Border Collie Great Pyrenees Mix – Must-know Details

Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix makes wonderful pets. So, what should you know about a crossbreed mix of these purebred dogs? Here’s your introduction to a modern crossbreed worth knowing about.

A Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix is a combination between a purebred parent of each dog. While they’ve been around for quite a while as a mixed breed, they are not as popular as some of the other crossbreed.

These are large dogs and measure 20-32 inches (50-81 cm) and can weigh anywhere between the wide range of 30-120 pounds (13-54 kg). This depends mostly on which parent’s genes are strongest, of course.

There is much to know about the care and health issues of this unique mixed breed dog.

What is a Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix called?

If you like to do things a little differently, this is going to really appeal to you. A Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix is so “rare” that it doesn’t even have a designer name! It is just known by its full name or Collie Pyrenees for “short”. 

What does a Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix look like?

Most agree that this is going to be a large dog, even if they are on the smaller size for height and weight.

Their color and appearance really depend on what genetics factor in. Some are white or grey. Others are neutral grey with Border Collie markings. Others are black and cream with partial markings. Others are black and red or tricolor. It really just depends on the genetics and how they “battle it out”.

These dogs have long fur since both parent breeds are two full coats of medium and long fur. This will mean regular grooming care, especially during shedding season (more on that in a little bit).

Sometimes, their coat will be short and smooth if they take on a Collie a bit more. Others that resemble their Great Pyrenees parent with their weatherproof coat will have long and coarse fur with a soft undercoat.

Their ears are often stand-up, but some can hold them back close to their head. Or, adorably, one of both. Most have expressive yes and tails that wither curl up or fan out. 

How big will a Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix get?

As mentioned above, these are big dogs. As adults, they range from 20-32 inches (50-81 cm) and can weigh 30-120 pounds (13-54 kg).

Their height fluctuates depending on which genetics win out. A Border Collie is a medium dog, so those puppies with stronger genes will be on the smaller side. Vice versa for those that take after their Great Pyrenees parent.

As you can guess, their weight will vary based on the dominant genes as well. This is where things really can slide one way or the other.

If they take after their Border Collie parent, you will be relieved to learn that they’ll be on the lower end of that weight range. These are lighter and more “delicate” dogs as far as their physique is concerned.

A Great Pyrenees, on the other hand, is large and sturdy in its muscle build. This is what gives it a more extensive weight range. This is combined with more height, too. 

If you are looking for a larger dog, this is a great way to get a blend of control with the added benefit of a medium-large dog.

What is the Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix lifespan?

The blend of these breeds gives it a decent lifespan in most cases since the larger Great Pyrenees often come with a shorter lifespan due to the dog’s size.

A Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix is expected to live between 10-13 years. However, depending on how the genes shake out, there are some health concerns that you’ll need to be aware of. We’ll get into this more below!

What is the Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix temperament?

As is the intention with any kind of a designer breed, this dog breed is a combination of the best traits of both parent breeds.

In general, these dogs are known as herders. They will keep an eye on their “flock” and make sure that everyone is safe. They won’t hesitate to herd their flock closer together if they need to.

They are independent and pretty steady as far as their overall attitude is concerned. They are content to relax and hang out with the family or go for a walk or an adventure.

They do get moments where they’re energetic and hyper, so they aren’t couch potatoes, by any stretch! They just like to do their exercise with their human family. 

They are intelligent, and this can often lead to stubbornness, especially when looking at the idea of obedience training.

They will need a strong family member to help get them in line as far as following the commands every time since this independence can make training difficult at times. 

They don’t tend to bark, though sometimes Great Pyrenees will be loud and just woof to express themselves. You’ll need to make bark training one of your obedience commands if this ends up being the case!

These are loyal dogs and are prone to courageous acts. While they aren’t technically protective from an attack dog point of view, they do make great shepherds for kids, other pets, and their general “flock.”

Given a chance, they will act to protect someone from harm, but it’s more of a watchdog rather than an attack dog.

A Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix likes other pets in the household. They are patient and calm, so they will be content to be around cats, other dogs, and more.

They are equitable, though, so when these come barrelling through your house chasing toys with the other household pets, watch out!

They also like kids a lot, making them great “gentle giants” in most cases. The Border Collie in them will make them great playmates for kids, and it’s a great way to help wear everyone out a little bit!

Their intelligence and independence can make them prone to boredom, so you’ll want to make sure that you have plenty of toys for them to play with. Otherwise, they can be prone to destroying things when they are on their own and need to relieve that boredom!

Are Border Collies Great Pyrenees mix good family dogs?

As mentioned above, these mixes make good family dogs due to their ability to fit right into the group and be wonderful companions for kids. They are best recommended for those active families, however. 

Since they are high-activity breeds, you will need to take them out for regular exercise. While they are happy to curl up for movie time and bedtime, they will need bouts of active time. If you are a “camping and hiking” family, this is a wonderful dog to bring along for the journey.

Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix health issues

These dogs can be prone to some significant health issues that you’ll want to be familiar with them before you take on a puppy so that you are prepared for them! The most common ones include:

• Collie Eye Anomaly
• Deafness
• Cataracts
• Cervical Vertebral Instability
• Dysplasia
• Hypothyroidism
• Patellar luxation

Collie Eye Anomaly

As you can probably guess, this comes from the Border Collie genes, It meads to one of the eyes developing incorrectly. It may appear as if they have a lazy eye or appear cross-eyed.

Their vision is often impacted and lowered in the impacted eye. Some may even lose their vision entirely in that eye.

There is no treatment, as dogs are really adaptable and will simply adjust. Your breeder should screen for this in the parent breeds to help keep this from being a problem.

Deafness

Also, from their Border Collie genes, these dogs can be deaf. Sometimes it’s just on one side, and other times it is complete deafness with no hearing at all. It can sometimes be partial deafness, too.

Again, your breeder should screen for this, but it is something to be aware of.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the eyes get a tinted film to them. A specialist can correct this with surgery to remove that film.

Drops can sometimes be used as a short-term solution, but blindness can still occur without surgery to correct it.

Cervical Vertebral Instability

This is common in large dogs, so it comes from the Great Pyrenees’ genes. It is when there is a disease in the cervical spine that causes the spinal cord to compress. It can cause neck pain and neurological problems, too.

Unfortunately, this is a serious condition with no cure. The only option in most cases is the treatment of the symptoms. 

Dysplasia

Another large dog breed problem, for the most part. This is when the joints in the elbows or hips do not connect properly with the bones.

It causes misalignment, and this will create pain and friction in the joint itself. This is often progressive is described as a form of arthritis. 

Hypothyroidism

This is when the thyroid is not active enough, leading to problems like lethargy, a loss in fur health, and even skin problems.

This is something that a vet can fix with medication, but it is essential to diagnose so that your vet can help you to get the doses just right for your dog’s long-term health.

Patellar luxation

This can be in both dog breeds, though it is commonly seen in Border Collies.

This is when the knees temporarily go out of sync with the legs. This makes them move differently. It can lead to a strange gait or even limping.

It can’t be fixed, but it can be managed with proper physiotherapy or other kinds of treatment.

How to take care of a Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix

Caring for these gentle and fun dogs is mainly related to hygiene, as you can probably guess!

The main focuses are going to be: teeth and fur. However, you’ll also need to factor in their diet and ears!

Teeth care

Dental hygiene should be a priority with all dogs, of course. These are no exceptions.

A few times a week, get used to cleaning your dog’s teeth so that you can help them keep them healthy and strong for as long as possible.

This will help you avoid dental problems down the road, and it will give you support in making sure that you can help them keep their quality of life and nutritional needs adequately met.

Fur care

You’ll want to groom these dogs twice a week at the least. More during shedding season!

Their thick fur can matt often, and it will lead to skin problems and even sickness. Keep them adequately brushed with the proper brush itself and technique in using it as much as you can. This is also going to help their skin secrete the proper oils, too!

You’ll only need to bathe them every 3-4 months, if that. Since their coats are designed to be weatherproof, they’re thick and very protective of the skin. If you brush them as recommended, the bathing won’t need to be very frequent.

Diet

These are going to need to be on high-calorie and high protein diets.

Since large dogs need a diet high in both of these things, you’ll want to focus on these same things because the Great Pyrenees genes will require it. Your breeder can recommend a few brands for you to choose from.

As far as amount, your vet will be able to recommend how much to give at one time and how to increase their amount as they grow!

Ears

These dogs can be known for ear infections. This is primarily because of the Border Collie in them.

You’ll need to be comfortable wiping their ears out with a cotton ball or carefully chosen wipes. Even so, be prepared that they may get an ear infection every once in a while. 

What is the price of a Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix?

These dogs can cost anywhere from $1,000-$10,000 or more. If you get rare colors, then you can expect this to skyrocket higher.

Realistically, they’re hard to breed, and they are expensive to care for. This means a high price tag. That, in combination with the fact that there aren’t that many breeders, will mean that you can expect to have to pay quite a bit of money.

Don’t forget that vet care and food — which they also eat a lot of — will be added to that. 

Buying a dog from a breeder will be an expensive adventure, so you’ll want to make sure that you are fully prepared for the financial part of it, too! 

This will help keep everyone happy and safe for a long time to come, as finance are often the leading cause for dumping a dog in a shelter when it gets to be “too expensive.”

Pros and cons of a Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix

There are pros and cons to these beautiful and patient dogs, of course. Let’s take a look at them to see how they “shake out” for your family.

PROS

• Intelligent and attentive
• Good family dogs
• Easy going

Family dogs right to their core. They love to be around, alert, and in the middle of everything. They’re easygoing with other animals and kids. They’re good playmates, and they can help wear each other out when looking to help get the best experience for everyone. 

Their intelligence means that they’ll quickly catch on to changes, routines, and commands, which is excellent for those who love an adaptable dog.

CONS

• Health problems
• Stubborn and independent at times

Their health can be a challenge when you are looking at it from both a financial standpoint and an emotional one. This is something to think about seriously to ensure that you can give them the best quality of life in any situation.

They are also very stubborn at times, meaning that they can be hard to train. They will get bored quickly and turn to destructive behaviors if they don’t get enough stimulation, activity, and attention. This is something to think about in a classic family situation where they are left alone for 8+ hours every day.

In essence

A mix between a Border Collie and a Great Pyrenees, this rare mix is a large dog. They often grow to be 20-32 inches (50-81 cm) and weigh between 30-120 pounds (13-54 kg).

These dogs have particular diets and exercise requirements that are important for keeping them attentive and obedient. A proper approach is needed for a healthy and long life.

A Border Collie Great Pyrenees mix will be a great dog when you are looking for a family-friendly and intelligent, energetic addition.

However, proper care for their health, diet, and exercise requirements does take some fine-tuning!