Are you looking to find out more about the Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix?
If so, you have come to the right place.
This article will introduce you to the personality traits of the Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix, also known as the “Bordernese.”
The Bordernese is a hybrid dog that is a cross between a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog and a purebred Border Collie.
If you are thinking about bringing one of these beautiful dogs into your household, continue reading to make sure that you can provide the necessary care for a Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix.
These dogs are gorgeous, and they have many nice temperament traits. However, they are not for everyone. They are large, active, intelligent working dogs that need a lot of exercise and training.
Let’s dive in to see if the Bordernese could be the dog of your dreams.
Bordernese History
The Bordernese is a relatively new hybrid dog. Therefore, it does not have much written history.
Since the Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix is a mixed breed dog, it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
However, the Bordernese is acknowledged by the American Canine Hybrid Club, the Designer Breed Registry and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club.
Bordernese Behaviors
All dogs are individuals, so it is impossible to predict how all Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mixes will behave.
However, we can take a closer look at the temperament traits of the parent dogs to see how the Border Collie Bernese Mountain Dog mix might behave.
Border Collie Temperament
Many dog trainers and canine experts consider the Border Collie to be the smartest breed of dog in the world.
Border Collies originated in the British Isles in the 18th century. These dogs were developed to herd flocks of sheep, and many Border Collies are still used as working dogs on farms to this day.
Border Collies thrive when they have a job to do.
If you are not going to use your Border Collie for herding, you will need to provide other outlets for his intense working drive.
For example, you will need to provide ample daily exercise and mental stimulation. Without adequate enrichment, your Border Collie may display destructive or neurotic tendencies.
Border Collies excel at canine sports such as agility, flyball, nosework and disc dog.
These dogs are true athletes and they are not generally recommended for novice dog owners or apartment living.
However, if you are an experienced, active dog owner, there is no better companion than a Border Collie.
You can learn more about the Border Collie temperament by clicking here.
Bernese Mountain Dog Temperament
The Bernese Mountain Dog temperament is not quite as intense as the Border Collie temperament.
Therefore, when you combine these two breeds, you often get a more docile dog than a purebred Border Collie.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is still a working breed, but it has a calmer nature than the Border Collie.
Bernese Mountain Dogs were developed in Switzerland to work on farms, pull carts, and protect property.
The Bernese Mountain Dog temperament is known for being gentle, loyal and protective.
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a moderate energy level and do not need quite as much daily exercise as a Border Collie.
To learn more about the Bernese Mountain Dog temperament click here.
Size and Appearance
Both the Border Collie and the Bernese Mountain Dog are stunning breeds.
It is easy to see how the Bordernese would be prized for its good looks.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant breed, but the Border Collie is a medium-sized dog.
When you combine the two, you often get the beloved appearance of a Bernese Mountain Dog but in a smaller size.
This is ideal for many people who love the look for a Berner but need a more portable companion. Not everyone can accommodate a giant, fluffy dog in their home!
The typical Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix weight range is between 40 and 80 lbs. This is substantially smaller than a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog, which can easily get over 100 lbs.
The average Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie height is under 28 inches at the withers.
Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie colors are usually a combination of brown, black and white. However, other color combinations are possible.
Border Collie Bernese Mountain Dog mixes have thick coats that require a lot of brushing and grooming.
We will discuss Bordernese grooming needs in the next section.
Do Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mixes shed?
The answer to that question is a resounding yes!
These dogs are heavy shedders. Their long coats shed throughout the year, but especially twice a year during shedding season.
You are going to want to invest in some heavy-duty brushes, brooms, and a good vacuum cleaner.
If you cannot tolerate dog hair on your clothes and furniture, you are going to want to cross this breed off your list.
There are some things that you can do to reduce shedding, but you will never be able to eliminate dog fur in your house if you bring home a Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix.
How Do You Groom a Bordernese?
You should brush and comb your dog’s fur a few times per week to prevent tangles.
You will also need to bring your Bordernese to a professional groomer a few times per year for haircuts.
Make sure the groomer also clips your Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix’s toenails and cleans their ears.
Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie Mix Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, this breed is not hypoallergenic, so if you suffer from allergies this is probably not the best mix for you.
If you are looking for a hypoallergenic breed, check out our article for other options of hypoallergenic dogs.
How do you train a Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie Mix?
Obedience training is a very important part of being a responsible owner.
Berner Border Collie mixes are very smart, so they respond well to positive reinforcement training.
If you get your Bordernese as a puppy, sign up for a puppy socialization class as soon as possible.
Puppy socialization class is a great way for your Bordernese to interact with other dogs and learn important canine social skills such as bite inhibition.
If you adopt your Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix as an adult, you should still sign up for a basic obedience class.
You might even want to sign up for one-on-one training with a private trainer. Private training is especially useful if you are working on any behavior issues.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Finding the Right Trainer
Please make sure you find a trainer that uses positive, force-free methods. Avoid trainers that use punishment or “dominance.” Also, avoid trainers that use shock collars, choke chains or pinch collars.
Positive reinforcement training is the most humane and effective method of training. It is also the most enjoyable type of training for you and your dog.
After you have mastered the basics, you and your Bordernese can get involved in more advanced activities such as canine sports, therapy work or search and rescue work.
Staying Healthy: Bordernese Health Issues
Veterinary care is very important, but it can also be very expensive—especially for a large breed dog.
Keep in mind that medications are dispensed by weight, so everything will be more expensive if you own a large dog.
Before you bring home any new pet, talk with a trusted veterinarian to make sure that you are prepared to handle the medical care for that particular type of dog.
What are the Most Common Health Problems?
Bernese Mountain Dogs and Border Collies are both prone to some genetic health problems.
Luckily, mixed breed dogs actually tend to be healthier than their purebred counterparts. This is because mixed breed dogs have a wider gene pool and are less susceptible to genetic conditions.
However, it is still best to be prepared.
Talk with your veterinarian about the following health concerns:
- Eye Issues
- Cancer
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Bloat
- Allergies/ Skin Issues
- Deafness
You can help keep your best friend healthy by bringing him to a vet at least once per year.
Also make sure to keep him on monthly prevention for fleas, ticks and heartworms. Talk with your veterinarian about the best products for your dog.
Do not forget to get your pet spayed or neutered at the appropriate age. Your veterinarian can advise you about when to schedule this important procedure.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie Mix Nutrition
Feed your Bordernese a high-quality dog food.
Steer clear of commercial foods that are full of filler materials such as corn or animal by-products.
With large breed dogs, it is best to feed your dog multiple small meals throughout the day. This helps prevent a life-threatening medical emergency called Bloat.
What is the Average Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie Mix Lifespan?
The lifespan for a Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix is generally between 10 and 13 years.
Although that may not seem long, it is longer than the lifespan of a purebred Bernese Mountain Dog.
Giant breeds simply do not live as long as other dogs.
When you mix a Bernese Mountain Dog with a smaller breed, you usually extend the lifespan by a few years.
Bordernese Rescue and Adoption
How do you find a Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix for sale or for adoption?
Since this is a mixed-breed dog, you probably will not encounter too many (if any) Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix breeders.
Instead, you will likely have the most luck finding a Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix puppy or adult up for adoption through a rescue group, animal shelter or humane society.
A good way to start your search is to visit your local animal shelter. Even if there are no Bordernese available when you visit, the staff can take down your name and phone number in case any become available in the future.
You should also reach out to any rescue groups in your vicinity that specialize in Bernese Mountain Dogs, Border Collies or giant breed mixes.
You can also use websites such as Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com and Getyourpet.com to search for adoptable Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mixes in your region.
Avoid Puppy Mills
Another reason to focus on adoption organizations is to avoid buying a Bordernese puppy from a puppy mill.
A puppy mill is like a puppy factory.
It is a commercial breeding operation where puppies are bred for profit with little regard for health, temperament or humane living conditions.
Puppy mill owners usually sell their puppies over the internet or through pet stores.
If you do end up purchasing a puppy from a breeder, make sure you visit the breeder in person so that you can make sure that it is a high-quality, ethical breeder and not a puppy mill.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
The Bordernese Price Tag
How much does a Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix cost?
The answer to that question varies depending on the shelter, rescue, or breeder.
If you purchase a purebred puppy or designer dog puppy from a high-quality breeder, the price will probably be more than $1000.
On the other hand, if you adopt a Border Collie Bernese Mountain Dog mix from an animal shelter or rescue group, the adoption fee will likely be somewhere between $75 and $300.
Adoption fees usually include some basic veterinary services such as spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip, and a heartworm test.
We hope that this article has answered most of your questions about what to expect from a Bernese Mountain Dog Border Collie mix.
Thank you for reading!
Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs (and cats) throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry.