Border Collie Dachshund Mix: The Ultimate Guide

Published: 09/27/22 •  9 min read

One of the most popular mixed dog breeds is the Border Collie Dachshund Mix – this high-energy dog is an excellent fit for anyone with plenty of land and lots of time and energy to devote to giving this dog the life it deserves. Whether you’re looking to go through a dog breeder or adopt a rescue dog of this sort, you’ll want to ensure that your lifestyle fits with that of the Collie-Dachshund cross.

Border Collie Dachshund Mix

Below, you’ll find our complete breakdown of the Border Collie Dachshund Mix to allow you to make the most informed choice for your household and lifestyle. 

Border Collie Dachshund Mix – At a Glance

Weight:13-30 pounds
Height:8 to 20 inches
Lifespan:10 and 16 years
Coat Colors:Black, Brown, White
Temperament:Loyal, courageous, loving, Intelligent, playful
Suitable For:Families with grown-ish children

What Does a Border Collie Dachshund Mix Look Like?

These dogs are a small, energetic bundle of joy. They usually stand around 8-20 inches tall (below the knee of most grown adults) and only weigh between 16-30 pounds, making them easy to pick up if necessary. They have small noses and shorter legs than traditional Collies. They are usually long-haired, double-coated animals, so make sure you own a good brush! They also have a long-ish, draping tail.

The History of the Border Collie Dachshund Mix

When purchasing or adopting any mixed-breed dog, it is critical that you understand where that dog came from, genealogically. In the doggy DNA is where you’ll discover if the dog is a good fit for your household. The history of the Border Collie Dachshund mix is fairly sparse – however, we can surmise from the history of the two separate breeds that the dog was bred for its high-energy capabilities as a hunter/herder of smaller animals such as badgers.

Border Collie History

Border Collie History

How Popular Are Border Collies in the United States?

The Border Collie isn’t necessarily one of the more popular dogs in the United States, despite the presence of land and farms, the Collie lags behind some other primary herders in breed popularity, ranking 31st most-popular breed of 2021, according to the American Kennel Club. This lack of popularity could be because of the Collies’ perception of being only used to herd highland sheep and its huge popularity in England and Scotland.

Who Are Border Collies a Good Dog For?

The Border Collie Dachshund mix is a fantastic fit for most families – though adoptees should be aware that they do require very regular exercise and have extremely high levels of energy. Adoptees/potential owners should be certain that they are able to provide this kind of lifestyle to the animal before making any decision. They’re a great fit for most 5+ aged children and working adults.

How Did Border Collies Come About?

The Border Collie’s lineage as a breed can be traced to the earliest days of the wool trade in the United Kingdom, originally bred as a working dog, a herder for shepherds to have as both a companion in the fields and a running dog to herd sheep. It is said that the earliest Border Collies could cover up to 130 miles in the course of a day. The first major influx of the breed in the United States came in the early to mid-20th century, with 1940 seeing the first incarnation of the North American sheepdog society.

When Did We First Cross-Breed Border Collies?

Unfortunately, there is little available information about when precisely people began crossbreeding the Border Collie since they arrived in the United States. However, we do know that Collies have made popular crossbreeds throughout the last thirty years for their prey drive and athletic abilities.

Popular Border Collie crosses include:

Dachshund History

Dachshund History

How Popular Are Dachshunds in the United States?

Dachshunds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States due to their even temperament and fierce loyalty to their owners. Ranking as the tenth most popular dog breed in the US in 2021, according to the American Kennel Club. They make great family pets due to their small size – making them easy to handle and walk – and relatively low-energy requirements.

Who Are Dachshunds A Good Dog For?

Dachshunds are known to live long lives, with their average age being around 12-16 years, they’ll therefore make faithful companions for years to come for your family. Dachshunds are traditionally good with younger children and have a fantastic sense of love and loyalty to their owners. Dachshunds are traditionally a great dog for almost anyone – that’s why they’re so popular.

How Did Dachshunds Come About?

The Daschund has been a fixture of the life of many families – mostly in Europe – for the last several hundred years. Originally bred in Germany to be a hunting dog for badgers – “dach” means “badger” in German and “hund” means “dog”. They come in two sizes – purebred Dachshunds are typically 16-30 pounds in weight and are around 8-9 inches high. Miniature Daschunds, however, typically run between 5 and 11 pounds and 5-6 inches in height.

How Did We First Cross-Breed Dachshunds?

The Daschund was crossbred initially in Germany through a refinement process in the 18th and 19th centuries, in order to improve the dogs’ agility and fearlessness. Long-haired Dachshunds were created via crosses with terriers, spaniels, and wire-haired dogs.

In modern times, popular Dachshund crosses include:

What is the Temperament of the Border Collie Dachshund Mix?

The Border Collie Dachshund mix has a great mix of temperaments, making them a perfect family dog for the family that has the time, space, and energy to keep up with the requirements of this breed. The ‘BCXD’ mix are very intelligent little dogs’ with a playful streak. They’re also very clever and inherit the best of the Daschunds’ fearlessness and loyalty to their owners, making them incredibly protective.

Are Border Collie Dachshund Mixes Friendly?

Border Collie Dachshund mixes are incredibly friendly dogs, to a point. At some point in the process of getting to know a stranger, they may well initially exhibit mistrust/aggression – this is part of Dachshunds protective genealogy. But, once they become familiar with a person, their friendly demeanor takes over and they become a high-octane pup, shrouding the stranger with love and affection.

Are Border Collie Dachshund Mixes Easy to Train?

Border Collie Dachshund mixes are usually very easy to train, as their demeanor is such that they’re friendly and lovable and not aggressive, minus any initial interaction. Given their Collie lineage, they’re great listeners and followers of commands.

How Much Can Border Collie Dachshund Mixes Weigh?

Most Dachshund Collie mixes will weigh between 16 and 30 pounds.

How Tall Can Border Collie Dachshund Mixes Get?

Most Dachshund Collie mixes will reach around 8-10 inches tall.

Similar Sized Breeds

Because the Dachshund breed is predominantly a small dog, many similar-sized breeds will also have been mixed with Dachshunds. You can view a list of similarly-sized breeds here.

Does a Border Collie Dachshund Mix Shed?

Yes. Because of their Collie genes, most Border Collie Dachshund mixes will shed a lot throughout the spring, as they’re double-coated dogs. You should brush your dog’s coat routinely throughout the Spring and Summer while letting it grow throughout the winter to form a warming layer. 

How Much Exercise Does A Border Collie Dachshund Mix Need?

Due to the Collie lineage, most Border Collie Dachshund mixes will be high-energy dogs, bordering on hyperactivity. As such, they will require at least an hour of exercise on any given day, with either one long or two short walks being their preference. They’re happiest when chasing a ball through a field – though don’t expect them to run across any rougher terrain, as their little legs don’t necessarily bend well enough to ensure safety.

If you don’t exercise your dog – doesn’t really matter what dog it is – they’ll become lethargic and will have persistent joint problems from lack of exercise. Their weight will increase and could cause cardiac issues much earlier in their lives. A good exercise regimen is key to the health of this breed.

How Long Does a Border Collie Dachshund Mix Live?

The average life expectancy of the Border Collie Dachshund mix is around 10-14 years. Making them loyal companions of children and adults alike for a good chunk of their lives.

What Health Conditions Does a Border Collie Dachshund Mix Have?

Unfortunately, the Border Collie Dachshund mix has some health issues that could cause issues for owners. Each parent breed comes with its own set of diseases which could affect your Border Collie Dachshund Mix.

Here’s what to look out for:

If you’re thinking about buying this breed, it’s important to choose a reliable breeder who runs health screenings.

How Do I Find a Border Collie Dachshund Mix For Sale?

Before looking at breeders, you should try to find a Border Collie Dachshund Mix for adoption at a local shelter. While it may be difficult to find a Border Collie Dachshund Mix at shelters it could be beneficial to check all local adoptions first before contacting a breeder.

Apart from the fact that you’ll pay much less to adopt, you’ll be happy knowing you are giving that dog a loving home.

How Much Does a Border Collie Dachshund Mix Cost?

A Border-Collie Dachshund will cost, on average around $1,000 – $4,000 – though there is a definite variation on price based on breeder and location.

Is the Border Collie Dachshund Mix the Right Breed For You?

The Border Collie Dachshund mix is a great dog for almost anyone – but, you need to be prepared to give it a life of exercise and excitement almost every day, as they are very energetic dogs. If you have a family with younger children that enjoy running around outside or are in the position to give the dog plenty of lands, (or an adequately-sized dog park) to run around in, then the BCXD may be the perfect breed for you. If you’re looking for a loyal, fierce, energetic companion, then the BCXD is the breed for you.

Nick Meagher

I'm Nick Meagher, a lifelong dog enthusiast and the voice behind this blog. Having grown up with dogs, I've developed a deep understanding and an unbreakable bond with these amazing companions. Through MyK9Life, I aim to share insights, tips, and heartwarming stories, celebrating the joy and journey of life with our four-legged friends.

Keep Reading