Welcoming a dog into your family can be a big decision. You must find a breed that works well with your space, routine, and personality.
You need to be happy with the work you’ll have to put in. But equally, the dog will need to be happy and content with their new lifestyle.
So, what about a Border Collie Greyhound mix? Well, I’ve researched and made this little guide of everything you need to know about this particular mix. Let’s dive in!
A Bit About Greyhounds
Greyhounds make amazingly loyal pets and they’re relatively easy to look after. They don’t need much exercise as their bodies are equipped for sudden bursts of speed.
One longish walk per day will mean that they need to relax for the rest of the time. Greyhounds typically sleep between 18 and 20 hours per day.
Once they’re retired from the track (at around 2 – 3 years old), they’ll spend the remainder of their lives being couch potatoes.
They can live up to 12 years and during those years they will love everyone. They’re great alongside small children, but don’t make excellent guard dogs as they’ll lick burglars rather than bark at them.
However, because of their strong chase instinct, it’s not advisable to house them alongside small pets or cats, as they will have the urge to chase them down. It’s what they’re bred for after all.
A Bit About Border Collies
Collies are bred as working dogs, generally herding sheep and other animals on a farm.
They originated from the borders (hence the name) between Scotland and England, where sheep farmers used them to keep sheep on their land.
Because of this, they’re incredibly active and need a lot of room to run around.
Their working life could have them comfortably running 15-20 miles per day in the harsh weather and temperatures of the Scottish borders.
This means they’d be suitable for outdoorsy people or people with much land.
Despite their independent nature, they’re also one of the most intelligent dogs and are fairly easy to train. They’re naturally loyal pets; once they’ve bonded with you, they’ll do anything for you.
They’re also a fairly good breed if you want a reliable guard dog as they are quite territorial and their loyalty towards you as part of their family will give them a fiercely protective nature.
Border Collie Greyhound Mix
A Greyhound Border Collie cross is the dog that most people think of when they talk about a lurcher.
A lurcher is technically a cross between a greyhound or any other sighthound (such as a Whippet) and any other breed.
However, Greyhound Border Collie mixes are so common that they’re often seen as their own breed today.
Personality
Both the Greyhound and the Border Collie have a very strong prey drive because they’re bred specifically to hunt or control other animals.
For this reason, it’s never advisable to have a Greyhound Border Collie mix in the same house as any small animal or cat.
While cats could work with some training, you should never let your dog and cat into the outside space simultaneously. This is because a greyhound’s prey drive increases outside or when the animal they’re chasing begins to run away.
Border Collies’ working background also means that they love company. Herding sheep is a team effort, so their pack mentality is high.
This means, if introduced early, they will love the company of other dogs. Having two dogs will also help to disperse some of that excess energy.
Greyhounds also love company, so much so that one of their biggest issues is their separation anxiety when left alone for too long.
The mixed breed is best suited to a home with lots of activity, lots of space, and very little alone time. They may not be the dogs for you if you have a full-time job.
Size
When you’re buying a cross, you can’t guarantee how much of each trait your puppy will get from their parents. It’s always best to prepare for every possibility.
Collies are around 22 inches at the shoulder, whereas Greyhounds normally reach up to 30 inches. Your dog could be anything in between these heights.
Because Greyhounds are naturally taller, they can reach weights of 88 lbs. whereas a Collie typically only reaches around 50 lbs. in adulthood.
Again, your dog could be anything in between this.
Coat
Border Collies are the standard black and white coloring; however, Greyhounds can come in any color from black, white, brindle, or a mix of two or three colors.
This means that your Border Collie-Greyhound mix could be basically any color.
However, the most common color is black and white, especially if the Border Collie has the dominant pigment gene.
Greyhounds tend to have very thin coats as they need to be aerodynamic, however, this means that they are incredibly susceptible to cold temperatures.
Border Collies on the other hand are the complete opposite, with thick, long coats to keep them warm.
This usually means that your mix will have a coat in the middle.
They’ll need grooming a couple of times per week with a soft-bristled brush – they do shed too, so be prepared to have hair-covered carpets.
Common Health Issues
Border Collies are known to be one of the healthiest breeds of dogs, with barely any health issues. They can also live up to 17 years, one of the longest lifespans in the dog world.
You may find that, later in life, your dog suffers from eye problems or late-onset epilepsy. But, these things are usually treatable with medication and a good personalized diet.
Greyhounds, on the other hand, have a natural lifespan of around 12 years.
This isn’t because they’re particularly unhealthy. However, their organs and limbs are put under much more pressure due to their body shape.
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This has been of particular interest to me as I have rehomed a dog that previous owners could not handle. He is with me at all times and the chase instinct over rides all else though he comes to call after many months of work and a deal of bribery and corruption. We love him to bits but the previous owners thought they were buying a collie. He was always described as such. When I saw him, I knew he was a lurcher and they were wrong about the breeding.I like to know about the lines and the personalities which go to make my dogs what they are. In this case, I am working blind. He will chase anything and is fast enough to head a deer in full flight. Very fast and most definitely a part greyhound.
Yeah that sounds quite common to me that a rehomed dog has strong chase instincts, Jean. Good to here that you’ve been able to manage it though. Well done!
Looking for a breeder of greyhound border collies. Do you know a good breeder?
Thanks,
Shelli
Where are you located Shelli?
Please note that greyhounds sometimes are born with hip dysplasia (the ball of their hip doesn’t sit into the socket properly), a very painful condition that interferes with normal activity. I adopted a dog from a humane society where I thought I saw a limp but the staff assured me he had no physical problems. Took him to my vet, who found hip displasia. X-rays confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment is exercise to strengthen leg muscles that he walks and runs with. So I have to let him run when he wants to, even though I know it is causing him pain. I can’t tell how much pain because he seems driven to run, not just having little fun. No wonder so many greyhounds just lie down and sleep after a period of running! But mine, 8 yrs old, doesn’t like sleeping more that 8-9 hrs a day. My advice: have your chosen dog x-rayed before you buy or adopt him/her. If it is there, consider whether you can live with the emotional stress of watching your dog hurt himself every day because he just can’t resist that urge to run. Also consider a professional dog trainer who uses gentleness, not punishment. My dog had one and is eager to cooperate with me and so eager to please (get rewarded by kibble or petting)! Only one piece of kibble (those tiny balls of dried food) satisfies him as a reward. He was a bit wild when I got him, seemed not to know what was expected of him. He settled down quickly when I learned to use the commands a trainer taught him. He has to keep his weight down because of his hip, so I include these kibble pieces in his daily count of the amount of food he can eat. His weight is 51 lbs, yet the vet says he has to lose some more. He is 24″ tall at the shoulder and 36″ from nose to base of tail. He likes interaction with people. And one person with him indoors or outdoors is not enough! Also,
separation anxiety when he’s alone has been a problem, even if he is in a car with people around (albeit strangers). Nothing I have tried helps him stay alone. Advice?
Hi Carolyn,
Thanks for your comment. Check out our article here, as it covers separation anxiety which is a common behavior among Greyhounds:
https://azgreyhounds.com/greyhounds-apartment-dogs/
Other things you can do:
Gradual desensitization: One effective method for treating separation anxiety is gradual desensitization. Start by leaving your greyhound alone for short periods, gradually increasing the time you are away until you can leave for a few hours without causing anxiety.
Create a comfortable environment: Provide your greyhound with a comfortable and secure environment while you are away. Consider creating a cozy spot with a comfortable bed, toys, and treats. Consider using white noise or music to help mask external sounds that may trigger anxiety.
Keep goodbyes low-key: Avoid making a big fuss when you leave or return. Keep goodbyes brief and low-key to avoid triggering anxiety in your dog.
I hope these help, let me know how you go.
Evan
Thank you, Evan!
The dog has a cozy place, toys etc. I have not yet worked with him consistently enough or over a long enough time, I think. I am pretty sure his previous training included leaving him in a basement-type room, perhaps in a crate, and that he traveled in a vehicle in a crate or box of some kind. He has dog beds in my house but prefers the one in my basement (where I work sometimes), actually makes a beeline for it whenever I head down there. The dog beds are exactly alike. He gets nervous in my car even though he has a dog bed in the back open area (no back seat, just dog space). Since I have discovered by chance some of the things he knows how to do, like walk behind me up the stairs and not enter a room until I have entered, I suspect that, if only I knew the verbal commands and hand signals that he must know, he would do ‘the right thing’, such as stop barking. I live in a very rural, far northern area; no dog trainers for 200 miles. Is there a book of all possible signals and commands that I could try ? An online site? I tried sheep dog commands and got no results — but then, I didn’t have any sheep standing around. He will stop chasing a deer on command, although he hasn’t stopped for a moose. (It easily outran him.) And I don’t know his ‘stop’ command; I just shout ‘hey!’. He will herd smaller dogs into a corner and not leave them unless I drag him away. But I bet he knows an ‘ok, leave them now’ command. He is very responsive to food reward and has never shown any shyness, defensive or aggressiveness to any human. Do these behaviors indicate a particular style of training? He came originally from Vidor, TX, an owner-surrender. How I wish the humane societies would take info from the owners about the dog’s training, foods, etc, so the transition to a new owner could be planned according to what the dog already knows and expects!
Hey Carolyn,
It does sound like you could do with some help!
We’ve actually just published a new article on obedience training. Check it out here: https://azgreyhounds.com/greyhound-obedience-training/
Evan
Thank you! Will read it!
Carolyn
Have you figured out your dog’s training signals? I was thinking it might be helpful to ask a few dog trainers. There’s a wonderful trainer on Instagram named tenderfoot_training you could try messaging them, and then I would just keep messaging other dog training accounts until someone responds with the info you’re looking for. I learned all of my dog’s commands from Cesar Milan’s books and video, I know he’s pretty popular so the previous owner also could’ve used his commands…? Just some ideas! I hope you solve your mystery! Sounds like you have an amazing dog!
This article is helpful. Wondering if you have some advice. We adopted a beautiful boy a few months ago. 9 years old. When we first got him he was always around us. Up on the couch, would come to bed with us or sleep in his bed. One night he heard fireworks and now most nights by 7 he goes to our sub basement in the furthest corner. We cannot get him up for anything. Even during the day he doesn’t seem to be near us. If we are in the couch he lies on the kitchen floor. He seems happy. Loves his walks, loves to play and is excited if course when we come home but otherwise seems to keep to himself.
Any advice would be great.
Thanks,
Tamara
Hi Tamara,
Thanks for reaching out. It’s not uncommon for dogs to develop fear or anxiety towards certain triggers, such as loud noises like fireworks.
To help your Grey feel more comfortable and secure, here are a few suggestions:
Provide a safe space: Since your Greyhound seeks refuge in the sub-basement, create a cozy and safe area for him there. Add a comfortable bed, some blankets, and perhaps a few of his favorite toys. This designated space will give him a sense of security when he feels anxious.
Soundproofing: Try to minimize the noise from outside as much as possible during fireworks displays or other loud events. Close windows, draw curtains, and consider using white noise machines or soothing music to help drown out the noise.
Counter-conditioning: Gradually desensitize your Greyhound to the sound of fireworks by playing recorded firework sounds at a low volume while engaging him in activities he enjoys, such as playtime or treat puzzles. Start with a low volume and gradually increase it over time, always associating the sound with positive experiences. This can help him develop a more positive association with fireworks noises.
Create positive associations: Reinforce positive behaviors and interactions with treats, praise, and affection. Whenever your Greyhound chooses to be near you or seeks your company, reward him with a treat or a favorite toy. This will help him associate being near you with positive experiences.
Best of luck, and I hope these suggestions help. Please let me know how you go too.
Evan
Very interesting article which leaves me wondering if there is another mix in my greyhound/collie . Her black /white markings, height weight match all typical pictures of the ‘mix’
I adopted her 9 years ago from RSPCA. She had been removed ( at 4 months old ) from a situation where lurchers were used for ‘lamping’
She spent 16 months in kennel environment . There were 2 failed adoptions before coming to me, -no social skills and assessed as untrainable with euthanasia recommended.
She came to live with me and a beautiful mannered SBT.
With slow introduction and very little formal training from me it took 9 months for her to learn from SBT how to be a dog. It was my instinct that she had had too many demands and expectations placed on her to be 2year old dog when in reality her social/ behaviour skills had not developed beyond a puppy.
She is the calmest dog I have ever owned (having had 16 others over 40 yrs) with a very low prey drive . She is extremely skilled in interpretating body language in other dogs and in humans.
She is the only dog that I have not invested time in ‘formal’ training :her intuitive response to my changing lifestyle requirements is amazing.
Perhaps it is border collie instincts
-yet her greyhound traits – re excercise, sleep and strong love of human company are very strong
Amazing story Margaret! Thanks for giving her a second chance 🙂