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Are you thinking about adopting a dog? Are you looking for a dog that makes a great companion? If so, you may want to consider the Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog mix! That’s a mouthful, but this is a wonderful dog breed for the right family!
The Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog is a fairly new dog breed, so you may not have heard of it before. However, we’ve gathered information about these dogs, so you can determine if this is the right dog for you and your family. Let’s get started!
What is a Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog Mix?
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The Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog (also known as the Border Sheepdog or Border Sheltie) is a hybrid dog breed that’s a mix between a purebred Border Collie and a purebred Shetland Sheepdog. Not much is known about the history of this mixed dog breed; however, we can take a look at both purebred parents to learn more about these dogs.
The Border Collie
The Border Collie was first developed in England and Scotland, where they were used as herding dogs. These dogs have excellent herding abilities! Watch them herd sheep, and you’ll be impressed—we promise!
Border Collies are highly intelligent, active dogs that have the ability to go all day long. They were bred to deal with all kinds of weather and terrain. This is a dog that’s often called a workaholic. Border Collies are happiest when they have a job to do.
The dogs sometimes use their herding abilities on the family. They’ve been known to herd young kids, older adults, and other pets in the household!
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Ask a Vet Live NowThe Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog comes from the Shetland Islands, located between Scotland and Norway. They’re pretty close to the Arctic Circle. The dogs were developed to herd cattle and protect the homestead.
These dogs are very active and highly intelligent. They are wonderful at protecting their homes and families, too. Shetland Sheepdogs are very loyal and loving with their families, though they can be wary of strangers. They’re very eager to please and excel at performing tricks and dog sports.
With parents like these, how could a Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog mix go wrong!
Border Collie Shetland Sheepdogs usually stand between 16 to 22 inches tall and weigh 25 to 42 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 17 years.
Border Sheltie Appearance
The Border Sheltie is a hybrid dog, and each one is a unique being. That’s because each puppy randomly inherits genes from both purebred parents. So, in a single litter, siblings may be entirely different from one another. Some puppies may have more genes from their Sheltie parent, while others strongly resemble their Border Collie parent. You just never know.
However, we can say that Border Shelties usually have tall ears that have feathered hair, a long & soft coat that can come in a variety of colors, and the dogs are small- to medium-sized. Their eyes can be light or dark brown, though occasionally, they may have blue eyes.
These dogs do best in moderate climates due to their long, thick fur. They don’t deal well with heat and humidity.
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Border Sheltie Temperament
The Border Sheltie is a highly intelligent dog that has plenty of energy. They’re devoted to their families; however, they do best with experienced pet parents who understand how to deal with these dogs. The pet parent and family also need to be active and enjoy being outdoors. If you adopt a Border Sheltie, experts recommend having a fenced backyard where the dog can play.
These dogs are very loving and loyal; they want to be with their families most of the day. This dog may form a bond with their “favorite” person.
The dogs can also be quite independent, stubborn, and fearless. That’s because both purebred parents are herding dogs that must able to deal with all kinds of threads when working with their cattle.
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Are Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog Mixes Good Family Dogs?
Yes, these dogs are best for active families that can spend time with their dogs. The Border Sheltie does best with older kids who know how to treat a dog properly. And the dogs have the energy to go all day when playing outside with the kids!
And Border Shelties can easily become bored, especially if they’re not using up excess energy. In that case, they can develop some unwanted behaviors, such as chewing.
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Do Border Shelties Get Along with Other Pets?
The answer is that it depends. These dogs have strong herding instincts and may use their herding abilities on other pets in the household. This includes smaller dogs and puppies, cats, and more. So, if you have other pets, this may not be the dog for you.
Each dog is a unique individual. Some that have received proper training and socialization may get along with other pets OK.
Border Sheltie Food Requirements
The Border Sheltie needs to have plenty of protein and fat in their diet to keep their muscles strong and healthy. They also need fiber to keep their digestive tracts working well.
The dogs do best on dog food that’s formulated for small- to medium-sized active dog breeds.
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Exercise
You’ve probably reached the conclusion that these dogs have a ton of energy. You’re right! And because of this, they need a lot of exercise. It’s best to ensure your Border Sheltie has at least two hours of exercise a day.
Exercise is a must for these dogs. If a Border Sheltie doesn’t get enough exercise, he could become destructive or develop other unwanted behaviors. These may include chewing on furniture and carpet, barking excessively, digging, snapping at the family and other pets, and more.
Summing It Up
So, there you have it! The Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog is an amazing dog that’s highly intelligent, loving, loyal, and has a lot of energy! These dogs are best suited to families that live in rural areas and/or that spend time outdoors.
We’re pretty sure that if you decide to adopt a Border Collie Shetland Sheepdog, you’re in for years of activities and plenty of love, too!
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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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