Bordoodle Appearance

Bordoodles are known for their wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes and even coats. But their appearance can range quite a bit as compared to some other breeds. Below we will go over some of the standards of what you can expect a Bordoodle to look like.

Colors

Bordoodles (also known as border doodles) can come in almost any color coat, many with "Irish Spotting" pattern as is common associated with the Border Collie. Combinations of black/white, red/white, chocolate/white blue merle/white, solid colors, merle, parti and tri-color are not uncommon in this breed!

Black Variations

Solid Black (without fade gene)

• Solid black Bordoodles without the fade gene will keep a shiney deep black coat that doesn't fade over time, staying a dark shade their entire lives.

Solid Black (with fade gene)

• Another variation of solid black is accompanied by the fade gene. This gene allows the Bordoodle to be jet black at birth and even into puppyhood, and then fade into a more silvery grey color as they fully mature.

Black and white

• Traditional black and white is one of the classic colors and a very common Bordoodle coat color loved by many.

Black and tan

• This coat color is black based with tan points generally found on the legs, eyebrows and cheeks of the Bordoodle, as well as under the tail.

Black tricolor

• Black tricolor Bordoodles is similar to the black and tan coloring, only tri color refers to three colors. Presenting as black tan and white.

Black based Sable

• Sable is a term used to describe a dog with a lighter undercoat than the tips of the fur. A black based sable presents as a lighter tan or brown color at the base of the fur but the outermost side of the coat is black.

Chocolate Variations

Chocolate and White (without fade gene)

• Non fading chocolates are rich and dark brown in color; they typically exhibit some white markings on the feet, tail and chest. They keep their fur color into adulthood.

Chocolate and White (with fade gene)

• Chocolate and white dogs with the fade gene are born a rich dark brown color, which they may keep until maturity. At which time their coat will fade significantly to a much lighter almost white shade.

Chocolate sable

• A chocolate sable has a lighter almost tan coat close to the base of the hair and a rich brown coloring the tips of the hair.

Chocolate Tricolor

• A chocolate tricolor is a brown dog with white markings and tan points along the legs, eyebrows and under the tail. Similar to the black tricolor, but with brown as the base.

Merle Coat Patterns

Blue merle

• Blue merle is a coat pattern that can affect any coat color. The merle gene is what creates a patchy grey and white layer over the regular coat.

Blue merle tricolor

• A blue merle tricolor is visually a blue merle with tan points along the body. Often on the feet and face.

Chocolate merle

•  Chocolate merle is a brown dog with the merle swirling on top creating patches of chocolate colored fur throughout the coat. Often chocolate merles are seen with white markings on the feet, chest and collar. 

Muddy merle

• Muddy merle is a dog with a black based coat with merle patterning on top, however the swirls appear to be brown rather than the typical blue.

Sable merle

• Sable merle is a unique combination. These pups have the swirling of a merle patterned dog but also the lighter base and darker tips of their fur.

Red Variations

Apricot

• Apricot is a lighter shade of red. They can lighten or darken with age. Apricot will be noticeably darker than cream.

Cream

• Cream is the lightest shade of red. Merle patterning can’t be seen on this color of coat. These dogs can be a mixture of cream and white, or just a solid cream color.

Red

• As the darkest form of the red based colors, it can darken to a very rich color with age or lighten to apricot.

Fawn

• Fawn coated dogs are usually a yellow, tan, light brown or cream sort of color. It’s a gorgeous gold looking pastel color. As similar as it is to apricot and cream, it’s actually an entirely different gene.

Brindle

• Brindle is the term used to describe “tiger-striped” dogs. These dogs often have a red base color and black stripe markings on top.

Coat Types

Genetically there are a few different types of coats a Bordoodle can have. The difference in coat is defined by different genotypes that can come in different combinations. The CU Locus gene can come in three different genotype pairs:

CuC/CuC A dog who carries the CuC/CuC combination will have a curly coat, imagine this combination as the typical poodle coat. When bred to another dog who carries the same gene, their offspring will pass on CuC to 100% of their offspring.

Cu/Cu Dogs who carry two copies of the Cu genotype will have a straight coat, this would be similar to a purebred Border Collie. A dog with this genotype combination will pass on Cu to 100% of its offspring. When bred to another dog who carries the same gene, their offspring will pass on Cu gene to 100% of their offspring.

When a purebred Poodle is bred to a purebred Border Collie the puppies in a litter will have a combination of the two genes resulting in a CuC/Cu gene. This means that 50% of the offspring will likely manifest a coat with wavy or has loose curls., while 25% of the offering may have straight hair and 25% may have curly hair.

Below are a few examples of the Variations in Coat Types - All of the dogs shown below are Mountain Rose first generation (50% Border Collie / 50% Poodle) Bordoodles.

Size Variance

Bordoodles come in a wide range of sizes, it can vary based on the Poodle parent. Bordoodles can be anywhere from 20lbs-80lbs, but more commonly fall around the size of the average Border Collie at 35lbs-45lbs. Height ranges form 15-26 inches averaging out around 18-22 inches.

Miniature Bordoodle

Height: 15"-17" measured from the withers.

Weight: 20lbs-30lbs.

Medium Bordoodle

Height: 18"-21" measured from the withers.

Weight: 30lbs-45lbs.

Standard Bordoodle

Height: 22”-25” measured from the withers.

Weight: 50lbs-65lbs.

The unique appearance of the Bordoodle is a very valuable quality to have in this breed. Having such a fantastic mind complimented by their soft coats are one reason why this breed is in such high demand. You’ll come to find that many of our highly sought after puppies come in different coloring and sizing combinations all based on the preferences of the buyer. Matching puppies to the best family is our highest priority.