They are called Border Weenies. They are smart, cute, and furry looking with long bodies. You can say they are the smartest hot dogs, made by mixing two purebred (two purebred) dogs — a Border Collie and a Dachshund.
They get their wits from the Border Collie side and their cuteness and stubbornness from the Dachshund side.
It’s a perfect combination of two dog breeds in order to get an even better-mixed breed of dog. If you are interested in this energetic crossbreed that will surprise you with its intelligence, loyalty, and high energy levels, you’ve come to the right place.
We are going to talk about the Border Collie Dachshund Mix — the amazing designer dog ready to fit any family and become your new, elongated, best friend.
Who’s the smartest hot dog?
What Is The Border Collie Dachshund Mix?
Photo from: @pepper_theborderhund
Its name is the Border Weenie and it is a designer dog. Border Weenies are a Dachshund Border Collie mix, which means they have amazing genetics. The reason behind this crossbreed having such a good genome lies in the dog parent breeds.
Mixing two purebred dogs makes a designer dog that will inherit the good traits of both dog parent breeds.
In our case, one dog parent breed is a Border Collie, and another one is a Dachshund, which means that our Border Weenie already scores high on a scale of the best family dogs or the top intelligent dog breeds.
As with any other mixed breed of dog, it is important to get to know the parents, and that’s our next goal.
Who Are The Parents?
One dog parent of our Border Weenie comes from Germany and the other one comes from the UK. It’s a European Union at its finest. The Dachshund comes from Germany, and our UK-bred and born dog is the Border Collie.
We know Brexit happened, but that didn’t stop people from mixing these two dog breeds.
Jokes aside, a Border Collie Dachshund mix is a perfect pooch for all dog owners who want an intelligent dog that is very courageous at the same time.
A Border Weenie dog has the heart of a lion, and they will show this bravery on many occasions.
It’s not false bravery that some smaller dog breeds exhibit (we are not naming any names, but did someone say Chihuahua?), but a true brave heart that will firmly stand its ground.
Gravity might help since they are so low to the ground, but this doggy will not leave your side even if a bear comes running through your backyard.
The Border Weenie has two brilliant dog breeds to thank for such great traits. We already mentioned their names — let’s learn a bit more about their traits.
The Border Collie
The first dog parent we are going to talk about is the amazing Border Collie. This dog breed comes from the UK, and they were bred a long time ago for the purpose of herding flocks of sheep.
So, it belongs to a herding dog group, and it is accepted and registered by the American Kennel Organization (AKC) as such.
Not only did they accept the Border Collie as a shepherd (herding) dog, but this smart doggy became one of the best shepherd dog breeds in the world.
Border Collies really like to work. They are highly intelligent, affectionate, and loyal, with a characteristically “intelligent look” in their eyes. They are always ready to do your bidding. No matter if it’s herding a sheep or learning a new trick.
Our Border Weenie can inherit all of these traits typical for a Border Collie dog. There are other traits too, but we will talk about them a bit later. Let’s meet the other dog parent breed.
The Dachshund
Don’t get fooled by the looks of the Dachshund. It might have a cartoonishly elongated body, but this is a working dog that proudly stands as one of the dogs in the AKC hound group.
Not only are they brave, but they are also alert and have a deep bark as if they are a Pitbull or a German Shepherd, and Dachshunds love to bark — a lot. These traits make a Dachshund a great watchdog.
If ‘Dachshund’ is not that familiar of a name (for any reason) you might know this dog breed under a nickname — Weiner dog or Doxie. Why the Weiner dog name? Because of the body that resembles a sausage, hence the other nickname the Sausage dog.
The Dachshund is a very liked dog breed all around the world, not only for how cute they are but because of their vigilance and independence. They are the best dogs to be put in a hot dog Halloween costume, and they can even come in a Teacup version.
From life expectancy to exercise needs, all of the traits from both dog parent breeds have to be taken into consideration if you want to get to know your Border Weenie a bit more.
Origin Of The Border Collie Dachshund Mix
Photo from: @pepper_theborderhund
Taking all of the traits from both the Border Collie and the Dachshund is exactly what the breeders did when they thought of making the Border Weenie dog.
They were looking to make a perfect mix of two already incredible purebred dogs so that their crossbreed offspring will have the best traits of both.
We don’t know the exact year or place of the origin of the Border Collie Dachshund mix, but we know they used a special procedure to get new puppies. There is a big size difference between a Dachshund and a Border Collie.
Because of this size difference, the safest way to mix these two dog breeds was through IVF (in vitro fertilization). They couldn’t use any breed to be a mom.
They had to use a female Border Collie and a male Dachshund. Again, this is because of the size difference.
If we used a female Doxie and a male Border Collie, the female would have a lot of problems during the birthing process, because the puppies have a 50% chance of being oversized for a Dachshund birthing canal.
This can lead to a series of serious problems. For example, the pups can suffocate during the birthing process.
So, they had to use the process of fertilization outside the body or IVF.
The IVF process consists of taking a female dog’s egg cell and fertilizing it in a laboratory, after which it is planted back in the uterine horn or an oviduct of the same female dog the egg was taken from.
The process seems complicated and expensive, but it was worth it! We got our wonderful Border Collie Dachshund Mix, and we get to enjoy all the lovely traits of this both intelligent and brave dog.
Even though the Border Weenie dog was made with the use of an IVF, it wasn’t the first dog that was made this way. The first puppies were the Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix in 2015.
Appearance Of The Border Collie Dachshund Mix
Photo from: @scullythepooch
The appearance of a Border Collie Dachshund mix puppy will depend on the physical characteristics of the dog parents. If you want to know what your future Border Weenie dog will look like, take a look at its mom and dad.
Because the Dachshund parent has more diversity in the physical looks department, most traits of the new puppies will depend on the Dachshund parent.
The Border Collie has one AKC accepted size and two coat types, whereas the Dachshund has two body sizes and three types of coat.
Both dog breeds can have all kinds of coat color variations, which means that their mix can have all of these coat color variations, as well.
They can inherit the elongated body of a Weiner dog with shorter legs, or they can have a body type that resembles a Border Collie with just a hint of a Dachshund.
In other cases, they can inherit floppy Dachshund ears, the Border Collie coat type, and the Dachshund coat color pattern. It’s a “spin the wheel” kind of possibility when it comes to Border Weenie dog looks.
This is because of the completely opposite physical types of the two breed dogs that made the mix.
Even though we cannot know for sure how the Border Weenie will look, we can tell what the most common physical traits of these wonderful crossbreed doggies are.
To understand better what they look like or how they can look, let’s take a look at the appearance of both the Border Collie and of the Dachshund.
Border Collie Appearance
The first dog parent is a medium-sized dog breed called the Border Collie. They can grow up to 22 inches and they can weigh up to 55 pounds.
Border Collie puppies actually grow quite fast, and if you are interested in checking in with your Border Collie puppy to see what to expect or to check if everything is in order, there are Border Collie growth charts available.
These charts can even help you understand the possible size of any Border Collie mix puppy.
The Border Collie coat can be short or medium length and it can be double and wavy. There are a lot of coat color variations, but the most common one is black and white.
Some other coat color variations are red and white, black, brindle, and even a unique-looking blue merle color variation. Besides many colors, there are 8 possible markings, and they are all standardized and accepted by the AKC.
As for the general physical appearance, Border Collies have an agile and athletic-looking body type, with intelligent-looking eyes, always ready to answer a call from their owner. They have rose ears and long bushy tails.
Even though the AKC accepts only one body size, there are Border Collie mixes, especially the Border Collie Corgi mix, that can produce the Mini Border Collie.
All of this information is telling us that the Border Collie mix, whether it’s our Border Weenie dog, a Border Golden Retriever, or Border Schnauzer mix, can inherit any of these coat color variations and coat color types.
When we finish up with the Border Collie and the Dachshund appearance, it will be easier to see what these traits mean for the Border Collie Dachshund mix puppy and its physical characteristics.
Dachshund Appearance
This is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world. They have been objects of adoration and jokes for many years in cartoons, movies, and stories.
But we joke because we love them! You can find Dachshunds in animated movies like Toy Story, Pets, Open Season, and many more.
Their fame comes from their long bodies and short legs. The average size of a Dachshund is from 5 to 9 inches and 11 to 32 pounds. Such a big difference in weight comes from the fact there are two types of Weiner dogs — standard and miniature.
Dachshunds can also have three types of coats — smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired. The shedding level depends on the coat type, as well. But they are generally low to medium-shedding dogs.
They come in many coat color variations, but the most common coat colors of a Dachshund are cream, red, and black and tan.
There are also different coat patterns. One of the most interesting and unique looking is certainly a dapple Dachshund, or in other words — merle coat pattern variation.
Weiner dogs got their characteristic short legs because of the genetic condition called Chondrodysplasia. Because of this genetic condition they can also develop intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
All of these traits can show up in their offspring — Border Weenie.
Border Collie Dachshund Mix Most Common Physical Characteristics
Photo from: @pepper_theborderhund
We’ve finished with the physical characteristics of both the Border Collie and the Dachshund. When we look at these lovely dog breeds, we can assume a clearer picture of what their mix will look like.
Yes, those two dog breeds are very different, but there are some general physical traits that are more common than other traits when it comes to the physical appearance of a Border Weenie.
General physical traits of a Border Collie Dachshund mix are:
• coat type: wavy (smooth or rough)
• coat length: medium
• eyes: brown
• nose: black
• ears: rose ears or floppy
• coat color: black and white, tan and white
• tail: bushy and long
• body size: small to medium
• weight: around 40 pounds
• height: 15 to 19 inches
These are the most common physical traits, but they can be quite different from one puppy to another within the same litter, not to mention in different litters.
If you have a wire-haired Dachshund and a Border Collie as parents, the chances of getting a short-haired Border Weenie are very low.
As for the height of the Border Weenie dog, they can be much smaller than the usual Border Collie height.
Because the Chondrodysplasia condition is dominantly inherited, there’s a high chance that the Border Collie Dachshund mix puppies will have short legs too, which automatically makes them much smaller.
Coat Characteristics
The same goes for the coat color variation. But it has been noticed that the most common coat color pattern in a Border Weenie puppy is a Border Collie coat color pattern.
That pattern means the dog has bilateral black patches on the face separated by the white color that goes from the tip of the nose all the way to the back of the head.
Because the Doxie is not a hypoallergenic dog and Collies aren’t either, the Border Collie Dachshund mix will have the same outcome. Border Weenies are not hypoallergenic.
If you are looking for a Doxie or Border Collie mix that can have hypoallergenic traits, then you need to take a look at their Poodle mixes.
The Temperament Of The Border Collie Dachshund Mix
Photo from: @pepper_theborderhund
We need to take a look at the temperament of the parent dog breeds. This trait is easier to predict because both breeds share some major temperament traits.
Our Border Collie Dachshund mix is an intelligent dog with high energy levels and a great sense of loyalty to its owner and family.
As for their working or herding instincts, they can go two ways: they can be good sheepdogs like their Border Collie mom, or they can be fearless hunters like their Doxie dad.
They can also get a little bit of both. If that is the outcome, you will have the best helping hand there is.
Even though the Border Weenie is a very intelligent dog, they can inherit a stubborn trait from Dachshunds, too. That means you might have problems with training.
It doesn’t mean they won’t learn the rules, it just means you will need more time to teach them to practice those rules whenever and wherever they are.
The Border Collie Dachshund mix is a good family dog. If they go through proper early socialization, then they can be amazing with young children, too. Border Weenie dogs are loyal, and they are affectionate.
They can also inherit the Dachshund needy trait, which makes them prone to separation anxiety.
Also, just like proper early socialization is needed to make a Border Weenie appropriate for families with young children, early socialization is needed if you plan on having different pets, like cats or birds living in the same space as your Border Collie Dachshund mix doggy.
If you plan on having a Border Weenie dog, there is another trait you need to be aware of. They have 50% Dachshund genes in them, which means they can get a bit aggressive if not properly trained and socialized.
Does that mean Dachshunds are aggressive? — No.
No matter the dog breed we are talking about, from a Boxer to a Labrador Retriever or a Dachshund, dogs are not born aggressive. They can become aggressive if they are mistreated, or sick, or they haven’t been properly socialized at an early age.
But a Border Collie Dachshund mix can inherit the hunter instinct and overprotectiveness from a Doxie which can lead to an aggression problem if it’s not dealt with on time.
We already mentioned that Doxies love to bark, but Border Collie loves to bark too. That means your Border Weenie puppy will be very vocal. Of course, there is obedience training that can make this trait less obvious and more bearable.
A definite trait that every Border Collie Dachshund mix dog will inherit is the need for regular mental and physical stimulation.
Both dog parents are highly energetic and active dogs that are also very smart. That means the Border Weenie dog will need a lot of play, work, or any other type of mental and physical stimulation to keep it happy and healthy.
The Health Of The Border Collie Dachshund Mix
Photo from: @scullythepooch
The general opinion on Border Collie Dachshund mix dogs’ health is that they are healthy dogs. But, because they are a crossbreed, they can inherit some health issues that are common to both parent dog breeds.
Both breeds used in making a Border Weenie have certain problems that can occur during their lifetime. And they can transfer it to their mixed puppy.
The usual lifespan of a Border Weenie, just like anything else, depends on the lifespan of the Dachshund and the Border Collie, which means it is from 12 to 16 years.
Health issues a Border Collie Dachshund mix can inherit are:
• obesity
• hypothyroidism
• epilepsy
• hip dysplasia
• IVDD
The obesity health issue comes from the Dachshund side. Doxies are prone to this health problem, but at the same time, this is one of the most manageable issues. You need to pay attention to food intake and dog food quality.
The Border Collie Dachshund mix needs dog food that is of a high quality. That means food that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein.
That will ensure they get enough energy for their active nature and at the same time, you don’t have to worry about their weight, because carbohydrates are responsible for the obesity problem.
You can find good quality dog food online, as well. (e.g., amazon)
If your Border Weenie dog inherits short legs, it will need a lot of daily exercise to keep its back muscles strong. They need those muscles to be strong in order to support the spine and protect it from possible injuries.
You should also prevent short-legged Border Weenie from jumping off furniture or running up and down the stairs to prevent injuries.
And a Border Weenie that inherits the needy trait from a Doxie is not suited to be outside. They are very affectionate and social, and they need their humans at all times.
They will be the healthiest and the happiest indoors with their owner.
Grooming Of The Border Collie Dachshund Mix
The most common coat type of a Border Weenie is a wavy coat that can be either smooth or rough.
If the coat type of your Border Collie Dachshund mix puppy is like this — wavy smooth or wavy rough, then you will need a pin brush and you will need to groom your dog once or twice a week.
When the shedding season arrives, they need a daily brush to keep their fur healthy, without mats or tangles, and to keep it clean as well.
The number of baths your Border Weenie dog will need depends on their outdoor activity level. If they get dirty, they will need a bath.
If your puppy inherits a smooth and short coat from a smooth-coated Doxie, then you won’t have a lot of grooming trouble. This type of coat requires grooming with a hound glove or even a towel.
They still shed, but because of their smooth and short coat, taking care of them is easy.
What Is The Price Of The Border Collie Dachshund Mix?
Photo from: @pepper_theborderhund
This is not a very pricy dog breed. The Border Collie Dachshund mix puppy price can be as low as $600. Considering other crossbreed dogs, and the fact both parent dogs are purebred, this is not that expensive.
But, if you want to buy a Border Weenie from a reputable breeder, where you can check the health history and pedigree of both dog parents, then the price is higher — from $1000 to $2000.
It is always better to know your puppy’s parents because that way you will know what to expect from your Border Weenie.
Reputable breeders also test their purebred dogs for various genetic diseases and have them AKC registered or UKC (United Kennel Club) registered which ensures their offspring will be healthy.
There is another option to get yourself a Border Weenie. You can adopt it. There are many places you can check to see if they have Border Collie Dachshund mix dogs available. Some of the websites offering puppies to adopt for a small adoption fee are:
• RSPCA
Even though buying a puppy from a breeder can help you know about your puppy’s possible health issues and its temperamental traits, adopting is humane, and it just feels good knowing you’ve saved a life.
So, if you are not obsessed with lineage, you can always check the websites we mentioned or your local adoption/rescue center.
The Border Collie Dachshund Mix Mental Stimulation
Photo from: @scullythepooch
The mental stimulation of your Border Collie Dachshund Mix dog is something you need to pay extra attention to. This crossbreed has some very “high energy” genes.
They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep on showing their best qualities and to keep them healthy.
What can we do? Here are some options for how to keep them stimulated.
Sniffing And Exploring
The Border Weenie dog needs more than just a walkie in the park. They need to use their brain wrinkles and explore their surroundings.
When you take them for a walk, let them sniff and check out things they are interested in for a bit longer than you would other dog breeds.
If you don’t want your dog to run around and be the leader of the walks, then you can teach your Border Weenie a command “sniff” or “go sniff”, to make sure they explore the areas that you want them to explore and when you want them to explore them.
This command is not hard for your Border Weenie to learn. They are smart pooches, and they will quickly learn it. And their stubbornness might not be a problem here because they are doing something they really want to do — sniff and explore.
A Puzzle/Interactive Toy
A Border Weenie is a smart pooch, and they want to use their brains to work out a problem.
If you don’t have time to take your dog on long sniff and explore walks all the time, then you can get them some interactive or puzzle toys for them to play with.
These toys can keep them occupied while you are not at home and help with the separation anxiety issue that these mixed puppies can inherit from a Doxie.
So, it’s a win-win situation. You keep them mentally stimulated, and you help them with the separation.
Let Your Dog Use Their Nose
One of the best ways to keep them mentally stimulated is to let them use their nose. Dogs sniff around all the time, but when you give them something they need to solve by using their nose, it makes things more interesting.
Hide a toy or a treat somewhere they can’t find it easily. Let them work out the problem on their own.
Border Collie Dachshund mix dogs inherit unbelievable hunting instincts from a Doxie which is a scent hound, so these kinds of games are an amazing stimulant and great fun for your dog.
Teach Your Dog A New Trick
This is also a great way to keep your doggy’s brain working. The Border Collie Dachshund mix is, like we said, a smart dog and they will quickly learn new tricks. Pick some tricks that are fun for both you and your dog.
That way you can avoid a little obstacle called stubbornness that they can inherit.
Not only will this make your dog happy because they get to do something new, but you will strengthen your connection with your dog.
It can be a time for just the two of you, and a time to give your dog some obedience training through learning new tricks, too.
Just remember to use a lot of positive reinforcement when you try to either teach a new trick or give them some obedience training. In both cases, it is important not to yell or use any kind of physical punishment.
Give Your Dog Some Obstacles
This doesn’t mean you have to take your Border Collie Dachshund mix doggo to an obstacle course and compete with him professionally. This means you can take your dog to the local dog park and let him jump over or crawl under various obstacles.
You can even make some obstacles at home. All you need are some sheets, chairs, toys, or anything else you can think of that could be an amazing addition to a new mental stimulation game for your Border Weenie.
You can check the local stores and get a puppy tunnel, which is especially good mental stimulation for a short-legged Border Weenie. The badger-hunting instincts they got from the Dachshund side will light up immediately.
The Conclusion
The Border Collie Dachshund Mix is a crossbreed with high energy levels and a lot of love for its owner. They need constant mental and physical stimulation as well as affection to keep them healthy and happy.
So, as you can see, even though this dog is amazing, it is not for everyone.
They need owners that will have time for them, especially owners who like to run, hike, or spend their days actively.
If you are more comfortable on a sofa or you enjoy just a light walk to the park, then the Border Collie Dachshund mix might not be a good choice for you.
This is a smart, loyal, and extremely affectionate dog that will give you all the love and protection (no matter the size). It is our responsibility to keep them healthy, happy, and safe.
If you can afford to spend lots of time with them and take them on more physically challenging walks, then this dog is for you.
In the end, it doesn’t matter what dog breed or crossbreed you have, they all need our protection, care, and affection.