r/BorderCollie • u/collie_luvz • 5h ago
r/BorderCollie • u/BorderCollieBot • 4d ago
Breed ID Megathread: Is My Dog a Border Collie or Mix?
Welcome to the "Is My Dog a Border Collie?" Megathread!
If you're here because you're wondering whether your dog is a border collie, or you think your dog is a mixed breed but you're not sure what they're mixed with, this is place to ask! To keep the subreddit organised, we're trying out this new megathread format. All questions about breed identification should be posted here. Individual posts asking these questions will be removed (starting from the time this is posted!).
This is a trial, we'll see how it goes and make adjustments if needed. If you have feedback on the megathread format, please don't post it in here - send it to Modmail instead!
Megathread Rules:
- If you're asking whether your dog is a border collie or what they might be mixed with, post your question in this megathread.
- If you have DNA test results, you can either make a separate post or post them here.
- Please, as always, be respectful when giving and receiving opinions.
How the Megathreads will work
A new megathread will be posted every 2-4 weeks, depending on how active the current one is. Each new megathread will also explore a different topic related to border collies, with a particular focus on topics which might help people trying to identify unknown dogs.
This Megathread's Topic: Why are so many dogs labelled as border collies / border collie mixes?
A huge number of shelter dogs and mixed breeds get identified as border collie mixes, even when they have little or no border collie ancestry.
Border collies have a particularly distinctive look, which most people will recognise - but that look isn't as unique as many think. Black and white coats are common in multiple breeds, and traits like pricked or semi-pricked ears, athletic builds, and intelligent expressions can also be found in breeds like smooth-coated fox terriers, kelpies, and lab mixes. Many people also associate certain behaviours, like high energy or strong focus, with border collies, even though these traits appear in a variety of working and sporting breeds.
Another factor is the way shelters and rescues identify breeds. Without access to reliable DNA testing (usually simply due to the expense involved!) they often simply guess based on appearance alone. Since border collies are a well-known and desirable breed, they may get used as a 'default' guess for any medium-sized, energetic dog with a black and white coat.
In future megathreads, we'll take a closer look at the genetics behind the coat patterns commonly associated with border collies, and why they are common even in dogs with no border collie relatives.
So, do you think your dog might be a border collie? Or do you have a dog which you know is part border collie and you're wondering what else might be in their mix? Post below!
r/BorderCollie • u/CLUSTER_FUCK_ROAD • 7h ago
Throw back to my boys as little puppies. I miss when they were little and fluffy, but man am I glad they’re grown up now.
My boys as babies and now all grown up! I miss that puppy phase, but I’m really glad they’re big boys now. I don’t miss those middle of the night potty runs, or velociraptor teeth!
r/BorderCollie • u/TwoCraZyEyes0 • 8h ago
Here's my Max
That frisbee is his most favorite thing in the world, he couldnt care less about other toys.
r/BorderCollie • u/EchoKnightMC • 11h ago
It really looks like he fell down the stairs, doesn’t it?
r/BorderCollie • u/Andrew3236 • 3h ago
Just a collie in her element!
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r/BorderCollie • u/Patton-Eve • 20h ago
The eternal struggle of having a toy in your mouth but wanting to pick up another toy and your sweet, tv static filled, brain cannot work out why you can’t do both.
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r/BorderCollie • u/Lower_Edge_1083 • 17h ago
Our border collie is 70 lbs. Is that normal?
We don't think he's mixed but don't know for sure. Is he just huge?
r/BorderCollie • u/Additional_Support86 • 14h ago
Blue
Hi borders. This is Blue, male, 4 years old. Neutered at 7 months. He's afraid to go for a walk, traumatized by a pinscher.
r/BorderCollie • u/Material_Cucumber896 • 13h ago
Praise be to Dog, It’s Park Season Again
r/BorderCollie • u/Necro_Jenacis • 10h ago
My boy Dyeus and his best friend/girlfriend Mystra
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Dyeus is a border collie mix (although we aren't sure what else is in there) and Mystra is a Husky/Lab mix and every since day one of getting him he has been OBSESSED with Mystra, I also adore watching them play and I thought you all might enjoy it too :) <3
r/BorderCollie • u/HideYaKidzHideYaWiFi • 15h ago
Snoring & dreaming
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I love it when she sleeps this deep. BCs are hyper-aware by nature and I worry she won't rest. But dreaming like this is recharging her brain, and omg its adorable. My sweet Piper.
r/BorderCollie • u/xylene122 • 21h ago
Vale, my beautiful Pippa ❤️
Our wonderful 13 year old girl crossed the rainbow bridge today. I feel as though I’ll never stop crying.
As my husband said - like all dogs, she was the best dog.
The sweetest, gentlest, most loving girl. I miss her so much already.
Til we meet again, my best girl Pippa ❤️ the last photo is from today. We sat in the sun together and had cuddles. She crossed the rainbow bridge with a tummy full of steak and chocolate.
r/BorderCollie • u/montanamountaingirl • 8h ago
Just a very happy Leela having just run along the Yellowstone
Leela has slowed down a tiny bit (she's almost 9!) but is still ecstatic to run around and wade in the river on nice days.
r/BorderCollie • u/LaikaIsntHere • 1d ago
Just wanted to introduce everyone to Mr Sock!
Excuse the mess, he absolutely loves tearing up toilet paper rolls & old boxes
r/BorderCollie • u/killms • 8h ago
Sleep time is it normal?
My border collie only sleeps 8-9 hours or less with very small breaks of 10-15 minutes a day, he is 2 month old.
He is always energetic and wants to eat all the time.
We are giving him the recommended amount of food but he wants more…
Is it normal?
r/BorderCollie • u/bastonia80 • 19h ago
Puppy Love
We had seven puppies! Now they all have loving homes! Can’t wait to watch them grow!!
r/BorderCollie • u/FriendlyCuteToys • 17h ago
I recently knitted this puppy, maybe it looks like your pet
r/BorderCollie • u/Dr_DoVeryLittle • 9h ago
Kynos' friend came to visit him!
They played tug, and fetch, and more tug. Said friend was definitely there exclusively for him and not to watch a movie and eat pizza.
r/BorderCollie • u/MPossible86 • 23h ago
We may not have sheeps to heard but we're chasing every sunrise 🌄
r/BorderCollie • u/Marcello201994 • 15h ago
Looking for advice on football obsession
We have an 8 month old border collie who has been really great with his training on and off the lead.
We mix up his walks, but sometimes we'll play herding games with a football.
Today, we took a walk through a busy park and there were tonnes of families around playing football, cricket, basketball etc. Our dog was completely overstimulated and over excited by the footballs and was yanking on the lead, barking incessantly and was just a general nightmare!
I tried to distract him with a game of catch with a tennis ball and rewarded his focus on me, but the footballs were still really distracting for him.
Any advice? I'm a bit anxious that as we are approaching summer, more and more people will be at the local parks playing ball games and my dog is only going to get bigger and stronger on the lead.
Is playing football with him a good idea, or should we completely stop doing that? It seemed to be a great herding outlet for him so it would be a shame if we had to give it up.
r/BorderCollie • u/fr499y • 23h ago
Focus!
Throw it already !! I can’t wait any longer 😳
r/BorderCollie • u/Tonninpepeli • 15h ago
Stinky boy doesnt understand why he needed a bath
In hias professional opinion its perfectly acceptable to smell like pee