# Siberian Husky\\Border Collie mix - puppy: What should I expect?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [October 18, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597 "2010-10-18T20:37:34Z")
**Posts on this page:** 12
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/41 "2010-10-22T20:21:29Z")
Nice looking dog! He looks a little like our puppy, who is a 6 mo. old mix of Akita and Lab. [Winslow](http://i54.tinypic.com/9qv6et.jpg)
---
### Author:  [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/42 "2010-10-23T22:26:31Z")
> [@SlowMindThinking](#):
>
> As a kid, we had both border collies and huskies. I love both breeds, but they are definitely energetic. Our huskies loved to escape, as had been said. You also need to be sure your border collie is trained enough not to try and herd kids on bikes, or motorcyclists. That can be the death of them. ☹
>
> I hope you are high up in Colorado. Along the front range, it can get awfully hot for a husky. (If Grady has ready access to a creek, you might find the furball standing in it facing downstream, so the water will open up the fur.) Winter, obviously, is not going to be a problem.
We’re at about 8200-ft so it never really gets above 80 in the summers, and we have a small wallow creek on the 2.5 acres, so he should be fine, we are training a lot already, but I am augmenting the fence in areas where I think he may be able to scale it when he’s big enough. As for digging under it? I can’t bury 2.5 square acres of fence…I have no idea how many linear feet that is. I’m banking on training to keep him in the yard, and the other pooch we have to gnaw\I mean play with.
---
### Author:  [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/43 "2010-10-23T22:43:25Z")
It’s a good thing you have a sizable area for him to run around in, because that dog will have _energy_ and will be high-strung if not given a good opportunity to work that energy off. Much less land than that and I’d be questioning your decision to get him. I’d invest in a tennis racket and balls if he’s the sort to fetch, because you’ll need to wear him out frequently. Also, no matter how well you think you’ve fenced the place, he will find any oversight and get out; it’s a fact of life.
---
### Author:  [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)
#### Post date: [October 24, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/44 "2010-10-24T19:56:49Z")
Unfortunately, I know. Our neighbor has been here for 27 years and has said all of her dogs got out - to further the despair on getting out, she also lost 4 dogs in that time to Mountain Lions. He’s a smart dog and we are training him constantly. I am hoping his tag is sufficient to get him back to us if he does get out…it’s got his name and our address and phone on it, and he’s personable enough to go up to anyone…
---
### Author:  [@SlowMindThinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlowMindThinking)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/45 "2010-10-25T20:54:28Z")
8200 ought to be great. I guess I could probably figure out where you are, based on that altitude and being able to own 2.5 acres. (Unless you’re rich, it ain’t a ski resort!).
I’d take him for a run every day. My dogs absolutely live for that. Near as the family can tell, that is why I am the focus of their existence. Of course, I’m done to a couple of Goldens. There is a reason they’re not known for running. Once yours is a year old, take him every reasonable day and he will never leave your side.
---
### Author:  [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/46 "2010-10-26T00:53:05Z")
> [@SlowMindThinking](#):
>
> Once yours is a year old
Quoted for emphasis – don’t make a puppy run significant distances while young; it can be bad for bones and joints. Let him do all the spontaneous play he wants, but no marathons. Once he’s a year old – maybe even a bit older, some places say 18 months to 2 years – run him 'til he drops, happily, at your feet.
---
### Author:  [@DHMO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DHMO)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/47 "2010-10-26T04:09:17Z")
We have two gorgeous pedigreed Siberians, and they are the light of our lives. When the older one was a year old, we got her a puppy for her birthday present. The two are like sisters—with all that implies. They absolutely love each other, play constantly, and even squabble now and then, like siblings do. We spent a lot of time teaching the older one (Shena Punum) obedience for the first year.The older one took the younger (Calliste) under her wing and taught her many of the behaviors. Kind of like, “this is how we do things here…”
[Pictures of the Girls](http://s398.photobucket.com/albums/pp68/DHMO/DHMO%209-2010/?albumview=slideshow)
We live in a suburb of Denver, and they have thrived, even in summer. My wife and her family had a pure-bred Husky in Florida who lived to be 17 years old, so, they are quite adaptable to temperature. Second the advice on brushing. Get him to enjoy the experience, and brush as much as he’ll take.
Border Collies and Huskies are wicked smart. This is a double-edged sword—they learn very, very quickly, and they get bored very, _very_ quickly. Keep it fun, short and varied, and he’ll do well. Our girls are in a standard residential backyard, big enough they can get up to full speed. We only have a 3-foot chain-link fence, but they’ve never shown an interest in getting out. Many Husky owners talk of “Husky Houdinis” who can and do get out of any yard, no matter how well-fenced. I think keeping them occupied and entertained works better to prevent escapes.
My family had many Shelties while I was growing up. While not quite the same as Border Collies, they have a lot of similarities—infinite energy, for one.
You have quite a handsome dog there! Best of luck with him!
---
### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/48 "2010-11-18T22:12:19Z")
So, how is the new pup working out?😕
---
### Author:  [@Redrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redrum)
#### Post date: [July 4, 2012, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/49 "2012-07-04T08:30:54Z")
I have recently got a border collie husky cross, she is a lovely little thing, full of energy and very loving. She is quite hard to walk on the lease and gets extremely excited but she’s only 13weeks so is still training. Any tips on lease walking would be appreciated. this mix of breeds gives you a super high energy dog, she will run around for hours on end and never seems to get tired! She is good with bikes and will run along next to them, the aim being she will eventually do this without the leash, it’s a good way to keep up with her energy levels. Any tips/links for training would be appreciated.
Good luck with the pup, give her lots of love and attention.
Dave
---
### Author:  [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)
#### Post date: [July 4, 2012, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/50 "2012-07-04T12:59:21Z")
> [@Redrum](#):
>
> She is quite hard to walk on the lease
>
> Any tips on lease walking would be appreciated.
First thing I would do is get a leash :).
Seriously, look up “Gentle Leader.” It worked wonders on my labs that had been trained to run once the leash was attached (the previous owner was a runner who did this to exercise them… not so good when my kids who weighed half as much wanted to take them for a walk). It works on the same principal as horse tack… they pull and it points the muzzle down so they naturally stop. Within a week they were walking perfectly on leash.
Hopefully the OP will respond since his dog should be beyond the puppy stage now (two years later).
---
### Author:  [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)
#### Post date: [July 4, 2012, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/51 "2012-07-04T20:13:38Z")
**Redrum** , you can’t just get a puppy and NOT post a pic, it’s not fair to those of us who need daily puppy adorableness.
Chop chop!
---
### Author:  [@LK458](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LK458)
#### Post date: [October 23, 2015, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597/52 "2015-10-23T09:07:18Z")
Hi we’ve just got a border collie X husky puppy 6 weeks old … Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siberian-husky-border-collie-mix-puppy-what-should-i-expect/557597.md?page=2)