The Border Collie Pitbull mix is a cross between a Border Collie and Pitbull. There are four different types of Pitbulls, and this article focuses on the Border Pit, which is a cross between a Border Collie and American Pitbull Terrier. This high-energy mix is intelligent and loves to snuggle.
Appearance
Border Pits are generally medium-sized dogs that can resemble either parent. This dog is usually muscular and has ears that are erect, semi-erect, or rose-shaped. It has a short or long tail that’s carried low, has eyes of any color, and is likely to have a strong muzzle.
Weight & Height
This mix is a medium-sized dog that can average 26 to 60 pounds (12 kg to 27 kg) and grows to be about 17 to 22 inches in height (43 cm to 56 cm). Females are usually shorter than males and also weigh less.
Coat Color
The Border Collie Pitbull mix can come in a wide variety of colors. The most common colors are brindle, blue, merle, red, red merle, fawn, gold, white, black, and gray. In some cases, it can also be bicolored, tricolored, or sable.
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Coat Length & Thickness
The Border Pit’s coat can be short and stiff, or smooth and wavy, depending on which parent it takes after. Usually, it’s medium in length and takes after its Border Collie parent with a double coat that’s dense and weather-resistant.
Temperament
This mix is usually an energetic dog that’s loyal, alert, and affectionate. Even though the mix has Pitbull blood – with its reputation for being dangerous – expert claim that with proper socialization and training, it can be loving and gentle. Females are usually nurturing, while males can be sexually aggressive.
Does Not Like Being Alone
This mix enjoys attention and does not like being alone. If left alone, it will suffer from separation anxiety, perhaps resulting in behavior such as chewing holes in walls and furniture and digging. It is highly sensitive to body language and tones and does not respond well to noisy environments.
Is Known to Be Territorial
This mix is known to be territorial, as its American Pitbull Terrier parent is territorial by nature, and its Border Collie parent can be as well. Females are especially territorial – whether or not they are spayed – and can urinate to mark their territory all throughout their lives.
Will Be Destructive & Demand Bark If Bored
Border Pits need a lot of mental stimulation and can exhibit behavior such as destructive scraping if bored. They may also bark at people and things out of boredom. To prevent this, it’s necessary to keep your dog engaged through mental exercises such as puzzle toys and plenty of exercise.
Should Not Be Unleashed in Public
Leashing this mix is a must. With its Border Collie blood, this mix has herding instincts, which can cause it to chase cars and other fast-moving animals. With its Pitbull blood, if not properly trained and socialized, it can have aggressive tendencies and won’t stop until the fight is over.
Aggressive If Not Properly Trained and Raised
Since Pitbulls were bred as fighting dogs, the Border Pit needs to be properly socialized and trained at an early age to avoid aggressiveness against other dogs, especially those of the same sex. If trained properly, however, they can get along with other dogs.
House Dog and Preferred Climate Is Warm Weather
The Border Collie Pitbull mix is best suited to warm weather and should be a house dog. The Pitbull genes do not acclimate to cold weather well, and the short muzzle it might inherit from its Pitbull parent makes it more susceptible to heatstroke during the summer.
Companion or Suitability Factor
The Border Pit mix is a great companion that’s affectionate with friends and family, but shy with strangers. It is known to be rambunctious and needs plenty of mental and physical stimulation. This dog is best suited for active individuals who can keep up with its exuberant energy.
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Not Ideal for Young Children
Many sources state that the Border Pit is great for families with children. It will, however, do better with older well-behaved children, as its Border Collie herding instinct can cause it to nip, herd and chase noisy younger children. Irresponsible breeding of the Pitbull bloodline can also lead to aggression.
Is Not Apartment Friendly
The Border Pit is an incredibly active mix. It requires at least one hour of exercise each day, along with plenty of mental stimulation. Ideally, this mix should have a large yard to play in with plenty of opportunities to expend its energy and is not suited to apartment living.
Not a Natural Watchdog
The Border Collie Pitbull mix does not make a natural watchdog. Its Pitbull parent is incredibly affectionate, while its Border Collie parent was bred to herd, but not to protect. While this type of Border Collie and Pitbull mix can be trained as a watchdog, it may not be reliable.
Not Ideal for Senior Citizens
Border Pits are incredibly active dogs that must be kept busy and need plenty of exercise, so other dogs would be a better choice for senior citizens who usually have a reduced activity level, and will continue to be less active over the lifespan of this dog.
Not a Great Service Dog
This type of mix is not an ideal service dog, as it is not easy to train. Service dogs need to be well-mannered, and its strong herding instinct from its Border Collie parent makes this mix nip, bark or growl at moving objects, and it can be hard to control.
Unlikely to Get Along with Other Pets
Border Pits can get along with other pets if socialized early. If not, it’s highly unlikely. The Pitbull blood can result in aggressiveness towards other dogs while its Border Collie side will cause this mix to chase and bark at anything that moves.
Not a Boat Dog
While both parents enjoy swimming, especially if they are encouraged to do so when young, they do not enjoy being on boats. Do note, however, that there are exceptions, and this is highly dependent on the dog’s personality and is something to monitor.
Intelligence & Training
This type of mix is lucky to have the smartest parent in the world, which unfortunately translates into needing ongoing training throughout its life and a constant need to be mentally challenged. You might have to bribe your stubborn Border Collie Pitbull mix, and definitely reward it after training.
Highly Intelligent
Border Pits are incredibly intelligent as this mix takes after its parents. Its parent, the Border Collie, is the smartest dog in the world – rated #1 by Stanley Coren. Pitbulls, depending on which of the four types, have average to above-average intelligence. This mix will need constant mental stimulation.
Training Will Be Challenging and Ongoing
Training needs to start early. It should be firm where you are established as the Alpha, positive, and gentle due to its tendency to get its feelings hurt. It can be difficult to train. Problems may also arise due to the mix’s herding tendencies from its Border Collie parent.
Physical Needs
The Border Pit has parents that are highly energetic, so it is not surprising that it needs a lot of exercise and thrives on an active lifestyle. Active games that also test its intelligence such as hide-and-seek are great options, though so are simpler activities such as fetch and tug.
Needs At Least One Hour of Exercise Per Day
This mix requires a minimum of one hour of exercise daily. If it does not exercise enough, it will get bored and may misbehave. It is best if it has a large yard to roam in throughout the day. This mix has a lifespan of 8 to15 years, on average.
Eats About 2 Cups of Food a Day
Since this mix is incredibly active, it needs about 2 to 2.5 cups of food per day. A high-nutrient and high-protein diet with fatty acids like omega 3s are also recommended. Check with your vet about adding fruits and vegetables and incorporating bone health supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin.
Shedding & Bathing
The Border Pit will blow its coat twice a year and regularly sheds. To minimize shedding, you should brush your dog 1-2 times per week. The dog should be bathed once every four months, unless it gets dirty or starts to smell, with a hypoallergenic shampoo for sensitive skin.
Background & Pricing for a Puppy
Though not much is known about the background of the mix, the histories of its bloodlines are long and well-documented. This mix also goes by other names, such as the Border Collie Pit, Borderbull, Border Pit, and the Pit Collie.
Background
The Border Collie started as a cross between a Roman herding dog and a Viking herding dog, both of which had been brought into Britain. The American Pitbull Terrier was originally bred for bull-baiting, which is an outdated “sport” where the dog attempted to approach and bite a bull.
Price for a Puppy
Border Pit puppies generally start from US$700, though are uncommon. Consider saving the life of a dog by adopting your dog from a shelter instead of purchasing it from a breeder. Rescue dogs are usually cheaper, come with a behavior assessment, and are completely screened.
Health Issues
Border Pits are generally a healthy mix, and the main health issue that it’s susceptible to from both its parents is hip dysplasia. There is also a chance of genetic deafness and the genetic Collie Eye Anomaly, but hopefully, the breeder has eliminated these issues from the bloodline.
Hip Dysplasia
This mix is susceptible to hip dysplasia, especially as the mix gets older. Hip dysplasia is an incurable developmental disorder that results in hip joints that are not properly formed. Some symptoms include difficulty walking, running, and jumping, along with pain.
Obesity is a key factor in the onset of hip dysplasia, so you should monitor your Border Pit’s nutrition and exercise to keep it at an ideal weight. Also consider giving your dog supplements for bone health. Before purchasing your pet, consider getting its hip score for each hip.
Brandon Miller has a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a seasoned writer who has written over one hundred articles, which have been read by over 500,000 people. If you have any comments or concerns about this blog post, then please contact the Green Garage team here.