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Home » Border Collie Greyhound Mix: Is It Right For You?

Border Collie Greyhound Mix: Is It Right For You?


    The Border Collie Greyhound mix is quite an unusual combination that isn’t very easy to find. Dogs with such a genealogy are usually not bred on purpose but are the result of “accidental breeding”. Two very different dogs have the chance to meet and just fall in love. Next thing you know there are gorgeous Border Collie Greyhound pups on the way.

    If you are thinking of adopting this mixed breed dog, one of the most important things to consider is that it will need a lot of exercise. Both the Border Collie and the Greyhound are very energetic pooches that need to be able to run and go for long walks. If you cannot guarantee a good level of outdoor time then you probably should consider getting another kind of dog.

    In this article, we will go through all of the most common traits of a Border Collie Greyhound mix pooch. While it is impossible to say how a puppy will turn out as an adult dog, there are some dominant characteristics that usually emerge in these pooches. By the end of the post, you will be able to make an informed decision whether this type of mixed breed is the ideal one for you.





    Border Collie Greyhound Mix




    Border Collie


    Border Collie dogs were originally used to herd sheep in the countryside along the border between Scotland and England. They are renowned for their very high energy levels and stamina. They just never get tired and need to be constantly stimulated mentally and physically in order to feel fulfilled and happy.

    Border Collies are medium-sized dogs and can weigh anything between 30 and 45 pounds. These dogs are highly intelligent and easy to train. They are top performers in any agility contest and just love to have a job to complete. Border Collies seem to understand and sometimes anticipate what their owner wants better than most other dog breeds.



    Breed Characteristics


    When you describe a Border Collie the first word that comes to mind is “energetic”. Their instinct to herd sheep and work is not something that can ever be removed from them. For this reason, living in an apartment without a garden would not be at all ideal for this dog breed.

    Another characteristic of Border Collies is that they need company and if left alone in the house they can become destructive. When they are by themselves they usually get bored easily and might start to look for something to do. This could involve chewing pieces of your furniture, chairs, cushions, or anything that looks interesting to them.


    Grooming


    Border Collies can have two different types of coat, a rough one and a smooth one. Both are double coats meaning that there is a regular coat and then an undercoat. The rough coat is medium length and has extra hair on the legs and chest. The smooth coat is short all over the body and not as soft as the smooth coat.

    The coat of a Border Collie is usually black and white but it can also be black and grey, red and white, all black, or black, white, and red. It is not difficult to keep a Border Collie well-groomed and clean. Brushing his coat once a week with a specific carder brush will be enough during most of the year. During the shedding period, the brushing sessions should be at least twice a week.



    Health


    Generally speaking, Border Collies are healthy dogs that can live up to 15 years. Nonetheless, there are certain conditions that can affect this dog breed and the most common ones are:

    • Hip Dysplasia
    • Deafness
    • Epilepsy
    • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
    • Collie Eye Anomaly

    Hip Dysplasia is the most common health issue in Border Collies and it affects the rear legs of the dog. This condition can be painful and seriously limit their ability to move. Since it is hereditary be sure to get your pooch from a proper breeder that can show you medical evidence that the parents have tested negative for Dysplasia.




    Border Collie Greyhound Mix




    Greyhound



    Greyhounds are known to be incredible racing dogs that can go as fast as 45 miles per hour. It is believed that they were the dogs of ancient Egyptians and they were bred mainly for hunting. The shape of their head and body is as aerodynamical as it can get for a pooch. They just love to run fast and they do it extremely well.

    They can weigh anything between 50 and 85 pounds and can be up to 30 inches tall. Even though Greyhounds enjoy being outdoors they are not as hyper and energetic as the Border Collies. They like taking frequent naps in a calm and quiet environment. They are sprinters that consume all of their energy in one go and then need to recuperate with a sound sleep.



    Breed Characteristics


    Greyhounds are very gentle and affectionate dogs that are quite easy to maintain. They like to go out for walks with their owner but they also enjoy resting at home. They are instinctively prone to chasing small animals so they should be without a leash only where they cannot run away.

    Greyhounds don’t mind living in an apartment as long as they get out at least twice a day. They are not the right breed if you are at work most of the day and you have to leave your pooch alone. Greyhounds usually suffer from separation anxiety and can become destructive if they are left by themselves.



    Grooming


    Greyhounds are low-maintenance dogs that are easy to care for. They have a short coat that just needs to be brushed a couple of times a week. They don’t have a great amount of odor and their skin doesn’t get very greasy. A bath every two or three months will be enough to keep them clean and smelling nice.

    Despite their name Greyhounds can be of practically any color and not just grey. Their coat can be black, brown, blue, white, red, or any of these combinations. They don’t have an undercoat like most dog breeds, but only one short layer of hair. This condition, together with the fact that they have very little body fat, makes them inclined to feel the cold. For this reason, they usually need to wear a coat to keep them warm when they go out for walks during the winter months.



    Health


    Greyhounds usually live up to 12 years. The most common health issues they have can be:

    • Bloat
    • Arthritis
    • Allergies
    • Osteosarcoma

    Among all of these conditions, bloat or gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) is the most common one in Greyhounds. It happens when the stomach twists and fills up with gas. The blood supply to the stomach and spleen usually gets cut off and the abdomen will enlarge. This condition is more frequent in Greyhounds than in other breeds because they have a narrower chest if compared to other dogs. GDV must be treated immediately by a veterinarian and it can be fatal in just half an hour.




    Is A Border Collie Greyhound Mix Good?



    The Border Collie Greyhound mix is the perfect dog for an active person that has the time and energy for such a lively pooch. While the Greyhound is more laid back than the Border Collie it still needs to run and go for brisk walks at least twice a day. Both breeds are very attached to their owner and can be great family dogs as well. A mix of these two breeds will certainly be a fun and engaging pooch to have around.