Bordoodle Breed Guide (Border Collie Poodle Mix)

The Bordoodle (AKA Borpoos, Border Doodle or Borderpoos) is a cross breed between a Border Collie and a Poodle. Bordoodles are known for their friendly, intelligent, energetic and affectionate nature as well as their super fluffy hypoallergenic coats that come in many different colors. It’s no surprise they are highly sought after and fetch very high prices.

If you are interested in Bordoodles keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your questions about this dog breed!

Cover Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

What Is A Border Collie Poodle Mix Called?

A Border Collie Poodle Mix is most commonly called a Bordoodle but they are also sometimes called Borderpoos, Borpoos or Border Doodles.

What Is A Bordoodle?

A Bordoodle Dog is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle. They are a medium to large sized dog that has an affectionate, energetic and playful temperament. Bordoodles come in three main sizes including Toy Bordoodles, Mini Bordoodles and Standard Bordoodles.

They are one of the most intelligent Poodle Mix breeds as they are a cross between the two most intelligent dog breeds – the Border Collie and Poodle that rank 1st and 2nd for working and obedience intelligence respectively.

Bordoodle Origins

The precise origins of the Bordoodle are not clear as they are a new designer dog breed, are not as common as other Poodle mixes and do not have an extensive history like other more established dog breeds. For example, the Border Collie originated in the border region between Scotland and England while the Poodle originated in Germany.

While their history is not well documented, it is likely that Border Collies and Poodles were first crossed in the 1990s or early 2000s when designer hybrid breeds were rising in popularity.

The original goal of crossing the Border Collie with the Poodle was to create a medium to large sized dog with the temperament of the Border Collie and hypoallergenic, low-shedding characteristics of the Poodle however with less hereditary health issues than the respective purebred parent breeds.

They are a designer dog and have only continued to gain popularity in recent years however they are no where near as popular as other Poodle Mix breeds like Groodles, Labradoodles, Aussiedoodles, Bernedoodles and other cross breeds.

What Does A Bordoodle Look Like?

Bordoodle Coat Types

There are three main types of coats Bordoodle’s can have depending on the percentage make-up of Poodle to Border Collie. These are the wavy coat, curly coat and straight coat. Their coats can range from thick to thin and can have slightly different textures depending on the individual dog.

Wavy Coat

The wavy coat is one of the most common Bordoodle coat types. It features a gentle wave and is low to non-shedding. Wavy coats are quite hypoallergenic however curly coats are generally considered to be the most hypoallergenic. In terms of maintenance, wavy coats are generally easier to groom than curly coats.

Curly Coat

The curly coat is the next most common Bordoodle coat type and is generally seen in backcross generations such as F1b Bordoodles and F1bb Bordoodles as they have a higher percentage of Poodle genes.

These coats give Bordoodle’s more of a Poodle appearance and are generally more hypoallergenic than straight and wavy coats. These coats require more effort to maintain as they are more susceptible to matting.

Straight Coat

The straight coat, also called the flat coat, is the least common Bordoodle coat type and is very rare. In most Poodle Mix breeds it is seen in reverse backcross generations such as F1b Reverse however this generation is hardly ever bred for Bordoodles as there isn’t really any demand for it.

An F1b Reverse Bordoodle is created by breeding an F1 Bordoodle back to a purebred Border Collie so it has a higher percentage of Border Collie genes and is more likely to inherit their straight coat.

Generally, straight coats are not as hypoallergenic and are light to moderate shedding so are not as suitable for allergy sufferers as curly or wavy coats.

Bordoodle Coat Colors

Black And White Bordoodle

Black and white is the most common Bordoodle coat color. They feature a mainly black coat with white patches. The white patches are usually located on their chest, legs, muzzle, paws or above their eyes. Black and White Bordoodles are sometimes called Tuxedo Bordoodles if their black and white patches are in a pattern that makes it look like they’re wearing a suit.

Black Bordoodle

Black Bordoodles feature a solid black coat. They may have small white patches over their body like on their chest or paws however these as technically Black and White Bordoodles. Black Bordoodles are very common as the coat color can be inherited from either parent breed.

Merle Bordoodle

A Merle Bordoodle carries the merle gene which dilutes certain sections of their coat into mottled patches. This gene also affects eye color and skin pigmentation on the nose and paws so Merle Bordoodles often have very light eye colors such as blue and often have pink patches on their nose and paws.

Chocolate Bordoodle

Chocolate Bordoodles have a solid brown coat that can range from a very light shade to a dark brown. They often also feature a small white patch on their chest. They can inherit their brown coat from either the Poodle or the Border Collie.

Red Bordoodle

Red Bordoodles come in a variety of shades from light red to dark red. Their coats can be anywhere from a reddish cream to a rusty brown color. Red Bordoodles with lighter red coats are usually called Apricot Bordoodles. They usually inherit this coat color from the Poodle.

Bordoodle Size

Border Collie Poodles Mixes come in three main sizes: Toy Bordoodles, Mini Bordoodles and Standard Bordoodles. As the cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle is not that common, most Bordoodles are standard sized. This means that they have crossed a Standard Poodle with a Border Collie.

How Big Does A Bordoodle Get?

How big a Bordoodle gets depends on the size of Poodle that the Border Collie was crossed with. There are three main sizes of Bordoodle including Toy Bordoodles, Mini Bordoodles and Standard Bordoodles.

Toy Bordoodles get to a height of 35cm to 45cm and weigh between 8kg and 12kg.
Mini Bordoodles get to a height of approximately 45cm to 50cm and weigh between 12kg and 18kg.
Standard Bordoodles get to a height of approximately 50cm to 55cm tall at the shoulder and weigh between 18kg and 30kg.

When Is A Bordoodle Fully Grown?

Toy Bordoodles are fully grown the quickest while Standard Bordoodles take a few extra months to reach their adult size. As you can see, the age a Bordoodle is fully grown depends on the size of Poodle that the Border Collie was crossed with.

Toy Bordoodles are fully grown between 9 and 12 months of age.
Mini Bordoodles are fully grown between 11 and 13 months of age.
Standard Bordoodles are fully grown between 12 and 16 months of age.

Toy Bordoodle

A Toy Bordoodle is a cross between a Toy Poodle and a Border Collie. They are the smallest Bordoodle size that is quite suited to city-living in an apartment or small space. Nevertheless, they are least common size of the breed.

While the ‘toy’ size is very common for other Poodle mix breeds such as Cavoodles and Spoodles, not many breeders cross Border Collies with Poodles to start with and if they do, they are much more likely to cross Border Collies with a Miniature or Standard Poodles than Toy Poodles.

When fully grown, Toy Bordoodles get to a height of 15 to 18 inches (38.1cm to 45.7cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 20 and 40 pounds (9.1kg to 18.1kg).

Mini Bordoodle

A Mini Bordoodle is a cross between a Miniature Poodle and a Border Collie. They are the middle size of Bordoodle as they are slightly larger than the Toy Bordoodle and slightly smaller than the Standard Bordoodle.

When fully grown, Mini Bordoodles get to a height of 18 to 21 inches (45.7cm to 53.3cm) at the shoulder and weigh between 30 and 45 pounds (13.6kg to 20.4kg).

Standard Bordoodle

A Standard Bordoodle is a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Border Collie. They are the largest and most common size of the breed.

Standard Bordoodles get to a height of 20 to 25 inches (50.8cm to 63.5cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 40 and 60 pounds (18.1kg to 27.2kg) when fully grown.

Bordoodle Price

How Much Does A Bordoodle Cost?

Most Bordoodles cost between $3000AUD and $8000AUD. Bordoodles have a broad price range as there are so many factors that affect their price. These include the size, coat color, generation, lineage, breeder’s reputation, location as well as the age of the dog.

Bordoodles are also very expensive because they are a designer cross breed dog and are not very common. As not many breeder produce them, they can charge very high prices. However, comparatively to other Poodle mix breeds, Bordoodles are still within the same price range.

Bordoodle Shedding

Do Bordoodles Shed?

Bordoodles do not shed much at all. They only drop a few strands of hairs here and there throughout the year so they are classified as non to low shedders. Cross-back generations of Bordoodle such as F1b, F1bb or F2b shed less than F1 Bordoodles as they have a higher percentage of Poodle genes.

The best way to reduce the amount that your dog sheds is to regularly brush them. Slicker brushes are great for dogs with single coats and deshedding tools are great for dogs with double coats.

Is A Bordoodle Hypoallergenic?

Bordoodles are considered to be a hypoallergenic dog breed. In fact, the original reason why they were bred was to create a dog that had the same personality and temperament as a Border Collie without their shedding coat.

Bordoodles are hypoallergenic as they do not release much dander (dead skin cells) into their immediate environment which can irritate allergy sufferers.

Generations of Bordoodle that have a higher percentage of Poodle genes such as cross-back generations (F1b and F1bb) are usually more hypoallergenic than your average Bordoodle.

You can make your dog even more hypoallergenic by keeping up a good grooming routine as it will stop them from releasing allergens into your home.

Your dog’s grooming routine should include both brushing and bathing. A brush down with a slicker brush every other day is ideal to remove any loose hairs. As for washing, a bath with a gentle dog shampoo every 3 months will remove dead skin cells, dirt and debris.

This may not seem that often but you don’t want to over wash your dog otherwise their coat will dry out which will only cause flaky skin which is an allergy irritant.

Bordoodle Temperament

The temperament of a Bordoodle can vary depending on many factors such as the percentage mix of Poodle to Border Collie, their level of socialization, their environment and what type of training they have undergone.

What Is A Bordoodle Like?

Bordoodles are known to be intelligent, affectionate and energetic dogs. They are very loyal and form strong bonds with their family which makes them fantastic companion dogs. Bordoodles also have a very playful nature and love to play games like fetch or partake in play sessions with other dogs or their owners to keep entertained.

Are Bordoodles Smart?

Bordoodles are incredibly smart. In fact, they are the smartest Poodle Mix breed. Border Collies are ranked 1st for working and obedience training out of 138 breeds while Poodles are ranked 2nd. Bordoodles are a cross between the two smartest dog breeds so they are quick learners which makes them quite easy to train.

Are Bordoodles High Energy?

Bordoodles are high energy. They really enjoy doing challenging activities like long hikes, agility training or a game of fetch and if they get the opportunity to do these types of activities regularly, it will prevent boredom and behavioral issues.

Are Bordoodles Aggressive?

Bordoodles are not known to be aggressive however their behavior can be influenced by factors like socialization, upbringing and genetics. Early socialization is crucial so Bordoodles grow up to be well-adjusted and well-behaved dogs. They should be exposed to a range of sights, sounds, environments and experiences as a puppy so they don’t display aggressive or fearful behavior in these situations as an adult dog.

Are Bordoodles Protective?

Bordoodles can be protective of their owners and family members, especially if they think that there is a threat nearby. They are very alert and aware of their surroundings and are also very dedicated and loyal to their family which is why they are often protective. Bordoodles can also be territorial at times so if they think that their home is under threat they will bark or stand guard.

Bordoodle Lifespan

How Long Does A Bordoodle Live?

The average Bordoodle lives for 10 to 16 years. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Bordoodle including size, gender, generation and whether they are desexed or intact.

These variables mean they can have shorter or longer lifespans than the average. You can give your Bordoodle the best chance of living a long life by exercising them daily, feeding them a healthy diet and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Bordoodle Generations

What Is An F1 Bordoodle?

An F1 Bordoodle is the first generation of the breed. It is created by crossing a purebred Border Collie with either a purebred Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle. An F1 Bordoodle is 50% Border Collie and 50% Poodle.

What Is An F1b Bordoodle?

An F1b Bordoodle is created by crossing an F1 Bordoodle with a purebred Poodle that is either Toy, Miniature or Standard sized. The resulting dog is 25% Border Collie and 75% Poodle.

What Is An F1bb Bordoodle?

An F1bb Bordoodle is a cross between an F1b Bordoodle (Bordoodle x Poodle) and a purebred Poodle which can be Toy, Miniature or Standard sized. They are 12.5% Border Collie and 87.5% Poodle.

What Is An F2 Bordoodle?

An F2 Bordoodle is the second generation of the breed created by breeding an F1 Bordoodle with another F1 Bordoodle. They are 50% Border Collie and 50% Poodle.

Male vs Female Bordoodle

In terms of size, Male Bordoodles are generally taller and heavier than Female Bordoodles. Within any size category, i.e. Toy Bordoodles, Mini Bordoodles or Standard Bordoodles, Male Bordoodles will be heavier and taller than their female counterparts.

In terms of temperament, Male Bordoodles are generally more easy going and laid back while Female Bordoodles are more independent and strong-willed. Females are generally more assertive and dominant than males. Nevertheless, there are many other factors that play into temperament so just because your Bordoodle is a certain gender, it does not mean that they will behave in a certain way.

Grooming A Bordoodle

Do Bordoodles Need Grooming?

Bordoodles need to be groomed every 8 to 12 weeks. They need grooming as they have a single-coat that keeps growing if not trimmed regularly. During this time they should get a haircut, wash and a nail trim. Brushing needs to be done at home with a slicker brush at much more frequent intervals – at a minimum every week but ideally every day.

How Often Should Bordoodles Be Bathed?

Generally, Bordoodles should be bathed every 4 to 8 weeks and should not be bathed any more frequently otherwise they will get dry, flaky skin as natural oils will be stropped from their skin.

Nevertheless, if your Bordoodle leads a very active outdoor lifestyle where they swim or get dirty, they may need to be washed more frequently.

How Often Should You Brush Your Bordoodle?

You should brush your Bordoodle at least weekly to prevent tangles and matting and also reduce shedding. If your Bordoodle has a curly coat, they will have to be brushed much more frequently than ones with wavy or straight coats. If you can, try to brush your Bordoodle daily or every second day as it is much better than doing it weekly. Slicker brushes are perfect for Bordoodles as they have a single coat.

Bordoodle Haircuts

Bordoodles need to get haircuts as they have a coat that continues to grow and can easily become matted. The length you cut a Bordoodle’s hair comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer longer coats while others like shorter ones as they are better for warmer climates. You can either go to a professional groomer or learn how to cut a Bordoodle’s hair from the internet and invest in a DIY dog grooming kit.

There are many different haircuts that you can give your Bordoodle. Some popular ones include the:

Puppy Cut
Teddy Bear Cut
Poodle Cut
Summer Cut

Exercising A Bordoodle

Do Bordoodles Need A Lot Of Exercise?

Bordoodles need between 60 and 90 minutes of exercise each day as they are a high energy dog. This can be split over 1 to 3 periods of exercise. Both the Poodle and the Border Collie are high energy dogs so it’s no surprise that Bordoodles are as well.

Bordoodles enjoy going hiking, playing fetch, jogging or going on brisk walks. They also like to participate in obedience training or agility training or interactive play sessions. If you had to choose any activity to do with a Bordoodle, it would be fetch. Bordoodles particularly like fetch as they have a strong retrieving instinct that they inherit from the Border Collie which historically were herding dogs. Some Bordoodles love it so much that their owners buy automatic ball launchers so they don’t get repetitive strain.

Smaller Bordoodles may not need as much exercise as a larger Bordoodle sizes. Bordoodle puppies require significantly less exercise. The general rule is that puppies should get 5 minutes of exercise per month of age.

Bordoodles also need to partake mental exercise such as obedience training and brain games which is why many people get their Bordoodle’s interactive puzzle toys or Kong chew toy which they can stuff with treats like peanut butter.

If they don’t get enough mental or physical exercise each day, Bordoodles can become bored and destructive. They may start chewing up things, digging up your backyard or barking excessively which is why it is so important to give them heaps of exercise.

Feeding A Bordoodle

How much you should feed a Bordoodle depends on their size, age, metabolism, health and activity levels. An adult Bordoodle should be fed two meals a day while Bordoodle puppies should be given meals more frequently depending on their age.

Many people opt to use smaller puppy bowls with non-slip food mats as puppies tend to be messy eaters. The pet food mat will prevent food from being spilt everywhere and also stop the bowl from slipping around and tipping over. A lot of puppies also become overly excited about food and eat way too fast which can cause indigestion and choking so it’s not a bad idea to train them out of this habit with a slow feeder dog bowl.

Most adult Bordoodles consume roughly 1 to 4 cups of food everyday however this depends on their size, health and activity levels. This is usually split into one meal in the morning and one meal at night. Again, you should seek advice from your veterinarian for specific diet recommendations for your Bordoodle.

Training A Bordoodle

How To Train A Bordoodle Puppy

Bordoodles are very intelligent so they respond very well to training and are generally quite easy to train. You should start teaching your Bordoodle puppy basic commands such as their name, sit, stay and come from the moment they arrive home. Then, you can then progress to more difficult tricks and commands.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

Downsides Of Bordoodles

While Bordoodles are a lovely dog breed with many positive traits, they do have some downsides like any other dog breed.

1. Rare Poodle Mix Breed

Bordoodles can be difficult to find as they are not a common Poodle mix breed like Goldendoodles or Labradoodles. Sometimes you have to go interstate to find Bordoodle breeders or even get a Bordoodle flown into your state with a flight nanny.

2. Grooming Requirements

Bordoodles, like all Poodle mixes, are high maintenance in terms of grooming. This is not only time consuming but can also be very expensive if you choose to go to professional groomers. Luckily, you can keep these costs down by investing in a DIY dog grooming kit.

3. Very Expensive

Bordoodles are very expensive to adopt and are also expensive to own. Like lots of other Poodle Mix breeds, Bordoodles cost thousands of dollars.

4. High Energy Levels

Bordoodles have high energy levels as they are a combination of two very active breeds. Bordoodles need 60 to 90 minutes of exercise every single day whether that is a hike, walk, jog, run or a game of fetch. If they are not given enough exercise they may become anxious, bored or destructive.

Poodle Mix Breed Comparisons

There are many breeds that are very similar to Bordoodles. In terms of size and energy Groodles, Labradoodles, Aussiedoodles, Bernedoodles and Sheepadoodles are the most similar to Bordoodles. Cavoodles and Spoodles are also quite similar but are usually a lot smaller. Much smaller poodle mix breeds include Maltipoos and Yorkie-poos which have a similar hypoallergenic coat but a very different temperament.