We’re used to seeing many mixed dogs, especially those from Beagles, Corgis, Aussies, and many other purebred dogs.
But we’re not used to seeing a unique puppy that comes from two very different parents: the Border Collie-Dachshund mix.
The Border Collie-Dachshund mix might not be as popular as a Cocker Spaniel or a Schnauzer, but they’re just as amazing as any other dog. The friendly and loving nature they inherit from both parents makes them special.
The Border Weenie makes an excellent pet, someone who will always be there for you.
Stick with us for a little while, and we’ll tell you all you should know about this adorable designer dog. By the end of this article, you’ll be dialing the number of your local shelter, asking 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 also 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 are intelligent dogs who love being independent of 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.
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 the Doxie’s elongated body, these puppies are prone to many health problems, especially with their back and legs, so make sure 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, as well as proper training and enough exercise, living with these spunky pups, will be nothing short of wonderful.
Meet the parent breeds
Just 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 certain with the Border Collie-Dachshund mix.
It would be best to look at the parents first and then decide whether to get a Border Collie-Dachshund mix.
Border Collie
The Border Collie was originally bred to be 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 the sheep in order.
When it comes to their temperament, Border Collies are smart, obedient, and tenacious. Thanks to their intelligence, these pups learn quickly, but it’s important to keep them mentally stimulated.
Dachshund
The Dachshund, Doxie, or Weiner dog is an old dog breed. They were originally bred in Germany some centuries ago.
Their elongated body allowed them to chase rats and rodents out of their underground dens.
Besides being so brave and such good barkers, Doxies were also fierce and loud, always ready to confront unwanted creatures.
Their hunting days are long gone. Today, Dachshunds 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 even both parents. The parent breeds are very different dogs, so the puppy’s appearance will vary from one puppy to another. There really isn’t any breed standard when it comes to 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, we still can get a general idea of the characteristics a puppy could inherit if we study both parent breeds separately.
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 a small dog to a medium-sized one. 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 takes after the Border Collie parent, it will usually sport a double coat. Once again, there really 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 they demand it every day.
The Border Collie-Dachshund mix does have a friendly nature, but thanks to the Collie genes, they also make good watchdogs.
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 introduced properly 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. They have a lovely nature, but they still need to 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 a walk in the park. They can be quite stubborn.
If you have no prior experience training and handling independent dogs, you should work with a professional dog trainer. You will need your pup to be properly trained, trust me. 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.
Besides being fast learners, they also develop bad habits rather quickly. Still, with lots of positive reinforcement, praise, and treats, unwanted behavior can be modified.
Exercise needs
Being natural smarty pants, the Border Collie-Dachshund needs lots of exercise, both physical and mental!
These pups are small, but their exercise needs can’t be put under standard rules. Each dog is an individual.
If you provide short and regular walks around the block and secured 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. If you don’t provide enough activities, your Border Collie-Doxie mix will develop unwanted behavior. Don’t be surprised when you get home one day and find your place demolished.
They don’t tolerate being alone for long periods, so you either need to get them some company, or every day will be “take your Border Collie-Dachshund mix to work day.”
Grooming and shedding
Bear in mind 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.
The shedding seasons are in spring and fall, so you will need to brush the dog daily to remove dead, loose hair.
If your Doxie Collie is an outdoorsy dog, it will need to be bathed once a month. If it gets too dirty before its scheduled bath time, use deodorizing dog wipes to get rid of 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. Daily toothbrushing would be ideal if you can get your dog to cooperate.
On top of all of this, 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 dog food packed with nutrients. Because of their active lifestyle, the Border Collie-Doxie mix needs to eat 1.5 to 2 cups of dog food daily divided into two meals.
In addition, it wouldn’t be a good idea to add some probiotics and wild Alaskan salmon fish oil into your dog’s diet. It promotes good bone and joint health and gives the body much-needed omega 3 oils.
Of course, we can’t forget the treats. You can hand out healthy snacks or treats in between regular meals. Did you know that some human food, for example, edamame or some 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, no breed standard here!
Health issues
Unfortunately, the Border Collie-Dachshund mix has some health issues that might represent a problem for dog owners. Depending on which parent the puppy takes after, they will have diseases common for 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 decide to 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 have both the parents and the puppies tested for diseases, and they keep the animals in good condition.
Before making a purchase, you should ask to meet the puppy’s parents if possible to get a general idea of what your puppy might look and act.
If a breeder doesn’t allow the meeting, you should search somewhere else.
No one should buy puppies from puppy mills or local pet stores. They only maximize 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 anywhere between $1,000 and $4,000. Sometimes, you may need to pay even more.
Keep in mind that going through a responsible breeder can save you a lot of money and frustration down the road.
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. Often people will leave a dog at the shelter without knowing they’re purebred or mixed breed pups. It’s no surprise to see one of these cute puppies hanging out there.
When you finally get this fluffy paw in your hand, you will need to adapt your home and prepare yourself for living with a dog.
Your new pup will need lots of things, from crates to toys and dog beds. If your local store doesn’t cater to your needs, try checking out offers online. I’m sure you’ll want only the best for your little rescue dog.
Is the Border Collie-Dachshund mix aggressive?
Even though Doxies have a bit of bad publicity for being aggressive, I can’t say these crossbreed puppies will be aggressive. In fact, such bad behavior is not the result of a genetic fault; it’s all in the way 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. In fact, 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. Since they’re partially herding dogs, their work ethics are strong.
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 of the parent breeds, the Border Collie, even develops separation anxiety because they’re so close with their owners.
Doxies also behave best when their families are around.
Do Border Collie-Doxie mixes bark a lot?
You’re going to have to apologize to your neighbors in advance. The Border Collie-dachshund mix barks. 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, Border Collies bark at all things that move fast, including small animals.
Your pup may inherit these genes, which only adds to the barking problem.
Three reasons to not 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 a lot of 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 they recognize any other dog breed, for example, the Chihuahua, Bernese Mountain Dog, Pitbull, Labrador, Pomeranian, or German Shepherd, these pups are still a wonderful pet for every dog lover.
Crossbreeding has brought us a puppy from different breeds more spectacular than the parents.
The Border Collie-Dachshund is a loving dog, playful, intelligent, and 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 that all of them deserve to be loved. She always says: “I won’t stop until I know all dogs feel how loved they are.”
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