What is a Borador?

The Borador is one of a long list of “designer” dogs. Also known as “boutique dogs” or “hybrids,” designer dogs are not purebred dogs, but rather a combination of two different purebreds. The Brangelinas of the canine world, designer dogs get cool combo names based on their two breeds. Among these boutique dog names are the Schnoodle (Schnauzer-Poodle), the Bagle Hound (Beagle-Basset Hound) and the Hug (Husky-Pug). So what does that make the Borador? Why, a Border Collie-Labrador, of course!

Appearance
As puppies, boradors can resemble Labradors, with the exception of the common trait of a patch of white fur on the chest. As they grow, however, the Border Collie traits become more apparent, and many Boradors only grow as tall as a Border Collie. The coat of a Borador is typically shorter than that of a Border Collie, but the face is less squared like that of a lab and more cone-shaped like that of a collie. Some Boradors inherit the webbed feet of a Labrador, along with a love for swimming.

Temperament
Boradors are very intelligent and quite energetic. They require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Boradors love to chew and will gnaw on just about anything if left to entertain themselves. The best rule of thumb for owner of Boradors is the old adage, “a tired dog is a good dog.”

The good news is that their high energy and high intelligence makes them eager to learn and easy to train. Boradors are also quite friendly, loyal pets who tend to get along well with children and thrive as members of families. These dogs are rarely aggressive. Quite the opposite, actually, they are sometimes too friendly, and, if not trained well, might just knock over guests with their zealous greetings.

Border Collies are bred to herd sheep, while Labradors are retrievers. Which traits are more dominant may depend on the parents, but it is more common for the herding instinct to outweigh the retrieving one.

Health
The typical lifespan of a Borador is 12-14 years. Like Labs, Boradors are prone to hip dysplasia (another reason to curtail that jumping instinct early). All of that chewing makes for a breed with excellent dental health. The coat of a Borador has little dander, and is easy to maintain with regular brushing and grooming. The Borador requires plenty of exercise not only to harness its energy, but to keep it from becoming overweight.

Companionship
Boradors are wonderful companions who make excellent pets for families. They tend to get along well with other pets, as well. The Borador is a great choice for anyone who is willing to work on the training and exercise needs. The reward for this is a lifelong bond with a loyal and loving pet.