Are you thinking of adding a Border Collie Husky Mix to your canine family? Will it be your first designer dog or your first family pet ever?
Well, whether you are a first-time dog owner or not, it does help to learn more about the breed that you are going to take home. This is especially true since you are planning to buy, adopt, or rescue, a mixed breed dog.
It’s no secret that hybrid dogs can be a bit trickier because they can inherit not just their parent breeds’ physical traits, and health issues, but also their personality. Hence, it can be more difficult to predict how your mix breed pup will behave once he has fully grown.
However, by learning more about the general profile of the parents, you’ll have a better idea of what you are getting yourself into. And that’s precisely the goal of this article – for you to have a better perspective of the Siberian Husky Border Collie Mix pups.
Dog owners adore the Siberian Husky Collie mix for a variety of reasons. This designer dog is the offspring of two clever and popular breeds – the Siberian Husky and Border Collie – so, you can be certain about its external beauty and elegance. And with appropriate handling, it is almost guaranteed to be a friendly dog breed.
The Border Collie Huskies are medium sized dogs with thick silky coats, depending on whether the pups take more from their Siberian Husky parent’s genes or their Border Collie parent.
These playful and energetic dogs are sure to please everyone. They are smart dogs who adore their families. And though they have a free spirit, they are amiable and very much eager to please their owners.
This kind of puppy needs to be socialized from an early age if you want to control its activity and sporadic stubbornness. And if you want a pup that would enjoy running with you in a heartbeat, then, this hybrid dog is for you.
Moreover, the parent breed is likewise a talker that enjoys expressing his emotions. They have a strong prey drive as well. So, this dog could be difficult for a new pet owner. However, with proper dog training and early socialization, the Border Collie Husky mix would make a wonderful friend and an excellent family dog.
The Border Collie Siberian Husky Mix also called the Borsky or Border Husky, is a cross between two purebred parents – the Border Collie and the Siberian Husky.
This designer dog is currently not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). And it’s not surprising since the organization normally doesn’t accept mixed breeds, or designer dogs – because they don’t have a breed standard.
Designer dogs are quite popular these days because they offer a lot of additional dog breed alternatives. And as mentioned earlier, these dogs are created by crossing two purebred dogs in the hope of producing the perfect pup.
Though some purebred dog breeders don't like the idea of designer dogs, their health advantages have been scientifically shown. Hence, as long as the puppy is healthy, it can only be a good thing.
Additionally, designer dogs offer families that are undecided between two breeds the chance to mix the physical characteristics of their desired dog breeds into one pup to get the best of both worlds.
Border Collies
The Border Collie's ancestry can be traced to 43 A.D. in Great Britain, and it is thought to be a cross between Roman herding dogs and Icelandic Sheepdogs.
The Border Collie was bred to be nimble and intelligent so that it could herd sheep through the rocky terrain of Wales and Scotland. Border Collies are still used by farmers and ranchers to herd sheep all over the world. And these dogs were developed to resist harsh conditions.
The Border Collie has consistently outperformed other dogs in tests conducted by experts and veterinarians – no wonder, they are regarded as the canine Einstein! They are frequently compared to Australian Shepherds because of their uncanny resemblance and similar high energy levels.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) ranked the Border Collie as the 31st most popular dog in America in 2021. Due to their good-natured characteristics, Border Collies are also frequently used to produce popular mixed breed puppies with other breeds. The Labrador Border Collie Mix and the Shollie, a cross between the GSD and the Border Collie, are two of the more well-known mixes.
The Siberian Husky originated in Russia thousands of years ago, and it is one of the oldest canine breeds on Earth. Its purpose was to transport supplies between several Siberian native communities.
He was favored for his boundless energy and prowess at moving heavy loads across wide stretches of frozen ground. After a long day of labor, the native tribes would then welcome him into their houses as a reward for his devotion to and allegiance to his master. And he would also be permitted to keep his family warm at night.
During the lethal Diphtheria outbreak, a pack of Siberian Huskies set out on a 658-mile hike to deliver a life-saving antidote to the villages that were being devastated by the disease. This heroic act completely revolutionized the perception of the Siberian Husky outside of Siberia. They rose to fame after this brave adventure and have subsequently become well-liked family pets.
The AKC ranked the Siberian Husky as the 19th most popular breed in the US in 2021. With various puppies ranging from the Pom-Husky mix to the Golden Husky, it can't be denied that the Husky breed is among the more well-liked breed that is mixed with other purebred dogs.
Given that this puppy is the offspring of two exquisite dogs, whichever parent it takes most of his genes from, you can be sure that you will get a breathtakingly beautiful pup.
The Border Husky hybrid breed is endowed with unrivaled stamina and supreme intelligence. He may have the tenacity of his Husky parents and the reserved nature of his Border Collie parents, but he is a very loving and devoted canine companion to his family.
The Siberian Husky Border Collie breed is a high energy dog that enjoys being the center of attention all the time. This behavior is probably inherited from his Husky parent. Moreover, you should be ready for a lot of chirpiness and commotion from your pup because this beautiful dog may inherit the chattiness of the Husky breed, which is nonetheless an amusing trait.
The breed's Border Collie parent is frequently referred to as the world's best herding dog, and for good reason! His herding instinct is so strong that it frequently gets handed on from one generation to the next, even though the dogs have never been used for herding.
This is terrific news if you want to train the Border Husky hybrid to work, but it might not be so great in interacting with kids or other animals. It will likely use its nipping technique, as well as its tendency to drive out cats and dogs inside the household due to its herding background. To prevent unintentional harm, the Border Husky is not suitable for households with other pets or very young children.
Both the Border Collie and Siberian Husky are beautiful breeds, so no matter what gene pool the pup takes more after, he would still be stunning.
The Border Husky mix is a medium-sized dog that stands between 18 and 22 inches tall from the base of the tail to the top of the shoulder. Females of this breed typically weigh 35 to 45 pounds, while males are usually around 40 to 45 pounds. This dog breed is slightly more compact than its Husky parent, but taller and more muscular than its Border Collie parent.
While most mixed-breed dogs tend to appear more like one parent than the other, the Border Husky mix frequently combines the black and white markings of the Border Collie with a Husky appearance. He still has a wolfish, wild appearance, but he exudes less of the commanding aura that Siberian Huskies are known for.
They occasionally also have two different colored eyes, but usually, they have a pair of piercing blue eyes that they got from their Husky parent. Additionally, they have alert, semi erect ears that are comparable to those of the Siberian Huskies.
Coat and Colors
The Border Husky hybrid has a double coat, the undercoat of which is velvety. He enjoys a range of outer coats, whether they are short or medium in length, silky or coarse, but the Border Husky usually has a silky feel to it. Unlike many hybrid dogs, the Border Husky tends to look like both of its parents rather than favoring one over the other.
Oftentimes, the Border Collie can be seen sporting classic black and white colors. However, it is also available in all of the Border Collie and Siberian Husky colors, including, but not limited to, black, red, white, sable, brown, and gray. In rare instances, the Border Collie will acquire exotic hues like saddleback sable, blue merle, or red merle.
Grooming
The Border Collie features two types of coat. And both the medium length rough coat and the coarser and shorter smooth coat, are water-resistant and double-coated. As mentioned earlier, the Siberian Husky has a double coat to defend himself from freezing conditions, and the Border Collie parent has a double coat that demands intensive grooming.
During the shedding season, this mix will also have a thick, fluffy coat that sheds lightly. You should plan to brush him every day as the weather warms up because his coat needs more care to stay healthy and manageable during this time.
And generally, regardless of the season, the Border Collie Husky mix requires thorough brushing with a wire pin brush at least once a week to remove loose fur and to keep its coat healthy and shiny.
Like any other dog, the Border Collie Husky mix has to have its teeth brushed and its nails clipped. And you should check to make sure that everything is going according to plan by having weekly monitoring.
Personality & Temperament
As mentioned earlier, the Borsky has a herding background. So, unless it was socialized at an early age, it tends to herd children and other pets by pushing and nipping.
The Border Collie Husky mix is also an intelligent dog, which is expected considering that it came from two breeds that are equally clever and energetic. However, it’s also because of these traits that can push them to be destructive, particularly if they are bored. Needless to say, they need regular physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep them entertained.
Aside from being an energetic dog, the Border Collie Husky mix is also friendly, and playful, and loves the company of his human family members. And as a pack dog, it usually loves to be surrounded by other dogs, unless they feel challenged.
Common Health Issues
The Siberian Husky and Border Collie are both relatively healthy breeds, which means that the Borsky is fortunate enough in the gene lottery because it is an innately healthy pup. This hybrid dog can live between 12 to 15 years, and sometimes even longer.
The Husky and Border Collie have similar health problems, which means the Borski pups are more likely to acquire these predispositions. The brighter side of this is that you already have fewer health issues to monitor and learn more about.
Given that it is a younger breed, the Border Husky is more likely to inherit or at least be prone to hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and a variety of eye conditions, such as cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Collie Eye Anomaly. And despite the lack of breed standards at this time, every reputable breeder should test their pups for these conditions.
How to Care For Siberian Husky Border Collies
Exercise & Living Conditions
Both the Border Collie and Siberian Husky are energetic dogs that thrive with intense daily exercise. Hence, it is not surprising that a Border Collie Husky mix pup would also have the same amount of energy that needs to be used up to prevent boredom and destructive tendencies.
On top of at least 90 minutes a day of exercise, Borsky also requires daily mental stimulation to keep him entertained and mentally alert. Typically, the Collie is object-driven, whereas the Husky is food-driven. If you can figure out what motivates your dog, you may utilize that motivation to your advantage.
Playing tug of war, fetch, or with puzzle toys that contain treats will all exercise your pup's brain and allow him to communicate with you. Border Huskies would be excellent running partners because they can go for kilometers on end without getting tired. The Border Husky mix is undoubtedly not for you if you are unable to spend time with him during the day; instead, you should go for a less active puppy.
Moreover, this hybrid dog is not suitable for apartment living because of its high level of energy and drive. Given that the parent breeds worked in the icy wilderness of Siberia and Scotland, the Borsky definitely requires access to a yard and fresh air to stay happy.
So, if you have a Border Husky, make sure to reinforce your yard because, if bored, your dog can leap over your 6-foot fence with ease and is likely to become an escape artist like his Husky parent.
The Border Collie Husky mix is an energetic medium-sized dog that requires age-appropriate high-quality dog food that is rich in protein and other essential nutrients.
Depending on his size and degree of energy, your pup can consume between 2 1/2 and 3 cups of food per day. As with any dog, make sure to feed him the greatest nutrition available to keep him healthy and pay attention to how many treats he consumes to prevent obesity.
Training
While the Border Husky is known to be an intelligent dog that is so eager to please his human master, he also has a stubborn streak, which can make the enforcement of proper training sessions challenging.
For this hybrid dog, early socialization is crucial so he will know while he is young who is the boss, and that there are boundaries that he needs to follow. Also, socializing your pup early by exposing him to as many puppies, cats, humans, and unexpected circumstances, can help build his confidence, and ensure that he grows up to be a well-mannered dog.
Although his great intelligence is a good thing, you'll quickly realize that if you aren't pushing him or working with him as much as you should, he will get bored very fast and develop the undesirable habit of ignoring you.
And just like with other dogs, using positive reinforcements is scientifically proven to be the most effective method in training Border Collie Husky pups.
Buyer’s Guide
Finding a Breeder
The ideal way to begin your search for a Border Husky breeder is to get in touch with your local Siberian Husky and Border Collie breeders and ask them for recommendations or guidance on reputable breeders in your area.
If it doesn't work, you might ask members of the various breed-specific social media groups. You should stay away from commercial breeders (or puppy mills) whose sole purpose is to produce as many puppies as possible for profit.
It is crucial to see the puppies with their litter and parents and to request the parents' health certificates, particularly those about their hip score and canine ophthalmologist evaluation, as the breed is still relatively new and there are no breed-specific guidelines or required health certificates. If the breeder says no, move away. Reputable breeders shouldn't object to or reject these requests.
Price
This hybrid dog is so new in the designer dog scene that neither the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) nor the American Canine Hybrid Club recognize it as a breed.
As a result, its pricing can be a little hazy. Depending on the sire and dam's pedigree, the pup's coat color, as well as the breeder's location and reputation, you can expect to spend anywhere between $600 and $1,500 for a Border Collie Husky mix puppy.
Is a Husky Border Collie Mix Pup Right for You?
Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment. So, if you were simply charmed by a pup’s cuteness or its jaw-dropping intelligence, you might want to ask yourself again if you are ready to be a dog parent. And if you are a first-time dog owner, we suggest that you stay away from Husky Border Collie Mix.
While these pups are intelligent, they can also be stubborn, which can make it extra challenging for novice dog owners to train them properly. On top of that, this hybrid dog also needs plenty of exercises and mental stimulation every day. And they are best suited to a large home with a fenced-in yard so they have enough space to exercise, play, and move around.
Additionally, the Borsky is also not advisable for a home with small kids and other pets because of their herding background. If they are not properly trained and socialized at an early age, they can most likely harm the small children and animals at home because part of their herding technique is nipping or biting sharply.
Bottomline
The Border Collie Husky mix is a gorgeous, intelligent, and energetic dog, but it can also be a handful, especially for novice dog owners.
This hybrid dog needs a family that can provide him with enough space to move around, and can spend time with him to keep him physically and mentally stimulated. This dog’s outgoing nature can bring joy to your family, and this pup can make an excellent addition to a loving and active household.
A freelance writer and huge animal advocate, with 6 dogs and 3 cats. Graduated with a medical degree and is now spending time running a shelter and rescuing animals in need. Loves a good book, travel and spend time with family and pets.
