Have you ever heard of the Gollie? If not, it’s about time you do! The Gollie is a Border Collie Golden Retriever Mix. And like with any other crossbreed, they combine the best of both worlds!
The Gollie is loving, clever, and energetic. They have some of the best traits from each parent breed. What more could you ask for?
The Gollies love people and snuggles. But just like Golden retrievers they are also very active and need a lot of exercise. They are calm and patient, and great family dogs.
But what makes the Border Collie Golden Retriever mix such a great dog? To understand that we need to understand their personality better.
Size
Obviously, this is isn’t a purebred dog. But that doesn’t make them any less great. Unlike the Golden retriever they are actually a medium-sized dog. They are around 50 to 75 pounds heavy and range in height from 22 to 26 inches. The females are a little bit smaller than this. They are usually around 24 inches.
Personality
The Retriever Border Collie mix is somewhat very similar to Golden retrievers, well when it comes to their characteristics at least. They are very chill, laid-back dogs. Definitely not suited to be watch or guard dogs! They are also very affectionate! They will love spending time with you and will show you in every way possible how much they love you!
However, they aren’t for the couch potatoes around you. Gollies are full of energy and enjoy being outside. Besides being very energetic, they are also highly intelligent, so exercise sessions should always involve some kind of mental stimulation. They are also quick learners so new tricks and commands won’t be a problem! Their high energy, and how eager they are to please you will make the training process a dream.
The one thing this mixed breed hates is being left alone. Because they are so affectionate and loving they can’t stand being without you. They also love children and get along with them great. This is because of their playful and affectionate, yet protective nature!
Are they good with kids and other pets?
Yes! Gollies and kids make a great match. They are playful and tolerant, basically everything a kid needs. It’s pretty certain that your dog will form a close bond with your Gollie. But you have to start the socialization process early on. That way your dog will be at his best behavior. Also, you should still supervise playtime between all kids and dogs.
When it comes to other pets, Gollies are pretty good too. They are social dogs that don’t mind having company. But still supervise those first interactions.
Early socialization really pays off with this breed. Also, always reward your dog’s good behavior with verbal praise and treats.
Appearance
Gollies are dogs that are very interesting to look at! They are such a weird yet beautiful combination of Border Collies and Golden retrievers. Gollies are the type of dog that you just need to see to understand how special they are.
The Retriever and Border Collie mix comes in different colors. The most common being black, brown, gold, and white. They can be only one color, a combination of two or even three colors!
However, just as beautiful their fur is, it also needs a lot of maintenance. Gollies shed a lot, so regular grooming and daily brushing is a must!
Care
The Gollie has a lot of energy and needs to exercise. 90 minutes of exercise a day is the bare minimum. They need to be outside every day and roam around. So if you have a busy schedule and don’t like to be active, this isn’t the dog for you. The Gollie also loves to play games like fetch. They are also great at agility tasks or obstacle training.
If you can, provide your Gollie a fenced-in yard area. This dog breed loves to be outside and they aren’t the best choice for people who live in apartments. But, due to their curiosity, you definitely want to have a fence.
These dogs have a reputation for being smelly. That’s because of their active lifestyle and love for the outdoors. Try to give your Gollie a bath every two to three weeks to avoid this. In addition, consider investing in a good quality dog shampoo.
To avoid bad breath too, brush your dog’s teeth a couple time a week. Good dental hygiene will prevent much more serious health conditions like infections.
Coat Color And Grooming
When it comes to the color of their coat, the most common colors are black, brown, gold, and white. They can either be one color, or a combination of two or three.
Their coat is long and straight, and can feel pretty dense. Gollie’s definitely shed a lot, so daily brushing will be a must.
The goat of a Gollie is pretty adaptable. Their thick coat will offer protection when it’s cold outside.
When it comes to grooming, their long coat isn’t exactly low maintenance. Make sure to regularly visit the dog salon to keep it in great condition.
Feeding
Gollies are active dogs that burn a lot of calories. However, that does not mean that you should overfeed them — as that could lead to weight gain. Obesity is a huge risk factor for many diseases, like heart diseases and diabetes.
A healthy and balanced diet, with limited portions will help your dog keep his weight at a healthy level.
The Gollie’s dietary needs will change from puppyhood to adulthood and will continue to change into their senior years. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations about your Gollie’s diet. There is a lot of variations and the opinion of a professional could definitely help you.
Health
Health wise Gollies are considered to be pretty healthy. Usually owners don’t have many problems with their dog. But there are some health issues they can inherit from each parent breed.
Because they are one part Golden retrievers they can experience some illnesses characteristic to Goldens like cataracts or epilepsy, or even hip dysplasia. That is why you should make regular appointments with your vet and take your dog to checkups at least twice a year.
Other health problems your Collie might encounter are OCD, Von Willebrand’s, bloat, cancer, hypothyroidism, cancer, drug sensitivity, joint dysplasia, eye problems, allergies, and collie nose.
Conclusion
Like we’ve already said, the Gollie is one of the best inbred dogs you could own! They are loving, gentle, smart, and great with kids. However, if you like being indoors most of the time the Gollie might not be the dog for you. Because of their adventurous nature, they love the outdoors and hate being trapped inside all day.
In conclusion, the Border Collie Golden Retriever Mix is definitely a great crossbreed to have!