Loyal, spirited, friendly, energetic, loving, and skilled in design – are these traits representative of the Border Collie Husky Mix Breed? Indeed! Combining the esteemed Border Collie and the magnificent Siberian Husky, this hybrid emerges as an outstanding pet for families.
Keep in mind, though, having a dog in the family is a huge responsibility that requires a lot of love and a great amount of effort. In addition, part of being a good pet parent is to learn as much as possible about the dog and its activity level before selecting one.
That is why, in this guide, we’ve put together everything you need to know about Husky Border Collie Mix puppies.
What is A Border Collie Husky Mix?
The Collie and Husky mix is a cross between two well-known designer dogs: the Border Collie and Husky [1].
This Siberian Husky Collie is a well-liked and intelligent dog that manifests the best characteristics of both parent breeds. The Siberian Husky is a natural survivor in cold climates, athletic and intelligent dog breeds, and a hard worker. Husky dogs are at their happiest when set with a mission and a task to accomplish something.
Likewise, the Border Collie is known for herding farm animals and loves to work with a can-do attitude. Border Collies are extremely agile pets and are great at keeping an eye on things.
As you bring these all together, the Border Collie and Husky mix is a breed that can give chase for a full day, particularly after other animals, and is filled with energy. The Border Collie Husky mix is eager to learn and very friendly.
This dog loves to take part in activities and enthusiastic when it comes to outdoor fun. The breed is fiercely loyal and highly intelligent, bestowing their ability to exhibit a very laid-back demeanor. Bearing in mind, the boundlessly energetic mix along with their parent’s love for work means lots of activity, attention, and space.
The Husky BorderCollie offspring are best kept outside of smaller apartments to socialize. So if you’re interested to have these Husky Collie mix puppy, get ready to keep up with it!
Border Collie Husky Mix Traits
Appearance
While most hybrid breeds tend to look like one parent more so than the other, the Siberian Husky Border Collie mix commonly has the Border Collie black and white shades, with a Husky appearance. The Siberian Husky mix retains his wild and wolfy look, but with a less imposing aura.
They also usually have piercing blue eyes that they’ve acquired from their Husky parent, and on occasion, they also have two contrasting colored eyes. Their ears are identical to their Husky parent breed that are semi-erect and alert.
Height and Weight
The Border Collie Husky Mix is short to a medium-sized dog that measures between 18 and 22 inches tall, from paw to shoulder but this varies depending on genetics. Their weight mirrors Husky’s muscular genes, with males weighing between 40 and 45 pounds.
The females typically weigh between 40 and 45 pounds. This medium-sized dog is more muscular than his Border Collie parent and slightly more compact than Husky.
Coat
The Border Collie mixed with Husky has a double coat, with a soft undercoat. He embraces a variety of outer colors. Smooth or rough, they can take the form of short or medium length but the Border Collie Husky mix tends to be silky to touch.
This pet is available in both parent breeds colors, including black, white, red, brown, sable, and gray to name a few. Scarcely, the Border Collie Husky mix will inherit rare shades such as red merle, blue merle, and saddleback sable. But typically, the Border Collie Husky mix will take the colors black and white.
Temperament
The Border Collie Husky mix is an intelligent dog that is commonly eager to please its master. However, he is known to be a little stubborn at times. For this reason, you should provide him with early obedience training to ensure that there are boundaries that must be followed and he learns from an early age who is the boss.
As its pet owner, you will also quickly learn that if he’s not getting worked as he should, or you aren’t challenging him enough, he will get bored very quickly and likely to get into the bad habit of ignoring you. So make sure he gets more physical and mental stimulation he needs.
The Collie is also known to be slightly aloof with strangers. Thus, there may be a possibility that the Border Collie Husky mix will inherit this, so it’s important to socialize him as early as possible too. This breed is very expressive and enjoys being included in the conversation around the house as well.
As always, positive reinforcement training is key for these breeds to be the best companions in the household.
Benefits of a Border Collie Husky Mix
Highly Intelligent and Loyal
Both Huskies and Border Collies are extremely intelligent breeds of pets, that are often used in hikes to guide people and on farms to herd cattle, respectively.
Hence, it’s straightforward that the Border Collie Husky mix is a breed that’s very pleasant being eager to please and to have around while listening to commands.
Keeping this pet engaged is, thereby, the most ideal method to get the best out of this dog mix.
Good Outdoor Companion
The Border Collie Husky mix is a highly energetic dog, a trait that was inherited from both of the parent breeds, so it can be expected that this hybrid dog has remarkable endurance and can run for hours.
They’re great to have around hiking grounds or large fields. They possess excellent hunting skills and extremely agile. That being so, this type of dog is perfect for people who usually spend a lot of time outside and has athletic backgrounds.
Ideal for Families with Kids
The loyal Border Collie Husky mix can be amazing family dogs. If properly trained and given more socialization, they can be very loving companions and extremely well-behaved.
The Border Collie Husky breed is a very social dog and loves being the center of attention, that will get along with kids of all ages, and other pets, regardless of the size.
However, due to their herding background, part of their techniques involves nipping, making this dog not the best option for younger children.
Downsides of a Border Collie Husky Mix
Health Concerns
The Border Collie Husky mix is often viewed to be healthier than both parent breeds and can also live with a lifespan of about 20 years on average. However, if not given the quality care they need like adequate exercise and good dietary management, their activity is bound to decline after 14 years.
Do not allow this breed to be sedentary. If so, they will be prone to bone disorders, including Osteoarthritis, chronic myelopathy, hip dysplasia, and intervertebral disc disorder.
To avoid such health issues, it’s recommended that you purchase a pup from a breeder that can offer a full medical history of the parent breeds and any medical concerns therein.
Excess Energy
As mentioned before, the Border Collie Husky mix is extremely energetic and if that energy is not channeled appropriately, they can turn aggressive if not managed properly and can get stressed easily.
Requires Training
The Border Collie Husky mix can be a challenging breed to train because they tend to be stubborn, and it can be difficult to get them to listen effectively. The stubbornness streak may come from both of the parent breeds but the Husky trait is more dominant.
Thus, it can be tough for the impatient owner to have this mixed dog as a pet. But bear in mind that with perseverance, this issue can be overcome.
Is A Border Collie Husky Mix the Dog Breed for You?
For a dog owner who is interested to have the Border Collie Husky mix as his pet, you should know that this dog requires a lot of attention and exercise. With their high energy, expect to exercise this breed for at least 90 minutes a day and you will be assured to have a healthy and happy pup.
But if he doesn’t receive adequate mental stimulation and isn’t exercised enough, he will become destructive and restless, just like his parents.
Moreover, due to their high energy drive, this dog is not suited to apartment living, not only will be likely to get cabin fever, but he will also become restless. Thus, this type of dog requires access to a yard and fresh air to keep him happy, considering his ancestors work in the cold wilderness in the past.
Just make sure to reinforce your yard, because the Border Collie Husky mix is likely to become an escape artist like its Husky parent when bored, and is known to jump even 6-foot fences easily.
On top of his exercise requirements, he will also need mental stimulation throughout the day. Generally, the Husky is food-driven, while the Collie is object-driven, so while you work out what drives your pup, use them to your advantage.
If you can’t spend time with them during the day then the Border Collie Husky cross-breed is certainly not for you, and you should consider a less energetic dog.
For these reasons, if this is your first time owning a dog and you’re a sedentary person, then is not the right breed for you. For active outdoorsy people, on the other hand, the Border Collie Husky is a fantastic option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does A Border Collie Husky Mix Shed A Lot?
Yes, a Border Collie Husky cross-breed sheds a lot. It’s prone to shedding comes primarily from their Husky background. This dog breed also overheats quite easily which further increases the shedding.
To make sure they don’t leave dog hair all over your house, it is recommended to brush their coat once a day using a wire pin brush. This will also help remove all the dirt and debris on its fur.
What Do I Feed A Border Collie Husky Mix?
The Border Collie Husky cross-breedneeds to be fed with a dry kibble that is meant for high-energy medium-sized pets, and their dog food should be age-specific. Depending on the energy levels and his size, this pup will eat between 2 1/2 and 3 cups of dog food a day.
As with any dog, be sure to feed your pup the best possible nutrients to keep them healthy, and make sure to monitor their treatment consumption to prevent obesity.
What Are The Health Concerns For A Border Collie Husky Mix?
Besides the bone disorders mentioned, the Border Collie Husky cross-breed is also likely to inherit, or at least be predisposed to eye conditions.
While both Border Collie and Husky share the same health problems, the Collie is predisposed to a variety of eye conditions such as Progressive Renal Atrophy, Collie Eye Anomaly, and Cataracts. Heart issues can also become a serious health condition.
Again, you should ask your breeder about the pup’s full medical history to make yourself aware of the other health concerns regarding this breed.
Conclusion
The Border Collie Husky cross-breed is a gorgeous dog that inherits its attractive appearance from both parent dogs. He is a happy-go-lucky pup that is intensely intelligent and energetic.
As such, they will need an active family who is going to challenge them both mentally and physically every day. As long as this is something that you can provide them with, then the Border Collie mix with Husky will have a happy and very long life together.
