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Are you looking for a loving, energetic large dog? Then you may want to consider the Border Collie Pyrenees hybrid dog!
What is a Border Collie Pyrenees Dog?
The Border Collie Pyrenees is a hybrid dog, also called a designer dog breed. The dogs come from breeding a Border Collie with a Great Pyrenees, resulting in this hybrid, designer dog breed. Not much is known about the history of these dogs; however, we do know about each parent of this crossbred dog breed.
Great Pyrenees are very large dogs that were first bred in the mountain range of the same name, located in southwestern Europe. The dog breed originated about 10,000 years ago and was bred to guard and protect sheep in the Pyrenees Mountains. These were dogs owned by peasants; however, later in history, the dogs were used to guard the Chateau of Lourdes and were adopted as the Royal Dog of France by the Dauphin in the court of King Louis XIV. From there, the Great Pyrenees became a favorite of the nobility.
Border Collies originally come from Northumberland, which borders Scotland and England. There the dogs were bred to herd sheep. It’s thought the dogs date back to ancient Roman times. Over the centuries, the dogs were probably bred with the Vikings’ Spitz-type dogs, who were also used for herding. Over time, Border Collies became a favorite in England, Scotland, and Wales for herding sheep.
As you can see, the parents of the Border Collie Pyrenees are very large, highly intelligent dogs who love to work. They were both bred for herding and guarding sheep!
Appearance of the Border Collie Pyrenees
When considering adopting a hybrid (or any) dog breed, it’s important to learn as much as you can about the parents of the crossbred dog. This is true even though the hybrid dog may not have all the characteristics of its parents. They will still retain some aspects and features of their parents, however.
The Border Collie Pyrenees hybrid is a large dog. We can say this often enough! The Great Collie (another name for these dogs) has a very strong body, with limbs that fit their size and are designed for herding work. Each leg ends in a large, rounded paw. The dog’s head and muzzle are usually proportionate with the rest of his body.
These dogs have almond-shaped or oval eyes, depending on the traits inherited from their parents. Their ears are medium-sized and may stand up, flop, or be half-looped. The dogs usually have a longer muzzle, similar to their Border Collie parent.
Collie Pyrenees vary in color, depending on the genetics they’ve inherited from their parents. Some of these hybrid dogs are gray, while others are white. Others may be black and cream, or even be tricolored, with black, cream, and red. It just depends on their genes.
The dogs have long fur since both parents have long fur. The coats are also thick, with a dense undercoat. These dogs are made for colder climates. This means Border Collie Pyrenees require a lot of brushing, especially during shedding season (that comes twice a year).
However, some of these dogs have short, smooth fur that’s more like the Collie parent. Other dogs may strongly resemble their Great Pyrenees parent. You just never know with a hybrid dog.
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Ask a Vet Live NowBorder Collie Pyrenees Hybrid Size
As we mentioned earlier, these are large dogs! Adult dogs may weigh up to 120 lbs and stand up to 32 inches tall. They have a life expectancy of about 10 to 13 years.
Here, again, the size of the dog varies depending on the genetics inherited from his parents. Some of these dogs may be more of a medium size, while others may be larger, like the Great Pyrenees parent. Even puppies in the same litter may vary in size!
This also means the dog’s weight will vary, too. It all depends on which genetics are stronger.
Border Collie Pyrenees Personality & Temperament
Border Collie Pyrenees are extremely intelligent dogs. Remember, these dogs were bred to herd and guard sheep, sometimes working on their own. This means the hybrid dog is always alert and watchful, which makes them very protective of home and family. They’re also very loyal to their family and tend to be wary of strangers.
Speaking of strangers, these crossbred dogs will let you know when a stranger or intruder is near. They usually keep barking until they get their message across!
These dogs do not do well if left alone. If they become bored and lonely, they may develop separation anxiety and destructive behaviors. You might come home to find a lot of your possessions chewed up!
Because these dogs were bred to live on their own while working, they also had to hunt to feed themselves. This is especially true of the Great Pyrenees. Therefore, their hybrid descendants may have a strong prey drive, which is inherited from both parents. For this reason, Collie Pyrenees must be trained and socialized from a young age.
Border Collie Pyrenees dogs have plenty of energy to release! They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. For this reason, the dogs are not recommended for those who live in apartments or small homes. This crossbred dog needs a yard to run and play, to release all that energy.
While these dogs can tolerate cold weather, they should never be left outside during the cold weather months. And they are not tolerant of warm, humid climates. The dogs must stay in an air-conditioned home if they live in a warmer region.
Border Collie Pyrenees tend to be high-spirited and curious. These qualities can lead them into trouble, such as helping you with the gardening (hint, they may like to dig) and more.
Do Border Collie Pyrenees Hybrids Make Good Family Dogs?
We’re happy to say yes! These dogs can be an excellent choice for families! However, they do best with families that live in a larger home with a large fenced backyard.
In addition, if they’re properly trained and socialized, Border Collie Pyrenees can do well with children and even other animals in the household. However, remember they do have a strong prey drive. These dogs must be socialized from a young age in order to get along well with cats and other small animals.
These gentle giants do love kids, too. However, keep in mind these are herding dogs. They may try to herd younger children to protect them! So, it’s important to always supervise your dog and children. Never leave your kids alone with a dog of any kind. Even so, you’ll have fun watching your gentle giant play and interact with your kids!
Border Collie Great Pyrenees Health Issues
As with other dog breeds, a Border Collie Great Pyrenees can be subject to certain health issues, including those common to each parent. The most common health issues in these dogs include:
- Collie eye anomaly
- Deafness
- Cataracts
- Cervical vertebral instability
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Skin allergies
- Hypothyroidism
- Patellar luxation
Taking your fur baby to the vet for regular checkups is the best way to avoid major health issues. Regular checkups can find and treat health issues before they become larger problems.
And if you’re concerned about future health issues, you may want to consider buying pet health insurance. Some pet health policies cover everything from emergencies to regular checkups and more. One of these, from a reputable provider, can help with costs if your dog develops a major health issue.
Care of a Border Collie Pyrenees Hybrid Dog
Your Border Collie Pyrenees dog will require brushing at least 2-3 times a week. Expect to brush your fur baby more often during shedding season, which comes twice a year. You may also want to vacuum your home more often to keep it free of dog fur. It may look like your dog is losing all of his fur. But take our word for it; he’s only losing a small amount of fur!
These dogs should have a bath about every 6 to 8 weeks. More often tends to dry out their sensitive skin.
Another thing to be aware of is these dogs do drool quite a bit, like their Great Pyrenees parent. And it will be necessary to keep your canine friend’s nails trimmed. They tend to grow fast, and long nails can cause injuries to your dog’s feet.
And it’s also necessary to check your dog’s ears regularly. They have quite a bit of fur around their head and ears, trap debris and pests.
Border Collie Pyrenees Exercise Requirements
These large dogs have a ton of energy! They’re extremely active, too, though this depends on the dog’s genetics. If he takes after his Border Collie parent, he may be extremely active. However, if he’s more like his Great Pyrenees parent, then your fur baby may be calmer and not as energetic.
The more energy your dog has, the more exercise and mental stimulation he will need. You must take him for daily walks and runs, have fun playing frisbee chase, and more. Exercise and games are essential to your dog’s mental and physical wellbeing.
These dogs need at least one hour walk a day. They also love hiking and plenty of playtime to keep them happy and healthy.
Border Collie Pyrenees Hybrid Diet
When it comes to diet, your fur baby requires a lot of calories and lots of protein. Look for premium dog food that’s formulated for large, active dog breeds. Always look for a dog food that lists protein as the first ingredient on the list, too.
And if you’re not sure what food is right for your fur baby, check with the breeder or the vet. They will have the best advice and guidance on healthy food for your hybrid dog.
Training Your Border Collie Pyrenees Mix
A Border Collie Pyrenees mix is an intelligent, trainable dog. They tend to be quick learners, especially if training is made to be a game and fun. They respond best to positive reinforcement training, with treats and hugs as their rewards.
If these dogs are not trained from puppyhood, they can become quite unruly and difficult to manage. They can also be quite stubborn at times. For this reason, a Border Collie Pyrenees hybrid is not the best choice for inexperienced pet parents.
Where to Find a Border Collie Pyrenees Mix?
You can find a Border Collie Pyrenees mix through a reputable breeder. Always use a reputable breeder and avoid puppy mills and backyard breeders. A reputable breeder has the knowledge and a love of the breed. They also ensure their dogs meet regulations and standards while making sure their dogs and puppies are healthy. These breeders only use proper breeding methods for their dogs, too.
Another place to find a Border Collie Pyrenees mix is at a shelter. Bear in mind that when adopting from a shelter, you may not learn about the dog’s history or if he has any genetic issues that could cause health problems later. Even so, these dogs deserve furever homes and loving families.
When it comes to cost, adopting from a breeder is usually more expensive. A breeder may charge anywhere from $500 to over $1000 for a Border Collie Pyrennees mix, while adopting from a shelter may run between $100 to $300. It’s also less expensive to adopt from a small town or rural shelter than from a city shelter.
Summing It Up
Border Collie Pyrenees are a mix between a Great Pyrenees and a Border Collie. These large dogs are extremely intelligent and can have a ton of energy! Both parents were bred to be herding dogs, so you can expect your fur baby to have a bit of a stubborn streak and show some independence.
These dogs can make great family companions for the right family. A family who wants to adopt this type of hybrid dog must be active and willing to spend plenty of time training and socializing these beautiful dogs.
We hope this article helps you find the right dog for you and your family!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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