Bordoodle

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
fast facts

About Bordoodle

Weight
30-60 lb
Lifespan
12-15 years
Group
not applicable
Best Suited For
Singles, seniors, and families with children and other pets, living in a house or apartment, with or without a yard
Temperament
Friendly, pleasant, social, loving, loyal, and protective
Comparable Breeds
Border Collie, Poodle
Height
15-22 inches

Bordoodle Basics

Also known as the Borpoo, Borderdoodle, Borderpoo, and Border Poodle, the Bordoodle is a fantastic family dog. These canines are affectionate, intelligent, and protective, so if you are in search of a best friend that will always be at your side, this breed could be your best match. These dogs bond with their humans hard and fast. You’ll never feel alone with a bordoodle. This pup is a friend for life.


However, before bringing a Bordoodle into your family, though, you really should get to know the breed a little better. That’s where Pet Guide comes in. We’ve done the research and are prepared to provide you with everything that you need to know about the Bordoodle before committing to adding one to your family. The helpful information below will allow you to decide if this adorable pooch will love being a part of your family. So keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away to discover everything worth knowing about the Bordoodle.


The Bordoodle is a cross between a purebred Border Collie and Poodle.


Origin

When it comes to designer dogs, there’s not much information on the origin of the individual breeds. Unfortunately, no particularly accurate history has been documented as these dogs have exploded in popularity. All we know is that the trend of crossbreeding purebreds peaked in the late 1980s with the first litter of Labradoodle. However, there have always been mixed breed dogs, even without names to label them (they just weren’t bred deliberately at that time, they were all happy accidents). This further complicates things for people who want to find out the history of a designer dog breed. For instance, there may have been Border Collie and Poodle mixes before the Bordoodle came to be, but the moment this mix was developed intentionally is the moment that ‘counts’.


Since there are no breeders to step out and claim that this hybrid breed was a result of their initiative, there is no way to know when that moment happened for the Bordoodle. The best guess anyone can have is that the Bordoodle had its start in the United States, sometime in the last 20 years- the same as most other hybrids. We may never know when the Bordoodle was officially named, but we will forever feel grateful that it happened.


Of course, just because we don’t know when or where the breed was created, it doesn’t mean that the reasons for its development are unclear. It’s easy to see why breeders decided to cross a Border Collie with a Poodle. Both are considered to be the among the most intelligent dogs in the world, and the hope was that their offspring would also be highly intelligent, with a friendly nature and potentially low-shedding coat. To say breeders succeeded in this goal would be an understatement.


Pedigree

The Bordoodle is a cross between a purebred Border Collie and Poodle. Like all designer dogs, this is primarily a first generation mix. This results in litters that have 50-50 percent genes from both of the parental breeds (rather than, say, 25 percent of the Poodle and the rest from the Border Collie). While this type of crossbreeding produces varying results, it’s the most common one for two reasons. First, many believe that first generation mix dogs are the healthiest. Second, this type of crossbreeding captures the essence of what designer dogs are about: each dog is unique, but all tend to inherit the best of both worlds. Every Bordoodle puppy will be a slightly different mix than the others, even amongst pups from the same litter.


Of course, there are also those who prefer uniformity or simply want a dog that has a lager or lesser percentage of one breed in the mix. This leads to multigenerational breeding- or breeding Bordoodles with unrelated Poodles, Border Collies, or other Bordoodles. As a result, the multigenerational Bordoodles might significantly favor one of the breeds in terms of look and appearance, or have more standardized traits. So, if you’re looking for more predictability in your designer dogs, it might be worth tracking down a second generation mix over a first generation one.


Bordoodles are affectionate, intelligent, and protective.


Food / Diet


In the life of every doggo, diet plays the most important role. After all, the proverb says that “health comes in at the mouth”, so never skimp on the good stuff in your pet’s diet. Bordoodles are not that different from most other breeds when it comes to their dietary preferences. They also need a healthy, well-balanced diet to thrive and stay in optimal shape. Usually, high-quality dry food for dogs will give your pet all the essential nutrients they require. However, it’s important to choose the right type to reap the benefits. Avoid cheap brands that produce kibble full of fillers and harmful additives. Instead, opt for those that are made with natural, high-grade ingredients. Additionally, the kibble you pick should be appropriate for your Bordoodle’s age (puppy, adult, senior), size and activity level.


You can feed your dog roughly 2½ to 3 cups of dry food every day, but split this amount into at least two meals. This will prevent them from snarfing down their daily dose of food in seconds and promote better digestion. You can also utilize some of the handy slow feeder food bowls that prevent fast eating, and promote a normal eating pace and good digestion as well. They come in many shapes and sizes and you’ll easily find one to suit your pet. 


If you are ever worried about establishing or altering your dog’s diet, then it is always worth consulting with a veterinarian. They will always know exactly what your pet needs. While most pet food manufacturers and pet blogs provide useful feeding guidelines, they should still be treated as guidelines and not gospel. All dogs are different after all and often have different dietary needs. Only your vet is qualified to determine the specific needs of your personal pup. So always consult with a veterinarian before making any significant changes to what goes in your pup’s mouth.


Training

Because Bordoodles are so intelligent, they are a pleasure to work with when it comes to training. They will want to learn, and they will learn quickly. Use a firm but positive tone, and use plenty of praise and rewards while training this enthusiastic pooch. It’s always important to focus on positive reinforcement and reward-based encouragement during training. Anything less is close to abuse than training. Fortunately, Bordoodles are such friendly animals and have such a strong desire to please their owners that training should be quite easy and even rather fun (which certainly can’t be said about most dog training scenarios).


These dogs want to please their owners, so they are more inclined to obey commands with fewer repetitions. This is especially true if you begin training and socializing your dog starting in puppyhood. Always start training and socialization as early as possible for the best results. It’s important not to waste those early and impressionable days in your pup’s life. Otherwise training can be quite difficult, if not impossible. In the end, remember to arm yourself with plenty of patience and a lot of tasty treats for rewards. This is a winning combination, and can work charms in a dog’s training routine. 


Weight

For many potential owners, the size of a dog can decide on many things. And it can be the deciding factor when getting a dog. A medium sized breed, the Bordoodle weighs between 30 and 60 pounds. Of course, this means that they will require a lot of free space and time to spend their energy and exercise. If you are living in a small apartment or a tiny home, this might not be the breed for you. In such housing, the Bordoodle might simply feel cooped up and unhappy. Your best bet is a spacious apartment with daily acces to outdoor space (a park, for example) or a house with a fenced-in yard. 


This is a breed that will love to play, lounge, and exercise, and it will need a bit of extra free space for that. Remember that without it, the dog might become unhappy and depressed, losing appetite, and developing a string of behavioral issues. Space for exercise is important! 


Temperament / Behavior

The Bordoodle is a popular breed because it exhibits the best qualities of the Poodle and the Border Collie, which are both wonderful canine breeds. These dogs tend to have friendly, social personalities, and they will rarely display aggression. Bordoodles are also highly intelligent, loyal, and protective. They will guard their family and be leery of strangers until they know that they are safe and trustworthy. If you have children or other pets, the Bordoodle with get along with them just fine, and these dogs make fantastic playmates for kids who know how to be gentle with animals. All-in-all, this is an incredibly sweet and lovable pooch that anyone want to have in their lives.


Common Health Problems

No dog breed is exempt from an occasional health issue. This can be something basic and non-threatening, but it can also be more serious, passed down genetically. And because the Bordoodle is a hybrid dog breed, it could be susceptible to the health conditions that commonly affect its parent breeds. There is no guarantee, however, that your dog will end up with any of those conditions, or that they will be serious in any way. Many times, hybrid dogs are quite healthy, thanks to their genetic diversity. Plus, it is impossible to determine what an individual dog’s health will be over the course of his lifetime.


Some of the common health concerns that are associated with the Bordoodle’s parent breeds are progressive retinal atrophy, allergies, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. As always, it’s important to maintain regularly scheduled check ups with a vet (especially as your dog ages) to ensure that any health issues are identified and treated as quickly as possible. And, most importantly, it is important to remember that your dog can’t remain super healthy all on their own. They will need your help for that. Your pet depends on you in many ways. Ensure that they always have a proper and quality diet, regular vet checkups, plenty of exercise, and endless amounts of affection! 


Life Expectancy

The Bordoodle has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Considering that the average maximum lifespan for most dog breeds is around 15 years, we can see that the Bordoodle falls right into that general category. With proper care they can even exceed that maximum, which makes them ideal as affectionate and friendly companion pets. If you are looking for a dog that you can share a good part of your life with, this unique breed can be the right choice.


Of course, you can’t fully rely on your pet’s presumed maximum lifespan as a certainty: they will need a lot of help in order to reach that number of years in good health. Regular vet checkups, exercise and balanced diet, and a lot of love – this is the recipe for a long and happy canine life. And it’s up to you to provide them!


Exercise Requirements

Just like its parent breeds, the Bordoodle is a moderately energetic breed and will love to play. They don’t really like to snooze and lounge for the entire day. Bordoodles only require moderate amounts of activity, and they can be content with entertaining themselves indoors if you provide them with toys. Scheduling just 30 minutes of activity and exercise for your dog each day will suffice. So, these aren’t particularly taxing pets as far as exercise is concerned. That is great if your days are particularly overwhelmed with chores and you can’t manage long sessions of energetic playtime. 


In the end, it’s easy to see that these dogs are good matches for owners who are busy or work late hours. However, they do need to go for a walk or jog in order to get exercise outside. And if you have a safe, enclosed backyard, you can let your Bordoodle run around and play when the weather is appropriate. So, that’s an option as well. Just make sure that their basic needs are always met - otherwise they will become unhappy! 


The Bordoodle makes a fantastic playmate for kids who know how to be gentle with animals.


Recognized Clubs

The Bordoodle is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR). Besides all this, there are always special clubs and organizations that are devoted to specific designer breeds, including the Bordoodle. These are usually run by enthusiasts and long time owners of the breed, and that ensures that only the best information and advice is directed your way. If you are a future or recent Bordoodle owner, getting in touch with these clubs and owner-run groups will allow you an important insight into all the tips and tricks that you’ll need to know.


Coat

The Bordoodle features a soft, wavy, and long coat, but grooming requirements are low to moderate because it doesn’t shed much at all. Even though the Border Collie is not a hypoallergenic breed, the Poodle is, so a Bordoodle will have a low shedding coat that can be hypoallergenic. You should brush your dog’s coat one or two times a week in order to keep it soft and smooth. Bathing your dog will only be necessary when he gets dirty.


Of course, simple brushing won’t be a challenge – all it takes is a couple of minutes per day to get rid of any loose hairs and to tidy up your pet’s coat. But when grooming is concerned, it might require some more dedicated work. To that end, you might want to take your pet to the professional grooming salon. Here, the groomer can get rid of any undercoat and trim the hairs a bit, ensuring that your four-legged bestie looks their best.


Just make sure not to neglect the maintenance of their coat. You might end up with a lot more work than needed. So, take up a steady weekly routine. Brush their coat lightly for a few minutes every other day - it may help you maintain a tidy and clean appearance that will need to be emphasized by a monthly visit to the groomers. Nice and simple! 


Puppies

Because the Bordoodle is a medium size dog, the puppies will be small and will require care and a gentle touch to ensure that they do not get hurt. After all, this is the time when they are the cutest, and everyone will want to snuggle them. If your Bordoodle puppy will be around your kids, make sure they know how to handle the puppy correctly. These are fragile little creatures that need to be handled with a gentle touch. So be careful about leaving them alone with children too young to be sensitive with your pup. Avoid large and loud crowds as well as they might scare a puppy and traumatize them. 


Training your puppy as soon as possible will ensure that he learns the rules of the house, as well as how to walk on a leash. It’s so important not to waste those early and impressionable puppy days. That’s when the most effective training takes place. So while you will want to spend as much time as possible snuggling and playing with your little puppy, make sure to sneak in some training time every day as well. It’ll pay off in the long run. Just make sure to make it known that, at the end of the day, you’re the boss. A bit of an assertive attitude never hurts. Especially when training is considered. 


In addition to training, your pet should be properly socialized as soon as possible. As far as socialization goes, it is quite crucial for the proper development of a dog. Starting early and taking a measured approach is crucial for your pet’s later life. Not only will your dog be more comfortable around strangers and other dogs, but they will be much more affectionate with you as well. Bordoodles are energetic, smart, and inquisitive, and you should encourage socialization. Introduce your puppy to new people, kids, and other friendly dogs. If everything is done properly and with minimal stress, your pet should quickly become friendly and sociable. This removes the possibility of aggression, anxiety, and fear in their adult life. Do not underestimate the importance of socialization.


Photo credit: Rsguy/Flickr; Jarib G./Bigstock

Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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