Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Bordoodle

343 replies

Spaceman1 · 19/03/2021 15:19

I've just completed a questionnaire that recommends that a Bordoodle is the best dog for me. This is a cross between a border collie and a poodle. As they are quite rare I would love to know of anyone who has one and who knows of a reputable breeder.

OP posts:
2bazookas · 19/03/2021 16:23

There was a misprint in the time required for daily walks. Any dog with collie in it requires closer to 4.5 hours of energetic excercise a day, not 45 minutes.
If bored, a highly intelligent energetic crossbreed it will probably develop multiple highly undesirable behaviours . Take your pick from endless circling, barking, destroying, stealing and chewing, digging up carpets, and aggression.

Incidentally collies do shed; crossing it with a poodle won't eliminate that gene.

IntermittentParps · 19/03/2021 16:23

Sorry Spaceman1!

I don't personally know any Poo crosses, but I see loads of families with them, and I'm curious; are they really good family dogs? I mean, I'm sure they're not actually nasty, but poodles generally are very lively and high-maintenance.

TaraR2020 · 19/03/2021 16:24

Op - a "bordoodle" is one of the most irresponsible crosses i can think of.

Both are high energy, high intelligence dogs. As collies are still bread to be working dogs, they can be obsessive and difficult to manage without a huge amount of stimulation and exercise.

Both have lovely temperaments, poodles generally have a slightly gentler nature. Be aware that there are small variations in temperament between standard/miniature/toy poodles. They are though very clever and can be stubborn but do make lovely family dogs.

They both require a lot of attention and exercise.

The risk with this cross breed is that you get a puppy with the difficult traits of both dogs, which would be an absolute nightmare.

Not to mention that since the pandemic, irresponsible breeding has rocketed and vets are reporting a huge number of dogs bred very badly in the last 18 months with significant physical and behavioural issues as a direct result from the breeding.

Another point to be aware of,the demand for poodles and poodle crosses has rocketed in the last couple of years. Not only has this contributed to unethical breeding but it also means their a prime target for dog thefts, which have also rocketed recently. So, any poodle cross is likely to be a target atm.

As you are a first time dog owner, I would urge caution and plenty of research before you took on either a border collie or a poodle. I would strongly advise anyone against encouraging this cross breeding, irrespective of their experience of dogs.

If you are set on a poodle cross, opt for a more usual one such as a labradoodle or cockapoo.

I must ask, and I mean it in the nicest way, when you say you're looking for an usual breed, why? Is this because you see your breed choice as a reflection of part of your self/personality?

Its normal to do so, but it's a very bad idea to make this a driving reason for your dog choice.

Prioritise your wish list for a dog: if one that is hypoallergenic or doesn't shed is high on your list, then opt for a pedigree that doesn't shed rather than a cross between one who sheds and one who doesn't.

Be realistic about how much time you have for walking, training and spending time with your dog. About how much time its likely to be alone for. Be realistic about how much this might change post-pandemic. Also be honest with how much you're willing to be compromise for a dog, because no dog simply fits into your existing lifestyle.

Speak to local animal carers - vets, shelters and behavioural experts as part of your research and be aware that if you choose an unusual breed or a breed that is predisposed to health or behavioural issues you could be taking on a very expensive pooch.

This is all before you do thorough research into the breeder that you look to adopt from.

A final comment: cross breeds are now costing at least as much as pedigrees, so you really want to sink potentially thousands of pounds just to buy (not factoring in the costs of upkeep, training, health etc) into a cross-breed that has been bred irresponsibly and unethically and which comes without the assurances of breed that a pedigree is likely to come with?

stuckinarutatwork · 19/03/2021 16:25

My friend has a border colloodle which is also border collie cross poodle. It's quite a high-energy dog that needs a lot of mental stimulation and grooming. They aren't really suitable if they're going to be left alone at all. Highly intelligent though.
I don't think I'd have one with a household with kids. The herding mentality of the border collie combined with some more negative traits of the poodle temperament makes me a bit nervous of her near my kids. She's not snappy but just 'on edge' a lot.

BeepBoopBop · 19/03/2021 16:27

Makes me want to cry. Border Collies & poodles need lots of exercise. How can anyone think 45 minutes total per day is acceptable? Border collies especially are not ideal family pets.

TheScurrilousFunge · 19/03/2021 16:27

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

I got a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

(Anyone know what one is?)

Yes! Sort of gingery Labrador type things!
stuckinarutatwork · 19/03/2021 16:28

And DFriend (retired) takes DCollodle out for at least an hour first thing, two hours in the afternoon and is often outside with her during the day - gardening, running errands etc. She does agility training with her in the garden etc. They need a LOT of exercise. She makes our active border collie look lazy!

Spaceman1 · 19/03/2021 16:29

@Chunkymenrock Thanks, I'll do some research!

OP posts:
MildredPuppy · 19/03/2021 16:31

Get a miniature shnauzer. the ones i know dont shed much, like short or long walks, like children and are fine on their own for a bit They can be prone to barking but the ones i know dont bark much.

Broccolibravado · 19/03/2021 16:31

I have had one (about ten years ago, mistake when a show poodle escaped and got friendly with a border collie). Beautiful looking dog, but incredibly needy and far too clever for his own good. Was always one step ahead of what I would want him to be doing, so if he didn't feel like doing something he absolutely wouldn't. Very loving and fabulous with children. Needed a lot of exercise. He would have about 2 1/2 hours a day. FULL of character but I would have a collie again, or a poodle but NEVER the two mixed. Ps. We didn't call him a bordoodle but a collie doodle

Sixdegreesofseparation · 19/03/2021 16:32

Spaceman1

Gosh, I won't lie they're not my field of expertise at all, I tend to go for long, endurance type dogs. Why don't you start a new thread and ask people for recommendations outlining your circumstances? There's always loads of helpful advice to be had Smile

StillAliveish · 19/03/2021 16:32

I have a border collie crossed with a springer spaniel Blush We've only had him for a week so only time will tell, but he already seems like he needs a lot of mental stimulation. It makes training really rewarding but you have to watch he doesn't play you for treats!

Veterinari · 19/03/2021 16:35

@Spaceman1

If it really is like that then this website is very misleading.
Which is why you actually need to research the 'breed' you're interested in.

Go and research border collies and standard poodles then have a think about how on earth a mixture of those two breeds would be easy or low maintenance

Spaceman1 · 19/03/2021 16:36

@Broccolibravado There is no way I could do 2 and a half hours of dog walking every day at the moment. I wouldn't want the dog to get bored just watching me working while wanting to be outside.

OP posts:
Ihaventgottimeforthis · 19/03/2021 16:36

Giving breed crosses a cute portmanteau name does not make a new breed, especially one with any predictable characteristics.

How about a Poodle OP, which is a cross of a Poodle with a Poodle?
Seriously, lovely dogs who enjoy exercise & are intelligent. You can get miniature types.
What does help for a start is looking at breed group types - toy, gundog, pastoral etc - which gives you an idea of their energy, instincts, likely habits etc. Then you can think about size, coat length & care etc.

fallfallfall · 19/03/2021 16:36

Love my Airedale. Smart and great with kids. Nice size.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 19/03/2021 16:39

@Puppywithattitude

I am sceptical about these questionnaires, I once saw one that recommended a Vizsla for a retired person with no dog ownership experience. As a Vizsla owner I was agog Shock
I never trust those quizzes. We have a high-drive gundog breed that suits us very, very well. The quizzes never suggest them, nor anything similar.

Clearly the drivey gundogs are good for retired people, and we should settle for a miniature pinscher or whatever came up last time I tried.

Seriously, OP - go and meet lots of dogs and chat to their owners and work it out from there. As a first time owner I wouldn't go for a border collie or any cords thereof. Like malinois, fab dogs in the right hands and nightmares in the wrong ones.

Spaceman1 · 19/03/2021 16:40

@Ihaventgottimeforthis My understanding is that pure poodles can be very anxious and at times quite unfriendly towards strangers.

OP posts:
pizzaobsessed · 19/03/2021 16:40

[quote Spaceman1]@LizziesTwin 😂

According to this well known website they are low maintenance and make great family dogs and don't need very much exercise. Also nice to have a dog that is unusual. I really need to find someone who has one and has first hand experience.[/quote]
I find it hard to believe that anything crossed with a collie would need minimal walking! I used to take mine out for 2 hours at a time, she's have a drink and want to go out again.

If you're after a poodle mix, I'd suggest a cockapoos, cavapoo etc

sunflowersandbuttercups · 19/03/2021 16:42

If you can only commit to 2x30 minute walks a day then you need to look at dogs bred to be companions, not a cross of two working breeds!

It would be an absolute disaster waiting to happen.

Nohomemadecandles · 19/03/2021 16:43

Ita Mongrel. It could end up with any mix of genes and our collie sheds like nothing else on earth! She also needs a lot of stimulation. Short lead walks don't really do it for her. She likes to sniff and explore and play. Lots of licky mat time, kong time, balancing stuff on her nose, talking to her. She comes in the car when possible. She'd go mad with a 40 min walk on a short lead.
This cross breeding and marketing of them as designer is getting downright dangerous.

Spaceman1 · 19/03/2021 16:44

@fallfallfall I understood that terriers are generally quite vocal, keen on digging and unpredictable with children 🙈

OP posts:
Broccolibravado · 19/03/2021 16:44

@Spaceman1 then not the dog for you (or me as it turned out Grin)

Expectingsomethingwonderful · 19/03/2021 16:44

A border collie is possibly the worst choice for a family with young children as they can be highly unpredictable and need a lot of exercise and being so intelligent they need a job or can become very difficult to manage in a domestic environment - I am talking from many years of experience with the breed. Please stay away from collie crosses too as a first time dog owner. That questionnaire is dreadful. Please pick an easy breed and buy from a reputable pedigree breeder (this means no crosses).

Nohomemadecandles · 19/03/2021 16:46

The fact that you want something unusual I find a bit worrying to be honest. It's a dog not a dinner service.