The Border Collie Golden Retriever Mix -Complete Guide

The Border collie Golden retriever or the Gollie is one of my absolute favorite mixed breeds of all time.

It’s so smart and can be one of the easiest mixes to train due to both of the intelligent parents.

Let’s get to know this mix a little more, shall we?

A brief overview:

Other Names	The Gollie
Weight	50 – 75 Pounds
Height	22 – 26 inches
Lifespan	10 – 15 years
Colors	Gold, black, white, and brown.
Health	9/10
Grooming Needs	7/10
Exercise Needs	8/10
Shedding	9/10
Kid Friendliness	9.5/10
Pet-friendliness	9/10
Protectiveness	5/10
Good for apartments	No
Average puppy cost	$300-$800 USD

Now, let’s get to know this amazing dog in a lot more detail. If you are in the mood for some other little-known but still amazing Golden Retriever mixed, make sure to also check out this guide to the St. Bernard Golden Retriever mix.

The Border Collie Golden Retriever Mix

Size: 22 – 26 inches

Weight: 50 – 75 pounds 

Colors: gold, black, white, and brown.

Coat Type: double-coated/coarse

Most female Gollies are slightly smaller than the males, however, they can have different sizes just like any other mix but, in general, they are a medium-sized breed.

Their coats can be gold, black, white, brown, or a combination of three or two colors. Their coat may change color as they grow older, though, and you can learn why do Golden Retrievers’ fur color change here as the same goes for all golden mixes.

Their appearance may vary greatly because it depends purely on their genetics but you can guess a few things, for example, golden retrievers and border collies have double coats so the mix is going to have a double coat as well.

Depending on the colors of their parents you can guess their color as well,  since both parents have brown parents the mix is going to have brown eyes as well.

Parent Breeds

The parent breeds are collie borders and Golden retrievers, goldens are the best family dogs, they were descended from Russian sheepdogs and were developed in Scotland, and were seen as hunting animals.

Border collies were used as sheepdogs on farms in Scotland where they were originally bred, they have unmatched energy and unlimited intelligence, they are highly trainable as well.

Golden retrievers are also people-pleasers which makes them really easy to train, they are the friendliest breed ever and get along with people, children, babies, and other animals.

Border collies are hardworking, quick learners, independent, and they also get along well with children and other dogs, however, they don’t trust people as easily as Goldens do but it can be a good thing because they can be a way better guard dogs than goldens.

Both golden retrievers and border collies are well-tempered dogs with lots of energy to spare.

Temperament 

The border golden mix is an active breed with a loving and friendly nature, they trust everyone just like their golden retriever parent.

This mixed breed has a balanced temper, they are so chill and highly energetic which means they need to be physically and mentally challenged to keep them entertained and active.

The Gollies are medium-sized dogs that are not suitable for apartments, they need their space and a house with a backyard where they can run as much as they want is perfect for them.

However, you can’t predict what their personality is going to be because you don’t know which parent’s personality is going to take over but since goldens and collies have so much in common, you can expect them to be friendly, gentle, and loving family dogs.

Health and lifespan 

The border golden is considered a healthy dog, they don’t suffer from a certain health issue.

Goldens and collies are prone to some diseases and they can pass it to their pups such as elbow dysplasia, cataracts, and epilepsy.

There are also some other health problems that are seen in them such as ear infections, eye problems, hip dysplasia, bloat, and allergies.

The good news is that mixed-breeds are usually healthier than their purebred parents and since their parent breeds are considered healthy breeds as well, the chances of them having health issues are lower than usual.

You can avoid the health issues that were mentioned above by making sure to check their parents’ medical history if you can, take good care of them, and check regularly with the vet.

Their life span is expected to be from 10 to 15 years so yeah you are looking at a lifelong companion.

Nutritional Needs 

The nutritional needs of the mixed breeds are always trickier, however, it also depends on their size and energy.

Their diet should contain enough protein, fibers, essential vitamins, fats, minerals, and healthy carbs, the key to every diet is balance.

You can add fish oil to their diet or omega-3, it’s great for their coat, and you can notice the difference in their energy and health after regularly adding omega-3 to their meals.

However, their diet will change with time, you can’t feed your puppy the diet of an adult dog and vice versa, puppies should eat four times throughout the day but adult gollies should have two even meals a day. 

Make sure to never overfeed your dog cause one of the most common issues is obesity and it can be annoying to deal with in some cases, it’s also not better if you underfeed them because it can lead to some health issues as well and your pup will have no energy.

It’s always better to ask their vet for the proper diet for them because they will give you some tips and advice that are specifically made for your pup depending on their size, medical history, and needs. You can also always check out my always-up-to-date guide to the best dog foods for Golden Retrievers and their mixes here, it even has my recipes for

Grooming Needs & Shedding

The border collie Golden retriever mix needs constant care just like any other dog, you need to make a daily time for brushing their coat so it can stay healthy and refreshed.

You should give them a bath once a month and whenever they swim in the mud or have a bad odor.

They have double coats just like both of their parents so they can be heavy shedders especially when the seasons are changing because they blow off their coats.

Trim their nails once a month as well or when you feel that their nails are too long because it can actually cause them pain and make them uncomfortable.

Most people take really good care of their dogs’ coats and nails but neglect their teeth, you should brush their teeth at least once a week but it’s better if you brush their teeth daily as well to prevent gum diseases and bad breather, also, check for any signs of redness or infection in their gums and if you find any, contact their vet.

Their ears need to be checked regularly as well, look for any signs of infection or inflammation and use cotton to wipe the debris off of their ears.

Exercise Needs 

Golden collie mixes are incredibly energetic and active and can easily wreck your home if they don’t get enough exercise.

They need around 90 minutes of exercise daily, they need a daily walk and any activity such as swimming, hiking, running, or just playing with them anything for an hour such as tug-of-war, fetch, or hide and seek.

I recommend playing with them because besides being a great activity, it will make you bond with your dog better than ever, you should also spend one-on-one time with them, you can watch something or just nap together, it will make a great difference in your relationship.

The border collie golden retriever mix is so intelligent and needs to be mentally challenged to stay active, so you can provide them with lots of puzzles.

Training 

Training your gollies should be easy because both the golden retrievers and the border collies are smart breeds and you can expect their mix to be really intelligent as well.

Goldens and collies are both people pleasers so the mix is likely to be people-pleasers as well which makes training them easy and quick, however, they can be just a little stubborn if they are more like their collie parent.

It’s really important to socialize them early so they can grow old to be well-rounded dogs and it will make training them easier because dogs without socializing can be a bit stubborn.

When you are training your pup, make sure to use positive reinforcement because it’s way more efficient than any other method.

Never yell or punish your pup during the training or ever because it can make your dog more stubborn, traumatize them, or they can be scared of you for the rest of their lives.

As Family Dogs 

The border collie Golden retriever mix is a perfect family dog just like both of the parent breeds, they are incredibly friendly, loyal, loving, and affectionate dogs. 

They have a great quality that may seem insignificant but it’s actually really important, they don’t get attached to just one person, they can bond evenly with every family member.

They are one of the best dogs to get around kids, their energy will match your kid’s energy and each will have a great companion for life.

Gollies are also suitable for you if you have a baby, they are really gentle and quiet dogs so you have nothing to be worried about.

However, they are not small dogs so they need some space so they can run freely around the house for as much as they want without destroying your furniture.

As Guard Dogs 

The border collie golden retriever mix is a great dog with many great traits and qualities but being a guard dog isn’t one of them.

They are so friendly that if a stranger breaks into your house they may bring them their toys to play with them, so I wouldn’t recommend them as guard dogs.

However, they are incredibly loyal so if they sense that a family member is in danger, they will attempt to protect them not by attacking the source of danger but by barking at them or seeking for help, they may even try to pull you away if they sense that something bad is about to happen.

Where to find them? 

You should check your local shelter for the golden collie and save a life, you can also check the rescue groups of the mix and they may tell you which shelter you can find.

You should also search in the golden retrievers and border collies rescue groups, it may lead you to a pup in need.

However, if you didn’t find what you are looking for in the shelters or the rescue groups, you can get them from a breeder but make sure that the puppy is in good health, and with health clearances, it can cost between $300 and $800.

All About the Golden Retriever Mix in a nutshell 

The golden retriever border collie mix is a good-looking dog with a lovable and friendly personality, they need a decent amount of exercise, brushing them daily is necessary, the gollies make great family dogs but terrible guard dogs.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the Golden Retriever Mix A Good Family Dog? 

Yes, the Golden retriever mix is a great family dog, they’re perfect family dogs because they get along with every living thing kids, adults, and other pets, they always pass on their friendly nature and gentle attitude to their puppies, so you don’t have to worry as long as one of the parents is a golden.

Is the Golden Retriever Mix easy to train? 

Yes, the golden retriever mix is easy to train because they are smart and love to please people just like their parents, so training the mix won’t be a problem but you should socialize them early to make sure that they can grow up properly and to prevent many problems.

Is the Golden Retriever Mix good with kids? 

Yes, the golden retriever mix is great with kids, they’re gentle and sweet by nature, they also have energy that matches the kids’ energy so your kid just got a companion to play with all day long without getting bored or tired of their high energy, however, they may accidentally knock down small kids. 

You can learn how to introduce your dog to kids in my article on how good are goldens with kids here.

How much is the Golden Retriever Mix? 

The Golden retriever border collie mix can cost $300 to $800 for a puppy but it can be up to $1,500 because it really depends on the breeder, so make sure to get them from a trusted breeder who can show you health clearances from the orthopedic foundation for animals.

Is the Golden Retriever Mix smart? 

Yes, the golden retriever border collie mix is incredibly smart, border collies are the smartest dog breed and golden retrievers are the 4th smartest dog breed so the mix is going to inherit both of their intelligence.

You can learn how smart are golden retrievers here so you can understand why almost all golden retriever mixes are so smart.

Helpful Resources 

The Border Collie

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