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Discover everything about Bordoodle
Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
Looking for a Bordoodle?
The Essentials at a Glance
The Bordoodle is a highly intelligent, sensitive mix of Hütehund and Apportierhund—bred as a fluffy companion that nevertheless combines the concentrated working intelligence and lightning-fast reactions of both the Border Collie and the Poodle.
- Health grade B: The Bordoodle combines the genetic heritage of the Border Collie and the Poodle.
- You already have dog experience and a passion for active training, because this mix learns at lightning speed—including the mischief.
- You want to challenge your dog daily through mental stimulation, tricks, or dog sports, as the heritage of both parent breeds demands real tasks.
- You expect a reliable, predictable character—with this mix, the controlling eye of the Hütehund and the hunting drive of the Poodle collide as an unpredictable grab bag.
At a glance
Bordoodle overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
S
A
B
C
D
E
Very healthyHigher risk
The Bordoodle combines the genetic heritage of the Border Collie and the Poodle. Alongside musculoskeletal risks such as hip dysplasia, eye conditions like cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy, as well as the MDR1 gene defect, can also occur. Because certain genetic mutations are present in both parent breeds, the hybrid vigor effect does not protect against all conditions. Health-focused breeding therefore relies on comprehensive DNA testing of the parent animals for hereditary eye diseases and the MDR1 defect, along with X-ray evaluations of the hips and elbows.
See full health info & tests →
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Height
40–58 cm
Weight
12–25 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,800 €
- Coat: wavy to curly, medium-length
- Origin: USA
Typical coat colors
- black
- white
- brown
- merle
- blue
- partially multicolored
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Bordoodle, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Bordoodle right for you?
The Bordoodle is a highly intelligent, sensitive mix of Hütehund and Apportierhund—bred as a fluffy companion that nevertheless combines the concentrated working intelligence and lightning-fast reactions of both the Border Collie and the Poodle.
Perfect for you if:
- You already have dog experience and a passion for active training, because this mix learns at lightning speed—including the mischief.
- You want to challenge your dog daily through mental stimulation, tricks, or dog sports, as the heritage of both parent breeds demands real tasks.
- You live in a relatively calm environment where a reactive dog doesn't constantly get overstimulated by visual triggers.
- You're ready for intensive, regular coat care, as the mix of straight coat and curls easily mats.
Less ideal if:
- You expect a reliable, predictable character—with this mix, the controlling eye of the Hütehund and the hunting drive of the Poodle collide as an unpredictable grab bag.
- You're looking for a dog that simply tags along and is satisfied with ordinary walks on a leash.
- You have small children and don't want a dog that immediately shifts into herding or correcting behavior during quick movements.
The real vibes check
A Bordoodle is like a high-performance sports car with two different engines blindly built into it. You're buying a genetic grab bag of two extremely intelligent, reactive operating systems that often suggest completely different solutions to the exact same stimulus. If you can steer this genius, you get a brilliant partner—if not, it will find its own job, and you won't like it.
Self-check
Would the Bordoodle really fit your life?
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Bordoodle fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
Fit checkCost estimateRisk dice
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Breed Profile
The Bordoodle is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle, combining the Border Collie's strong work ethic and gaze with the Poodle's eagerness to learn and lower-shedding coat. Usually medium-sized, it is considered one of the most physically and mentally demanding Poodle hybrids.
- Height
- 40 - 53 cm (Female), 43 - 58 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 12 - 22 kg (Female), 14 - 25 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 15 years
- Character
- alert, highly intelligent, keen to work, sensitive, energetic
- Coat
- wavy to curly, medium-length
- Coat Color
- black and white, brown and white, merle, blue, partially multicolored
- Price
- 1500 - 2800 €
How much does a Bordoodle cost?
A Bordoodle costs around ~€180 per month (€100 – €350, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,190 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13.5 years) it comes to about ~€32,870.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€180 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€5,190
Across the dog's life
~€32,870
Purchase from a breeder: €1,500 – €2,800
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
Calculate your personal costs1-minute self-check with your own answers
History
The Bordoodle is a relatively recent designer cross between the Border Collie and the Poodle, likely originating in the USA in the 1990s. The goal was to combine the working intelligence and trainability of the Border Collie with the softer, lower-shedding coat of the Poodle. There is no unified breeding line or FCI recognition for this crossbreed, and breeding is carried out by specialized hobby breeders. In Germany, the Bordoodle is still comparatively rare and is primarily sought after by owners with a background in dog sports.
Original Use
The Bordoodle has no historical working function of its own, but due to the Border Collie's herding instinct, it is frequently sought after for dog sports and activity training.
Origin
USA
Date
1990
Character & Temperament
Bordoodles are generally highly intelligent, alert, and eager to learn, which makes training straightforward in principle, but also essential. From the Border Collie, they frequently inherit a strong drive to work and stay busy, as well as a tendency to fixate on or herd moving objects, such as bicycles, joggers, or other animals. Without adequate physical and mental exercise, some individuals tend to become restless or exhibit unwanted behaviors. Toward their families, they are typically affectionate and attentive, though they can be more reserved with strangers than other Poodle hybrids.
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Due to their strong herding instinct, some Bordoodles tend to 'herd' joggers, bicycles, or playing children, a behavior that needs to be constructively redirected through structured activities.
What Awaits You
The Bordoodle is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle, ranking among the most physically and mentally demanding Poodle hybrids. From the Border Collie, it inherits a strong working and herding instinct along with high intelligence; from the Poodle, it gains extra trainability and a wavy-to-curly coat with lower shedding. Without sufficient mental and physical stimulation, many Bordoodles tend to become restless, exhibit herding behavior toward people, bicycles, or other animals, and develop unwanted behaviors. Size, coat texture, and drive can vary significantly within a single litter, as this is an unstandardized crossbreed without FCI recognition. The Bordoodle is not a dog for beginners; it requires experienced owners who can provide consistent, daily engagement.
Housing & Care
The Bordoodle is hardly suitable for a city apartment, as it possesses a great deal of energy. A house with a securely fenced yard fits its needs much better, especially since caution is required due to its pronounced herding instinct. In interactions with children, it is generally family- and child-friendly as well as affectionate. Towards other dogs, it displays average compatibility. Note, however, that it tends to fixate on and try to herd moving objects such as bicycles, joggers, or other animals. Additionally, it may react more reservedly towards strangers than other Poodle crosses.
- Family Friendly
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Family-oriented - Child Friendly
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Patient with children - Dog Friendly
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
Generally tolerant - City Friendly
Suffers in tight urban conditions.
Needs the countryside
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
Training & Education
The Bordoodle is highly intelligent, extremely eager to learn, and exceptionally trainable. Because it is a working dog with a strong drive for work and activity, simple walks are usually not enough to maintain balanced behavior. You must provide extensive daily physical exercise and, above all, targeted mental stimulation. Trick training, dog sports, or search games are well-suited for this. Without sufficient physical and mental stimulation, everyday life quickly leaves the dog underchallenged, which can lead to restlessness, herding behavior towards people or cars, and other unwanted behaviors. Daily life requires consistent recall training to keep its herding instinct under control. Because it is a demanding, non-standardized crossbreed whose traits can vary significantly, the Bordoodle is not a dog for beginners. It belongs in the hands of owners experienced in consistent, daily engagement.
Nutrition & Care
The Bordoodle requires extensive daily physical exercise and, above all, targeted mental stimulation—such as trick training, dog sports, or search games; simple walks are usually not enough to ensure balanced behavior. The wavy-to-curly coat needs to be brushed several times a week and trimmed regularly to prevent matting. Due to the strong herding instinct, a securely fenced property or rigorous recall training is advisable.
| Care Level Needs regular professional grooming — time-consuming and costly. | High-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Health
B
Solid
Health grade
The Bordoodle combines the genetic heritage of the Border Collie and the Poodle. Alongside musculoskeletal risks such as hip dysplasia, eye conditions like cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy, as well as the MDR1 gene defect, can also occur. Because certain genetic mutations are present in both parent breeds, the hybrid vigor effect does not protect against all conditions. Health-focused breeding therefore relies on comprehensive DNA testing of the parent animals for hereditary eye diseases and the MDR1 defect, along with X-ray evaluations of the hips and elbows.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
In daily life this can mean
You should ensure a joint-friendly upbringing, schedule regular eye checks, and always alert your veterinarian to potential drug intolerances before treatments or anesthesia.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, and eyes of the parent animals veterinary-tested and specifically screen for inheritable drug sensitivities as well as blood clotting disorders.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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Frequently asked questions about the Bordoodle
Is a Bordoodle the right dog for me?
The Bordoodle is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Bordoodle live?
The average life expectancy of a Bordoodle is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Bordoodle need?
Bordoodle grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Bordoodle good for families with children?
The Bordoodle can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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