The Pitbull Border Collie mix is a cross between the American Pit Bull Terrier and Border Collie. This medium-sized dog is perfect for the active family unit, farmer, or single active individual seeking a mixed-breed dog. Combining the best traits of Border Collies and American Pit Bull Terriers, the Collie Pit makes a wonderful family pet.
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The Border Collie Pitbull mix is also known as a Border Pit or Collie Pit, among many other nicknames. In this guide, we’ll explore the histories, temperaments, popularity, and suitability of both parent dogs to understand better where the Collie Pitbull Terrier came from and whether or not it’s the best fit for your family.
Pitbull Border Collie Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 30–60 pounds |
| Height: | 17–22 inches |
| Lifespan: | 8–15 years |
| Coat colours: | Black, white, brindle, blue, blue merle, fawn, gold, red, red merle, brown, grey, bi-color or tri-color combinations. |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, active, strong, confident, energetic, responsive, hard-working. |
| Suitable for: | Active families, active individuals, experienced dog owners. |
What Does a Pitbull Border Collie Mix Look Like?
The Collie Pitbull Terrier mix will inherit certain physical characteristics from each parent breed. You can expect your Collie Pitbull to be a stocky dog with a muscular chest and slender body slightly longer than your average Pit Bull.
It will likely inherit the coat colors of the Border Collie – a solid white coat with black or brown markings. However, it may also adopt a merle or brindle coat type, as is popular among Pitbull Terriers.
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Unlike it’s Collie parent, the Collie Pit will likely have a single coat that’s short in length. Most Border Collies traditionally have a medium-length double coat.
The Border Pit, as with many other mixed-breed dogs could inherit more of their physical appearance from one parent breed or the other, depending on the predominant gene. For this reason, it’s difficult to make precise predictions about how your Collie Pit will look.
The History of the Pitbull Border Collie Mix
Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of history to glean from about the Border Collie Pitbull mix. Like many mixed-breed dogs, it has likely been around since the 1990s or early 2000s.
Luckily, their parent breeds – the Scottish Border Collie and the American Pit Bull Terrier have plenty of history to draw from. To learn more about the history of the Collie Pit, we’ll start by learning more about their parents.
The History of the Border Collie
The Border Collie has a history stretching back to the late 19th century to a dog named Old Hemp. This Collie is considered the father of all modern Border Collies. The breed was developed from Old Hemp, a tri-colored dog (tan, black and white), who sired more than 200 puppies in his lifetime.
Developed in Northumbria, along the Scottish border, the word “collie” comes from the Celtic word for useful, hence the term “Border Collie.”
Border Collies were bred for utility from day one and quickly found their feet as a breed with keen herding instincts. They have long been used as show dogs and sheepdogs and are popular companion pets among farmers and active families – renowned for their speed, athleticism and agility.
In the United States, Collies were likely imported as working dogs since the country’s beginning. Certain paintings put the Collie’s presence in the United States to at least the late 18th century – although they would not necessarily have been called a “Collie.”
How Popular Are Border Collies?
Border Collies are popular dogs in the United States throughout the country, though most commonly used as farm dogs, thanks to their keen herding instinct.
In 2021, Border Collies ranked as the 31st most-popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club.
Who Are Border Collies a Good Dog For?
Border Collies are a very high-energy breed, requiring at least an hour of exercise every day – and they need mental exercises, so as not to get bored. Given their size and exercise requirements, Border Collies aren’t well-suited to apartment living and fare much better with a house & yard to roam in.
They’re generally good with children, but have a strong herding instinct – so, they may try to ‘herd’ your child. Be wary of this, and take corrective measures.
How Did Border Collies Come About?
Border Collies were bred along the English-Scottish Border as sheepdogs and farm dogs, which explains their extremely high energy levels, agility, and endurance. Their progenitor, “Old Hemp,” was a white and tan sheepdog bred with Meg, a black with white undercoat female sheepdog, to create the modern black and white coat classic look you’re used to seeing today.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Border Collie?
The Border Collie was likely crossbred many times throughout its history, but the modern crossbreeding of the Border Collie took place during the 1990 and 2000s.
Several popular Border Collie mix breeds include:
- Border Collie Golden Retriever Mix (Coltriever)
- Corgi Border Collie Mix (Corgi Collie)
- Border Collie Chihuahua Mix (Border Chi)
- Border Collie Dachshund Mix (Border Hund)
- Border Collie Husky Mix (Bordersky)
The History of the Pitbull
Unfortunately, the American Pit Bull Terrier was not always so – originally, it was called the Pitbull Terrier, and was an English dog bred for blood sports like bull-baiting and dog fighting during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The Pitbull’s breed parents are the Old English Bulldog and Old English Terrier, combining to produce a lean, muscular, powerful mixed breed. The Pitbull Terrier garnered huge popularity during the early 19th century and was used almost exclusively in bull-baiting alongside the Boxer.
Bull-baiting was a ‘sport’ whereby an angry bull cow was released into a pen with a Pitbull Terrier, or other Pitbull-type breeds. The game would conclude when the bull collapsed from exhaustion, or the dog was gored to death.
This practice continued until 1835, when the Cruelty Against Animals Act was passed by the British Government, outlawing bull-baiting, dog fighting, and a variety of other barbaric practices involving dogs.
Afterward, the Pitbull Terrier lost popularity immediately and was quickly transported to the United States. It continued to be used as a fighting dog, arriving sometime between 1845 and 1860. It was first recognized as a breed in 1934 by the United Kennel Club and was renamed the “American Pit Bull Terrier.”
Following this, the American Pit Bull Terrier became a symbol of American strength and might, being used as a police dog in the early days of the breed, as well as mascots of military units and universities. Unfortunately, though, the American Pit Bull Terrier could not escape the early years of its history and was banned from ownership in many American cities in the mid-1980s and early 21st century.
How Popular Are Pitbulls?
Given its ban and not being a recognized breed by the American Kennel Club, popularity statistics for the Pitbull Terrier is hard to come by. However, other sources indicate that the Pitbull Terrier accounts for around 20% of the U.S. “strong” dog population.
Who Are Pitbulls a Good Dog For?
Pitbull Terriers are strong, powerful animals with broad, muscular chests and lean bodies. This means that Pitbulls should only be owned by those who are strong enough to handle them on a walk. This discounts the elderly as owners, unfortunately.
Pitbull Terriers don’t do well in apartments due to their tendency to suffer from separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior. They tend to do better with a house & yard to roam in.
Despite the Pitbull’s aggressive tendencies, they do make wonderful family pets for those with older children, and any aggressive behavior should be immediately kept in-check and your Pitbull Terrier should receive proper training to combat their aggression.
How Did Pitbulls Come About?
Pitbulls were originally bred in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to partake in blood sports such as ‘bull-baiting’ and dog fighting. When that practice was banned in 1835, the Pitbull soon came to the United States and eventually became the “American Pit Bull Terrier.”
When Did First Cross-Breed The Pitbull?
Given the unfortunately violent history of the American Pit Bull Terrier, their aggressive tendencies have sometimes shone through, leading to them being outlawed in much of the United States. As a way around this, it’s theorized that many designer dog breeders began to breed Pitbull Terriers with other dogs.
Some popular crossbreeds with American Pit Bull Terriers include:
- Pitbull Catahoula Mix (Pitahoula)
- Pomeranian Pitbull Mix (Pom Pit)
- Greyhound Pitbull Mix (Grey Pit)
- Great Pyrenees Pitbull Mix (Pyrenean Pit)
- Pitbull Pug Mix (Pug Pit)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
Matching a dog’s temperament to your family is one of the most important things to get right about a new pup. Before you adopt or buy any new dog, take the time to research your choice thoroughly. Ensure that you’re making the right decision for you and finding the most suitable pet possible for your family.
An active dog will do much better in an active family environment. For example, a Siberian Husky would fare much better on a farm or with a house & yard for the necessary physical activity for that breed than in an apartment.
Likewise, a Pug isn’t going to be your best adventure buddy if that’s what you’re looking for.
Dog choice all comes to down what’s most suitable for you and your family. There are plenty of dogs out there – finding the best one for you is the hard part.
What is the Temperament of the Pitbull Border Collie Mix?
The Collie Pitbull mix has a very high activity level and hyperactive temperament, as both parent breeds are quite energetic. This will mean plenty of exercise is necessary, along with a large amount of mental stimulation.
The Collie Pitbull mix is sure to be a beloved companion pet and is likely to be very loyal and loving towards its owners but may be aloof around strangers. Thanks to its Pitbull genes, you may also notice a protective streak within the Collie Pit. Luckily, the Border Collie’s tendency is not toward aggression, so this may temper any aggressive predisposition of the Pitbull.
Mixed breed dogs inherit different parts of their temperaments from each breed parents – though, as with so many mix breed dogs, it’s a bit of a toss-up as to which breed will be more dominant.
The Collie Pitbull mix can become easily bored. Ensure you’re giving it enough mental stimulation each day.
Is The Pitbull Border Collie Mix Friendly?
In general, you can expect your Collie Pit to be a very friendly and affectionate pup, though it may be wary of strangers, though not aggressive.
Sometimes, your Collie Pit’s friendliness can become annoying – ensure you know how to say “No.” to your Collie Pitbull mix and that it knows how to listen and comply.
Is The Pitbull Border Collie Mix Easy to Train?
As with many energetic dog breeds, expect your Collie Pitbull mix to be slightly more difficult to train, as their hyperactivity can sometimes take over. To make it easier, implement a reward-based training system and use positive reinforcement methods rather than admonishment.
How Much Can A Pitbull Border Collie Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Border Collie Pitbull mix is between 30 and 60 pounds.
How Tall Can A Pitbull Border Collie Mix Get?
The average height of a Pitbull Border Collie mix is between 17 and 22 inches tall.
Similar-Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Collie Pit. These include:
- Australian Shepherd
- Golden Retriever
- Siberian Husky
- Vizsla
Does the Pitbull Border Collie Mix Shed?
You can expect your Border Collie Pitbull mix to be a light shedder year-round, given that it is more likely to inherit the Pitbull’s single coat.
If your Collie Pit inherits the double coat of the Border Collie, you should prepare for moderate shedding year-round with a bi-annual ‘blowing’ of the coat. This will require weekly brushing. Regular washing is important with a wavy coat. It moves the oils around to keep the coat shiny.
How Much Exercise Does A Pitbull Border Collie Mix Require?
The Collie Pitbull mix requires a great deal of regular exercise, whether a nightly run or two walks per day. You should expect to be walking your Collie Pitbull mix for about an hour daily.
Your Collie Pitbull mix will also require mental stimulation, as mentioned earlier. Mostly, these games encourage thinking, but you can also fill a KONG toy with their favorite treats and let your Collie Pitbull mix while away their hours tackling that problem.
How Long Can a Pitbull Border Collie Mix Live?
The average life expectancy of a Pitbull Border Collie mix is between 8 and 15 years.
What Health Conditions Could the Pitbull Border Collie Mix Have?
- Cerebellar Ataxia (Neurological Condition)
- Hip Dysplasia (Hip Joint Inflammation)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Eye Anomaly)
- Cataracts (Eye Condition)
How Can You Find a Pitbull Border Collie Mix Puppy For Sale?
Before you start searching for a Collie Pitbull mix for sale, consider first adopting a Collie Pit. Thanks to accidental mating or compatibility mismatches, Collie Pitbulls often find themselves languishing in animal shelters and vet clinics across the United States.
Adoption is often a fairly simple, quick process that’s a fraction of the cost of purchasing a Collie Pit from a reputable breeder. Mix breed dogs are routinely placed up for adoption and can be half-price of buying from a breeder.
If you’re unsuccessful at finding a Collie Pitbull mix, or other mixed-breed dog at the local shelter or vet clinic, consider looking for a Collie Pitbull mix online at AdoptAPet.com.
How Much Does a Pitbull Border Collie Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Collie Pitbull mix is between $700 and $1000! The cost of adopting a Collie Pit is often half of this cost.
If you’re still sold on buying a Collie Pit from a breeder, read our guide on finding a reputable designer dog breeder. There are certain practices that mixed-breed breeders should abide by, including letting you meet both parent dogs. Our guide breaks down how to tell the good from the bad and how to avoid puppy mills.
When looking for a Collie Pit, be sure to follow our guides’ steps to avoid being scammed, or buying an unhealthy pup!
Is the Pitbull Border Collie Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you’ve been looking for an adventure buddy, or a smaller farming dog, then the always-active Pitbull Border Collie mix might be the right pup for you! Great with families with older kids, consider giving the Collie Pit a chance in your home!
If you’re sure that the Collie Pit isn’t the right breed for you, check out other breed guides, where you’ll hopefully find something more suitable.