Border Collie Vizsla Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

Getting to know about a specific dog breed before deciding whether they’re right for your household is a responsible thing to do as a prospective puppy owner. This is true whether the dog is purebred or a crossbreed, as is the case with the Border Collie and Vizsla mix.

As the name suggests, this crossbreed was created by mating the Border Collie and the Vizsla. This fun-loving dog is medium in size and can weigh up to about 65 pounds when fully grown. Also called a Vizslie, the Border Collie Vizsla does well in large households and social settings. Due to their high energy levels and stubbornness, this crossbreed does not do well in apartments and should at least have access to a fenced yard to play in during the day.

Border Collie Vizsla Mix Characteristics

Border Collie Vizsla Mix Puppies

Border Collie Vizsla mix puppies are adorable and small at first, but they tend to grow quickly! These are naturally social dogs, but they must be exposed to different people and pets to ensure that they do not develop aggression toward strangers and animals as adults. These dogs are extra playful as puppies, but they can also be stubborn, so discipline should be a priority as they grow into adulthood.

As puppies, they don’t need much room to run and play, but their space requirements will change rapidly as they get bigger. As puppies, they get along well with kids of all ages and don’t mind the occasional teasing. They can be destructive during the teething stage, like most puppies, but these are aggressive chewers, so plenty of toys should always be easily accessible to minimize the risk of household damage.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Border Collie Vizsla Mix 🧠

The Border Collie Vizsla mix is an outgoing crossbreed that enjoys spending time with their human companions and fellow household pets. These frisky dogs are far from lazy and require plenty of exercise each day to stay healthy and well-behaved. They are friendly to strangers, which makes them great adventure pals.

This crossbreed is affectionate and smart, yet they tend to be stubborn, which can make training and discipline a challenge at times. However, consistency goes a long way and helps keep this pup on track as they learn the rules of the household. These dogs love to go on adventures, whether it’s a weekend camping trip, a day at the beach, or a trip to the dog park.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

This crossbreed is an excellent pet option for families of all shapes and sizes. These dogs get along well with kids of all ages, even the little ones who don’t know any better when it comes to things like tail pulling. They can get rambunctious, though, which can be a danger to children due to accidental injuries, so supervision is always recommended. The average Border Collie Vizsla mix can spend hours in the yard playing with the kids and wearing them out, which helps produce a relaxed and calm household environment in the evening.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

This crossbreed can get along well with other household pets. They are known for cuddling cats that they grow up with, and they have no problem sharing their space with other canine companions. In fact, they would prefer to have a fellow dog to hang out with than be left alone at home while everyone is at school and work. They can learn to cohabitate with smaller animals like birds, rabbits, and hamsters. However, they do have a natural prey drive, so they should never be left alone with such animals for any period of time.

Things to Know When Owning a Border Collie Vizsla Mix

There are so many things to learn about the Border Collie Vizsla mix when considering whether to get one as a pet. It’s important to understand their diet and exercise requirements, training abilities, grooming needs, and health concerns to get an idea of whether you have the time and can make the commitment to properly care for this dog. It’s not just a pleasure to have a Border Collie Vizsla companion, it’s also a huge responsibility.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

This medium-sized crossbreed requires a diet that is high in both protein and carbohydrates to power their energetic lifestyle and support their strong, athletic muscles. Commercial food that lists real meat as one of the first ingredients and that includes whole-food sources of carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, is suitable for maintaining growth and health.

It’s always a good idea to give age-specific food to this crossbreed. Nowadays, food is available on the market that caters to all life stages. Food made just for puppies is generally higher in calories and fat to support fast body growth. Adult food is typically designed to maintain a healthy weight. Senior food is designed to support joints and bones without weight gain.

Exercise 🐕

This crossbreed should get at least 1 hour of exercise each day for optimal mental and physical health. While brisk walking is an excellent form of exercise for them, this is not the only viable option. These dogs can run along with a bike, go hiking, swim in the pool or at the beach, and run around at the dog park. The entire hour of exercise doesn’t have to be done at one time either. It can be split up into two or three different sessions, depending on your schedule and preferences.

Training 🎾

The Border Collie Vizsla mix is a smart crossbreed that takes well to training, though they do have a stubborn side. Therefore, persistence and patience are required during every training session. It’s important to complete training in a quiet space that is free of distractions until basic commands, such as “come,” “sit,” and “stay,” are mastered.

These dogs tend to do well with clicker training, but this is not necessary for good results. Since they love attention and are eager to please, praise and treats work well for training. Obedience training is not the only type of training that these dogs can do well at. Due to their athleticism and energetic personalities, they can do great on the agility course too.

Grooming ✂️

This crossbreed typically has a double coat, like their Border Collie parent, which means they shed moderately throughout the year. They completely rid themselves of their undercoat during the spring and fall seasons, which is when their shedding revs into overdrive. During these two seasons, your Border Collie Vizsla mix should be brushed daily to keep shedding down to manageable levels.

During the rest of the year, this crossbreed needs just two or three brushings a week to keep shedding under control. When it comes to baths, these dogs don’t need them often. A bath every 3 months or so is enough to keep their skin and hair in good condition—unless they go on an extra-muddy adventure!

These dogs don’t require any haircuts or trims throughout their lives. However, they may need to have their nails trimmed occasionally if their daily exercise doesn’t naturally keep them at a good length. The ears can be gently cleaned with a damp cloth monthly to reduce the risk of infections.

• See Also: 11 Best Dry Dog Shampoos

Health and Conditions ❤️

These dogs are generally healthy when properly cared for. However, there are certain health conditions that both their parent breeds are susceptible to developing. It is important to know about these so immediate care can be given if signs of said conditions present themselves.

Male vs. Female

Both male and female Border Collie Vizsla mixes tend to be outgoing and sociable. Some males seem to be more independent than females. Some females seem to be easier to potty train than males. However, there is not a big difference in personality or temperament between the male and female Border Collie Vizsla mix overall. Each dog is different and has their own unique quirks and traits.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the Border Collie Vizsla Mix

1. These Dogs Like to Swim

The Border Collie loves to swim, whether in a swimming pool, a lake, a pond, or even the wide-open ocean. That trait tends to get passed on to the Border Collie Vizsla mix offspring, so you can expect this crossbreed to take to the water well from the get-go. Introducing them to the water while they are still puppies helps ensure that they are experts by the time that they are adults.

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2. They Can Be Manipulative

While these dogs are fun-loving and sociable, they can be a bit manipulative when it comes to getting what they want or making something happen. They might figure out that you can’t resist a certain look and will give up a treat every time you see it, or they may be good at distracting you while they do something that they shouldn’t, like get into the garbage.

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3. They’re Extremely Lovable

This crossbreed is a highly lovable dog that wants nothing more than to cuddle up whenever they get the opportunity. They’ll stick by their companion’s side all day long and will let it be known if they think that they are not getting enough attention.

Final Thoughts

The Border Collie Vizsla mix is a loving, outgoing, sociable dog that gets along well with kids and adults alike. They don’t mind spending time with other dogs and sometimes even cats. They don’t require much grooming, and they love to go on adventures, so they’re a great pet option for busy households that like to get out and see the world.

Related Read:

• Vizsla Chihuahua Mix: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits
• Vizmaraner (Vizsla Weimaraner Mix): Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

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Featured Image Credit: Left – Border Collie (TheOtherKev, Pixabay) | Right – Vizsla (Daniel Johnson, Pexels)