Border Collie Siberian Husky Mix: Breed Information, Facts & More

The Border Collie Siberian Husky hybrid pup is very new on the designer scene, and as such, there is currently very little information online about him compared to most other hybrid breeds. The information that is available about him is from the small pool of puppies that have been born so far, and as such, the information may not be totally conclusive. There is a lot to learn about the Border Collie mixed with the Husky.

What is known is that both of his parents, the Border Collie and the Siberian Husky, are gorgeous and happy dogs who live life to the fullest, and there is never a dull moment with them around and the Border Husky is no different.  Huskies are popular designer dogs, as are Border Collies, so you have two great parent breeds. As with any designer pup, they may inherit genes from either parent. It really is a gene pool lottery, so as long as you prepare yourself for all possibilities, you will not be disappointed.

So, read on for further information about the Border Husky hybrid dog, and hopefully, you will find all the information you need to make a decision about whether he is the one for you and your lifestyle.

Parent Breed Overview

Designer dogs are currently very popular because they create so many other options when it comes to dog breeds. The term “designer dog” simply refers to the mixing of two purebred dog breeds in the hope of creating a perfect pup. In this case, the purebred parents are the Border Collie and the Siberian Husky, and their puppy creation is the Border Collie Husky hybrid or Border Husky.

Unfortunately, there are a handful of purebred breeders that disagree with the notion of designer dogs. However, it is scientifically proven to have health benefits, so as long as the puppy is healthy, it can only be a good thing. It also allows families who are torn between two breeds to combine their appearances and traits in order to achieve the best of both worlds in one pooch.

It is important to understand a little more about his parents in order to fully understand the Border Collie and Siberian Husky mix.

Border Collie

The Border Collie’s ancestors date back to 43 A.D. in Great Britain, and he is believed to be a mix of Roman herding dogs and the Icelandic Sheepdog. The Border Collie was engineered to be an agile and intelligent dog to herd his flock on the rocky terrain of Wales and Scotland. Border Collies have repeatedly been tested by veterinarians and researchers and have proven to be the most intelligent dog breed in the world. They are quite simply the Einstein of dogs! Because of their similar looks and energy levels, they are often compared to Australian Shepherds.

In 2022, the Border Collie was listed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the 30th most popular dog in America. Border Collies also make popular mixed-breed pups with other breeds because of their sweet-natured personalities.  Some of the popular mixes are the Labrador Border Collie mix or the Shollie, which is a mix between the GSD and the Border Collie.

Siberian Husky

The Siberian Husky is one of the oldest dog breeds on the planet and was developed thousands of years ago in Russia. His purpose was to deliver supplies to various indigenous tribes in Siberia. He was favored for his limitless stamina and the ability to haul goods across large expanses of icy terrain. The indigenous tribes would then invite him into their family homes after a hard day at work, and because of his loyalty and love for his master, he would also enjoy the privilege of keeping his family warm at night.

The Siberian Husky was relatively unknown outside of Siberia, but this all changed when a pack of Siberian Huskies embarked on a 658-mile hike to carry a life-saving antidote to towns that were being ravaged by a deadly outbreak of Diphtheria. Since this heroic journey, he became famous across the world, and he has been a popular family pet ever since.  He was also listed as the 21st most popular breed in the US by the AKC. Huskies are also some of the more popular mixed breed dogs, getting mixed with other pups ranging from the Pom-Husky mix to the Golden Husky.

Border Collie Husky Mix

This puppy is the offspring of two gorgeous dogs. Whichever parent he takes after, you know that you are guaranteed to have a stunningly beautiful pup. The Border Husky mix inherits sublime intelligence and stamina that cannot be beaten. While he may inherit his Husky parent’s stubbornness, and he may inherit his Border Collie’s aloofness with strangers, he is very loving and affectionate with his family.

He is a very sociable pup who loves to be the center of attention all of the time, and he is likely to inherit this trait from his Husky parent. It is likely that they will inherit the chattiness of the Husky breed as well, so you should be prepared for a lot of chirpiness and noise from your pup, but it is a very entertaining trait indeed.

His parent, the Collie, is often labeled as the best herding dog in the world, and for good reason. His herding instinct is so strong that often, this trait is passed down from generation to generation, even if the dogs have never worked as herding dogs. This is fantastic news if you want to use the Border Husky hybrid as a working dog, but this is potentially not so great with young children and other animals. It is likely that their instinct to herd will be deflected onto young children and other animals, and it is also likely that they will deploy their nipping technique. For this reason, the Border Husky is not suited to other pets within the household or households with very young children to avoid accidental injury.

Size & Appearance

The Border Husky hybrid is a medium-sized dog and he measures between 18 and 22 inches tall, from paw to shoulder, and he weighs between 30 and 45 pounds. He is slightly more compact than his Husky parent but taller and more muscular than the Collie.

While most hybrid dogs tend to look like one parent more so than the other, the Border Husky mix commonly has the Border Collie black and white colorings, with a Husky appearance. He retains his wolfy and wild look but with a less imposing aura. They also commonly have piercing blue eyes inherited from their Husky parent. On occasion, they also have two different colored eyes. Their ears are similar to his Husky parent, and they are semi-erect and alert.

Coat & Colors

The Border Husky mix has a double coat with a soft undercoat. He enjoys a variety of outer coats, and it can take the form of short or medium length, smooth or rough, but the Border Husky tends to be silky to the touch. The Border Husky will tend to take on the appearance of both parents rather than swing towards just one parent like many hybrid dogs.

The Border Husky is available in all the Border Collie and Siberian Husky colors, including black, red, white, sable, brown, and gray, to name a few. Sometimes, the Border Husky will inherit rare colors such as blue merle, red merle, and saddleback sable. Typically, the Border Husky will take the colors black and white.

Exercise Requirements & Living Conditions

The Border Collie and the Siberian Husky are active dogs who need intense exercise. The Border Collie requires at least 60 minutes of exercise, and the Husky needs at least 90 minutes of exercise every day. Therefore, whoever’s energy they inherit, you know that you are going to have an intensely energetic dog on your hands. Expect to exercise the Border Husky mix for at least 90 minutes a day to release their high energy, and you can be sure to have a happy and healthy pup. If he isn’t exercised and given enough physical and mental stimulation, he will become restless and destructive.

He will also need mental stimulation throughout the day on top of his exercise requirements. Typically, the Collie is object-driven, whereas the Husky is food-driven, so once you work out what drives your pup, use it to your advantage. Playing fetch or tug-of-war or using treat-filled puzzle toys will stimulate his mind and allow him to interact with his master. Given the Husky’s ability to run for miles on end without tiring, the Border Husky would make a great jogging partner. If you can’t spend time with him during the day, then the Border Husky mix is definitely not for you, and you should consider a less energetic pup.

Because of his high-energy drive, this guy is not suited to apartment living. Not only will he become restless, but he is also likely to get cabin fever. He really needs access to a yard and fresh air in order to keep him happy, considering his parent’s working past in the cold wilderness of Scotland and Siberia. Be sure to reinforce your yard. The Border Husky is likely to become an escape artist just like his Husky parent is known to jump 6-foot fences with ease.

Training

The Border Husky is an intelligent pup who is generally eager to please his master. However, on occasion, he is known to be a little stubborn. For this reason, early obedience training is key to ensure that he learns from an early age who is boss and that there are boundaries that must be followed. While his superior intelligence is a good thing, you will quickly learn that if you aren’t challenging him enough, or he isn’t getting worked as he should, he will get bored very quickly, and he will get into the bad habit of ignoring you.

It is imperative to socialize the Border Husky as early as possible. Expose him to as many humans, animals, and unfamiliar situations as you possibly can. Not only will this build his confidence as a pup, but it will also ensure that he grows into a well-mannered pooch when he is older.

The Collie is known to be slightly aloof with strangers, so there may be a chance that the Border Husky will inherit this trait, and again, socialization will help with this. Positive reinforcement training is scientifically proven to be the most effective way of training a dog, so be sure to research this.

Health

The Border Husky is a healthy pup who will share a similar lifespan to his parents, between 12 to 15 years. The Husky and the Border Collie share the same health issues, and although this means they are likely to inherit these predispositions, the silver lining means that there are fewer health conditions to learn about and monitor.

The Border Husky is likely to inherit, or at least be predisposed to, the following health issues, and while there are no breed standards as of yet due to being a newer breed, any reputable breeder should test for the following:

Hip Dysplasia – this is an abnormal joint formation in the hip joint which, over time, causes pain and arthritis.

Eye conditions – the Border Collie is predisposed to a variety of eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), cataracts, and Collie Eye Anomaly.

There are other health issues that concern both of the Border Husky’s parents and as such, you should make yourself aware of them and the symptoms that are associated with them.

Owners may want to consider health insurance for their pups, especially when dogs are prone to certain health conditions. Insurance can help cover the cost of care in emergencies, and some plans may help with other care needs. Pet insurance will not cover pre-existing conditions. Pets must be covered for a certain amount of time before benefits are active, so it is important to look into coverage when your dog is young.

Nutrition

The Border Husky mix will need a dry kibble that is specific to high-energy, medium-sized dogs, and it is important to ensure that this food is age-specific. He will eat between 2 ½ and 3 cups of food a day, depending on his size and energy levels. As with any dog, be sure to feed him the best possible nutrients to keep him healthy and be sure to monitor their treat intake to avoid obesity.

Consider adding wet food or fresh human-grade meals to your pup’s diet. Even as an occasional treat, these foods can add a boost of flavor and nutrients to your dog’s bowl. there are plenty of options, including fresh, freeze-dried, raw, and more. Be sure to pick food that is formulated for the correct life stage. puppies, adults, and senior dogs have different nutritional needs.

Grooming

The Border Husky mix will require thorough brushing at least once a week, with a quick brush in between to remove loose fur that might otherwise find itself on your sofa. Their Border Collie parent has a double coat that requires extensive grooming, and the Siberian Husky has a double coat to protect him from the freezing climates.

This mix will also have a thick and fluffy coat that sheds moderately during the shedding season. While the months are warming up, extra attention should be paid to brushing his coat so that is kept healthy and manageable, and as such, you should expect to brush him every day.

Other grooming tasks, such as teeth brushing and nail clipping, are the same as any other dog, and they will need monitoring every week to make sure that everything is as it should be. Teeth brushing is very important to prevent periodontal disease.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

Border Collie Husky mixes can cost anywhere from $500 to $1000 or more. Both their parent breeds fall in this range, though Huskies tend to cost more. Breeders tend not to publicly list prices on their websites. They will only release prices to those prospective owners whom they think are serious and suitable for their pups.

The cost of a puppy will factor in things such as their appearance and pedigree. For example, the most desired look of a Border Husky is an equal mix of both parents, as well as having bright blue eyes or even different colored eyes of the Husky. Again, because he is rare, factors such as breeder location might also affect the price.

Remember, as with any dog, that you should find a reputable breeder that is ethical in their breeding practices and not just breeding dogs for their designer pup status or for their looks. Puppy mills will jump on the newest and most popular hybrid breeds without any consideration for their health or their welfare, and the Border Husky is no exception here, so beware.

Finding A Breeder

If you are sure that the Border Husky is the breed for you, then the next step is to begin with your breeder search. The best place to start your search for a Border Husky breeder is to contact your local Border Collie and Siberian Husky breeder and ask them for advice or referrals to a reputable breeder. Failing that, there are several breed-specific breed groups on social media. You can ask members if they know of any reputable breeders.

Remember, as the breed is relatively new, and there are no breed-specific guidelines or required health certificates, it is even more important to see the pups with their litter and their parents and ask for the parent’s health certificates, especially concerning their hip score and their ophthalmologist evaluation. Reputable breeders should not question or refuse this, so if they say no, then walk away.

Rescue & Shelters

Quite often, prospective owners invite the Border Collie and Siberian Husky into their homes with little thought into what they require and how much exercise they need, and as such, they often find themselves in rescue centers. As the Border Husky is a rare breed, there are many fewer of him in rescue centers. As the mix is becoming much more popular, it will not be long until they, too, find themselves in rescue centers.

If you want to rescue a Border Husky, the best place to start your search is to contact your local rescue shelter, but also the local dedicated breed centers. The Border Collie Society of America lists dedicated rescue centers state by state, as does the Siberian Husky Club of America.

As Family Pets

• The Border Husky is a seriously energetic dog who needs physical and mental stimulation.
• He should be placed with an active family who can exercise him intensely between 60 to 90 minutes every day.
• Because he is so energetic, he should have access to a reinforced yard.
• Border Collie Husky mixes will not do well with apartment living unless he has an energy outlet daily.
• He is a sociable and friendly dog.
• Border Huskies might be aloof with strangers initially but will quickly warm up to strangers if their master accepts them.
• The Border Husky is very affectionate and loving with his family.
• The Border Husky may enjoy a snuggle on the sofa every night.
• This mix typically inherits the Collie parent’s strong herding instinct.
• Because of this, and as such, he should be placed in a home with older children.
• If other pets are present, socialize your pup early on.
• He is a moderate shedder, and for this reason, he is not suited to families with dog allergies.

Final Thoughts

The Border Husky is a gorgeous dog who takes his handsome looks from both parents. He is a happy-go-lucky pup who is intensely energetic and intelligent, and as such, he needs an active family that is going to challenge him both physically and mentally every day. As long as this is something that you can provide him with, then both you and the Border Husky will have a very long and happy life together.