The Lean and Beautiful Border Collie Husky Mix

Border Collies? Great.

Why not mix the two?

That must’ve been the thought process of whoever created the Border Collie Husky.

Indeed, the Husky Border Collie Mix makes a beautiful, loyal and enthusiastic pet for the right owner.

If you’re the right owner for him (or you think you are), here’s everything you need to know about the Border Collie Husky Mix.

All About The Border Collie Husky Mix

What you will learn:

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From the name alone, it’s pretty obvious what a Border Collie Husky Mix is.

He’s the offspring of a purebred Border Collie and a purebred Siberian Husky.

It’s important that both his parents be purebred.

Otherwise, the pup would be a “mutt,” or a dog with at least one mixed breed parent.

What Is a Border Collie Husky Mix?

The Border Collie Husky is a designer dog, or a dog deliberately bred to inherit his parents’ best traits.

In the Husky Border Collie’s case, both his parents are working breeds, so it makes sense to blend them together.

It’s worth noting that, despite their similar breed type, the Border Collie and Siberian Husky each perform different types of work, which require different builds and temperaments.

That’s why, even if you know all there is to know about Border Collies and Siberian Huskies, the Border Collie Husky Mix is a unique dog in his own right.

What Does A Husky Border Collie Mix Look Like?

Unlike their parents, designer dogs don’t have uniform looks.

You can’t simply draw up a list of their attributes and say “This is what makes a [insert designer dog here]!”

Still, we can deduce their general characteristics based on what we know about their parents.

For example, the Border Collie reaches up to 22 inches in height, while the Siberian Husky can be up to 23.5 inches at the shoulder.

That means a Husky Border Collie would probably reach a height of around 22.5 inches at the shoulder.

The Husky Border Collie Mix usually has the Husky’s ice blue eyes.

Sometimes, he has the Border Collie’s dark brown eyes.

Other times, one eye is brown while the other is blue.

In terms of color, black and white is the most common for Border Collie Huskies.

The coat comes in different patterns though, and sometimes you’ll see other colors thrown in there.

No matter what a Border Collie Husky Mix looks like, one thing’s for sure:

This pooch will make you take a second look.

Husky Collie Mix Temperament

When you know what the Border Collie and Husky were bred for, their respective personalities make sense.

The Border Collie temperament is marked by a strong protective instinct, owing to his being a herding dog.

He’s wary around strangers but is incredibly loyal and affectionate towards his family.

Because herding required him to be alert 24/7, he has boundless reserves of energy that need to be let out every now and then.

Meanwhile, the Siberian Husky is a sled dog.

He’s built for speed, strength, and endurance.

Like the Border Collie, he has more than enough energy to spare.

Unlike the Border Collie, he’s comfortable with strangers, so don’t expect him to take up guard duty anytime soon.

Temperament-wise, the Husky Collie Mix can be more like a Border Collie, more like a Husky, or a bit of both.

The surest way to tell what the Collie Husky temperament is like is to look at what his parents have in common.

Both parents are highly energetic, so prepare to engage in lots of exercise with your Border Collie Husky.

A daily 30-minute walk won’t be enough:

He needs a combination of activities that test his agility, endurance, and intelligence.

Both the Border Collie and Husky love their owners to bits.

A Husky Collie Mix will shower you with attention, and expect the same in return.

If he happens to be a little too shy around strangers, be sure to socialize him as a puppy.

Otherwise, his overly shy tendencies can translate into aggression.

The above generalizations aside, it’s important to remember that puppies have individual personalities.

These personalities are shaped by factors such as genetics, upbringing, and environment.

For that reason, always do a background check on a Husky Collie Mix before you bring one home.

How To Train A Collie Husky Mix

The shortest and easiest answer to the question “How do you train a Border Collie Husky Mix?” is: You don’t.

As smart as the Border Collie and Husky are, they’re also both extremely stubborn.

Border Collies are bred to herd, which means they’re used to leading rather than being led.

Huskies, on the other hand, are notorious escape artists and don’t respond well to owners who are timid, inexperienced and unable to set boundaries.

Of course, you’re not here for a short and easy answer to “How do you train a Border Collie Husky Mix?”

You’re here to know how to have a compliant, well-behaved dog without having to take him to obedience school, and without having to resort to “drastic” measures.

Well, if you want to train a dog as stubborn as the Collie Husky Mix, you need to be the kind of owner who can rein in his not-so-positive behaviors.

Specifically, you need three things: Time, energy and a truckload of patience.

Start training your Collie Husky early.

As soon as he’s old enough to walk and leave his litter, teach him the basics like where to do his “business.”

Leash training is a particular challenge for this breed because he has a tendency to pull.

Luckily, you can give him front-hook harnesses and head halters to avoid accidental choking.

Also, don’t forget the basics of leash training.

Put a leash/collar on him every time he’s about to eat his favorite food, so he’ll learn to associate it with positive things.

Do the same whenever you ask him to come to you.

While you’re at it, socialize him with other people and pets.

Let strangers approach him, and be sure to warn said strangers not to do anything that’d upset your dog.

Basically, use positive reinforcement when training a Collie Husky Mix.

Reward him with treats when he does something you want.

Avoid hitting or screaming at him when he does something “bad.”

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How To Groom A Border Collie Husky

In general, Husky Mix breeds shed a lot.

Border Collies shed a lot too, so you can expect the same from your Border Collie Husky.

To minimize your dog’s shedding, you need two things: a high-quality brush and a vacuum cleaner.

Brushing doesn’t just lessen the number of hairs on your carpet.

It also keeps your dog’s coat neat and trim and prevents mats and tangles that cause skin infections.

For heavy shedders like the Husky Collie, brushing should be done once or twice a week.

If it’s shedding season, brush at least once every other day.

Fortunately, bathing doesn’t have to be as often. Both Border Collies and Huskies only need to be bathed when necessary — like when they get splattered with mud, for example.

If you do need to bathe a Border Collie Husky, use a shampoo mild enough to not strip his coat of essential oils, but strong enough to remove dirt and debris.

While you’re at it, look him over for any redness, foul smells and other signs of infection.

Don’t forget to brush his teeth and clip his nails too.

Not confident about your grooming skills?

Take him to a groomer who’s experienced with Border Collies and Huskies.

Ask the groomer for tips on how to keep your pooch nice and spiffy.

Who knows: You might eventually be able to groom your dog on your own!

What Are The Health Problems of A Border Collie Husky Mix?

Both Border Collies and Huskies are healthy breeds.

On average, the Border Collie lifespan ranges from 10 to 14 years, but some of them can live up to 17 years old.

Meanwhile, the Siberian Husky lifespan falls between 12 to 15 years.

However, both breeds do have health problems that they can pass on to their Border Collie Husky Mix puppies.

Border Collies suffer from Collie eye anomaly (CEA), which leads to retinal detachment and blindness.

They may also experience hypothyroidism, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), seizures and hip dysplasia.

Siberian Huskies have an almost similar set of breed-specific diseases.

They can suffer from eye disorders like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and corneal dystrophy.

They can also be prone to hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, uveodermatologic syndrome and zinc deficiency.

If you want your Border Collie Husky to avoid the above diseases, or at least minimize their impact on him, schedule an annual checkup with the vet.

Even if your dog seems healthy overall, it won’t hurt to ask for a vet’s second opinion.

The earlier these diseases are detected, the earlier you can prepare for any eventuality.

How Much Is A Husky And Border Collie Mix?

The price of Husky Mix puppies depends on (among other factors) the price of the breed contributing the other genetic half.

Since Huskies cost between $500 and $1,000, and Border Collies average between $600 and $800, Border Collie Huskies would likely fall within the latter range.

Of course, the above prices assume that you’re buying from a breeder.

They also assume that said breeder is reputable, and only sells the best dogs that he can produce.

If you’re adopting from a shelter, the price would be much lower.

However, we don’t recommend adopting adult dogs — especially stubborn Husky Mixes — since they may have learned habits that are hard to break.

Adopting puppies is OK, as long as you check with the shelter regarding the dog’s papers, parentage, history of problematic behavior (if any), etc.

You’ll also want to account for the yearly cost of raising a Husky and Border Collie Mix.

Assuming your dog is healthy, you’ll need to budget anywhere from $1,000 to $2,000 a year.

Those figures include food, supplies, training, grooming, vet checkups, vaccinations, toys, etc.

If your dog requires special medical treatments, the expected budget would be much higher.

Remember that dogs are an investment, so think carefully before you take one home.

Where To Buy Border Collie Husky Mix Puppies

In the digital age, you can find Border Collie Husky Mix puppies for sale with just a few clicks.

Whether they’re from an anonymous seller on Craigslist, or from your dog-loving friend on Facebook, you’ll want to do a background check first. Specifically, you’ll want to ask questions like:

How long have they had Border Collie Husky Mix puppies for sale?

What is their experience with Border Collies, Huskies and/or hybrids of the two?

Is the puppy well-behaved, or does he have an unfortunate tendency to attack/hurt his litter mates?

What about his parents? Is there anything about them, in terms of health and behavior, that you should know about?

Can you see the papers for the puppy?

If you’re buying from a brick-and-mortar store, take a look at the dogs’ surroundings.

Are they clean and well-kept?

Do the dogs seem lively and happy to be there?

Does the breeder seem to have a genuine enthusiasm for his wards, or does he seem like he just wants to make a quick buck?

Getting a Border Collie Husky Mix

Based on what you know about the Husky Border Collie Mix, do you think you could be a good owner for him?

Do you think you can provide the time, attention and training it takes to make sure this stubborn dog is healthy, happy and well-behaved?

If it’s a definite “Yes” to both questions, go ahead!

With a Border Collie Husky Mix around, you and your family will never have a dull moment.

What are your thoughts on the Border Collie Husky?

Know anyone who has a great story to share about this dog? Share it in the comments below!