Border Collie Husky Mix: Why We Love This Energetic Dog
Crossbreed dogs are very popular with breeders hoping to get the best traits from two beloved breeds of dog. The Border Husky mix is the offspring of two beautiful breeds of dog, so whichever parent they take after you are likely to have a lovely dog. This particular crossbreed dog has great qualities inherited from both its parents. They are highly energetic and loyal, meaning they could be a great addition to your family. Let’s find out more about this adorable mix and how to provide for their needs.
Characteristics
A Border Husky mix is a medium-sized dog with a dense coat, depending on how much of the Siberian Husky is inherited.
Crossbreed dogs can vary greatly in their characteristics, depending on their unique mix of genes inherited from their parents. Even litter mates can vary in shape, size, and color! Border Collies and Siberian Huskies are very different breeds of dog and, as a result, their hybrids are all very different. Hopefully, they have the best qualities from both parent breeds.
A Border Husky mix is a medium-sized dog with a dense coat, depending on how much of the Siberian Husky is inherited. They generally weigh between 30 and 55 pounds, with male dogs being larger than female dogs. Their average height is between 18 and 22 inches (this is measured from the floor to their shoulder). Coat color varies and includes black, white, and brown with a medium coat length. Red Merle, Blue Merle, and saddleback sable are also possible coat colors if inherited from the Border Collie. Many dogs have a double coat, with a soft undercoat. They are high-energy dogs known for their intelligence, affection, and activity.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Border Husky mix is 12- 15 years.
Personality
They are very energetic and can play for hours, perfect for outdoor fun!
The Border Collie Husky mix can be a very vocal dog that loves to express how they are feeling. They are very affectionate when they want attention and are receptive to commands. They are very energetic and can play for hours, perfect for outdoor fun!
Exercise Needs
The Border Collie Husky mix is an extremely energetic dog. They have incredible endurance and can run for hours, perfect if you want a running partner! They need several hours of exercise and stimulation each day. Both Huskies and Border Collies can be highly strung and are very intelligent, so plenty of brain stimulation in the form of training games and enrichment activities is required.
They love nothing more than exploring open spaces or hiking with you so may not be the most ideal dog for city living. Their energy needs to be channeled with a variety of games and activities, they are good at searching and sniffing and love to take on challenges that involve herding and running.
Sociability
Both Huskies and Border Collies are sociable dogs, but they can be stubborn! Early socialization is crucial to expose your companion to different situations as they grow up. They are an intelligent breed and generally respond well to training. In fact, they require the mental stimulation of training and ‘work’ to stay happy and healthy. They are friendly and outgoing dogs that will quickly become part of the family. They can be protective, and they don’t like to be left alone.
Border Husky mix dogs are generally happy to spend time around children and other animals, however, they are active dogs that can be overeager so should always be supervised around young children or smaller animals to avoid injury.
Grooming
Their long hair can get wet and muddy easily, so bathing intermittently is also required.
Both parent breeds are seasonal shedders. They may have a double coat which means the undercoat can clump and mat. These dogs require regular brushing several times a week to remove the dead hair and prevent matting. Their long hair can get wet and muddy easily, so bathing intermittently is also required.
Food and Diet Requirements
As a breed, this crossbreed does not require a different diet than any other medium-large breed dogs. They are a very active breed and a diet high in good quality protein is recommended to ensure adequate energy and muscle mass. This hybrid is not prone to weight gain, but it is advised to monitor your dog’s intake and adjust as necessary. Above all, a well-balanced, nutritionally complete diet is recommended that contains meat, vegetables, and grains. Their diet will need to be adjusted appropriately for different life stages – puppies and young, growing dogs have different nutritional requirements than adult or senior dogs.
Many Husky owners advocate for raw feeding. However, this comes with its risks and there are many other ways to provide a healthy diet for your dog. Check out this article about raw feeding huskies Can Huskies Eat Raw Meat? – Timberwolf (timberwolforganics.com) and learn about what a Husky needs from their diet.
Health
Like most hybrid dogs, the Border Husky mix tends to be healthier than their parental lineage and they tend to live longer too. Regular trips to your veterinarian for preventative treatment will help keep your dog in top condition and pick up on any problems early allowing for more effective treatment. Border Husky mixes can be predisposed to certain inherited diseases from both parents. Border collies are prone to hip dysplasia and certain joint problems. They are also predisposed to epilepsy (causing seizures) and a disease of the eyes called Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). Siberian Huskies have been shown to be more likely to suffer skin diseases and hormone deficiencies such as hypothyroidism compared to other large breed dogs. They are also susceptible to some genetic eye conditions such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Some of these diseases can be screened for using a genetic test. Be sure to use a reputable breeder if you are considering purchasing this breed that has access to the parent’s health records and is utilizing appropriate genetic tests where possible.
Summary
The Border Collie Husky mix could be a great addition to your home, but they can be a handful and are not necessarily the ideal dog for a first-time dog owner. If you are considering bringing this breed into your home, do your research. Consider connecting with someone who already owns a dog of this mix to hear their personal experiences. If you have the space and time, this breed will make an engaging pet that is eager to learn. If you can provide them with an active lifestyle, they will make a loyal and loving companion.
FAQs:
Are Border Collie Husky mix good dogs?
Border Husky mix dogs are a newer mix of breeds. They are very intelligent, active dogs that love being outdoors. If trained correctly and well-socialized they can be great family dogs for those who enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle.
What is a Border Collie Husky mix called?
Unlike other crossbreeds, the Border Collie Husky mix doesn’t yet have a catchy hybrid name! They are generally referred to as a ‘Collie Husky mix’ or a ‘Border husky mix’. How about a ‘Colsky’ or a ‘Huslie’?
How smart is a Border Collie Husky mix?
Border Collies and Siberian Huskies are both intelligent breeds of dog and their hybrid offspring are no exception. Both require a lot of physical and mental stimulation. Without this, destructive behaviors could result. They have a strong work drive and are eager to work for their owner, learning new tricks and commands throughout their life.
How do you train a Border Collie Husky mix?
Border collie Husky mix dogs are generally very intelligent and can learn tricks easily. Border collies are eager to please and very responsive which can help with training. Huskies can be a little more stubborn but are easily trained. Be sure to mix up your training techniques to provide mental stimulation, finding activities they are interested in using positive reinforcement training methods.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.