If you are looking for the world’s most energetic and intelligent dog, then you should get a Pit bull Border Collie mix.
Most dog owners want a dog that is smart, active, and affectionate.
It is the reason why we go for mixed breeds like the Pit bull Border Collie mix.
But what do you get from crossbreeding the goofy pit bull with the intelligent Border collie?
In this article, we explore everything you need to know about the Pit bull Border Collie Mix.
Things to look forward in this breed include;
- Appearance
- Temperament
- Exercise
- Trainability
- Health concerns
Without further ado, let us explore the world of a Pit bull Border Collie mix.
A Pit bull Border collie mix is a hybrid cross between the intelligent and alert Border Collie with the affectionate and mischievous Pit Bull
-Marina, Petdt.com
1. Origin
Like many other mixed breeds, no one knows the true origin of the Pit bull Border Collie mix.
But we can tell you where this furry fellow’s parents come from.
The Border collie is a sheepdog that was originally bred on the Scottish-English border (hence the name).
English and Scottish herders loved this dog’s intelligent and activeness in the farms.
The Border collie ranks as the highest intelligent dog on earth.
For this, he was put in charge of sheep in the fields and other animals around the farm.
The Pit bull Terrier, on the other hand, does not have such a fond beginning He is an English dog too whose main occupation was fighting bulls and bears at stake games.
His fighting spirit made him win several matches despite how bloody the fighting rings got. Fortunately, these stake games got discontinued and the English Pit bull Terrier packed his bags and left for America.
💡 Did You Know…?
Despite their reputation, Pit bull are very mellow and affectionate creatures? It all depends on how you raise them.
2. Appearance
How your Pit bull Border Collie mix looks will depend on the physical traits of the parent breeds.
Pit bull-Collie puppies can have the traits of one or both parents depending on who has the dominant gene.
Since both the Pit bull and Border collie grow to the same height, expect your Pit bull-Collie pup to be between 19 and 22 inches tall.
The Pit bull-Collie pup can take the weight of the Border Collie which is between 30 and 45 pounds.
If he takes the Pit bull gene, he can weigh up to 90 pounds.
Also, the Pit bull Border Collie mix coat color is dependent on the parent breeds’ coat color.
Border Collies normally have a black and white coat.
Pit bulls can have any color from white, black, brown, blue, fawn, tan, or brindle.
Pit bull Collie dogs are generally strong and muscular.
They take after the molosser parent the Pit bull and their energetic herding parent the Collie.
So if you have always dreamt of owning a super-ripped dog, then the Pit bull Collie breed is what you are looking for.
3. Lifespan
The Pit bull Terrier and Border collie have a lifespan of 12 to 14 and 12 to 13 years.
So you can anticipate your Pit bull Collie mix to live between 13 to 15 years.
The furry guy can live longer if you help him maintain a healthy lifestyle.
4. Temperament
This is where the Pit bull Border Collie mix shines. He is not one to let a dull mood linger.
If he takes up after his pit bull parent, he will always look for clownish tricks to perform for you.
He thrives in watching his favorite human laugh and enjoy his silly tricks.
Generally, a Pit bull Collie mix, with a Pit bull temperament, will be;
- Loyal
- Loving
- Intelligent
- Active
- Strong
If your Pit bull-Collie pup takes after the Border collie, then expect him to have lots of pent up energy.
Your pup will also be the smartest pet in the house. He is also
- Loving
- Very active
- Inquisitive
⚠️Important
While the Pit bull Border Collie mix is loved for his affectionate side, he can also be a menace. If he takes up after the Border collie, he can develop a habit of nipping and biting people and animals. Train him on good behavior early to ensure your kids and other pets are same from his menacing.
5. Training
You will enjoy training a Pit bull Border Collie mix.
He is very intelligent and eager to learn new tricks.
He has a great memory and will remember most of the commands you teach him.
Training should start when the Pit bull-Collie mix is just a puppy.
We must warn you though, this furry fellow can be strong-willed. Given his high IQ, he can be a smart-ass and do things his way.
This does not mean you should exert force during training. That can hurt his gentle side and cause him to withdraw.
So what is the best way to train a Pit bull Collie Mix?
Use positive reinforcement and lots of doggy treats. You will also need lots of patience to train a Pit bull-Collie. But in the end, all the training you give him will bear fruit.
6. Exercise
A Pit bull Border Collie dog needs constant mental and physical stimulation.
Remember you are raising a puppy born of two very energetic breeds.
So he will need lots of exercises to help him expel pent up energy.
Go for exercises that test his wit and hone his hunting skills.
Play a game of ‘Hide and Seek’ to sharpen his searching skills.
Hide things around the house and let him find them.
You could also give your Pit bull Collie dog chores to do at home.
Let him fetch a cold drink from the fridge or throw the bag of potato chips in the trash can.
Always raise the intensity of the exercises.
Because your dog is smart, he can grow bored quickly.
Make a dog obstacle course for him if need be.
Go for hunting or hiking expeditions together.
Anything to ensure both his mental and physical is fully engaged.
7. Diet
To understand the diet needs of a Pit bull Border Collie mix, we need to look at what the parent breeds eat.
Pit bulls require a high-quality diet that is rich in proteins.
Pit bulls requires less starch in their diet (corn, potatoes, wheat) because it gives them tummy issues.
A Border collie thrives on a high-energy diet which helps sustain its activity levels.
Proteins are a must in a Collie’s diet, but you should be careful about raw proteins.
For your Pit bull Collie dog, design a diet that meets both his protein and energy needs.
Proteins help muscles grow while energy food fuels his body.
Do not introduce a raw protein diet to a Pit bull Collie mix before consulting a trained vet.
This because Border Collies do not respond well to raw proteins and your Pit bull Collie mix could inherit the same trait.
Commercial high-quality kibble is a good choice for your Pit bull-Collie dog.
Ensure there is plenty of protein and pet-friendly carbs in the ingredients.
8. Grooming
Given the short to medium-length coats of the breed parents, the Pit bull Border Collie should be fairly easy to groom.
Having short hairs on his coat means he is not a heavy shedder.
Brush him once or twice a week to get rid of matting and pet dander.
Since your Pit bull-Collie dog will spend a lot of time outdoors, he is bound to pick up parasites like ticks and fleas.
Always check his coat for ticks or flea dirt while brushing him.
You should also wash his coat with pet-approved shampoo to kill any parasites he is harboring.
Also, check your dog for skin allergies.
Skin allergies can come from food, medication, parasites, or environmental allergens.
Parasites like ticks and fleas inject histamine into a dog’s blood which can cause a skin reaction.
Fortunately, there are simple home remedies you can use to clear the skin infection.
9. Health Issues
A Pit bull Border Collie mix tends to inherit the health issues faced by the parent breeds.
Pit bulls are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. Pit bulls also vulnerable to;
- Cardiac disease
- Cognitive problems
- Cerebellar ataxia
- Dog allergies
The Border collie also suffers from a few health problems.
They are vulnerable to hip dysplasia and renal atrophy.
This breed can also suffer
- Deafness
- Collie eye anomaly
- Epilepsy
Though your Pit bull Border Collie mix is genetically predisposed to these health problems, it does not mean they will get them.
Feed your Pit bull-Collie mix a healthy diet and give him plenty of exercises.
As he gets old, maintain a healthy diet and some form of activity.
10. Guard Dog
A Pit bull Border Collie dog makes a great guard dog.
He has the alertness of a Pit bull and the intelligence of a Border collie.
He also has a strong body that can easily take down an intruder.
Your Pit bull-Collie pup will not attack relatives.
As long as you introduce him to new faces while he is young, he should grow to like people.
Only train him to be aware of unwanted guests who like to show up past bedtime.
Final Thoughts
Hope you are finally convinced on getting a Pit bull Border Collie mix.
This is a dog prized for its intelligence, agility, and sweet-heartedness.
It is an ideal dog for families living in large houses with private backyards.
This fellow will also thrive in the city with you as long as you take him out for walks and play.
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