34-58 lbs
18-24"
United States
The Border Collie Pit is a new hybrid and not much information is available on the hybrid, however, there is breed information available on the breed parents, the Border Collie and the Pit Bull Terrier. The Pit Bull breed parent could be any of three varieties of Pit Bull Terriers (Staffordshire Bull Terrier of England, American Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier) and shares a common history with them. The common breed history for both parent breeds appear to have begun in England prior to the 1800’s, and their initial purpose was for herding, hunting and security. Both parent breeds are of similar height though the Pit Bull Terrier can weigh more than the Border Collie. Both breeds are sturdily built with well-muscled bodies and alert and watchful expressions. The personality and temperaments of the breed parents are similar, boasting of alertness, intelligence, loyalty and high energy, with moderate levels of grooming maintenance being contributed by the Border parent and minimal levels of grooming maintenance being brought into the mix by the Pit Bull parent.
The Border Collie Pit is a fairly new hybrid and there isn’t much history about it. However, there is an abundance of history on the parent breeds, the Border Collie and the Pit Bull Terrier, with both parent breeds originating in England. The Border Collie’s roots can be traced by to the first century when the invading Romans brought their larger shepherding dogs to England. They were later crossed with smaller spitz-type dogs brought into England by the Vikings, resulting in the breed we know today. Initially, the Border Collie breed was used for sheep herding and the physique and temperament of the Border Collie make him perfect for the topography of the Scotland, England and Welsh highlands. They are truly canine “workaholics”, making them indispensable in their shepherding tasks. The Pit Bull Terrier is a term which actually refers to several breeds of canine: the Staffordshire Terrier (a mix of the Old English Bulldog and a variety of Terrier breeds), being the dominant one. Historically, the Staffordshire Terrier was brought to the United States in the mid 1800’s and became known as the Pit Bull Terrier, the American Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier and eventually the Yankee Terrier. The Pit Bull Terrier was the first breed to be recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1898 and later by the American Kennel Club in 1936 but as the Staffordshire Terrier. The breed name was later changed to the American Staffordshire Terrier in 1972 because breeders had developed a much heavier and stronger version of the Staffordshire Terrier and wanted to distinguish between the two breeds. Originally, the Staffordshire Terrier was utilized by butchers to manage bulls as well as by hunters to help hold wild boar as well as other game. The Border Collie Pit originated in the United States and today they live as family pets and guardians.
The Border Collie Pit is a hybrid, having Border Collie and Pit Bull Terrier as parent breeds, and can take on the physical characteristics of either or both parent breeds. So, your pet might be medium sized or a larger version, with a strong and sturdy well-muscled body, he could have a smooth or slightly wavy coat or a short, stiff textured coat which could be virtually any color combination with a variety of markings. His ears could be held erect or semi-erect or rose shaped, his eyes could be oval or round and any color, and, they both may not be the same color! His tail could be short or longer and will likely be carried low. Your pet will likely have a strong muzzle and a scissor bite or slight overbite. He will likely have moderately sized compact feet and medium length nails.
The Border Collie Pit has a moderate level of maintenance mostly due to the contribution of the Border Collie breed parent. Since he has the possibility of inheriting any or all of the characteristics of either or both of the breed parents, his coat will likely need to be thoroughly brushed at least once or twice a week to reduce matting and shedding. Bathing or shampooing your pet should only be done when necessary. Periodic trimming will be necessary if he inherits the coat from the Border parent. The coat of your pet will likely be of the shedding type since both breed parents are shedders and neither of them is hypoallergenic, making it important for you to keep him brushed and groomed to avoid problems for those in your household who are asthmatic or who have breathing problems. As with most canine breeds, this hybrid will need routine and regular teeth checkups and cleaning, eye examinations and attention to their ears to keep them clean and free from infection.
Your Border Collie Pit hybrid can have the temperament of either of both of the breed parents. As such, he could be alert, energetic, intelligent, loyal, responsive, protective, affectionate, cheerful, friendly and social. He will likely have a high sensitivity level and a moderate barking level. He will likely have a moderate level of “mouthiness” (nipping when playing). He will likely be good with kids but not so much with cats and other dogs, and, he may try to “herd” other animals and people. Both parent breeds are good with strangers though there may be some wariness in his demeanor. Early socialization will help ease him through this wariness of strangers. He could have a moderate hunting drive and a high level of wanderlust. Because both parent breeds are intelligent and industrious, training will be easier if the appropriate methods are incorporated. Both breed parents contribute high energy levels, with the Border Collie having a very high energy level rating.
The parent breeds of the Border Collie Pit are energetic canines who were bred for hunting and herding. They love to run, jump and play and will need to have long walks or runs several times a day in addition to lots of fetch and frisbee games. They require mental as well as physical challenges so they don’t become bored which leads to destructive tendencies contributed from both breed parents. They are not particularly suited to apartment living as they can be rambunctious with unused energy. Homes with fenced in yards will work just fine in addition to the exercise described above. They are not canines who do well when left alone for long periods of time, as they become bored and will get into things to pass the time.They can live in urban or rural homes as long as they have ample exercise opportunities. They can tolerate warm temperatures and cooler ones as well so they can live in many different climates, though their coats aren’t suited to frigid climates.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 10/06/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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