Border Collie Great Dane Mix

When it comes to the Great Dane Border Collie mix, they live by a creed: Work hard, play hard, sleep harder.

This hybrid dog is the perfect mix of its two parent lineages retaining the intelligent, energetic drive of the Border Collie with the lumbering, lovability of the Great Dane. Although the pup is the best of both worlds, it’s not for everyone.

Their extreme excitement coupled with their large size can turn them into four-legged wrecking balls. And smaller children may get hurt in the process — and that’s without playing rough. They’re just that big and excited.

However, once they’ve calmed down, they become big babies wishing nothing more than to tuck in with a favorite blanket and snuggle with you on the couch. So, if you’ve got what it takes to become a Border Collie Great Dane parent, you’ll have a best friend for life.

Border Collie Great Dane Mix Puppies – Before You Buy…

Before you run out and find a new Border Collie Great Dane mix, there are some things you need to know. This dog combines the attributes of both the Great Dane and Border Collie into one very dynamic pupper.

Generally speaking, Border Collies are among the world’s most active dog breeds and are considered to be the most intelligent around. And these traits become very apparent in a border collie mix puppy.

However, the Great Dane is known for being a gentle giant. Sure, they’re playful, but they would rather spend all day lounging in your lap on the sofa. And although they’re relatively intelligent, they’ve got a stubborn streak in them.

So when you combine both the Great Dane and Border Collie, you get a breed that’s excited and full of life that’s also ready to snuggle down once they’re tuckered out. However, they often get the Border Collie’s will and drive which makes them so much harder to exhaust. And they tend to be larger dogs, inheriting the Great Dane’s size.

This means you’ll need plenty of room for them to expend their energy and stimulate them. Having a large fenced-in yard or farmland is ideal for these galoots.

What’s the Price of Border Collie Great Dane Mix Puppies?

The cost of one of these pups differs from place to place. On average you find one of these for between $1,700 – $3,000. The price is generally dictated by market demand and area. However, that’s not the biggest cost when it comes to raising this hybrid.

The most expensive part of owning a Great Dane Border Collie hybrid is feeding them. As a large active dog, you’ll want to feed them a high protein diet with plenty of other nutrition. This means investing in quality dog food.

And while there are many great dog foods out there, it can also become very expensive at 3 cups of food per day.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Border Collie Great Dane Mix

1. These large dogs can actually vary in size.

While most dogs of this hybrid breed end up being rather large in size, they can also be on the smaller side. If your dog takes more after the Border Collie side of its lineage, they may stand only 24-25 inches tall and weigh as little as 70 pounds.

2. Border Collie Great Dane hybrids are prone to overeating.

While generally not prone to obesity due to their active lifestyles, these hybrids are susceptible to other conditions—such as diabetes—brought on by overeating. Inherited from their Great Dane side, these pups just love to eat and will scarf down just about anything you put in front of them. Be sure to practice self-control when feeding your pup.

3. These pups were originally used to help herd and graze sheep.

The first of this hybrid breed came about while looking for a more powerful sheep herding dog between the borders of England and Scotland. This led to the breeding of the gentle giant Great Dane with the spunky, intelligent Border Collie.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Border Collie Great Dane Mix

When it comes to intelligence, this hybrid dog hit the genetic jackpot. They’re part Border Collie which is widely regarded as the smartest of all dog breeds. However, they’re also part Great Dane. And while the Great Dane is no dunce, they can be quite stubborn at times.

However, they are extremely happy and friendly dogs. They’re not outwardly aggressive to others but will defend you, your family, and home as need be.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

These are wonderful family dogs! You’ve got nothing to worry about with them around—unless you have small children. In their pursuit to completely love and play with their families, they may accidentally barrel over younger children.

Now, they won’t mean to do it and will probably go to help them up afterward, but accidents still may happen so it’s something to keep in mind when considering this particular breed.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

When it comes to other pets, these pups just love having companions and other doggy friends! They even take well to new companions even if that means sharing your lap on the couch. They really are gentle, playful giants.

But like any other breed, you’re going to want to socialize them early. This will help to minimize any shyness or anxiety when around other pets or people.

Things to Know When Owning a Border Collie Great Dane Hybrid:

There are some basics you should know when you’re a Border Collie Great Dane parent to help keep your pooch well-maintained and happy.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Border Collie Great Dane is a large breed, and therefore requires a great deal of food. You should feed your dog at least 3 cups a day of highly nutritious kibble each day. If your dog is particularly active, you’ll want to ensure that the food you’re giving them is high in protein in order to help them build and maintain healthy muscle.

However, you need to be very cautious when feeding your pup because they are very sensitive to bloat. The Great Dane in your hybrid will gulp down food quickly swallowing large amounts of air. And the Border Collie in them will always be ready to run.

It’s very important that you establish a resting routine after eating to allow the swallowed air to dissipate prior to heavy exercise and movement.

Exercise

Many Great Dane hybrids are actually pretty lazy dogs. However, such is not the case when mixed with the Border Collie. This is a highly active and energetic dog that requires a high amount of exercise every single day.

Your pup should be getting at least one to 2 hours of exercise every single day. This could mean frequent trips to the dog park if you don’t have room to run at home.

Training

The good news is that this hybrid breed is very intelligent. They’re able to learn many commands and follow them precisely. The bad news is that it may take a while to teach them.

And that’s because they tend to have a stubborn, independent streak. Your Border Collie Great Dane may want to do things their way for as long as possible. But that doesn’t mean you should give up. Once they turn over the reins of control to you, they’ll normally start learning at an extremely rapid pace.

Grooming ✂️

The coat of the Border Collie Great Dane Mix falls somewhere between the long hair of the Border Collie and the Great Dane’s short coat. And like its Border Collie parent, this hybrid will shed heavily. You may need to brush your pup twice a week to keep shedding manageable.

Also, don’t forget to keep their ears clean. As a floppy-eared dog, your hybrid is at a greater risk of harboring bacteria which can lead to illness or other debilitating conditions.

Health Conditions

As a hybrid dog, the Border Collie Great Dane can inherit most of the illnesses associated with the parent breeds. Fortunately, the statistical probability of genetic inheritance is much lower than that of a purebred of either breed.

Male vs Female

Due to the varying nature of these dogs, there are no clear differences in temperament or physical features between male and female Border Collie Great Dane Mixes.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a large-sized family dog that’ll keep you active, the Border Collie Great Dane mix is a wonderful option. They’re big, goofy pooches that are sure to steal your hearts the second you give them an opportunity to do so.

Just be wary of the concerns this breed has. Don’t let them exercise after eating without proper rest and make sure to provide them with adequate daily exercise. Doing so will guarantee a long, happy life for your adoring Border Collie Great Dane hybrid.

Related Reads:

• Boxollie (Boxer & Border Collie Mix)
• Doberman Pinscher Golden Retriever Mix
• Basselier (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & Basset Hound Mix)

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Featured Image Credit: Maria Paolini, Shutterstock