Labradoodles took the world by storm in the 80s. And since then, breeders have created a whole array of hybrid to add to the Doodle name. And what a fantastic breed they are. One Doodle you might not know about is the Bordoodle. These fun puppies are a joy to any household. But what are Bordoodles like? Let’s start by comparing: Labradoodle and Bordoodle.
Origins
The origins of a dog have a lot to do with how they are as pets. Knowing the centuries of breeding that it took to make the dogs we know and love today serves many purposes. The biggest advantage is knowing what their breeding goal was to shape their temperament.
For instance, Labradoodles are half Labrador Retriever. Labs are a Newfoundland game dog that has excellent hunting skills. These dogs ran with their owners to fetch game shot from the sky. To do this task, they had to be focused, intelligent, and gentle.
Bordoodles are half Border Collie, a herding dog from Scotland. These dogs corraled the sheep, goats, and even cattle. They are a hard-working and determined dog that doesn’t take no for an answer. But they also have a protective streak in them. It was also their job to protect the farm and warn others of danger. This job took a lot of loyalty and trust.
And when you combine both of these animals with a Poodle, you get your Doodle. Poodles aren’t just fancy dogs with expensive haircuts, though. The Poodle has generations of hunting skills and loyalty. And their waterproof coats are our inspiration to create the hypoallergenic dogs we know today.
Temperaments
So what does knowing the origins mean for us when comparing: Labradoodle and Bordoodle? It makes for an even-tempered dog when you take two hunting breeds like the Lab and Poodle. A Labradoodle is known for its carefree attitude. They are always up for a game and love to play without end. Labradoodles are also loving towards all people and generally don’t know the meaning of stranger danger. The Labradoodle temperament makes them the perfect combination of the two pure lines.
Bordoodles are also social butterflies and love people of all ages. It’s not common to find aggressive Bordoodles at all. They have the energy to spare at all life stages and love games of fetch the most. Bordoodles love their families and are loyal to the death. Many people love the Bordoodle for their ability to learn and focus abilities. But they also have a gentle side that loves to cuddle and relax with you.
Intelligence
Both the Labradoodle and Bordoodle come from long lines of intelligent dogs. Doodles of all kinds love to please their owners and delight in simple rewards. Labradoodles take commands well and are generally easily trained. Potty training is no issue with these puppies with positive reinforcement and lots of treats.
Bordoodles love training. To them, it is a skill that needs to be perfected and refined. While you Bordoodle will learn quickly, they do get bored easily. So switch it up and work on new tricks regularly.
You will also need to invest in boredom busters for these dogs. Both the Bordoodle and Labradoodle get lonely when you are away at work. And a bored puppy means trouble for your house. To keep them from making mistakes, have toy rotations throughout the week. In these rotations, have various chew toys, puzzles, treat dispensing, and interactive games. Doing this will save your puppy from being distressed and expressing it through destructive behaviors.
Energy Levels
Labradoodles are a high energy dog that needs a lot of activity. You will find that your Labradoodle needs frequent walks and lots of playtimes. These dogs do better with owners who have decent sized yards and lots of time. And bonus points for any family that does outdoor activities like swimming, biking, or hiking. Your Labradoodle will love to come along with you.
Bordoodles are a little calmer than Labradoodles, but not by much. They will still need lots of playtime and an hour-long walk daily. But they aren’t as energetic. They are happy to spend some time weekly, being lazy around the house with you. But they also enjoy activities like agility training, running, and swimming. If you consider yourself a moderately active person, a Bordoodle is a right match for you.
Coat Types
The great thing about Doodles is that they all have the same types of coats. The three coat types of Doodles are curly, wavy, and straight. What makes a Bordoodle and Labradoodle hypoallergenic is it’s curly/wavy low shedding coat. These are genetics inherited by the Poodle, so the curlier the coat, the less it sheds.
In addition to three coat types, there are also several colors. Labradoodles come in every color, from black to creme and everything in between. You can even get them in tri-color patterns, sable, and phantom.
Bordoodles also come in many colors. The most common are the Border Doodle black and Bordoodle black and white. But you can also get them in stunning cremes, greys, and chocolates. Having so many choices is terrific, but it also makes it difficult since every color and coat type is as cute as the last.
Grooming Doodles
Bordoodle and Labradoodle grooming is a little high maintenance. But with a bit of practice and early training, grooming is a breeze. You will want to start grooming your puppy from an early age. Touching the feet, ears and brushing daily to get them used to the feeling. Doodles need daily brushing for their entire lives, so it’s best to get started young.
To brush your Doodle, you don’t need fancy equipment. Just a few brush options and a bit of time daily. A few of the brushes you should have are a slicker brush, metal comb, and dematting rake.
When you brush your dog, it is best to start with the metal comb to find small knots without tugging. If you find knots and larger mats, you can safely use the dematting rake to break them apart. Then finish by using a slicker brush all over the body. The whole process should only take 10-15 minutes if your dog is used to it.
You will also need to take your Doodle every 6-8 weeks to see a professional groomer. Hypoallergenic coats don’t shed, which means they grow like human hair. Getting a trim every 6-8 weeks keeps the coat manageable and tangle-free. Plus, you can have some fun with hairstyles and even pet safe coloring at most groomers.
Size And Lifespan
When comparing: Labradoodle and Bordoodle, you might notice that they both have different size variations. But these sizes are very different from each other since the mix isn’t the same.
Labradoodles come in three sizes: standard, medium, and miniature. A standard Labradoodle full grown is a whopping 50-65 pounds. But the medium is only 30-45 pounds, which are perfect who want larger dogs, but not massive. And finally, we have the mini, which only gets 15-25 pounds.
Bordoodles come in two sizes: standard and mini. But these sizes are a little more complicated than Labradoodles. Standards are anything weighing between 30-60 pounds. In contrast, the mini is anything from 25-45 pounds. This overlap in weight is because breeders produce them in different ways. If your breeder only breeds F1B Bordoodles, they will typically be smaller. But if they are using a Border Collie and a Mini Poodle, the pups will grow up larger.
But when it comes to lifespan, these dogs are about even. A Labradoodle lifespan is 12-14, and the Bordoodle’s is 12-15. In most breeds, the smaller the dog, the longer it will live. And that seems to be the case for these guys as well. The mini versions of these Doodles easily live to 15 or even more with great care.
Common Health Conditions
No breed is immune to diseases of any kind. But there are certain genetic mutations common in specific breeds due to inbreeding or generations of poor breeding. Things like hip dysplasia and eye disease are widespread in Doodles because it is common in Poodles.
But there are more severe illnesses like von Willebrand’s disease that is common in Labradoodles. Or epilepsy that’s prevalent in Bordoodles. Because of this, your breeder should DNA test all of their dogs. A DNA test will clear the parental dogs of diseases and helps match them to the perfect mate.
These DNA tests don’t guarantee that your dog will be 100% free of disease as they age, though. Certain environmental factors have a role in how healthy your puppy will be with age. So take good care of your pup now for a long and healthy life.
Prices
And finally, we come to our last point of comparison, cost. The average Bordoodle price is $1,100-$2,400, depending on size and color variations. Likewise, the Labradoodle price is $1,500-$2,000. Usually, smaller sizes of any Doodle costs a bit more, and price varies on your location.
On occasion, you might find a Doodle in the shelter if you prefer to adopt, especially Labradoodles. You might even be a lucky one and live near a Doodle rescue. If not, there are also Doodle adoption Facebook pages to help rehome loving and loyal pets.
What Do You Think?
Comparing: Labradoodle and Bordoodle make it clear that these are both fantastic pets. And all Doodles have small bits that make them unique. No matter if you are an active on-the-go person or a chill person, there is a Doodle for you.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
