The Border Collie Chihuahua mix is a designer dog breed that has become quite famous in the last few years. That's because these dogs are smart, playful, and active. They also make great pets for people who live in small apartments or homes.
Below we share insights into the characteristics, unique features, and pros and cons of owning this unique breed.
Let's first look at the border collie and the chihuahua breeds.
The Border Collie
The Border Collie1, an energetic dog, was originally bred to herd sheep and cattle, but now they are also widely used as guide dogs.
For hundreds of years this high-energy dog has been herding sheep and other livestock along the Scotland and England border.
The Chihuahua
The Chihuahua2 is different to the Border Collie in many ways. They are a descendent of the Technici. These small dogs come with big personalities and in a variety of colors and coats. They are loyal, and some experts rate them among the top ten recommended watchdogs.
They love people and company. This, combined with the fact that they adapt well to apartment living, has made them a very popular breed in recent years. The flip side is that they do not like being alone. So, they are not suited for individuals or families that are out and about all day.
The Border Collie Chihuahua
This unique breed is usually created by breeding a male Chihuahua with a female Border Collie, but it’s not uncommon to breed them the other way around.
While not incredibly common, the Border Collie Chihuahua is picking up in popularity for quite a few reasons. They are loved for being adorable, unique, and devoted.
The most common coat colors for this breed are black-white and brown-white, but there are many other combinations that come through. One distinct feature of the Border Collie Chihuahua is the white line that divides the face in half.
Here are 7 interesting facts about this dog.
They have a few nicknames
This breed goes by a few nicknames. The Border Chigi, Collier Chider and the Collie Chihuahua are just a few.
Their temperament
The Border Collie Chihuahua mix is cute, energetic, and playful. While intelligent, they can be aggressive towards children. Many believe that this is due to the Border Collie’s herding instinct and the Chihuahua’s aggressiveness. They can have very different personalities, with some of the different traits from each breed coming through stronger than others. They are loved for their complete devotion.
They’re smart and weird
If you are looking for a smart, active dog breed that is full of life, then the Border Collie Chihuahua mix may be the pet for you. These dogs learn new tricks very quickly and also tend to understand what we tell them almost immediately.
They can be quite quirky in that they’ll often line up items in the home. This is believed to be due to the Border Collie herding instinct that they can’t resist.
They can be stubborn
Border Collie Chihuahua mixes can be very stubborn and willful at times. They like to see things done their way and usually prefer that we let them do what they want to do rather than the other way around. Generally, these dogs may not respond well to aggressive training measures but will respond better if you're firm but gentle.
How long do they live?
If you consider that the lifespan of a Chihuahua is 12 to 20 years, and that of the Border Collie’s is 10 to 17 years, it’s expected that the Border Collie Chihuahua can live anywhere from 10 to 20 years if cared for properly. It’s important that you give them a balanced and healthy diet, and that they are given enough exercise.
They can get jealous
With Chihuahua’s being so attached to their owners, the jealousy trait does come through in the Border Collie Chihuahua mix. This is one of the reasons they can be aggressive, so it’s something to consider if you are looking to grow your family with either children or more dogs. How will the breed adapt?
They’ll help to make you fit!
If you are looking to get off the couch and keep active, this breed is a good option. Their energetic nature makes them busy dogs that like to get out and about. They make great cardio buddies.
Is the Border Collie Chihuahua mix for you?
Pros:
- They are fun, loving, and loyal
- These high energy dogs will keep you busy
- The Border Collie Chihuahua mix is a cute breed
- They have a good lifespan
- They’re intelligent
- As they are relatively small, they make great apartment dogs
Cons:
- They can be aggressive
- Their energy levels may wear you out
- There are a few health issues to consider. The Chihuahua is susceptible to patellar luxation3, which is a dislocation of the kneecap. They are also prone to hip dysplasia and a few eye problems4, which come through from the Border Collie side.
- If you are looking for a dog that doesn’t shed hair, then this breed isn’t one for you.
The Border Collie Chihuahua is a popular choice for all pet owners who want an intelligent dog that is also easy to care for. As we’ve covered above, these hybrid dogs make great companions and can be easily trained. That said, if you're not sure about the breed or how it will fit into your lifestyle, we recommend doing more research.
We hope this article has given you more insights into this unique and much-loved dog.
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1 https://www.britannica.com/search?query=border+collie+
2 https://www.britannica.com/animal/Chihuahua-dog
3 https://europepmc.org/article/med/7989241
4 https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1746-6148-4-10
5 https://tryfi.com/