Australian Shepherd Border Collie Mix: Border Aussie Breed Facts

Are you an outdoor adventurer or live on a ranch and looking for a canine companion? We may have the perfect mix for you! Meet the Australian Collie, a combination of the two most esteemed herding breeds in the world: The Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie.

The Australian Collie inherits some of the best characteristics of the parent breeds including intelligence, agility, tracking, and herding. Despite the overwhelmingly positive attributes, this breed is not a mix for everyone. This breed will need a job to do and, if you can give them one, they will amaze you with how well they do it.

If you’re looking for your next Netflix buddy, the Australian Collie is not for you. The Aussie Collie will demand you get up and get going! However, if you love the outdoors, are extremely active or live on a property that requires herding of any sort, you might want to consider adding an Australian Collie to your family.

Parent Breeds

Designer dogs are the product of breeding two different purebred parents. This practice, although frowned upon by breed “purists,” has resulted in healthier dogs and endless possibilities of adorable new breeds, including the Australian Collie which is the resulting mix of a purebred Australian Shepherd and a purebred Border Collie.

While there are many benefits to breeding designer dogs, they also come with a level of unpredictability. Their purebred parents have been bred for generations to have formularized appearances and traits. Their designer puppies can inherit different attributes from either parent, so it’s hard to anticipate how a mixed breed will look and act.

Learning about her more predictable parent breeds can help in understanding an Australian Collie. So let’s take a deeper look into the roots and examine the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie.

Border Collie

The Border Collie is described by the American Kennel Club as “affectionate, smart and energetic.” This breed is classified into the “herding group” of canines and is known for their drive to work, near-endless endurance, and a reputation for being the most intelligent breed of dog. While this is high-praise, this also means the breed requires intense amounts of exercise and stimulation to remain well-balanced and happy. Border Collies span between 18 to 22 inches in height and 30 to 55 pounds, with males being slightly larger. This breed has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

The Border Collie originated in the hills of the English-Scottish border, hence the name, for the purpose of herding sheep in the highlands. Although recognized by the AKC in only 1995, the Border Collie has been champion of sheep herding for more than a hundred years. Border Collies excel in canine competitive sports such as agility and flyball and the impressive physical abilities have contributed to the steadfast popularity as both a working and companion dog.

The border collie is a popular purebred dog that often gets mixed with other breeds to create designer dogs.  Some of these include the Border Rottweiler Mix, the Husky Border Collie, and the GSD mixed with a Border.

Australian Shepherd

Like the Border Collie, the Australian Shepherd is classified into the herding group and is described as “smart, work-oriented and exuberant.” This breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1993. Australian Shepherds fall between 18 and 23 inches tall and weigh between 40 and 65 pounds. Their life expectancy is 12-15 years.

The Australian Shepherd’s origins are somewhat of a mystery. They did not originate in Australia, a surprising find considering their name, and the exact birthplace has been disputed by breed enthusiasts. However, they were likely bred from Collies in the United States for the purpose of sheep herding. The breed gained traction in the 1950s and has remained a popular breed ever since. Many Australian Shepherds work as Service Animals, search and rescue canines, and therapy dogs due to their trainability.  The Aussie is also a popular designer dog, being a parent breed for other designer dogs like the Aussie Pom and the Aussiedoodle mix.

Aussie Collie Mix

Like both parents, the Australian Collie, also known as Aussieollie and Border-Aussie, is an extremely capable herding dog who thrives when they are given a job. this mix is a fairly new designer breed with unknown origins but is recognized by both the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC). With parent breeds of similar build and temperament, we can anticipate much about the Australian Collie. Let’s take a look!

Appearance

The Australian Collie is a canine of medium build who tends to favor a Border Collie in appearance. This mix has a narrow muzzle and can either sport a long Border Collie tail or an Australian Shepherd bobtail.

Heterochromia is not uncommon for Australian Collies. This condition causes one eye color to differ from the other. Common variants are brown, blue, and green and result in a striking, multi-colored gaze.

Temperament

The Australian Collie is certainly not a low-energy pup. This breed is curious, lively, assertive and, like the parent breeds, extremely hard-working. If they are given the appropriate outlet for all this energy, they can be an impressive trainee with a positive disposition who loves being around family and is excellent with children.

It’s important to note that without proper physical and mental stimulation, this breed can easily become maladjusted and bored. This often leads to destructive behaviors, with the most common manifestation being obsessive chewing. Because of this, first-time dog owners without the time or space to dedicate to this intelligent, athletic breed are probably not the best fit for an Australian Collie.

A well-balanced, well-socialized Australian Collie is a wonderful family dog who has a quiet and calm disposition. The Aussie Collie bonds well with all members of their family, is friendly and outgoing with visitors and loves to play!

Training

Known for being exceptionally cooperative, an Australian Collie should give you no difficulty while training. A firm but positive training approach is most efficient in producing a well-behaved Australian Collie pup.

Don’t let this breed’s teachability fool you into easing up once they have learned the basics. This breed craves new challenges and needs daily mental stimulation, so a consistent, on-going training regiment should be observed by any Australian Collie owner.

Like their parents, the Aussie collie has an innate desire to herd and they may try and steer people by nipping at their heels. It’s important to set boundaries early to suppress this instinct. If your Australian Collie will actually be performing herding duties, you should still make sure this breed understands this behavior is only acceptable when controlling livestock and is not appropriate for human friends and family.

As always, please use positive reinforcement while training. The Australian Collie is a sensitive breed who will not respond well to raised voices or harsh reactions. This will only serve to discourage her, they may become fearful of you and could set back your training goals. This mix craves positive reinforcement and will work hard to get it!

Exercise & Living Conditions

The intense exercise requirements are perhaps the most important thing to consider when deciding whether an Australian Collie is the right fit for you. This breed thrives with an active owner who can keep up with them. If you’re not the type who enjoys intense hikes or long runs, don’t worry! Giving an Australian Collie a job can also meet this pup’s needs. True to their roots, herding livestock is a great way to get an Australian Collie moving. If you don’t have access to a farm or ranch, canine sports and agility training are another great outlet as well. This vigorous activity should be maintained for at least one hour per day. 

It’s not only about physical work. The Australian Collie’s active mind needs things kept interesting or this breed will get bored quickly and you really don’t want a bored Australian Collie on your hands. You may need to get creative and come up with exercises, games, and toys that will keep them engaged. If the Border Aussie becomes bored and left with pent up energy, they have a tendency to turn destructive and the Australian Collie loves to chew.

The ability to explore their surroundings and stretch their legs are important activities for this clever and energetic breed. We don’t recommend keeping them in an apartment because the limited space restricts these pursuits. However, with an owner who is committed to keeping them stimulated and meeting or exceeding exercise requirements, an Australian Shepherd can adapt well to an apartment setting.

Size

Both of the Australian Shepherd and Border Collie parents are considered to be medium-sized canines. Naturally, an Australian Collie will be the same, weighing between 30 to 75 pounds and 18 to 22 inches high.

The Australian Shepherd is burlier than the Border Collie, who tends to have a more slender frame. Their puppies could fall on either end of this spectrum. If small dogs don’t appeal to you but you’re worried about a large dog taking up too much space, an Australian Collie might be that “sweet spot” you’re looking for!

Health

Good news here! Both the Aussie and Border Collie are considered to be healthy breeds in general, meaning their offspring are likely to be as well. An Australian Collie who is well cared for has an average lifespan of about 10 to 14 years.

As with any dog, there are certain health concerns to look out for. In an Australian Collie these conditions are hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, collie eye anomaly, thyroid disease, and cataracts. Australian Shepherds can sometimes be born deaf, blind or, in very rare cases, both. This is something any potential Australian Collie owner should be aware of.

While most of this is simply up to the genetics lottery, understanding these conditions, looking out for symptoms and getting them prompt medical attention can save your pup from prolonged pain in the future. Pairing this diligence with regular checkups, preventative healthcare, and staying up to date with vaccines and immunizations will set you and your pup up for a long and healthy life together.

Nutrition

An Australian Collie’s activity level should be considered when deciding on appropriate nutrition. This breed is a considerably energetic breed who burns many calories per day so they may require more food than other comparably sized, less active dogs. Because of the high activity level, she is not prone to obesity and does not need to be closely monitored for this in the same way other breeds do.

Many dog food brands will have a feeding guide listed on their product which can be helpful when deciding what’s appropriate for your individual Australian Collie. In general, 2 to 3 cups of quality, grain-free dry food per day should be sufficient. This is just a guideline and every individual Australian Collie’s needs will vary. It is important to speak with a vet to make sure you’re covering all essential nutrients with an adequate amount of protein and calories.

Coat & Colors

An Australian Collie tends to sport a double coat, with a medium-length topcoat and a thick undercoat for colder weather. This pup gets its length from their Border Collie side, but the texture of her coat tends to resemble that of their Australian Shepherd parent. Like their Border Collie parent, this breed is a moderate-to-heavy shedder.

The coat colors for an Australian Collie can come in many variations, color combinations, and patterns. These colors include black, white, red, brindle, blue merle, red merle, and tan. The merle pattern is one of the most popular colorings for this breed and is usually accompanied by the signature multicolored or marbled eyes.

Grooming

You won’t find much difficulty when grooming an Australian Collie, they tend to be clean dogs and only require weekly brushing and monthly bathing. Brushing can be increased during shedding season to help reduce the amount of hair it sheds. This regiment may vary based on the length and thickness of their coat.

The Border Aussie is prone to ear infections so this area should be kept clean and checked regularly. This breed’s nails should be clipped once or twice per month to maintain clean and healthy paws. Tteeth should be brushed a few times a week.

This breed loves the outdoors so maintaining a proper grooming schedule is important in making sure it doesn’t bring home any souvenirs from their adventures. You should pay special attention that ticks haven’t made a home in their dense coat. If possible, this routine should begin when the breed is just a few weeks old in order to temper any fear or anxiety associated with the Aussie Collie’s grooming routine.

As Family Pets

Australian Collies have an impressive resume, but is the Aussie Collie right for you? Let’s take a look at what we’ve learned:

• They are both eager to please you and easy to train.
• This is a very intelligent breed that requires high levels of mental stimulation.
• The Breed descends from working dogs and thrives when given a job.
• This breed is also great with herding or canine sports.
• If not exercised properly, this breed will most likely exhibit destructive behaviors.
• This mix is a wonderfully loving and affectionate family dog that does exceptionally well with children.
• The breed should not be left alone for long periods of time due to the propensity for separation anxiety.
• Their high activity requirements make them better-suited for an active family.
• Although the Aussie Collie can adapt to apartment living with exercise, they prefer a backyard.
• This mix is not recommended for first-time dog owners.
• The Aussie Collie is the ideal companion for joggers, outdoor adventurers, farmers or ranchers.

Finding Your Border Aussie

When looking for an Australian Collie, it can be helpful to speak with your local Australian Shepherd and Border Collies clubs who can point you in the direction of a reputable breeder.

However, you can easily search the internet and find a breeder who specializes in Australian Collie mixes. Do your due diligence before reaching out. It’s very important that you find a reputable, trusted breeder that operates ethically and in the best interest of their dogs.

When choosing a breeder, you can ask to see the health certificates for the parent dogs and meet your puppy and the parents in person. A legitimate breeder should never object to these requests. Reading reviews of the breeder can also give you peace of mind that you are purchasing from a respected breeder. Never purchase from puppy mills or puppy farms. They are becoming illegal in many states due to inhumane practices and many of the dogs bred from these facilities are unhealthy.

Before shopping, consider adopting! Australian Collie mixes are very handsome, however many people purchase them without understanding the physical and mental demands of this breed. Because of this, it is unfortunately quite common for Australian Collie mixes to end up in animal shelters. Thanks to online rescue sites, finding an Australian Collie mix is almost easier than adopting a designer dog puppy. Rescuing saves lives – please consider adoption!

Puppies & Prices

The average litter size for an Australian Collie is between 5 and 7 puppies. These puppies can vary in cost usually increased based on the pedigree of the parents, the location of the breeder, and the coat colors of the pup. On average, an Australian Collie will fetch anywhere from a couple hundred to a thousand dollars.

The most popular coloring is the signature merle markings and puppies will this unique coat will be more expensive, as will puppies purchased from breeders in locations where this mix is very popular.

Adoption is always a worthwhile option to consider and the drop in price alone may be worth finding an Australian Collie rescue. Rescue organizations usually only require a donation fee to cover a portion of your new pup’s medical costs, a fraction of what you’d pay from a breeder.

Final Thoughts

The Australian Collie is beautiful, athletic, friendly and loving. This mix is a real stunner and an excellent family dog. Their energetic spirit will bring endless amounts of joy to your home. If you are willing and dedicated to meeting this amazing breed’s physical and mental requirements, they may be just the companion you’re looking for!