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There are many popular cross-bred dogs like Chorkies, Labradoodles, and Gerberian Shepskies, but very few are as reliable as the Border Collie Lab Mix, also known lovingly as “Borador”.
mixbreeddogs.com has made the complete guide for Border Collie Lab Retriever mix in 2022. Later in the article, we’re going to cover the physical characteristics, temperament, training potential, and the health profile on what makes a Border Collie Lab Mix a great dog!
What is a Border Collie-Lab Mix?
Border Collie and Labrador Retriever are two awesome dog breeds that need little introduction, even to those who are not dog enthusiasts. But what happens when the two breeds are combined?
A Border Collie Lab Mix is a designer breed dog with Border Collie and Labrador Retriever.
Designer breeds are basically controlled cross-breeding between two purebred dogs.
They make a great mixed breed dog—few dogs can match their parent breed’s size, looks, and personality. Breeders have high hopes that the Collie Lab mix will become a loving and hassle-free family dog.
Origins of lab mix with border collie
To understand the origin of a mixed breed dog, we need to know about their parent breeds.
Mixed breed dogs aren’t always a perfect mix, and often, puppies tend to favor traits of one partner over another—that is to say, they look much more like one of the two breeds.
Knowing the basic traits of the parent breeds will help understand how the puppies, in this case, a Lab Border Collie Mix, differ from their parents.
Origins of Border Collie
The history of Border Collies goes back to the time of Romans when the Romans occupied Britain. During that time, their influence spread everywhere, including dog breeding.
The Roman army brought large herding dogs and helped them keep the livestock in check.
Much later, when the Vikings invaded, their army brought smaller, quicker herding dogs. The modern Border Collie you see today is the mix of these Roman and Viking dogs.
Collies are compact and sprightly—capable of working in the hilly areas of the northern UK.
Borders are known as the “world’s greatest herders’—they are the perfect shepherd dog. They’re also amongst the most intelligent breed!
In the 1995 movie “Babe,” Border Collies became famous again.
They hold the highest number of dog-sport achievements in fast-paced agility-based sports, not to mention getting featured in the top lists of the world’s smartest dog breeds.
Origins of a Labrador Retriever
Originally from Newfoundland, Labs have a long career of retrieving ducks and helping fishermen.
They caught the eyes of British nobles who were visiting Canada during the 1800s.
No one knows why they were called “Labrador dogs” or their association with the “Labrador” name, but the name stuck. Later, in the second half of the 19th century, British breeders perfected and set the standards for the breed.
Labrador’s natural water-repellent coat makes them ideal for working with fishermen and around water in general. Their retriever instincts also make them great hunting companions.
As per breeder standards, a Labrador is kindly, outgoing, tractable, easy to please, and non-aggressive towards people or animals.
No wonder Labrador Retrievers have reigned as America’s top dog breed since 1991!
Physical Characteristics of Border Collie Lab Mix
Most lab mix with border collie dogs is fairly similar in terms of appearance and personality. So let’s start with their physical characteristics first.
Size and Shape
Being a medium-sized dog, a Border Collie Lab Mix grows up to 15-17 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 35-65 pounds. However, keep in mind that some dogs will fall outside this range. They are generally built like a Labrador but on the thin side.
Coat & Color Patterns
It’s not unusual to see a Border Collie coolie Mix with black and white markings, similar to their Border Collie parents. They are commonly seen in a brown, yellow, or black coat. They also take on the three color coats and hair length from their parents.
Their piercing, striking dark eyes are also one of their noticeable features.
Personality and Temperament of a Border Collie Lab Mix
Descending from two smart parent breeds, Border Collie Lab has a loving and sweet personality. Not to mention, they are also very intelligent.
Studies conducted by the American Psychological Association show that a Black Lab and Border Collie Mix has mental abilities similar to a 2-year-old human.
The combination of smarts and their happy-go-lucky attitude is what makes a Lab Border Collie Mix a highly positive, friendly dog.
This attitude allows them to quickly make friends with people and other dogs. In addition, they are really gentle with children—many think it’s their hearing ancestry at work.
Trainability and Exercise Needs of a Border Collie Lab Mix
Lab Border Collie Mix dogs have high-level intelligence like their parent breeds. With their love to work and please, their owners tend to make them very fast learners. They also lead a very active lifestyle and love to play and exercise.
Trainability
And training them can be fun too! You can easily teach your Lab Mix Breed new tricks with consistency, gentle firmness, and a handful of treats. Some may act headstrong— it’s mostly due to their intelligence—but they respond well to training based on positive reinforcement.
A Border Collie Lab will likely get bored and disruptive very easily. That’s why training is essential for smart dogs like this.
Try out some dog puzzles! They work great!
It’s best to train them using agility-based exercise. This will also control the rate of problematic behavior and other anxiety issues in the future.
Exercise
When it comes to exercise, a labrador Collie Mix will need a decent amount of exercise daily.
They are extremely active (not hyperactive!) but will not run off looking for sheep to herd. This also means a simple walk in part will not be enough to fulfill their exercise needs.
The good news is a Border Collie Lab will help you in getting fit and stay active. And really, who doesn’t love the outdoors and adventures? The level of exercise will vary by the age of the dog, but generally, an hour or two of running usually does the trick!
A study conducted by the Journal of Physical Activity and Health shows that by helping your dog meet their exercise needs, you are 34% more likely to get the exercise you need.
Health Concerns of a Border Collie Lab Mix
Lab Collie dogs are generally a healthy breed without any specific health problems consistent with particular breeds; that being said, there are still some general dog problems you should look out for.
Obesity is always a concern for active breed dogs when subjected to overfeeding and no exercise. This can lead to diabetes and joint problems. One other fatal ailment is bloating – it’s relatively common in dogs with deep chests. A slow-eating bowl or a hand-feeding routine will help you out here!
It’s highly recommended that you check out the health problems of the parent breeds before getting a Lab Border Collie. The good news is—unlike many other breeds—both Border Collies and Labrador Retrievers have very few serious health issues.
Border Collie Health
According to the American Border Collie Association, Border Collies are susceptible to congenital deafness. This occurs when the inner ear fails to receive the proper amount of blood, leading to impaired hearing.
Border Collies aren’t the only breed that has this disorder. Researchers have found that dogs with white heads and blue eyes frequently have this problem. A double merle gene pattern has been identified for deafness.
Other than congenital deafness, Collies are also prone to joint problems like hip or elbow dysplasia.
Labrador Retriever Health
Labs also have a number of congenital disorders, and most of them are related to joints. Problems like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, knee dislocation, osteochondritis (joint cartilage inflammation), and general arthritis are quite common.
Labs are also prone to eye problems like cataracts caused by poor retinal development.
Border Collie Lab Mix Lifespan
A dog with proper veterinary care, a healthy diet, and exercise will generally live longer. A Lab Mixed with Border Collie lives between 10 to 12 human years. So, as owners, it falls on us to make sure we provide the best possible care and all the love in the world for them.
How long do you think 10 years is in dog years?
Border Collie Lab Mix Puppies
By now, if you are sold on the idea that you are getting a Border Collie Black Lab Mix, it’s probably a good idea to get a puppy.
Look for a qualified, experienced dog breeder. They are reliable and will provide you with the complete health profile of the breed. Make sure you try to meet the parents of the puppy to get a feel for the temperament of what the dog might grow up to be.
If you have previous experience with dogs, why not consider adopting a Border Collie Lab Mix rescue? There are many organizations that specialize in designer dogs.
Conclusion
Border Collie Lab Mix dogs are simply one of the coolest mixed dog breeds out there. They are especially suited for large, active families but are known to get along with others too. Borders are great with kids and the loyalty they show towards the family.
This unique dog breed is full of life and will make your life entertaining, to say the least. Bear in mind that dogs are a responsibility, no matter the breed, so love them with all your heart because they are doing that too! Go for a lab mix with border collie and enjoy dog parenting.
Read More: Beagle Pitbull Mix – Is This Cross Right for You?
