Last Updated on November 11, 2023 by Linda Richard
Crossbreeds can vary a lot and it’s sometimes hard to know what you’ll be getting. So, let’s go over the Border Collie Lab mix full-grown size, personality, health, and other important characteristics. This curious crossbreed is rapidly gaining in popularity in recent years. That’s no surprise given how common and loved both Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies are. So, let’s go over everything you need to know about the Borador.
Table of Contents
Border Collie Lab Mix Full-grown Size and Appearance
Figuring out how big do Border Collie mixes get when crossed with Labrador Retrievers is relatively simple. The two-parent breeds aren’t the same size – Labrador Retrievers are large dogs while Border Collies are medium-sized. This means that the standard Border Collie Lab mix full-grown size will vary between the two breeds’ average sizes.
The exact size of each specific crossbreed puppy can’t be guaranteed, of course, as the variation is significant. However, a Border Collie Lab mix full-grown size should always be somewhere between 19 and 24 inches in height at the shoulders (48 to 61 cm). The weight should remain between 40 and 64 pounds too (18 to 29 kg). Some dogs can get above 64 pounds without being overweight if they look more like their lab parent but that’s rare.
While the Borador, Border Collie Lab mix size can vary, the coat colors are even more diverse. The lab parent can have either of the three traditional colors – black, brown, and yellow – but it can also have a rarer color variation such as silver or charcoal. Border Collies are typically a white and black bi-color.
For your Borador this means that they can be any of these colors, depending on the parents. The length of the coat can also vary – it can be short, medium, or even long of the Border Collie genes remain dominant.
What Is The Border Collie Lab Mix Temperament and Personality?
One of the sweet things about this crossbreed is its excellent character. Both Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies are very people-friendly, intelligent, and well-mannered. Purebred Border Collies are considered the most intelligent dog breed right now and Labrador Retrievers are not far behind. This means that the Borador is exceptionally easy to train and interact with.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should neglect your dog’s training – to the contrary. Obedience training is just as important for the Borador as it is for any other breed, it’s just easier to do. The same goes for socialization – the fact that Boradors are inherently social doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t socialize them, just that’s they get used to people and other pets more easily once you socialize them.
One inherent drawback of such intelligent and social dogs, however, is the predisposition to separation anxiety. These dogs don’t tolerate being left alone for too long which can be a problem if you have to work all day away from home.
Learn more about: Black Lab And Great Pyrenees Mix – The Bear Retriever
Border Collie Lab Mix Lifespan and Health
The expected average lifespan of the Borador is somewhere between 10 and 15 years. This is a rather wide range but that’s because this is a fairly new crossbreed and we don’t have that much information about it yet. Regardless, those are just averages at the end of the day. As is the case with both Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies, if you have a healthy puppy and you take good care of it, chances are that it will easily surpass the 15-year mark and go well above it.
As for the health issues themselves, you’ll be glad to know that this is a fairly healthy crossbreed. That’s due to both parents being pretty healthy, however, it’s important to make sure that’s the case. Puppy mills tend to breed their dogs pretty indiscriminately which can lead to some hereditary health problems being passed on. In those cases you might have to deal with some of the following issues:
Needless to say, proper diet, regular exercise, and routine vet check-ups are all a must if you want to avoid these and other potential issues.
Border Collie Lab Mix Full-grown Exercise Needs
With one hunting parent and one shepherd, the Borador has quite significant exercise needs. Any Border Collie Lab mix full-grown dog will require somewhere between 90 and 120 minutes of daily outdoor exercise. This should typically be divided into two outings, each including some jogging to and from the dog park, and plenty of playtimes while you’re there.
Having a yard is also very recommended as these dogs would love to spend some time there as well. Just make sure that the yard is well-fenced as these dogs can be quite the escape artists. Aside from that, some indoor playtime would be welcome as well, plus longer hikes to new places over the weekend.
If all this sounds excessive, that’s because it is. Those are the needs of the breed, however. If you’re not ready to meet them, it’s probably for the better to pick a different breed. Otherwise, you’ll end up with an unhappy, restless, disobedient, and potentially depressed dog.
Border Collie Lab Mix Price
Because of how common the two parent breeds are, Borador mixes aren’t all that expensive. Depending on whether you’re looking, you should be able to find such pups for somewhere between $200 and $500. Again, just make sure that you get an actually healthy pup from a reputable breeder. Even if you have to pay a bit extra, this will be returned tenfold by all the vet bills you’ll save on down the line.
Should You Get A Borador?
All in all, these are some of the best dogs anyone can have. A Border Collie Lab mix full-grown is the perfect mid-to-large size, it’s very smart and social, and it’s an exceptionally lively and playful breed. The only major drawbacks are that these dogs can be a bit too energetic for some people and there’s some risk for separation anxiety as well. If those two won’t be problems for you, however, you should definitely consider getting a Borador.
Read more about: Border Collie Lab Mix Life Expectancy and How Does It Compare To Other Breeds
