Alone?

Bordoodles are affectionate and love to be near their humans. They will naturally be sad when you leave them and wait for you to return.

It is important to train your Bordoodle to be by itself, to prevent separation anxiety from developing.

If your dog is overly anxious when you leave, it can result in excessive barking and destructive behaviour.

Begin practising this when it is a puppy. Leave your dog for short periods at first, building up to longer periods gradually.

Do Bordoodles Bark A Lot?

Both the Border Collie and Poodle are prone to barking a lot. Barking is not always a bad thing.

Allowing your dog to bark when it is outside or playing is a great way to release energy.

However, excessive or constant barking can be a problem. It is sign your dog is distressed and can annoy your neighbours.

Do Bordoodles Bark Much?

Obedience training can help. Try to desensitise your dog to the thing it is barking at.

For example, if it barking when other dogs walk by, use positive reinforcement to train your dog that this isn’t a bad thing to see other dogs. Be patient as this can take time.

Older dogs usually bark less than young dogs.

Herding

Border Collies were bred as herding dogs and have an inbuilt instinct to work and herd sheep.

This makes them eager to please their owners and also gives them a passion for running outdoors.

Your Bordoodle is very likely to have some of these herding urges in it too!

Some companies now offer herding training for suburban pet dogs.

They have a fun time releasing their natural urges whilst also getting some great exercise.

Training your Bordoodle for agility competitions is another great way to simulate herding and reap all the same benefits.

Bordoodles for Sale

Looking to buy a Bordoodle? Let us help…

Where to Buy and Price

You can either buy a puppy from a breeder or adopt an adult dog from a rescue group.

There are pros and cons to each option. It is important to decide what is right for your family and your situation.

Either way, always do lots of research on where you are buying the dog from and make sure you feel comfortable.

Sadly, many families get scammed trying to buy dogs online. Never send money online for a dog you haven’t seen.

If the seller is far away, such as interstate, and you cannot visit the dog first then request a video chat to see who you are dealing with and check that the dog exists.

Bordoodle Puppies

Only ever purchase Bordoodle puppies from reputable breeders to ensure you get a healthy dog without any long term problems.

An ideal breeder is small scale and family oriented. They should provide you with lots of photos and information on where the puppies are raised.

They will only focus on one breed and their mixes, rather than various different types.

The price of a Bordoodle puppy will vary greatly depending on location, demand and colour.

Since COVID-19, the price of puppies in general has increased due to a high demand. This means you will likely have to go on a waitlist.

Bordoodle Puppies

Bordoodle breeders sell puppies in Australia from anywhere between $1,000-$4,000.

They may charge additional fees on top of this for desexing or transport if you need the puppy delivered to you.

Puppies will come vaccinated, micro chipped, wormed and vet checked.

Avoid purchasing from pet stores as they are often supplied by puppy mills. Their focus is producing as many dogs as they can for profit.

This results in unhealthy dogs raised in poor living conditions.

They may sell puppies cheaper than backyard breeders so it can be tempting but it is important not to support puppy mills.

They typically don’t genetically test their dogs so they are more likely to have serious health issues.

Adult Bordoodles

Adopting an adult dog from a shelter or rescue organisation is a lovely thing to do. It is a great way to give an older dog a second chance at a happy life.

Buying a dog from a shelter gives you less options and it may be difficult to find a specific breed, such as Bordoodle.

Adopting a dog is usually cheaper than buying a puppy at around $500.

This fee may cover the cost of vet checks, micro chipping, desexing and worming.

BORDOODLE BREEDERS AUSTRALIA

BORDOODLE BREEDERS NSW

  • Bordoodles Australia

Southern Tablelands

info@bordoodlesaustralia.com.au

  • Misty Mountain

Central Coast

mistymountaingroodles@gmail.com

www.mistymountaingroodles.com.au/

  • Fairview Bordoodles

Newcastle

Message via Facebook page

www.facebook.com/Fairviewbordoodles/

  • Peekaboo Bordoodles

Newcastle

helencharmer@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/Peekaboobordoodles/

  • Boutique Bordoodles

Bathurst

boutiquebordoodles@gmail.com

boutiquebordoodles.com/

  • Elliot Bordoodles

Wagga Wagga

elliottbordoodles@outlook.com

www.facebook.com/elliottbordoodles/

  • Kruizen Kennels

Orange

admin@kruizenkennels.com.au

www.kruizenkennels.com.au/bordoodles/

  • Raggy Dogs

Glenbrook

info@raggydogs.com.au

www.raggydogs.com.au/

  • Cavoodles & Bordoodles

Lismore

cavoodlesbordoodles@gmail.com

www.cavoodlesbordoodles.com/

  • Snowy Mountains Bordoodles

Snowy Mountains region

snowymountainsbordoodles@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/SMBordoodles/

  • Morah Park Bordoodles

Blandford

info@propaws.com.au

www.facebook.com/Morahparkbordoodles/

BORDOODLE BREEDERS VIC

  • Puppies Down Under

Maryvale

enquiries@puppiesdownunder.com

www.puppiesdownunder.com/bordoodle-puppies-for-sale

  • Tintagel Border Collies

Lovely Banks

Contact form via website

www.tintagelbordercollies.org/puppies-for-sale

BORDOODLE BREEDERS QLD

  • Bordoodles QLD

Childers

Bordoodlesqld@gmail.com

https://bordoodlesqld.com.au/

BORDOODLE BREEDERS SA

  • Adelaide Doodles

Adelaide

adelaidedoodles@gmail.com

www.adelaidedoodles.com/doodle-info

  • Adelaide Cavoodles

Adelaide

adelaide.cavoodles@yahoo.com

www.adelaidecavoodles.com.au/bordoodles

Related Articles

Oodle Dog Breeds

Bernedoodle Dog Breeds

 

References

www.thehappypuppysite.com/bordoodle/

www.bordoodlesaustralia.com.au/about-bordoodles/

welovedoodles.com/border-collie-poodle-mix-bordoodle-border-doodle/