There really are plenty of dog breeds. Some are natural, others were born from crossing pre-existing breeds. This is the case with Drafteran adventurous and energetic specimen, perfect for active people who love playing sports with their dog and always want to have him with them on outings.
Today let’s focus on this breed, talking about its physical characteristics, its character and its young history!
Some information on the Borador breed
The Borador is a breed of dog born from the cross between a Border Collie and a Labrador Retriever. It is a medium-sized specimen with an athletic and compact body and an energetic and active character. His lively nature is the result of crossbreeding between a Shepherd and a Retriever.
Since both of these breeds have been exploited as working specimens in the past, this puppy is also eager to learn new things and to please his human.
As with many other specimens born from crossing pre-existing breeds, its history is not well documented. It is probably a specimen born in the United States in the last ten to fifteen years.
He Border Collie…
Il Border Collie it is a sporty and intelligent specimen. He was bred to lead herds and is therefore smart, fearless and persevering: an excellent working dog.
Nowadays this medium-sized breed is no longer used solely for herding, but remains an excellent specimen for sports such as agility. His ideal family must be dynamic and sporty.
…And the Labrador
When a Labrador enter the house, it brings with it a breath of good humor. He is a true friend to the whole family. No wonder, then, that it is one of the most popular breeds.
In the past, as a retriever, it reliably accompanied hunters on the Canadian coast, today you can enjoy home comfort. His all time favorite pastimes are games of fetch and swimming.
Adult Borador: physical characteristics
The Borador is not currently recognized as a breed, but only as a “hybrid”, for this reason a breed standard has not yet been established and therefore its physical appearance may vary from one specimen to another.
In general we can summarize that the size and its coat depend on which genes (Labrador or Collie) dominate the specimen.
Dimensions and weight
The Borador is usually a medium size specimen. It can be about 50-57cm high. They are usually leaner than Labrador Retrievers and weigh between 18 and 26 kg. As for the physical structure, in most cases the characteristics of the Collie prevail.
The feeding must be adapted to the specimen and its daily activity.
Does the Borador have long or short hair?
The coat is short and somewhat rough like that of a Labrador. It is possible to find specimens with dense and medium length hair. Both coat variants offer the puppy good protection from the cold thanks to the thick undercoat.
The possible coat colors are diverse, as the color variety of Labradors and Collies is quite large. However, one coat color is particularly common: black and white.
Borador character
The nature and temperament of these puppies are characterized by many positive qualities. This dog is:
- intelligent,
- eager to learn,
- obedient,
- reactive,
- friendly,
- sociable with humans,
- active,
- loving.
Puppies of this breed are best suited to beginners and families. Be careful, a strong herding or hunting instinct can emerge in an adult Borador.
In order for family life and nature walks to be harmonious, it is good to channel his temperament in the right direction from the very beginning with a good education.
He is a playful dog who loves children, ideal for a family. His obedience and ability to listen to him also make him a prime candidate as an assistance or therapy dog. Her strong will to work and good nose for him are useful for finding objects or missing people.
A house with a garden is a boon for active dogs like this, but it’s not essential. With several hours of outdoor activity, the Borador will also get used to living in an apartment.
However, he won’t zealously guard his home – he may sound the alarm, but the cute four-legged friend is not one of the best watchdogs.
The most common diseases
The Borador has a predisposition to the following diseases:
Despite a certain risk of disease is a robust four-legged. Life expectancy is quite high for a medium sized dog 14 to 15 years old.
Before mating, an MDR1 gene test should be performed on the Border Collie. Otherwise, there is a risk that the offspring will be hypersensitive to certain drugs, such as those used for deworming.
Being an unrecognized breed, it is not possible to find recognized official breeders. For this reason, it is important to look for one with the utmost attention. Responsible breeding involves not mating parents with hereditary diseases.
How to take care of the Borador?
Whether the coat is short or long, both types require maintenance.
Medium length coats should be brushed and combed regularly to avoid tangling. For a shorter coat, a brush or grooming glove is used to remove excess undercoat and make shedding easier.
Since there is the possibility that the specimen has drooping ears it is necessary to check them regularly. Especially after a good swim, otherwise unpleasant ear infections can arise.
Price of a Borador
As specified, it is not yet a recognized breed, therefore there are no official farms and prices. It is possible to find a puppy among the 1000 and 1500 euros from private farmers.