Do you love the idea of a big, friendly dog but can’t decide between an Irish Setter and a Border Collie? Why not get the best of both worlds with an Irish Setter and Border Collie mix?
The Irish Setter and Border Collie mix is a friendly, active dog that makes a great companion for families with kids. They are intelligent and easily trained and love to play fetch and go for walks. With their high energy levels, they need plenty of exercise and attention, but if you can give them what they need, they will be loyal and loving friends.
If you’re thinking of getting an Irish Setter and Border Collie mix, read on to find out everything you need to know about this unique breed.
History of the Irish Setter and Border Collie Mix
The Irish Setter and Border Collie mix is a relatively new crossbreed. As the name suggests, they are a cross between an Irish Setter and a Border Collie.
The Irish Setter or Red Setter is a breed of dog originally bred in Ireland for hunting purposes. They are a large breed, standing around 24 inches tall and wearing a sleek red coat. The first Irish Setters were referred to as red spaniels. It was most likely bred in the 1700s as the offspring of Gordon Setter, English Setter, spaniel, and pointer.
Many of them had a mixture of white and red, though the red wasn’t always as bright as it is now. Elcho, the first of the breed to be introduced to the United States, helped make it a hit. As early as 1878, when a dog named Admiral was admitted to the American Kennel Club, the breed was officially recognized.Â
Their stardom rose dramatically in the ’60s and ’70s when the bestselling books and the film Big Red popularized the genre. During the same decade, Richard Nixon also had an Irish red setter.
The Border Collie is a herding dog that originated in the border region between England and Scotland. They are one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs and are known for their high energy levels and impressive agility. Some breeders are now against using Border Collies as show dogs, worrying that the herding instinct would be bred out.Â
Therefore, even today, a Border Collie’s breeding quality is assessed by either its herding abilities, as measured by the International Sheep Dog Society, or its conformation and attractiveness.
When these two breeds are crossed, you get a dog that inherits the best qualities of both parents. The Irish Setter and Border Collie mix is a friendly, intelligent, and active dog that makes a great companion for families with kids.
Appearance
The Irish Setter and Border Collie mix can take after either parent breed or be a mix of both. They are usually medium to large size dogs, standing at around 18-24 inches tall and weighing 40-60 pounds.
The coat of an Irish Setter and Border Collie mix can be either long or short and is usually red, black, white, or a mixture of these colors. They may also have some spots of brown or tan on their coat.
The head is narrow, and the ears are long and floppy. The tail is medium-length and often crooked.
Temperament
The Irish setter and Border collie are two dog breeds that are often mixed together. The resulting offspring can be a very loyal and protective dog that is also intelligent and easy to train. They are an active breed that loves to play and exercise, making them an ideal pet for families with children.Â
They can be very friendly dogs, but they may also be reserved around strangers. Due to their intelligence and high energy levels, they may not do well if left alone for long periods of time. With the proper training and socialization, however, they can make excellent companions.
Working and Exercise
The border collie’s impeccable instincts and boundless energy give it great working aptitude, earning it the nickname “workaholic.” They employ a stalking motion and a piercing look to command livestock. In most cases, they are employed to herd sheep.Â
Thanks to their smooth trot and skill, they are able to cover a lot of ground while working. Irish setters are used as hunting dogs and are known for their speed and endurance. They cover a lot of ground quickly and efficiently with their trot because they are keen hunters. Their boundless enthusiasm keeps them laboring for long periods of time.Â
Both types of dogs have boundless amounts of vitality. As companion animals, they need a lot of playtime every day. A lack of outlets for their restless energy might lead to destructive behavior at home.
Grooming Care
As any pet owner knows, grooming is important in taking care of your animal. This is especially true for dogs with long coats, such as the Border collie and Irish setter mix. These dogs require regular brushing and bathing to keep their coats in good condition. In addition, they may also need to have their nails trimmed on a regular basis.Â
While grooming can be time-consuming, it is essential for maintaining your dog’s health. You can help prevent mats and tangles from forming in their coat by brushing and bathing your dog regularly. In addition, regular grooming can also help to reduce shedding. As a result, grooming is important in taking care of a Border collie and Irish setter mix.
Health Concerns
The Irish setter and Border collie mix is a beautiful and unique dog, but it, unfortunately, comes with a few health concerns. One of the most common problems seen in this breed is hip dysplasia. This condition occurs when the hip joint doesn’t form properly, causing pain and lameness.Â
The good news is that many excellent treatment options are now available for dogs with this condition. Another concern for this breed is epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures. While there is no cure for this condition, you can often use drugs to control the seizures and help the dog lead a normal life.
Feeding
Diet is often tailored to each individual dog. They’re all diverse and have specific nutritional needs. Most dogs in the United States are overweight. A combination like this, prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, should take glucosamine, fish oil, and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. The Raw Food Diet is a good option worth exploring. In particular, those with a Wolf ancestry might benefit from a raw food diet.
The risk of developing joint issues like hip and elbow dysplasia increases when a dog is fed too much. Overweight dogs are also more likely to suffer from arthritis later in life. As a result, it is important to feed your dog a healthy diet tailored to its needs. By doing so, you can help to prevent a number of health problems.
Border Collie Mixes
There are several different types of Border Collie mixes, each with its own unique set of characteristics. Some of the most popular mixes include:
🐕Border Collie/Australian Shepherd Mix
This mix is a popular choice for those looking for a herding dog. They are intelligent and hardworking, making them an excellent choice for farms and ranches.
🐕Border Collie/Labrador Retriever Mix
The Border Collie/Labrador Retriever mix is a popular choice for families looking for an active, intelligent dog. This hybrid combines the best of both worlds, Inheriting the Border Collie’s herding instincts and work drive with the Labrador Retriever’s laid-back personality. As a result, they make excellent companions for kids and adults alike.
🐕Border Collie/Golden Retriever Mix
This breed of dog is known for being very intelligent, friendly, and loyal. They are also very active and need a lot of exercise. Furthermore, they make great family pets and do well with children.
Border collie and golden retriever mix are also good watchdogs. The Border Collie/Golden Retriever mix is a medium to large dog that typically weighs between 30 and 60 pounds. They have a lifespan of 10-12 years. This breed of dog requires some grooming, but not as much as some other breeds.
🐕Border Collie/Poodle Mix
The Border Collie/Poodle mix is a popular choice for those looking for a non-shedding dog. This hybrid inherits the Border Collie’s herding instincts, and works with the Poodle’s hypoallergenic coat. As a result, they make excellent companions for those with allergies. They are also intelligent and active, making them great family pets.
Border Collie/Australian Shepherd mix: The Border Aussie’s ancestors include some of the best herding breeds, so it’s no surprise that this hybrid performs well in this role. They frequently have a peaceful and tranquil nature, despite being able to inherit the vitality and attitude of Borders and Aussies.
🐕Border Collie/German Shepherd Mix
Although this mix is not as common as other Border hybrid breeds, they retain their ancestors’ high intellect, devotion, and trainability. They have a powerful defensive nature but are devoted to their families.
🐕Border Beagle Mix
This hybrid dog is also known as the Collie Beagler. Beagles are among the best scent hounds, much like Border Collies are among the best herding dogs. When you put the two together, you have a canine companion who is as unpredictable as they come. Have no fear; they are loving, goofy, energetic, and have loads of fun. It’s a friend you’ll be glad you have!
🐕Border Collie/Pit Bull Terrier mix
Even though they have a nasty connotation, Pit Bulls are quite lovable pets. In addition, they are an alert and adaptable breed, which makes them a good choice for Border collies. The Border Pit, also known as a Pit Collie, is a versatile breed increasingly sought after as a household pet, watchdog, and herder.
Irish Setter Mixes
Aside from the Border Collie, the Irish Setter is another popular breed of dog to mix with. Some of the most popular Irish Setter mixes include:
🐕Irish Doodle
A combination of an Irish Setter and a Poodle, the Irish Doodle is a hybrid breed. The size of the resulting dog is determined by the type of Poodle used in the breeding process, which can be either a toy, mini or standard Poodle. The Irish Setter can be anxious and destructive if left alone for too long, whereas the Irish Doodle is friendly and bright.Â
While the Irish Doodle is eager to please and has a lot of pent-up energy, it also needs regular exercise. An Irish Setter Poodle mix may not be the greatest choice if you have small, defenseless pets like bunnies or cats, as both parent dogs have strong predatory drives.
🐕Golden Irish
The Golden Irish is great with children since he is devoted and loving. Even though they are highly trainable, these mixed breeds require vigorous daily exercise. A lengthy stroll and some playfulness will keep your pup entertained.Â
If you want your Golden Irish to get along well with everyone in your family, including the kids and the other dogs, it’s important to start socializing and teaching it early on with empathy. Due to the Golden Irish’s size, a big yard or garden is required for proper care.
🐕Irish Setter Great Dane Mix
Seeing a mix between an Irish Setter and a Great Dane is like seeing a rare sighting of royalty. Depending on which parent they take after the most, these dogs’ puppies can grow as tall as 27 inches at the shoulder.
The Irish Setter Great Dane mix is a fantastic pet for a family because of its friendly nature and ability to play nicely with other dogs and children. Because of his sweet temperament and eagerness to please his human family, the Irish Setter Great Dane mix is not suited to long periods of isolation.
🐕Irish Shepherd
The Irish Shepherd originates from a combination of the Irish Setter and the German Shepherd. These canines are too big to be kept in a small apartment and fare best in a spacious house with a secure yard. The parent breeds of most GSDs are not the type to thrive without regular exercise.
🐕Irish Setter Cocker Spaniel Mix
The average height for a dog of the Irish Setter Cocker Spaniel mix is 22 inches, and its maximum weight is 40 pounds. This hybrid may fall on the lesser end of the size spectrum if it takes after the Cocker Spaniel.Â
This hybrid is extremely social and gets along great with humans and other animals. This Irish Setter-Cocker Spaniel mix takes after his hard working parents and is happiest when he has something to accomplish.
🐕Irish Setter Dachshund
The Irish Setter Dachshund combination is a rare hybrid that is worth considering. They can weigh up to 30 pounds and are considered medium-sized dogs. Because obesity is a concern for this breed, the Irish Setter Dachshund mix needs a significant amount of daily exercise, including long walks and playtimes. Dachshunds are prone to being overweight because their owners tend to be sedentary as they age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do Border Collie hybrids make nice pets?
A: They make wonderful partners for extreme sports like cycling, trekking, and running. Puppies from the Border Collie mix are known for their warm personalities and desire to spend time with their human families. Due to their ancestry as Border Collies, they may exhibit herding behavior. Additionally, there have been reports of some of them being hostile toward canine companions.
Q: Are Border Collie mixes more calm?
A: Although Border Collies can be somewhat intense, they are often mixed with other popular purebreds to tone down their intensity. These hybrids are more chill and laid-back than the average dog, yet they still pack a lot of brains and cuteness!
Q: What is the temperament of an Irish Setter and Border Collie mix?
A: Irish Setter and Border Collie mixes are highly intelligent and versatile dogs. They are perfect for families with children, as they are loving and protective. They are excellent working dogs and can be used for various purposes, including herding livestock, tracking games, or even serving as guide dogs for the blind.
Q: What size do Irish Setter and Border Collie mixes get?
A: Irish Setter and Border Collie mix typically range in size from 45-70 pounds.
Q: What is the life expectancy of an Irish Setter and Border Collie mix?
A: The life expectancy of an Irish Setter and Border Collie mix is typically 10-12 years.
Q: Are Irish Setters and Border Collies good with other animals?
A: Yes, they are typically good with other animals. However, it is always important to properly socialize your dog with other pets to ensure a harmonious household.
Final Words
As a crossbreed, the Irish Setter and Border Collie Mix are not as common as some other popular dog breeds. But that doesn’t mean this mix isn’t just as amazing! In fact, many people consider them to be one of the best dogs around. If you’re thinking about adding an Irish Setter and Border Collie Mix to your family, be sure to do your research first. These dogs are highly intelligent and versatile and require a lot of exercises and mental stimulation. With the right training and care, however, you will have a loyal and loving companion for life.
