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Border Collie Rottweiler Mix: Meet the Energetic, Protective, & Affectionate

Border Collie Rottweiler Mix

Mixing two different types of dogs together creates a new designer dog breed with characteristics of both breeds and parents.

Some of these mixes give you truly amazing dogs to join your family. Most often, the mixes are determined to emphasize all the best and most desirable traits of each of the two breeds.

What is the Border Collie Rottweiler Mix?

As you likely guessed, this is a dog that is half rottweiler and half Border Collie. They are commonly called a Border Rottie or Rottcollie, but may also be called a Rottweiler Collie Mix, or Border Collie Rottweiler.

The Border Rottie is a mix of two separate breeds that are very different from each other in appearance, size, and traits, as well as their temperaments. By looking at the parental traits, you will get an idea of how this mix will be as a family dog for you.

The Border Collie was first seen as a large Roman herding dog in the working class. They are one of the last sheepdogs in existence and in agility contests, they show themselves as being super intelligent and agile.

The Border Collie is described as being affectionate, smart, and very energetic and being smart and gentle at the same time.

The Rottweiler was originally in Germany, where it was a livestock protector that was used to herd and move livestock from one place to another.

They are very protective and were actually one of the first dogs chosen to help the blind and they also were great helpers in search and rescue at the World Trade Tower Center after the destruction.

The Rottweiler is a loving, confident, and loyal guardian which is also seen in the Border Rottie mix of the two parent breeds.

The Border Rottie is a mixture of the two breeds, but you never know exactly which characteristics your new puppy will have.

If you like the traits of both parents, then this beautiful and kind mix will be a great four-legged family member for you.

Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a Border Collie Rottweiler Mix

This mix of great breeds takes a considerable amount of time for exercising and training because they are a high-energy breed.

The owner must be a pack leader who is confident and calm, otherwise, you may need to search for a different breed.

If your family isn’t very active, this may not be the dog for you. Puppies will always get into trouble when they don’t have enough daily exercise and stimulation.

The Border Rottie can have separation anxiety so if your family isn’t home much and both parents work while the kids are in school, this may not be the breed for you.

Reasons Why You Should Get a Border Collie Rottweiler Mix

The Border Rottie is an intelligent, loving, and loyal dog breed that responds well to training.

They are very energetic and thrive in families that love to go hiking, go to the dog park, or have any other outdoor exercise and fun.

If you have an active family that likes spending time outdoors, this may be the perfect dog breed for you.

One of the most fun activities that the Border Rottie loves is to participate in competitive play, such as agility training, tracking, herding, and obedience.

This breed is also most often a low-maintenance dog in terms of grooming, so you won’t need to take your new pet to have his hair cut.

Appearance, Coats, and Colors of a Border Collie Rottweiler Mix

Your Border Rottie will look like a mixture of the two parents or he may resemble one parent more closely than the other.

This breed tends to be between 19 and 27 inches tall at the shoulders and, as an adult, will weigh between 30 and 135 pounds.

Most commonly, your puppy will fall in between low and high numbers of height and weight upon maturity.

Rottweilers are a bit of a bulky dog with a wide and deep chest, The mixture of the two breeds produces a more slender and slimmer dog than this, but it is also more muscular and sturdy than the Border Collie.

Most commonly, the eyes are a very dark brown and he may actually inherit the eyes from the Border Collie, which are a startling bright blue.

There is a rare chance that your Border Rottie will inherit eyes of two different colors, such as a Border Collie.

Your dog will most likely have a sturdy and thick tail in addition to big paws. The ears may be large and floppy, such as the Rottweiler trait, or they can be smaller and on the sides of the head, such as the Border Collie trait.

The Border Rottie has a medium-length coat that is also double-coated, just as both parents have. The double coat allows your new pet to survive in very cold weather as well as very hot weather.

More often than not, the Border Rottie will have the same coloration as a Rottweiler. It’s black and tan with black being the primary body color and tan markings such as stockings on the legs and the famous tan eyebrows that make him look so intelligent.

Some puppies will inherit the coloration of the Border Collie and be black and white. There is actually a chance of the two different coat colors in the same litter.

Personality, Traits, and Lifespan of a Border Collie Rottweiler Mix

The Border Rottie is very energetic and needs a family that can provide him with training and exercise on a daily basis.

He’s a lively mix and definitely enjoys attending agility classes to learn with the help of a family member.

He prefers being with his human family over being left alone for many hours on end and can have separation anxiety.

The Border Rottie is also very protective of his family. He is loyal and will stay by your side at all times and he may think he’s a lap dog even when he’s grown.

He will keep an eye on strangers that enter your property and he will bark to alert you to someone at your home. He is usually reserved with people until he gets to know them, so it can take a bit to warm up to others.

Your new furry friend is very affectionate with his family and he will expect cuddles while he sits on the couch with you. He will protect your immediate family at all times.

You can also expect to have lots of fun with a Border Rottie. His energy level is astounding and he can play fetch for hours on end.

As a puppy, he may be a bit clumsy and fall when running or attempting to jump on something. This is to be expected from the Rottweiler side of the family.

A healthy and well taken care of Border Collie lives to be about 12 to 15 years old and a healthy and well cared for Rottweiler’s lifespan is generally 9 to 10 years. So, you can expect your new four-legged family member to live to be somewhere within this range.

Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Puppies for Sale

When you are looking for a specific breed of dog, such as the Border Rottie, you should make certain that you research online all the information you can find on the breeders. A good and healthy breeder will likely charge around $1,000 for this mix in good health.

If you find a puppy that is quite a bit less expensive, you need to beware and check into the breeder’s background and read online reviews about them. They could be just breeding designer dogs for-profit and not take good care of them.

An unscrupulous breeder will often have several types of designer dogs that they breed. This can be an indication of a puppy mill, so buyer beware.

A good dog breeder will show you the litter of puppies as well as the mom and dad and answer all your questions about the puppies’ vaccinations and deworming schedules, as well as explain and show you the parents’ temperament.

It’s unlikely to find a Border Rottie at a shelter for adoption because it is a fairly new breed–but it never hurts to look at these resources online and in-person to find your new forever friend.

Questions for a Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Breeder

When you go to look for your new puppy, you need to ask the breeder several questions so you know they are reputable. Ask to see the parents.

This gives you an idea of the size that your puppy will reach when he is fully grown. The best parents for your pup will be friendly and like to be petted or talked to by strangers.

Ask if the parents are health tested and if they have any issues. They should also show you the pedigrees of the parents if they are registered.

Find out how long they have been a breeder and what their experience is with this newer breed. You will already know the strengths and weaknesses of the breed beforehand, so you will know if the breeder is being honest with you or not.

Watch the litter of puppies to see if they are socialized. Usually, puppies are just a ball of fur waiting to give everyone kisses and is held and talked to.

If the puppies are very shy or scared, they haven’t been socialized at all and they may not be as good of a fit for your home, as they will take more training. Keep in mind that fearful puppies can be overly aggressive as adults.

Ask about the puppy’s shot records, veterinarian records, and a health guarantee as well as a contract. This ensures they have appropriate medical care.

Some high-end breeders will actually want to go to your home and make certain that your new puppy will have everything he needs to be healthy and happy.

If so, don’t take offense to this action, it simply means you’ve chosen an excellent, honest, and caring breeder for the best puppy of your choice possible.

Grooming Your Border Collie Rottweiler Mix

Your Border Rottie is very low maintenance in the grooming needed for him. You can brush him once or twice a week, no matter if his coat is rough or smooth. If your puppy has a long and feathery coat, you may need to brush him more often.

Every time you brush your pooch, you should check his ears and eyes and trim his nails every few weeks. You should also brush his teeth daily–remember only to use dog toothpaste though.

Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Health Problems

Both parent breeds of this mix have some health problems in common that you want to be aware of and keep an eye out for them to get them treated if they occur.

Hip dysplasia can result in lameness and present itself with severe arthritis. Progressive retinal atrophy is an eye disorder that causes a loss of vision over time and then eventually blindness.

Other eye conditions common to the breed are Collie eye anomaly and cataracts in Rottweilers. These conditions can both lead to impaired vision or even blindness.

The good news is that when you take your beautiful baby dog to the vet regularly, he will have the vaccinations he needs and will be checked over thoroughly to alert you quickly to any health problems that need to be solved.

Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Food Requirements

You should feed your puppy commercial food that is approved by The Association of American Feed Control Officials or AAFCO. This ensures it has all the nutrients he needs.

A hard kibble is best to keep your pooch’s teeth pearly white and resist tartar buildup. Use the correct food for each stage of life for your dog and make certain he always has fresh water available.

You can determine how much to feed your dog per day from the directions on the rear of the dog food bag.

The Rottweiler side of this mix can tend to get overweight if he is overfed or he gets too many treats.

If your pooch is overweight, it is more likely for him to have health concerns with his respiratory function, which can affect his heart and circulation.

Overweight dogs are also more prone to hip dysplasia as the extra weight exasperates the condition and causes pain when they walk.

Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Exercise Requirements

The best-case scenario for a Border Rottie is to have a backyard with a doggy door. This allows your pet to play outside whenever he needs to burn off energy and he can stay entertained better with outdoor toys and treats when you are away from home.

You can also have a Border Rottie as an inside pet in an apartment as long as you take him for a long walk at least once a day and provide him with playtime when you are home.

Border Collie Rottweiler Mix Training

This breed of dog is easily trained, even from the youngest of puppies. He is affectionate and willing to learn new things.

Using positive reinforcement when training with treats or a clicker or both will have your beautiful puppy learning commands in a flash.

You should start training your new puppy at 8 weeks of age. Each training session should only be about five to ten minutes long because his attention span is short at this age.

Make sure you give treats, petting, and lots of praise for each thing your puppy accomplishes.

Make sure you use the exact same commands each time you are training your pooch, so he understands what behavior you are trying to get him to do.

The best command to start with is to sit. Since your dog can be fairly large as an adult, he needs to learn this command first to keep him from energetically jumping on people while wanting to play.

Other commands to teach him at a young age include staying, lying down, coming here, and healing.

After your pup gets these actions down pat, you can continue on to training him for agility if you want.

Border Collie Rottweiler Mix and Families

The Border Rottie is a great dog for families. He will be affectionate, loving, and loyal to the entire family. The Rottweiler side of his roots will make him intelligent but maybe also a bit strong-willed at times.

You do need to socialize with your puppy from a young age so that he is accepting of other people from early to adulthood.

With this mix of dog breeds, your furry friend will be super friendly, and, as if so, he will want to play with someone a lot until he tires out. He would much rather play with a family member than another pet on a continual basis because of his loyalty.

Border Collie Rottweiler Mix and Other pets

A Border Rottie can get along very well with other pets. It’s best to teach them from a puppy that other household pets are their friends.

You should keep an eye on an older pet when you first bring a new puppy into your home, as older pets can sometimes be aggressive towards a pup.

The best idea to introduce your new puppy to a new home with an existing dog is to use a scent item.

You will likely have chosen your puppy before you can take it home with you. You can take a shirt or other item of clothing and rub it on the puppy.

When you take the item home, show it to your existing dog so they can get its scent associated with your puppy before he even arrives.

When you do take your puppy home, the other dog should recognize the scent of the puppy so it won’t seem like a total stranger to him.

Be prepared for the puppy to yip and yap and try to play with the existing dog and they will also smell each other. The old saying that is quite true is that “puppies learn about the world through their noses.”

For a few days, if you must leave the two dogs alone at home, consider putting the older dog in a crate or a separate room with the door closed. This will ensure that the puppy doesn’t irritate the older dog and then all heck breaks lose.

You can keep either dog from being territorial by allowing the puppy inside at first, with the older dog outside.

Then switch them and put the puppy outside with the older dog inside. Next, take both dogs outside and let them get to know each other.

Keep in mind that there can be a few tense moments on the meet and greet, but this will most probably only be for a day or so.

Now that you know all there is to know about the Border Collie Rottweiler mix, you may have just found the breed that is best for your active family.

A Border Rottie can be a real joy to be around and welcoming a new canine family member can be a lot of fun.

Make certain to socialize your puppy and start training from an early age for the kindest and sweetest dog that you can possibly have. If you have a great love for a Border Rottie, it will reciprocate tenfold.

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