Borzoi Collie Mix-Professional Bee-Killer- https://www.flickr.com/photos/swobes/191847479/ by Renee

Borzoi Collie Mix – A Mixed Breed Worth Knowing

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Borzoi Collie mixes are a combination of two very different dogs!

Collies are friendly, eager to please, and have herding instincts. Borzois can be more stand-offish, especially with strangers, often have an independent streak, and were bred to run and hunt.

Even in appearance, these dogs differ in size, shape, and color. Litters can be difficult to predict, as is the case with many mixed breeds.

Tessa, Borzoi Collie Mix, on rug. Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/swobes/172815383/ by Renee
Tessa, a Borzoi-Collie mix. Note the Long nose, wide eyes, and floppy ears of a Borzoi

When these two dogs are bred, many—though not all—seem to retain the shape of the Borzoi with Collie coloration and pattern. Ideally, they are intelligent and easy to train like a typical Collie. However, they might be more headstrong like the Borzoi.

In this article, we’ll discuss what you can expect from a Collie and Borzoi mixed breed dog.

Borzoi Collie Mix

It’s difficult to predict a Borzoi Collie mix in personality or looks. Very few things are certain, but we do know that these dogs will be active and will likely want to spend a lot of time with their families! They will be slim-faced, deep-chested, and large to giant in size.

Some problems you may encounter are problem barking, chasing pets or young children, and unreliable recall.

Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise every day to prevent boredom, socialize them well, and never allow them off-leash in an unenclosed space.

Table Summary of Characteristics

Lifespan 9-14 years
EnergyModerate-High
GroomingAverage-High
TrainabilityEasy-Intermediate
SizeLarge-Giant

Borzoi Collie Mix Appearance

Like most crossbreeds, Borzoi Collie mixes have unpredictable appearances. Litters can be diverse in color, size, and shape.

One pup may have the beloved Collie pattern with a standard Borzoi frame. Another might be smaller in stature like a Collie with the body shape and coloration of a Borzoi.

Side View of a Borzoi standing on a lawn. Note the Slender Body, Narrow Head, and Long Legs.
Borzoi Dog Note the Slender Body, Narrow Head, and Long Legs. Which of these features will your Borzoi Collie mix have?

Both breeds have quite slim faces, though the Borzoi’s skull is longer. They are deep-chested breeds, though this tends to be most noticeable in the Borzoi due to their skinny frames.

Collies are slightly stockier-looking dogs, traditionally used for farm work. They’re born with fur in a variety of colors, but most commonly are a combination of three with distinct markings.

Side View of a Collie Stading on a Lawn
Collie. Note the Strong neck, Muscular Body, and Pointed Ears. Your Borzoi Collie will have some of these features.

Borzois have more variety in coat color and pattern that is accepted by the breed standard. They have sprinter’s bodies and were bred to run at top speeds.

Borzois have small, triangular ears, while Collies’ ears tend to be larger. Your puppy’s ears may stand partially upright, as some Collies’ do, but may also flop as with Borzois and many Collies. This is an unpredictable trait even in purebred Collies, and even more so in this mixed breed.

Your Borzoi Collie mix will have a double coat that is short, medium, or long. Collies can either be short-haired (also called “smooth”) or long-haired (“rough”). Borzois have medium-length fur, so there are several possibilities!

A Borzoi Collie mix puppy will stand upwards of 22 inches, with those who take after their Borzoi parent at least 26 inches tall. Male Borzois measure at least 28 inches.

They may weigh anywhere from 50 pounds, the lowest weight for female Collies, to 105 pounds, the highest weight for male Borzois.

Look for a Collie rescue, Borzoi rescue, or sighthound rescue group. These are the most likely places to find a Borzoi Collie mix.

Borzoi Collie Mix Cost

While the Borzoi Collie mix is one of the more common Borzoi mixed breeds, they are still a rare crossbreed to find.

It’s difficult to say how much one would cost, but it would most likely be less than the cost of a purebred dog. You’ll have an easier time finding Borzoi Collie mixes at a shelter or rescue than from a breeder, as many litters are accidentally bred.

Adoption fees tend to be under $500, although some rescues or shelters charge more than this.

Adopting from a Rescue or Shelter

General dog rescues and shelters might also have this mixed breed, but they might be harder to find due to the vast variety of dogs available for adoption.

When meeting with rescue dogs, ask the shelter or rescue about their background. If you have children or small pets, try to find a dog that’s been raised with children of similar age or the same type of pet.

For instance, I have cats. If I were to adopt a rescue dog, I’d need to ensure they’d been in a home with cats previously to avoid potential problems with aggression or even the dog trying to play with the cats—while some cats would go for this, many would be very annoyed or even scared of the behavior.

Borzois are a hunting breed and their instinct is to chase. You want to ensure they won’t torment cats, small dogs, or children by chasing them when they run!

You might even consider bringing children or dogs along to meet the potential new dog. This introduction will give you a good idea of how they’d get along at home!

In addition, the shelter or rescue can tell you whether the dog’s personality is a fit for you. Are they super friendly and easy to train like a Collie, or do they have the more reserved, stubborn nature of the Borzoi?

Collie Wearing Glasses and a Floppy White Mesh Hat with a Black band. Colorful Painted Background
What sort of personality will your rescue dog have?

Finding a Breeder

If you do find a Borzoi Collie mix breeder, don’t jump at the first opportunity to buy a puppy! It can be super tempting, especially for these rarer crossbreeds, but it’s a terrible idea for you and the dog.

Instead, ensure you’ve found a reputable breeder. The first and most important step is to weed out puppy mills.

Puppy mills breed dogs for profits only, meaning they don’t care about the health and wellbeing of their dogs. Dogs in puppy mills are neglected and abused, and puppies typically live shorter lives due to poor breeding.

Never buy online or from a pet store, but instead visit the home where the dogs are raised. The breeder should show you the parent dogs and the puppies, and all should be in good health. The environment should be clean and suitable, with all needs cared for including shelter, water, and enrichment (such as dog toys!).

Next, ask for veterinary paperwork. Puppy mills and many backyard breeders won’t bring their dogs to the veterinarian, which is detrimental to the health of their litters.

Parent dogs should be screened for genetic health conditions and all dogs should be up-to-date on vaccines.

Be ready to walk away if the breeder doesn’t allow you to see the parent dogs, won’t allow you to visit their home where the dogs are kept, won’t show veterinary paperwork, or doesn’t answer your questions openly and honestly.

A common lie a breeder might tell is that the breed has no common health problems. Even breeders who screen their dogs for genetic conditions know that some health problems are unavoidable and that no guarantees can be made.

Some health problems your breeder might mention regarding Borzoi Collie mixes are bloat, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. We’ll take a closer look at health problems common in each breed below.

Lastly, avoid breeders who cannot answer common questions or don’t seem knowledgeable about both breeds. This is a red flag because they cannot breed responsibly without knowing ample information about both breeding in general and the breeds they are breeding.

Lifetime Expenses

When you bring your dog home, you’ll likely notice the expenses adding up quickly! Adoption fees, food, toys, and other supplies will all need to be purchased right away.

However, the costs don’t stop there—having a dog is an expense that lasts their entire life.

A bulk of this cost will be food expenses, especially since your dog will be large to giant in size (depending on which of the parent breed they take after).

Most people end up replacing these supplies at least a few times in their dog’s life:

  • Collars, leashes, and harnesses
  • Food and water bowls
  • Toys
  • Comb and/or brush

Veterinary care is another large expense. Your dog will need to go to the veterinarian at least once every 6 months to a year in order to renew their parasite preventative.

This protects your dog from parasites including fleas, heartworm, and ticks. Check with your veterinarian to see which treatment they recommend, as your dog might need multiple to cover the common parasites in your area.

For example, sometimes flea preventatives don’t prevent heartworm—but it’s essential your dog has heartworm preventative as well.

Your dog will also need regular teeth cleanings and a rabies shot once every 1-3 years, depending on the dosage you purchase. This is required by law in most states.

Your veterinarian will likely recommend more vaccines as well. Though these are optional by law, they may be required by your veterinary office or by places your dog visits, such as doggy daycare or boarding.

Borzoi Collie Mix Temperament

Borzois and Collies are quite different in temperament. The former was bred to hunt, the latter as a farm dog.

Borzois tend to be more independent, though they still make excellent family dogs and like to be near their loved ones.

Collies are clingier and more eager to please. This makes them much easier to train than Borzois.

Borzois are known as quiet dogs, though they may bark to alert you of unusual activity. Collies, on the other hand, are much more vocal. Those who don’t get enough attention or exercise, in particular, may bark excessively.

Your mixed breed should be taught to be alone, preferably at a young age. Leave them alone in a room for short periods, increasing the time as well as how far from them you travel, until they can be left alone for hours at a time without trouble.

A dog with positive experiences with being alone has less chance of developing separation anxiety.

Remember to never leave them for too long, especially as puppies. These social dogs require plenty of attention throughout the day.

It’s also important to socialize your dog. Introduce them to a variety of experiences including people, animals, and places. Borzois in particular may be wary of strangers at first.

Max-left, a Borzoi Collie. Source https://www.flickr.com/photos/ferlinka/915511779/ by Deb
Max, a Borzoi Collie Mix. Note the Long Narrow Face, Coat, and Wide Eyes of the Borzoi; and the Stocky Body and Pointed Ears of the Collie

Socialization to other animals is especially important if your dog takes after their Borzoi parent’s hunting instincts. These dogs might be prone to chasing cats and small dogs, for instance. It’s a fun game for the Borzoi, but often not so much for the smaller pet.

Collies also benefit from this socialization so that they learn that other animals aren’t for herding!

All dogs should be taught how to behave around children as well. Teach them to be calm and not to jump or nip. If possible, make introductions with the dog on a leash for better control.

Teach children to be gentle with dogs as well. Children should know to give dogs personal space, not to put their hands or face right up to a dog’s mouth, not to play too roughly, and to never touch a dog’s food while they’re eating.

Of course, your dog will fall somewhere between the typical Collie and Borzoi personalities. It’s also important to remember that every dog is unique.

If you’re looking for a dog with a very specific temperament, it’s best to adopt from a foster. This is because fosters spend time with the dogs in a home setting, and thus are best able to tell you how they behave and interact.

Breeders cannot tell you how a puppy will change as they age, and dogs sometimes act much differently in a shelter environment than a home setting.

For instance, I was told my own shelter pup was shy and needed help coming out of his shell—but since the day I brought him home he’s been friendly, outgoing, and pretty stubborn!

Borzoi Collie Mix Exercise

A wonderful thing about both of these breeds is that, though they need lots of exercise, they’re content to relax the rest of the day.

Borzois will be happy with one long walk or run daily, accompanied by a large yard that they can sprint in as they desire.

Collies are a bit more hyperactive, ready for any activity that comes their way—but they’re also happy to have downtime throughout the day so long as they’ve received adequate exercise.

A large, enclosed space to run is important no matter which breed your dog takes after most.

Borzois in particular may hop fences and race after “prey,” which could include anything from a cat or squirrel to a plastic bag being blown down the street. It’s important that fencing is tall to prevent this from happening.

Collies may bark excessively if left outside alone for long periods. Try accompanying them and keeping them busy through games such as fetch.

These dogs may also benefit from games or sports that allow them to act out their instincts, such as herding or lure coursing.

Your dog needs exercise whether borzoi,collie,or mix. Black collie in mid air, chasing frisbee
Your pooch needs regular exercise.

Borzoi Collie Mix Grooming

There are three coat types your Borzoi Collie mix can have: that of a Smooth Collie, a Rough Collie, or a Borzoi.

Smooth Collies have short coats that should be brushed weekly. Their undercoats need to be brushed out during shedding season which is typically once a year.

Rough Collies have long fur that must be brushed weekly to stop painful mats from developing. This will take longer than brushing a Smooth Collie due to the length of the fur. They’ll also need extra grooming around shedding season.

Borzois have curly, medium-length fur that must be combed every 1-2 days to avoid matting. They will need to be brushed even more during shedding season, a few weeks each year.

If you’re unsure which coat type your dog has, ask your veterinarian for grooming advice or comb their fur every 1-2 days to be safe. Brushing them more often than needed is better than not brushing them enough.

Your dog will also need their teeth brushed, nails trimmed, and ears cleaned regularly.

Trimming the Nails of a Collie
Your Pooch Needs Regular Grooming

Borzoi Collie Mix Environmental Needs

Borzoi Collie mixes should be raised in a house with a large, enclosed yard.

This gives them a safe space to run, which is especially critical if your dog has the sprinter’s body of a Borzoi. There’s nothing like watching them run at their top speeds!

Though running with these dogs is great, it won’t let them sprint at full speeds as they were born to do.

Make sure fencing is tall to prevent your dog from jumping over it. Once they’ve started running, they can easily run into traffic or get lost far from home.

Never allow these dogs off-leash in an unenclosed space. Training recall is an excellent idea in case of emergency, but not something you should purposefully test in an uncontrolled environment—reliable recall is tough to train in sighthounds such as the Borzoi.

Borzoi Collie mixes can be kept with children and other pets. It’s best if they were raised with them. Otherwise, make introductions slowly, carefully, and on leash.

You may find that your dog is calm until a child or small pet begins running, then goes on the chase!

Always supervise young children and dogs when they’re together, and teach both how to interact appropriately.

If possible, use leashes when making pet introductions. Don’t force interaction and supervise them together at first, keeping control of both animals.

Borzoi Collie Mix Health

All mixed breeds can develop health conditions common to either parent breed. The best way to avoid health problems is to adopt from a reputable breeder who screens all dogs for genetic health conditions.

Sadly, however, there’s no way to eliminate health problems fully. Sometimes unpredictable health concerns arise, and other times the breed is predisposed to a condition due to their size or features.

Dog being examined by veterinarian
Your Pup needs regular vet care

Borzoi Health

Common health problems Borzois face include:

  • Bloat
  • Sensitivity to anesthesia
  • Elbow and hip dysplasia
  • Heart problems
  • Eye problems

Bloat is a deadly health condition that can develop due to stress, dogs eating too fast, or exercising too close to mealtimes.

Gender is another risk factor, with male dogs more prone to bloat than females.

Avoid overfeeding, use a bowl with grooves on the bottom to slow your dog’s eating, keep their stress levels as low as possible, and don’t exercise them too soon before or after meal times.

Symptoms of bloat include:

  • Enlarged abdomen
  • Retching
  • Drooling
  • Restlessness
  • Pain in the stomach area, especially when touched

Collie Health

Some health problems common in Collies include:

  • Bloat
  • Drug sensitivity
  • Eye problems

Borzoi Collie Mix History

Borzois were first bred in the 1600s. The Russian aristocracy used the dogs to hunt wolves, sometimes owning hundreds of Borzois for this purpose.

To achieve their goals, they crossbred a sighthound with a thicker-coated Russian breed. This made for fast sprinting dogs that could withstand the cold Russian winters.

The origin of the Collie breed is less known. They may have been originally bred in Scotland and were first used to herd sheep.

Collie Herding Sheep in Field
Collies are working dogs, believed to have originally been bred in Scotland to herd sheep

Later, in England, they became show dogs. Over time, Collies have become more uniform as they’ve been bred for appearance, not simply as a working breed.

Still, Collies remain unpredictable in certain ways due to their working background. One example of this is their ears, which can stand up fully, partially, or be completely floppy depending on the dog!

Even less recorded than the Collie’s history is that of the Borzoi Collie mixed breed. This mix is uncommon and often bred accidentally, so we have little record of it thus far.

Borzoi Kills Wolf as shown on Borzoi Russian Postage Stamp from1988
Russian Postage Stamp from 1988 Showing a Borzoi engaged in a Traditional Wolf Hunt

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