Border Collie German Shepherd Dogs
The two most popular dog breeds in North America are Border Collies and German Shepherds. They both have a storied history, with origins from different parts of Europe. This blog post will explain the similarities and differences between these breeds while providing information on taking good care of your pet.
Product name | PRODUCT Image | Check price on amazon |
|---|---|---|
The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Ingredients | ||
Wellness Core Dog Food | ||
Dog Foods For Dog | ||
EUKANUBA Adult Dry Dog Food |
Top 3 Reasons Why You Should not Get a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix
Size Problems
A German Shepherd Border Collie cross is a prominent designer dog. It can overpower children while playing with them. You must keep a close watch on kids when they play with this hybrid dog to avoid injury. The dog may not know if it is hurting the child, so you have to look out for both of them.
Crossing Breeds Risks
German Shepherds and Border Collies are popular household pets. But when they crossbreed, they can have harmful effects on the puppy’s health. So we should not crossbreed them without precautions.
Very Active Dog
German Shepherd + Border Collie = a fast dog. People living in small apartments will have a hard time with this dog because it knocks over furniture. This dog does the best when there is a yard for them to run in.
Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Get a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix
1. Affectionate Creatures
This type of dog likes to snuggle and get attention from its owners. It will try to get a ball from you and give it back. It also lies on its back so you can rub its stomach. You will love this type of dog a lot.
2. Fewer Visits to the Vet
German Shepherd dogs and Border Collie dogs can be healthy. They have a mix of these two dogs that is generally more healthy, and they might live up to 15 years old without any diseases or illnesses. Even though this hybrid is healthy, they will eventually have age-related health conditions.
3. Intelligent Dogs
Military and police use German Shepherds for tasks that people find difficult. The Border Collie is an intelligent and easy-to-train dog breed. If you have a German Shepherd and a Border Collie, you will have a brilliant puppy who is easy to train.
Other German Shepherd & Border Collie Mixes
Choosing the appropriate dog breed is a crucial decision. Many dogs are put up for adoption or abandoned every year because owners purchase a dog that does not fit their lifestyle.
Appearance, Traits, and Personality of a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix
Weight
Male: 21 to 29 inches
Female: 18 to 24 inches
Height
Male: 70 to 80 lbs., 45 to 60 lbs. if it is a Border Collie offspring
Female: 65 to 75 lbs., 45 to 60 lbs. if it takes after the Border Collie parent
Size: This type of coat is large, and it can belong. It is dense and straight in texture.
Color: The color of the coat could be black, brown, fawn, white, sable, or a combination of any two or three colors.
ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
Physical Traits: Medium size, Long-coated, Corgi white markings almost always present.
Puppies for Sale – German Shepherd Border Collie Mix
A German Shepherd may cost $325-$375, and a Border Collie maybe $600-$800. A healthy mix of a Border Collie and a German Shepherd may cost $475-$900. Adopting an old dog will decrease the selling price.
A list of dog breeders who can provide you with a German Shepherd Border Collie mix is as follows:
- Greenfield Puppies, Columbia, Pennsylvania
- Lancaster Puppies, Columbus, Ohio.
- Rising Sun Farm, Stacy, Minnesota.
How To Groom A German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Dogs
The Border Collie German Shepherd hybrid is a huge, heavy-coated dog that requires a lot of attention. It sheds lots of hair. Owners need to brush the coat daily to remove dead hair and tangles.
Here are some recommended grooming tools for your German Shepherd/Border Collie mix:
Slicker Brush
Slicker brushes are suitable for removing knots and tangles on long hair. Slicker brushes are better for German Shepherd Border Collie coats than a typical comb.
Detanglers
Owners may note that the Border Collie German Shepherd mix has a lot of knotted hair before using a slicker brush. A detangler can assist owners in weaving through the hybrid dog’s mats with a slicker brush by untangling the mats.
Dematting Sprays
A detangler can help if the tangles are too tight to brush out. It will relax the knots in the fur, making it easier for you to brush them out.
Scissors
If you see that your dog has a lot of tangles on its coat, you can use scissors instead of going to the groomers. This is only necessary if the tangles are hard to remove and your dog does not like sharp objects.
Conditioner and Shampoo
People who have Border Collie German Shepherds should buy a shampoo and conditioner made for their skin type. They should not purchase shampoo because it smells good or cheap. They must know what kind of coat it has and its skin to find hair products that will be best for them.
Grooming Wipes
This dog will be dirty after playing outside. To prevent dirt and grass from coming inside your house, you can use wet wipes. When the dog comes back inside, you can wipe its paws with the wet wipe.
Microfiber Towel
Human towels cannot dry a dog, and a towel is made for dogs. The German Shepherd Border Collie mix will still be wet even after a heavy rinse. A towel made for dogs will help the Border Collie German Shepherd cross dry better than a human towel.
German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Health Problems
There are not many health problems for Border Collie German Shepherd mix. You must keep the parents’ history to ensure that your dog does not have any health problems. Generally, these dogs are healthy, but you should watch out for the following symptoms:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Their hips and elbows might be bad when a German shepherd and Border Collie have puppies. The legs of the hybrid dog will be bad when they are old. The hybrid dog will have problems if they play too much.
Ear Problems
German Shepherd Border Collie’s parent breeds have ear problems. Sometimes people forget to clean their ears, leading to infection and deafness.
Epilepsy
Border Collies are known for getting epilepsy. They can get this when they have an episode. Epilepsy is when the dog has a seizure, and its body does something different than usual.
Von Willebrand Disease
A dog with Von Willebrand Disease might bleed too much from minor injuries. This disease is rare, but it can be dangerous for the dog.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Suppose your Border Collie German Shepherd mix starts walking funny on his back legs. In that case, this can be a sign of Degenerative Myelopathy. This illness causes paralysis in the pet’s legs because of its size. There is currently no cure.
People who are irresponsible with their dogs, like horrible breeders, are likely to have breeds that have health issues. A German Shepherd dog mixed with a Border Collie is the most likely to have problems because of the bad breeding. Owners should adopt a healthy puppy from a good breeder to avoid these problems.
German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Food Requirements
The Border Collie German Shepherd mix needs about 3 cups of dry dog food per day. If it is tired, give it 4 cups. The cost for dry dog food is $1.50-$1.90 per day, and the price will be $39-$52 for a month.
Border Collies and German Shepherds can have health problems, but these can be avoided if the dog is not overfed. Nutra Thrive is a food supplement that can help eliminate nutritional imbalances in dogs. Do not let the food control you. Be careful not to give human food to your dog because it might hurt them.
Dog owners and lovers need to buy dog food for large dogs. They should not buy dog food for small dogs.
Don’t buy dry dog food with a long ingredient list. They make your dog sick. Check out our guide to the best dry dog food at this link:
Your dog needs to have supplements in their diet because they are prone to hip dysplasia. The best option that you can do is feed them with calcium-rich food when they are a puppy, and as the dog gets older, the need for minerals will change. Older dogs need a different type of food made just for them.
Dog food must also have enough calories. Dogs can get fat, which is a common problem among large breeds. You should buy dog food with big chunks and no small pieces so the dog cannot eat them quickly and risk getting a life-threatening condition like bloat.
Here are some of the most recommended large breed dog food in the US:
The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Ingredients
The Blue Buffalo Life dog food is good for German Shepherds mixed with Border Collies. This food has a lot of ingredients rich in antioxidants like kelp, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Deboned chicken is the main ingredient. This food does not have wheat, soy, or corn.
Wellness Core Dog Food
The Wellness Complete Health dog food is good for the German Shepherd Border Collie mix. It contains all the nutrition that it needs. This food has chicken, salmon meal, and whitefish. The flavor of this food is delicious. This kind of dog food also has flaxseed which provides omega-3 fatty acids.
Dog Foods For Dog
Dog foods have vitamins and minerals to give your Border Collie (or German Shepherd) the nutrition they need. This product is priced low yet still healthy for your dog.
EUKANUBA Adult Dry Dog Food
Chicken is an ingredient in the food for the German Shepherd Border Collie mix. It has vitamins and minerals and helps prevent nutrient deficiency. This brand also provides glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health. This brand is a budget-friendly option that offers all the basic needs of a large pet.
Eagle Pack Natural
You may want to feed your German Shepherd Border Collie with organic food as an owner. Eagle Pack Natural has only natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives or colors. It also has eight probiotic strains to keep your hybrid dog healthy.
Pro Plan Focus Weight Management Large Breed
This brand is suitable for big dogs. They can use it to get many complex carbohydrates that give them energy. It also helps the joints because it has glucosamine. The brand also tackles joint problems or bloating, which mixed breeds like German Shepherd and Border Collie may have.
BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain Free
BLUE Wilderness Large Breed Recipe is a dog food that contains everything your dog needs. It has supplements for joints and vitamins for probiotics. It also has fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. The food is natural and grain-free, with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
NUTRO ULTRA Adult
This food is good for the Border Collie mix. It has glucosamine and chondroitin, which can help with digestion. It also has fiber, so your dog will be happy too.
Grain-Free High Protein Recipe with the Taste of the Wild High Prairie
The Taste of the Wild food is for Border Collie German Shepherd mixes. The food has vegetables and fruits in it, as well as protein. It is grain-free, so your dog can get enough nutrients.
Worrying about your dog’s diet shows that you know how important it is to feed them healthy food. Getting rid of dry dog food is an excellent first step. There are many good choices for dry dog foods, like Wellness Core Dog Food, Dog For Dog Food, or Nutra Thrive.
Check out the best dry dog food for tiny dogs and the best dry dog food for large breeds to see if either of these would be a suitable fit for your dog.
Puppies and older dogs need different types of food. The greatest puppy food brands are required for puppies, while the best senior dry dog food is necessary for senior dogs. Some of these can be chosen after a consultation with your veterinarian.
German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Exercise Requirements
The Border Collie and German Shepherd mix is a very active hybrid. Its parent breeds are also very active. If you have a German Shepherd and Border Collie mix, you have to give it time to play outside, or they will get bored and try to destroy things inside the house.
Your dog will act differently if you do not spend time with it. It needs 60 minutes of running and playing outside. Still, if you have a Border Collie/German Shepherd mix that is calm and independent, then 2 hours of walking every day should be enough. There are some other activities to do with your dog.
- Frisbee
- Weave Poles
- Yard Play
- Obstacle Courses
- Retrieval Tasks like Fetch
- Hunting for Dog Food
- Owners Chasing the Free Dog
- Flyball
- Agility Training
- Tracking
Some dogs might stay energetic at home after a long day of activities. Here are some exciting indoor activities for your dog to keep it busy until it tires:
- Dancing
- Tug of War
- Toy Fetching
- Interactive Games with Owners like Hide-and-Seek
Border collies and German shepherds are both energetic dogs that need a lot of exercises. If they play too much, they can get sick from being over-exhausted or too hot. Hiring a dog walker might help if you cannot take the time to exercise your dog yourself.
German Shepherd Border Collie Mix Training Methods
A German Shepherd Border Collie is an intelligent dog that likes attention. It will try to please its owner when they ask it to do something. Owners will need to train their dog while it is still a puppy.
To avoid accidents and injuries to other people, make sure that your Border Collie German Shepherd mix dog behaves in a way that doesn’t trip over furniture or children. Reward the dog for being good and show it how to sit, stay still, and stop. The more you teach this hybrid puppy, the better it will behave.
This dog is intelligent. It needs the training to keep it healthy and happy with you. Training makes the dog smarter. Socializing the dog helps it get along with other dogs if you have them inside your house. Positive reinforcement is an excellent teaching method. You can give the dog treats and work for dogs of all breeds and sizes.
German Shepherd Border Collie Mix and Families
German Shepherds and Border Collies are both good at herding animals. The offspring of these breeds will be good at herding and protecting. One of the best traits in German Shepherds is that they can adapt to any weather, including cold weather. The German Shepherd is a favorite dog for people who work in military, police, and service jobs. In 1908, the AKC recognized the German Shepherd as a purebred.
The Border Collie and the German Shepherd share many qualities. It is an intelligent herding breed. Border Collies were later known as home pets because of their loyalty. The American Kennel Club only recognized the Border Collie as a purebred in 1995.
German Shepherd Border Collie crosses are tenacious, dedicated, and protective. They show love for their owners. People often mistake them as purebreds because they are so popular. This crossbreed is easy to train for first-time owners because both parent breeds are also new-owner friendly.
Border Collie German Shepherd mix dogs are good family pets because they love their owners. They will help protect your kids from strangers, intelligent, energetic, loyal, and affectionate. When you get this type of dog, you will have a smart, energetic animal that is also loyal and affectionate in your family.
Frequently Asked Question About Border Collie German Shepherd Dogs:
Border Collies are dogs that were bred to herd sheep. They are strong, intelligent, and have a lot of energy. Border Collies use their eyes to stare at the sheep, so they know what’s happening in the flock.
This dog has a 10 to 14-year lifespan and can get health problems like seizures, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and osteochondritis dissecans. They can also get major ailments like canine hip dysplasia (CHD).
Border Collies are intelligent and highly trainable breeds. They were initially bred to herd sheep, which required quick and agile. Like other working dogs, they love to run fast- Border Collies can run at 30 miles per hour.
Food for Border Collies can include:
- Purina Pro Plan SPORT 27/17.
- Purina One SmartBlend.
- Beneful Dry Dog Food.
If you want a Collie, you will need a large garden for them to play in. They also need two hours of exercise every day. You should split this up, so they get some time off lead playing in an enclosed area.