We’re used to seeing many mixed dogs, especially those from Beagles, Corgis, Aussies, and other purebred dogs.
But we’re not used to seeing a unique puppy from two different parents: the Border Collie-Dachshund mix.
Although the Border Collie-Dachshund mix is not as popular as a Cocker Spaniel or a Schnauzer, it is just as amazing as any other dog. Their friendly and loving nature, inherited from both parents, makes them special.
The Border Weenie makes an excellent pet who will always be there for you.
Stick with us briefly, and we’ll tell you all you should know about this adorable designer dog. By the end of this article, you’ll call your local shelter’s number and ask if they have a Border Collie-Dachshund mix.
What is a Dachshund-Border Collie mix?
The Border Collie-Dachshund is a mixed breed dog from two purebred parents, the Dachshund and the Border Collie.
This adorable cross is called a Weiner Dog-Border Collie mix or a Border Weenie.
Since the parents are quite different in size, we get a Border Weenie by breeding a male Dachshund with a female Border Collie via IVF.
The Border Collie side of the family is energetic. These intelligent dogs love being independent from time to time.
On the other hand, Dachshunds are small, feisty, and eager to please. They’re highly protective of their owners. Doxies may be small, but their personalities are beyond this world.
Interestingly, this unique and energetic mix has gained popularity among dog influencers, who often showcase their playful antics and lovable traits on social media.
When you put a Border Collie next to a Dachshund, you’ll notice the apparent size and body shape difference, which is why their offspring is so unique-looking.
Sadly, because of their elongated bodies, Doxie puppies are prone to many health problems, especially with their backs and legs. Therefore, ensure your Border Weenie is tested to be aware of any health issues.
As for the temperament, this cross will be an active dog that shows love to the whole family. If you give them love in return, proper training, and enough exercise, living with these spunky pups will be nothing short of wonderful.
Meet the parent breeds
Like other crossbreed puppies, it’s hard to predict what the puppy will look like and who it will take after. Even personality and temperament traits aren’t guaranteed with the Border Collie-Dachshund mix.
It would be best to look at the parents first and decide whether to get a Border Collie-Dachshund mix.
Border Collie
The Border Collie was originally bred as a herding or working dog sometime in the late 19th century along the Anglo-Scottish border.
Border Collies were mostly used to herd sheep, using their athleticism, energy, and intense stare to keep them in order.
Regarding their temperament, Border Collies are intelligent, obedient, and tenacious. Thanks to their intelligence, these pups learn quickly, but keeping them mentally stimulated is essential.
Dachshund
The Dachshund, Doxie, or Weiner dog is an old breed. It was initially bred in Germany some centuries ago.
Their elongated body allowed them to chase rats and rodents out of their underground dens.
Besides being brave and good barkers, Doxies were fierce and loud, always ready to confront unwanted creatures.
Dachshunds’ hunting days are long gone. Today, They are beloved family dogs ready to fit into any family.
General appearance
A Border Collie-Dachshund mix can resemble either the Border Collie, the Dachshund, or both parents. Because the parent breeds are very different dogs, the puppy’s appearance will vary from one puppy to another. There isn’t any breed standard for mixed-breed dogs.
Even the size, height, and coat characteristics are left to chance and the dominant genes.
Even though we don’t know precisely how Border Collie-Dachshund mix puppies will look, if we study both parent breeds separately, we can still get a general idea of the characteristics a puppy could inherit.
As far as stature goes, the Doxie genes are more dominant. A Border Weenie will, most likely, inherit the Doxie’s little legs and small body.
Size
A full-grown Doxie-Collie mix can range from small to medium-sized dogs. It all depends on the parents.
Dachshund Border-Collie pups often have an elongated frame inherited from their Doxie parents.
These pups usually weigh around 16 to 45 pounds and stand between 8 and 22 inches tall.
Border Weenie‘s coat
This designer dog usually has a rough, bi-color coat that resembles the Border Collie.
These mixed pups have white fur on the underside and brown or black hair on the rest of their bodies. It’s not unusual for this crossbreed to be tri-color.
If the puppy follows in the footsteps of its Border Collie parent, it will usually sport a double coat. Once again, there are no rules here.
Temperament and personality
The Border Collie-Dachshund is a smart pup loyal to its family, as both parents are excellent family dogs.
Border Weenies are truly loving dogs, brave and eager to please.
Although the parents differ in size, they both have high energy levels. The same goes for their puppies. These playful pooches love their outdoor time and demand it daily.
The Border Collie-Dachshund mix is friendly, but they also make good watchdogs thanks to the Collie genes.
This Collie-Weiner mix will always warn you of any danger lurking and keep intruders away.
In return, give them lots of attention and affection. You should ensure you can spare plenty of time and effort to raise this mixed-breed puppy.
Is the Dachshund-Border Collie mix good with kids?
Yes! This crossbreed is generally good with kids. They love the little ones and enjoy being surrounded by children, especially if they’re appropriately introduced from an early age.
We can’t emphasize enough how important early socialization is, even for the Border Collie-Dachshund mix.
Is the Border Weenie good with other dogs?
The Border Collie-Dachshund mix is also good with other dogs. Although they have a lovely nature, they must still be trained to behave nicely around newcomers.
However, some Border Weenies aren’t so good with kids, cats, and other pets. If the puppy inherits the herding instinct from the Border Collie, it may try to herd small animals and even kids, which may become dangerous.
Training your Border Weenie
Although they’re an intelligent mix, training the Border Collie-Dachshund is not easy. They can be quite stubborn.
If you have no experience training and handling independent dogs, you should work with a professional dog trainer. Trust me, you will need your pup to be appropriately trained.
Even housebreaking these pups may be an overwhelming task.
What’s so funny about this cross is that they’ll always try to find a way to outsmart you. That’s why you should try to stay one step ahead.
They are also fast learners and develop bad habits quickly. Still, unwanted behavior can be modified with lots of positive reinforcement, praise, and treats.
Exercise needs
Being natural smarty pants, the Border Collie-Dachshund needs lots of physical and mental exercise.
These pups are small, but their exercise needs can’t be put under standard rules. Each dog is an individual.
If you provide short, regular walks around the block and secure access to your backyard, your Border Weenie will feel better and look happier.
Aside from regular physical stimulation, dogs need mental stimulation with fun and challenging toys and interactive puzzles.
This is a dog that gets bored easily. Being active is what makes them tick. Your Border Collie-Doxie mix will develop unwanted behavior if you don’t provide enough activities. Don’t be surprised when you get home one day and find your place demolished.
They won’t tolerate being alone for long periods, so you either need to get them some company or make every day a “take your Border Collie-Dachshund mix to work day.”
Grooming and shedding
Remember that your Border Weenie mix has Collie blood, meaning it will shed a lot. Thus, this mixed breed tends to be high maintenance. These dogs require regular, weekly brushing.
Spring and fall are the shedding seasons, so brush the dog daily to remove dead, loose hair.
If your Doxie Collie is an outdoorsy dog, it needs to be bathed once a month. If it gets too dirty before its scheduled bath time, use deodorizing dog wipes to remove the dirt.
Don’t forget to give your dog a mani-pedi, too. Nails should be trimmed once a month.
Teeth should be cleaned at least twice a week. If your dog cooperates, daily toothbrushing would be ideal.
In addition, you need to invest in a good vacuum cleaner, maybe even a robot one, to help you keep up with the dead hair.
What should your crossbreed eat?
All dogs, including the Border Collie-Dachshund mix, need high-quality, nutrient-packed dog food. Because of their active lifestyle, the Border Collie-Doxie mix must eat 1.5 to 2 cups of dog food daily, divided into two meals.
In addition, it would be a good idea to add probiotics and wild Alaskan salmon fish oil to your dog’s diet. These promote good bone and joint health and provide the body with much-needed omega-3 oils.
Of course, we can’t forget the treats. You can hand out healthy snacks or treats between regular meals. Did you know that some human food, such as edamame or scallops off your plate, can benefit your dog?
Lifespan: How long does this mixed-breed dog live?
A Dachshund-Border Collie mix has an average lifespan of 10 to 16 years.
However, the life expectancy may be shortened or improved based on the dog’s health or living conditions.
Once again, there is no breed standard here.
Health issues
Unfortunately, the Border Collie-Dachshund mix has some health issues that might pose a problem for dog owners. Depending on which parent the puppy takes after, it will have diseases common to that dog breed.
For example, Dachshunds usually suffer from diseases linked to their elongated bodies. These include health problems such as intervertebral disc disease or IVDD and canine diabetes mellitus or DM.
Also, Dachshunds are prone to obesity, acanthosis nigricans, and Cushing’s disease.
As for the Border Collie, they’re prone to hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism, as well as eye disorders.
If you buy, choose a reliable breeder who runs health screenings. Take your Collie-Weenie mix to the vet regularly to help prevent these diseases.
Border Collie-Dachshund mix puppies for sale
You should always buy your Border Collie-Dachshund from a reliable breeder. These breeders test the parents and the puppies for diseases and keep the animals in good condition.
Before making a purchase, you should ask to meet the puppy’s parents to get a general idea of how your puppy might look and act.
You should search somewhere else if a breeder doesn’t allow the meeting.
No one should buy puppies from puppy mills or local pet stores. These places maximize their income by producing large numbers of ill puppies. Profit is their only concern.
The price of healthy Dachshund-Border Collie puppies is around $500 and up. For premium-quality puppies with documents and superior lineage, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $4,000. Sometimes, you may need to spend even more.
Remember that going through a responsible breeder can save you a lot of money and frustration.
Adopting a Dachshund-Border Collie mix puppy
If you’re looking for a Border Collie-Dachshund, you might want to start the search at your local shelter or rescue.
People often leave dogs at the shelter without knowing they’re purebred or mixed-breed pups. Seeing one of these cute puppies hanging out there is no surprise.
When you finally get this fluffy paw in your hand, you must adapt your home and prepare yourself for living with a dog.
Your new pup will need many things, from crates to toys and dog beds. If your local store doesn’t offer what you need, try checking out offers online. You’ll want only the best for your little rescue dog.
Is the Border Collie-Dachshund mix aggressive?
Even though Doxies have received some negative publicity for being aggressive, I can’t say these crossbreed puppies will be aggressive. Such bad behavior is not the result of a genetic fault; it’s all in how the dog was trained.
To ensure your Border Collie-Dachshund doesn’t become aggressive, ensure the dog goes through early socialization.
Are Border Collie-Dachshund mixes good for first-time owners?
Sadly, this isn’t the best choice for first-time owners, and the parent breeds aren’t a good choice either.
These dogs are stubborn and independent, so you’d be better off with another dog like a Poodle mix (f1b Cavapoo) or a Golden Retriever mix.
Are Border Collie-Dachshunds high-maintenance?
Yes, this mixed breed is high maintenance. However, their work ethic is strong because they are partially herding dogs.
They need an outlet for their energy to prevent destructive behaviors from developing.
Also, there’s the constant struggle with their grooming needs. And, to answer another question you might have, no, this is not a hypoallergenic doggy.
Should you leave your Border Collie-Dachshund alone?
Border Collie-Doxies shouldn’t be left alone. They get bored easily, and thanks to their playfulness, they won’t be lying around idly.
One parent breed, the Border Collie, even develops separation anxiety because it is close to its owner.
Doxies also behave best when their families are around.
Do Border Collie-Doxie mixes bark a lot?
You will have to apologize to your neighbors in advance—a LOT.
The Dachshund parent was once a hunting dog, so they used to bark to alert their owners during their hunting trips.
The Border Collie is also a vocal breed. As a sheepdog, It barks at fast-moving objects, including small animals.
Your pup may inherit these genes, adding to the barking problem.
Three reasons not to adopt a Dachshund-Border Collie hybrid
Apart from being adorable, Border Collie-Doxies have a dark side, too. You might not like them for:
- Getting bored easily.
- Being shy in front of strangers.
- Being hard to train.
Three reasons to adopt a Border Collie-Dachshund
Still, there are many reasons why you should adopt a Collie Weenie. For starters, they’re:
- Highly energetic.
- Like to be challenged.
- Make exceptional watchdogs.
Final thoughts
Even though the AKC doesn’t recognize the Border Collie-Dachshund mix the same way it recognizes any other dog breed, such as the Chihuahua, Bernese Mountain Dog, Pitbull, Labrador, Pomeranian, or German Shepherd, these pups are still wonderful pets for every dog lover.
Crossbreeding has brought us a puppy from different breeds that are more spectacular than the parents.
The Border Collie-Dachshund is a loving, playful, intelligent dog who is always ready to teach you that being different is OK.
Sarah Anderson is a veterinarian and author for Pupvine. Her love for our four-legged buddies (and other animals, too!) made her pursue a career as a vet, but her writing career hasn’t suffered either. In her free time, Sarah volunteers at the local animal shelter and helps the pups believe they deserve to be loved. She always says: “I won’t stop until I know all dogs feel how loved they are.”