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Border collie Dalmatian Mix – Everything You Need To Know

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix, also known as Bodacion, is the offspring of the two popular pure breeds, Border Collie and Dalmatian. The Bodacion is a medium-sized canine with a characteristic medium to long coat fur. These canines are often found in colors such as black and white, merle, liver, yellow, or brown. Bodacion has a sweet personality with high energy levels. Although aggressive, they can be loyal and loving companions if socialized appropriately.     

Border collie Dalmatian Mix Pros and Cons 

Pros Cons 
Great companion dogsHigh prey drive
Easily TrainableUnsuitable for apartment life

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Basic Information 

  • Name: Border Collie Dalmatian 
  • Height: 18-22 inches
  • Weight: 30-50 pounds
  • Coat: Medium to long fur coat
  • Color: Black, white, brown, liver, yellow, chocolate, blue, blue merle, sable merle, red merle, gold lilac, red, brindle, and sable.
  • Energy: High
  • Activities: Walks, hikes, runs, herding or agility.
  • Group: Herding, Working
  • Barking Level: Low to Medium
  • Shedding Level: Medium to High
  • Hypoallergenic: No 
  • Litter Size: 4 to 8 puppies
  • Life Span: 12-14 years
  • Another Name: Bodacion

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Comparison 

Features Border Collie Dalmatian 
     Image  
Origin United Kingdom, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, EnglandCroatia (Hrvatska)
Height 18 to 22 inches19 to 24 inches
Weight 30 to 45 pounds45 to 55 pounds
Size MediumMedium
Group Herding Non-sporting Group
Children Compatibility Medium to HighMedium to High
Family Compatibility HighHigh  
Pets Compatibility MediumMedium to High
Barking Level Low to MediumLow to Medium
Shedding Level MediumHigh
Hypoallergenic NoNo
Grooming Needs MediumMedium to High
Overall Health Medium to HighMedium to High
Energy HighHigh
Exercise Needs HighHigh
Trainability Medium to HighMedium  
Activities Agility, Conformation, Herding, Obedience, Rally Obedience, TrackingAgility, Conformation, Obedience, Rally Obedience, Tracking
Complication inbreeding NoNo
Litter Size 4 to 8 puppies8 puppies on average
Lifespan 12 to 15 years10 to 13 years
Other Names Scottish Sheep Dog, English Sheep Dog, and Welsh SheepDogEnglish Coach Dog, Carriage Dog, Plum Pudding Dog, and Spotted Dick

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Personality 

Border Collie Dalmatian mixes have a tiny head with dropping, triangular ears, medium-sized muzzles, two different colored eyes, long and flurry coats, muscular legs with big feet, and a long furry tail. They resemble fuzzy Dalmatians with their intelligent expressions. 

Friendliness Overview

Affection level High
Family-friendly High
Kid-friendly Medium
Pet-friendly Medium
Stranger -friendly Medium to High

Adaptability Overview Table   

Good for apartment living   Low
Good to new owners Low to Medium
Sensitivity level Medium to High
Tolerates being alone Low to Medium
Cold-tolerance Medium to High
Heat-tolerance Medium

Border Collie Dalmatian MixTemperament 

Border Collie Dalmatian mixes inherit their high intelligence levels from their parents. In addition, they are boisterous, lively, friendly, and lovable pets. At the same time, they are pretty obsessive, aggressive, and dominant with their pet parents. However, you can tackle their aggressiveness once you establish yourself as their pack leader. Also, you need to be firm and consistent in your commands. 

Bodacions are prone to herding small children and other pets due to the inheritance from their Border Collie parents. However, these canines love to please their owners and are pretty trainable. 

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Breed Training 

Bodaicons perform well in obedience and agility training due to their good nature towards their owners. These canines are very smart and learn very quickly. Due to their high intelligence levels, they can pick up commands pretty fast. However, they have to be trained well to reinforce positive behaviors.  

Trainability Overview 

Easy to train Medium to High 
Intelligence High
Mouthiness tendencies Medium
Barking and Howling tendencies Low
Prey drive High
Wanderlust tendencies Medium

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Exercise Needs 

Border Collie Dalmatians are pretty athletic and highly energetic dog breeds. Two hours of exercise can keep them physically fit. However, they may inherit the stubborn streak from their Dalmatian parents. Hence, it would help if you indulge them in an intense exercise routine to keep their aggressiveness at bay. In addition, we recommend harnessing him with a GPS tracking collar due to his energy levels. This helps you to track and monitor him around the clock.

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Bodacions’ agility qualifies them as great players of fetching games and other activities. Because of their agility and fast pace, they were employed as herding dogs on ranches and farms. In addition, they have to be mentally stimulated. 

Exercise Needs Overview

Energy level High
Exercise needs High
Intensity Medium 
Playfulness Medium to High 

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Grooming 

Border Collie Dalmatians have inherited a medium-length coat from their parents. To maintain this coat, you need to bathe them twice a week. However, exercise caution if you are using shampoo as it can deplete oil in their skin. In addition, you have to brush their hair twice a week to reduce shedding and remove unhealthy hair. For this purpose, you will require a stiff bristle brush and a metal comb to untangle your pet’s coat. 

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Nails

Ensure to trim your Bodaicon’s nails so that they do not break or crack easily, leading to discomfort. 

Teeth

With dog-formulated toothpaste, you have to brush your dog’s teeth once or twice a week. This will prevent the development of periodontal diseases in your pet. Additionally, an annual appointment with his veterinarian will help rule out the emergence of any periodontal diseases. 

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Ears

You should take steps to remove any accumulated ear wax, dirt, and debris once a week. You can use a cotton ball dipped in pH-balanced ear cleaner to clean your dog’s ears. 

Grooming Overview

Easy to groom   Medium to High 
Drooling tendency Low
Amount of shedding Medium to High 

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Health 

Bodacions are generally a healthy breed of dogs. Hence, they do not suffer much from any life-threatening health conditions. In addition, you can check if your crossbreed puppy carries any of the parent’s genetic conditions. However, Border Collie Dalmatian mixes are predisposed to certain unique diseases. Therefore, you need to check with your breeder if your puppy is screened appropriately. 

Health Overview

Overall health Medium
Weight gain tendencies Medium to high
Size Medium

Border Collie Dalmatian health conditions 

Hip Dysplasia

When the thigh bones do not fit into the pelvic socket of your pet’s hip joint, it results in hip dysplasia, which is a heritable condition.

Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia: 

  • Injuries 
  • Excessive weight gain 
  • Wrong exercises 

Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia: 

Some of the notable signs that may be present on one or both rear legs include:  

  • Pain  
  • Lameness 

Treatment: X-ray screening for hip dysplasia, medication, and hip replacement through surgeries may also be preferred. This condition, if ignored, can be life-threatening. 

Progressive Renal Atrophy

An eye disease that causes blindness from losing photoreceptors at the eye back. It can be diagnosed earlier. Dogs with this disorder can survive for many years since they have other senses to compensate. 

The gradual deterioration of the eye’s retina marks the progression of this disease. Affected dogs exhibit symptoms of night-blindness which slowly progresses to complete loss of vision. Most affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision if they continue to reside in the same environment with efficient eyesight.   

Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome

Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome is when white blood cells (WBC) are not released accurately from the bone marrow, preventing the dog’s immune system from opposing diseases. Most Collies generate symptoms of this at around seven months of age and can die soon after. A DNA swab can diagnose if they suffer from this syndrome early.

Collie Eye Anomaly

CEA is an inherited developmental condition usually seen in breeds like Australian shepherds, Border Collies, Shetland sheepdogs, etc. This disorder can lead a dog to blindness. 

Cataracts

As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow gradually. Cataracts may develop at any age and often don’t damage vision, although they cause vision loss in some cases. A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist certifies the breeding dogs after testing them free of hereditary eye disease before breeding. Usually, cataracts can be removed surgically with good results.

Allergies

Dalmatians and their mixed breeds may be prone to skin allergies, which may occur as: 

  • Food-based allergies: If your pet is allergic to certain food ingredients, you can adopt an elimination diet that involves deliberately removing the suspected ingredients to which your dog may be allergic.  
  • Contact allergies: When your dog’s immune system reacts adversely to certain topical substances such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, and other chemicals, he suffers from contact allergies. However, eliminating the cause of the allergy reduces the symptoms.   
  • Inhalant allergies: If your canine accidentally inhales airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and mildew and suffers from any symptoms, he is said to have inhalant allergies. Treatment for these allergies varies with the severity of the disease. Often, ear infections accompany these allergies.

Hereditary deafness

Deafness is a heritable condition prevalent among Dalmatians. They may be prevalent unilaterally (deafness in one ear) or bilaterally (deafness in both the ears). Bilaterally deaf dogs require some special considerations. To get to know your pet better, you can adopt a reliable scientific test called the BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response), which helps you detect deafness in dogs. 

Urolithiasis

Dalmatians are endowed with a unique urinary tract system. Hence they are prone to forming urinary tract stones (Urolithiasis). These dog’s urine constitutes uric acid, whose salts contribute to stone formation. These stones may be either small or large. Although smaller stones called gravels can pass out along the urine, larger stones can block the urethra. This can impede your dog’s urinary tract, which can be fatal if not treated timely. To prevent this condition, you must supply your pet with sufficient water.

Additionally, you can help your pet follow a diet not high in peas. Alternatively, you can consult your vet to ensure your dogs’ urine does not contain any urate crystals. However, urolithiasis is a treatable condition with a variety of treatment options.  

Iris Sphincter Dysplasia

Iris Sphincter Dysplasia is an inheritable eye disorder. The prevalence of this condition and its treatments are being studied. However, its symptoms include:

  • Sensitivity to bright light
  • Poor night vision
  • Partial or total blindness
  • Cataracts. 

Epilepsy

This is the most prevalent neurological disease in canines, concerning about 0.75 percent of the population. Epilepsy is a broad name for disorders characterized by repeated, uncontrollable seizures caused by a brain defect. 

Hyperthyroidism

When there’s excessive thyroid hormone secretion, it results in hyperthyroidism. Symptoms include anxiety, weight loss, and diarrhea. It can be inherited from the parent breeds. 

Obesity

Obesity is a common health disease in the Border COllie Dalmatian mix. Excess weight can result in back pain, digestive disorders, joint problems, and heart diseases. The ideal way to control this disorder is by maintaining a healthy diet and routine exercise.  

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Diet and Nutrition 

Border Collie Dalmatians are food lovers, so their appetites are often enormous. Hence, they require a diet that will satisfy their intense hunger; Feed them a protein-rich diet. In addition, you can add probiotics along with some salmon oil to ensure immunity, healthy joints, and a splendid coat. Additionally, you must feed three cups of dry dog food split into two or three meals a day and fresh water for a wholesome diet. 

Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Living Condition 

Bodaicons are unsuitable for apartment life, mainly due to their aggressiveness, which you can control with sufficient exercise. Additionally, they have to be watched when alone with young children as they are pretty overprotective due to their herding ability. They are pretty friendly towards strangers; however, they may still turn hostile and snarl at them and other pets. Hence, keeping them away from other pets and strangers is better. In addition, they have a high prey drive which makes them chase smaller animals. Therefore, it is always better to leash them before taking them outdoors. Finally, they tolerate cold weather better when compared to hot weather. 

Adding a Border Collie Dalmatian Mix to Your Family 

Things to Remember Before Adding a Border Collie Dalmatian Mix

To prevent ending up with a weak hybrid pet, always ensure to buy from a reputable breeder who holds the parents’ health records and their lineage. This will help you gain good insight into your pup’s health. 

Cost of a Border Collie Dalmatian Mix Puppy: $500 – $1000+



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Other Border Collie Mixes 

  • Afghan Collie
  • Border Malamute Collie
  • Ski-Border
  • Border Heeler
  • Border-Aussie
  • Border Beagle
  • Bordernese
  • Border Collie Britt
  • Border Collie Cocker
  • Bodacion
  • English Borsetter Collie
  • Border Springer
  • Giant Border Schnollie
  • Golden Border Retriever
  • Border Collie Pyrenees
  • Italian Border Greyollie
  • Border Jack
  • Border Stack
  • Borador
  • Border Collie Lakeland
  • Miniature Border Schnollie
  • Border Newfie
  • Border Collie Pit
  • Border Point
  • Border Pom
  • Bordoodle
  • Border Collie Bernard
  • Border Schnollie
  • Border Sheepdog
  • Border Collie Bull Staffy
  • Standard Border Schnollie

Other Dalmatian Mixes  

  • Boxer Dalmatian Mix
  • Husky Dalmatian Mix
  • Corgi Dalmatian Mix
  • Poodle Dalmatian Mix
  • German Shepherd Dalmatian Mix
  • Beagle Dalmatian Mix
  • Bull Mastiff Dalmatian Mix
  • Labrador Dalmatian Mix
  • Chihuahua Dalmatian Mix
  • Great Dane Dalmatian Mix
  • Chow Chow Dalmatian Mix
  • Border Collie Dalmatian Mix
  • Australian Shepherd Dalmatian Mix
  • Dachshund Dalmatian Mix
  • Pug Dalmatian Mix
  • Cocker Spaniel Dalmatian Mix
  • St. Bernard Dalmatian Mix
  • American Bulldog Dalmatian Mix
  • Shar Pei Dalmatian Mix
  • Akita Dalmatian Mix
  • Blue Heeler Dalmatian Mix
  • English Bulldog Dalmatian Mix
  • Great Pyrenees Dalmatian Mix
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback Dalmatian Mix
  • Pitbull Dalmatian Mix
  • Catahoula Dalmatian Mix
  • Shih Tzu Dalmatian Mix
  • Doberman Dalmatian Mix
  • Newfoundland Dalmatian Mix

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