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What is a Borador?

By Colleen Williams
published: January 4, 2019 - updated: June 7, 2022 • 3 min. read
border collie labrador mix dog

Key Takeaways

  • A borador is a mix between a border collie and a labrador
  • Boradors are easy to train, active, and great with kids. They are known for being happy, smart, and good guard dogs.
  • Boradors are prone to overeating, kneecap dislocation, and other health issues.

A short black, shiny coat, beautiful brown eyes, and a warm smile. Standing at 23 inches, and weighing up to 65 lbs. is the Borador, which is a mix of the joyful Border Collie and the ever-so-sweet Labrador. With this breed, you can expect nothing less than a highly intelligent, loyal, and affectionate furry family member.

The Borador is an easy-to-train breed, who loves to be active and is easy to care for. These dogs are perfect for a family with children.

Exercise is key for this breed. They love to walk, swim, and run around, making them a perfect fitness partner.

Borador dogBreed History

The Borador is a new breed of dog which first increased in appearance as late as the 21st century. Its parent breeds, on the other hand, have been popular for many, many years.

  • The Border Collie is known to be an intelligent herding canine which was first recognized in 1995. However, they were known to be working and herding dogs during the 19th century in
  • The Labrador Retriever is a loving and loyal breed known for their “retrieving skills”. This breed was first recognized as far back as 1917.

As you can see, both parent breeds have exceptional skills that make them super skillful working dogs. The Borador breed also loves to please its owners, making for a perfect breed for an active first-time dog owner.

Common Health Issues

Much like their Labrador parent, Boradors are highly food-driven, so they can be prone to weight gain if they eat too much or aren’t getting enough exercise. And speaking of exercise, this high-energy breed will need plenty of it, but this can come with some issues, too. Common issues would be kneecap dislocation (medically referred to as patellar luxation) as well as hip, elbow, and shoulder dysplasia (joint malformations). Not only are these conditions uncomfortable or even painful, but they may also result in osteoarthritis or in extreme cases, permanent lameness. By enrolling in pet insurance for dogs early, these conditions will be eligible for coverage.

Fun FactsBorador dog sleepy

  1. Fetch is their favorite game!

The Borador requires about two hours of exercise per day. This includes walks, runs, swims, and simple play. Fetch is the perfect Borador-friendly game as it incorporates playtime and running into one, combining their love for retrieving and hunting.

  1. They may double as a guard dog

They may be sweet and loving towards family members due to their soft Labrador heritage, but, strangers beware! This dog is often protective over those close to them. 

  1. They may come in a range of different colors

Although the Border Collie side usually dominants the appearance of the Borador, there are still sometimes Borador puppies with Golden or Chocolate colored fur! However, these are quite rare.

  1. Their parent the “Border Collie” is known as the most intelligent dog in the world

Intelligence runs through the Borador’s blood, as they receive this quality from their parent the Border Collie, making them an easy dog to train. Additionally, they may be excellent service dogs as they are always up for learning, and with their energy will succeed if they have a job to do.

  1. They are known to always be happy

This dog breed is described as “happy” more times than anyone can count. This is due to their loving demeanor to humans AND other animals. Their constant goofy smile and love of praise makes them the perfect companion for you and your family, and other pets too.

A highly intelligent Borador is the perfect fit for any size family as long as their high exercise and cuddle quotas are met. The loving and affectionate Labrador pairs perfectly with an intelligent Border Collie, providing any family with the perfect four-legged addition.

This article was provided by All Things Dogs —a digital dog publication looking to educate over 40,000,000 dog owners on how to care for their dogs.

colleen williams
By Colleen Williams

Over the past decade, Colleen has written about health, wellness, beauty, and even pets for The New York Times, The Cut, Refinery29, xoVain, Healthy Paws Pet Insurance, and Seattle Met Magazine, as well as many beauty brands. She has a BFA in Art History from the University of New Mexico and an AAS in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design in New York.

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