Dachshund Border Collie Mix: The Adorable Dollie
If youโre looking for a smart and obedient dog thatโs always looking to please their owner, the Dachshund Border Collie mix is the right choice! Take Border Collieโs boundless energy and high intelligence and mix them with Dachshundโs playfulness and eagerness to please, and you will get the most adorable little pooch, always ready to play or follow you around to help you do the chores. Or at least thatโs what they think theyโre doing!
This mixed breed is not officially recognized and may be hard to find, but if you happen to come across either a puppy or an adult Border Weenie, we promise you wonโt regret adopting them. That is, as long as you heed our advice! Keep on reading to learn more about this unique canine breed, their physical appearance, personality, health concerns, and training tips.
Get To Know the Dachshund Border Collie Combo
As with any other mixed breed, describing their exact physical and personality traits is not an easy task. For starters, letโs break down the two breeds separately.
The Dachshund, Doxie, or simply Wiener dog, has been around for a long time since they were first bred in Germany hundreds of years ago. The Dachshundโs elongated body was specifically designed to rat out unwanted animals, such as moles or rodents like gerbils and groundhogs, from their underground dens. Their other characteristics, such as loud bark and courageousness, were also designed to serve this purpose: they needed to be fierce in order to confront vermins and loud so that hunters could hear them above ground. They are a popular breed, and even Picasso was aย great fan. To learn more about the Weenie, read our 10 facts you should know about Dachshunds (with pictures) and Dachshund facts articles.
The Border Collie was developed as a working and herding dog in the late 19th century along the Anglo-Scottish border. The Collie was mainly in charge of herding livestockโsheep, in particularโhence their athletic bodies bursting with energy and the well-known intense stare used to keep the flock in check. As far as their temperament goes, Collies are obedient, tenacious, and keen. They are quick learners and so intelligent that it may be hard for you to keep them challenged!
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Three Reasons Not to Adopt a Dachshund Border Collie Hybrid
Getting a Border Collie Dachshundโor any other breed for that matterโshould be carefully considered. Apart from being cute and adorable, they also may:
- Get bored easily
- Get shy in front of strangers
- Be hard to train
They get bored easily
Their dynamic personality means that this is by no means a dog meant to lie around idly. Unless youโre ready to dedicate a significant amount of time every day to making the dog busy, we strongly advise against adopting the Collie Dachshund mix. If bored, they may resort to all kinds of unwanted behavior, including chewing, ripping things apart, and even trying to escape.
They get shy in front of strangers.
If not properly socialized, their instinctive caution may turn into shyness and make them nervous and aggressive. They can also develop separation anxiety. To avoid this, Collie Doxies must consistently but gradually be exposed to people and taught new sounds and sights.
They may be hard to train.
Border Collie Dachshund hybrids inherit high intelligence from both of their original breeds, but this doesnโt always mean they are easily trained. They are so intelligent that they can outsmart their owners! Because of their remarkable intelligence, Doxie Collies will always try to anticipate what comes next instead of listening to you.
Three Reasons to Adopt a Border Collie Dachshund Mix
Donโt get discouraged; there are also plenty of reasons to adopt the Collie Weenie! It all comes down to how much time you are willing to spend to bring out the best in them.
- They are highly energetic.
- They like to be challenged
- They can be exceptional watchdogs
They are highly energetic
Collie Doxiesโ limitless energy and eagerness to join you in your activities can move you to become a more active person. Both of these breeds are restless, and if you adopt a Dachshund Border Collie combination, you are likely to end up with a canine that will drag you out of the house even when you donโt feel like it.
They like to be challenged.
If you adopt one of these adorable energy-packed pooches, you are guaranteed never to be bored! They will always push you to go further, testing theirs and your limits. Border Collies are one of the most fetch-oriented breeds, while Dachshunds are avid investigators. Once these dogs set their mind to something, they will most certainly get, no matter how far or deep underground their goal is.
They can be exceptional watchdogs
By nature, both Doxies and Collies are alert and watchful. The combination of Dachshund and Border Collie will always be ready to warn you of any danger. Either by barking extremely loud or attacking an intruder, you can rest assured that you will feel safe around them.
Temperament and Physical Appearance of the Doxie Collie Mix
Combining two different dog breeds is always a game of hit-and-miss as there is no way of telling which of the two the puppy will take after. Dachshundโs genes, however, appear to be more dominant when it comes to stature, and a puppy is highly likely to inherit those cute little legs and body that is low to the ground. If you donโt know what weโre talking about, check out these charming Dachshund memes and see for yourself!
This combination tends to sport rough, two-color fur, resembling Colliesโ typical pattern: white on the underside and black or brown on the rest of the body. They can be tri-color as well, although these are quite rare. Taking after their sheep-herding ancestors, the Border Weenie is usually double-coated.
The Dachshund Border Collieโs personality is a combination of their parentsโ temperament. Typically, they inherit their hard-headedness from the Dachshund and their perseverance from the Border Collie. They are inherently playful, eager, and clever little creatures, intensely loyal to their people. The combination of Border Collie and Dachshund is fearless, and they will always try to protect their owner. Being lively as they are, they will most certainly like to chase anything that moves, be it a mouse, a cat, or even a bicycle or car!
Weight | 13โ25 pounds |
Height | 8โ20 inches |
Size | Small to medium |
Coat type |
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Coat color |
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Shedding | High |
Eyes |
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Nose | Black |
Ears | Fully dropped or semi-erect |
Temperament | Intelligent, playful, clever, courageous |
Life expectancy | 10โ14 years |
Hypoallergenic | No |
Kid-friendly | Yes, if introduced early |
New owner friendly | Yes, if adopted as puppies |
Breed recognition | Not recognized as a breed |
Is Dachshund Collie Mix Family-Friendly?
The extent to which your newly adopted Dachshund Border Collie pooch will adapt to a family environment depends on several factors, including the dogโs age, your experience in training, and individual traits of the canine.
Their potential to become good family dogs should be nurtured from the very beginning until the dog comes of age.
Introduce the dog to children step by step, making sure you are not leaving kids alone to play with the Collie Dachshund. A gradual introduction is necessary to prevent both dogs and children from getting injured as well as to discourage the dog from exhibiting negative, albeit intuitive, behaviors.
How Often Should the Dachshund Border Collie Be Groomed?
The fact that your dog is partially a Border Collie likely means that they will shed a lot, so grooming can get a bit tricky. You will have to brush your Dachshund Border Collie cross regularly throughout the year, usually once a week. Spring and fall mark high-shedding seasons, which means that they will get rid of their hair excessively and require daily brushing.
If your Collie Doxie spends plenty of time outside, they should be bathed once a month. Otherwise, bathing them every three months will suffice. Try to use only all-natural dog shampoos. Nail clipping should be done at least twice a month if you donโt mean to have your floors scratched. When it comes to teeth, it is necessary to brush at least two times a week to keep their gnashers healthy.
Brushing frequency | Brushes for Border Collie Dachshund Mix |
Once a week in low-shedding season, daily in high-shedding season |
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Is the Border Collie Dachshund Cross Hard to Train?
The Border Collie Dachshund combination is smart and intelligent, but they are far from being easy to train. If you have no experience in training dogs, we advise you to either choose a different breed or hire someone else to do it.
The Collie Dachshund combo is so smart that they will drive you nuts from time to time. Their cleverness will work against you as they will always try to stay ahead of the game by anticipating your next move. The only way to train them successfully is by staying one step ahead of them. And this is not an easy task!
They are quick learners, but just as they are quick to adopt positive behaviors, they also excel at falling into bad habits, so make sure you keep an eye on these adorable puppies. Use positive reinforcement in training sessions, such as treats, gifts, and praise!
Collie Doxies enjoy exercising, but they need much more than regular walks or enough space to roam free. They love games, and they enjoy interacting with their owners. As we mentioned before, they are highly fetch-oriented, so they will never get bored by playing the famous game of throw and retrieve.
What Are the Common Health Issues Found in the Border Collie Dachshund Cross?
- Hip dysplasia
- Idiopathic epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
Hip dysplasia is manifested as the improper formation of the hip joint. It is one of the most common health conditions found in Border Collies and is a fairly common health issue among Dachshunds, too. The disease can be either hereditary or developed over the course of life. If diagnosed early on, it can be treated through lifestyle changes. If caught at a later stage, your pooch may need surgery.
Idiopathic epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by a brain abnormality. Seizures may be regular or erratic, either linked to specific behaviors or without any connection at all. The condition can be treated with medication, but once it starts, the dog must take it for the rest of its life.
Hypothyroidism occurs when a dog is not producing enough thyroid hormones, slowing down his or her metabolism. The symptoms may include:
- Lethargy
- Weight gain
- Reluctance to exercise
- Dry and dull hair and over shedding
The condition is treatable, although it will require medication for the rest of the dogโs life, and thyroid levels are tested regularly once or twice a year.
Less frequent problems that can come from the Dachshund side are skin and back problems. Good care of your pooch will keep them healthy and prolong their lifespan.
Major concerns | Minor concerns | Occasional tests |
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What Amount of Exercise Will Keep Your Weenie Collie Happy?
These adorable little furballs are bubbling with energy! And not only do they like to be active in terms of physical exercise, but they also like to be mentally challenged. Energetic in nature, if not given enough exercise, they will turn to all sorts of destructive behavior, such as chewing on your stuff, nipping, and loud barking.
Unless youโre neighbors (or you!) genuinely enjoy the sounds of barking, get ready for at least 45 minutes of walking, running, or hiking a day with the Dachshund Collie. Another half an hour should be dedicated to mental activity, which may include fetch or flirt pole as these clever little fellas enjoy having their smarts stimulated.
Naturally, your dogโs preference toward exercise will depend on both of you. If you get the dog used to a lot of physical routines from the earliest age, they will need more training later in life and vice versa.
Image source: _amandacolllie
Activity level | Recommended miles/day | Activity minutes/day |
Medium | 6โ7 | 45 |
How Much Food Should the Border Collie Doxie Mix Be Given?
If youโve ever owned a dog before, regardless of the breed, then you know they are gourmands. Combine this with your Collie Doxieโs active lifestyle, and you will get a pooch that eats one and a half to two cups of food a day, split into two meals.
Dry or wet? You should let your dog be the judge of that. Once you learn your dogโs taste, check out our best senior dry dog food list as well as the best-canned dog food list. If your pooch is still a little munchkin, look for the best puppy food brands.
Here are a few of our other choices to help you navigate through many dog food brands out there:
- Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Dry Food. This roasted lamb-based food is rich in protein needed for lean and strong muscles while, at the same time, it gives your best friend a flavor he or she enjoys.
- Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Pacific Catch Dry Food. Another brand of dry food, this one, is only for fish-meat-loving canines. If your furry friend happens to be one of them, he or she will enjoy this raw salmon-infused kibble.
- Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food. If your Border Doxie is still a puppy, we recommend this chicken-based canned puppy food. Apart from letting your dog have lean muscles, this food promotes bone and dental health thanks to a combination of minerals.
Being active little creatures that they are, this mixed breed will need snacks in between meals as well. Among many out there, weโll help you by revealing some of the worst dog treat brands found in the market.
Dachshund Border Collie Mix FAQ
1. What is a Dachshund Border Collie Mix?
A Dachshund Border Collie Mix, also known as a Border Collie Dachshund Cross, is a hybrid dog resulting from intentionally breeding a Dachshund and a Border Collie. This mix combines the distinct characteristics of both breeds, resulting in a unique and potentially energetic canine companion.
2. Cane Corso Border Collie Mix
A Cane Corso Border Collie Mix is a crossbreed that combines the traits of a Cane Corso and a Border Collie. This mix may result in a dog blending characteristics from both parent breeds, including size, coat type, and temperament.
3. American Bulldog Border Collie Mix
An American Bulldog Border Collie Mix is a hybrid dog bred from an American Bulldog and a Border Collie. This mix can exhibit various traits from each parent breed, creating a unique companion with potential qualities from the American Bulldog’s strength and the Border Collie’s intelligence.
4. Border Collie Chow Mix
A Border Collie Chow Mix is a crossbreed that combines the Border Collie with a Chow Chow. This mix may result in a dog with various characteristics, including the Border Collie’s intelligence and the Chow Chow’s distinctive appearance and temperament.
5. Canaan Border Collie Mix
A Canaan Border Collie Mix is a crossbreed between a Canaan Dog and a Border Collie. This mix may inherit traits from both parent breeds, including the Canaan Dog’s alertness and the Border Collie’s intelligence.
6. How much should a Border Collie eat?
The amount of food a Border Collie should eat depends on factors such as age, size, activity level, and overall health. Adult Border Collies may require 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dog food per day, divided into two meals. It’s essential to monitor their weight and adjust their diet accordingly, consulting a veterinarian for personalized recommendations.
See These Other Adorable Dachshund Combos
If, after reading our guide, you’re still unsure whether to adopt a Dachshund Collie mix, check out other irresistible Weenie mixes or have fun exploring our list of the top 10 most expensive dog breeds in the world to own.
If you prefer Border Collie mixes, take a look at the table below.
German Shepherd Border Collie Mix | Golden Retriever Border Collie Mix |
Corgi Border Collie Mix | Dachshund Border Collie Mix |
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Collie
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dachshund
- Watson, Fraje, et al. โBehavioural Changes in Dogs with Idiopathic Epilepsy.โ Veterinary Record, British Medical Journal Publishing Group, 25 Jan. 2020, veterinaryrecord.bmj.com/content/186/3/93.
- Ascroft, Patricia N. The Border Collie: Sheepdog Extraordinary. Longbooks, 1965.
- Lunis, Natalie. Dachshund: the Hot Dogger. Bearport Pub., 2009.