If you’re looking for a loyal dog that will look after your family members, then the Border Eskimo could be a good choice for you. Characterized by their agility, high intelligence, and affectionate nature, these dogs can become a loving companion while also being trainable. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about the American Eskimo Border Collie mix while also going into detail about the most popular border collie mixes.
What is the American Eskimo Border Collie Mix?
The Border Collie American Eskimo mix is a combination of the Border Collie and American Eskimo, resulting in a friendly, outgoing dog that has all the character traits of its parent breeds. When fully grown, females could grow a little bit smaller compared to males, and this mixed breed will come with a gorgeous, medium-length double coat in a wide range of patterns and shades. Much like its parents, the Ski-Border dog is very smart and always wants to please its owner, also known for its fun-loving antics and high energy levels.
History of American Eskimo Border Collie Mix
The parent breeds of this great hybrid have histories that are quite varied but both hail from parts of Europe. For instance, American Eskimo dogs have been kept by German Americans for many years but their origin remains unknown.
But thanks to its robust pure white coat, it’s speculated to have descended from Keeshonden, German Spitz, or Pomeranians that may have been brought to the United States by German immigrants. During the 1800s, the American Eskimo was a trademark in circuses because of its versatility — by 1995, it was classified as a non-sporting breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
On the other hand, Border Collies are of Scottish origin and were employed to guard flocks. This dog was featured during an 1860 dog exhibition in England, and Queen Victoria immediately fell in love with the breed.
In 1876, the London sheepdog herding trials began and the Border Collie surprised everyone with its outstanding obedience skills. It was in 1955 that the AKC recognized the breed by including it within their Miscellaneous class, and by 1995, it was fully recognized as a purebred dog.
American Eskimo Border Collie Mix Appearance
These are sociable and active designer dogs that come from a purebred Border Collie and American Eskimo. Below is a quick glance into each of their parent breeds.
| Border Collie | American Eskimo Dog | |
| Group | Companion | Herding |
| Height | 38cm to 48cm | 45cm to 56cm |
| Weight | 30lbs or more | 30lbs to 45lbs |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
The Ski-Border is a beautiful hybrid between its parents sharing the same silky, medium-length double coat from its parents, which come in a variety of colors. Much like the American Eskimo parent, these dogs have a tail that curls on their back and exhibit dark-padded feet like cats. These dogs are muscular and slender athletes that come with fluffy fur that sports grey, cream, and black colors; however, brown undercoats will also be a common shade.
These dogs come in two different color variations known as cream and white or black and white, which may come with different shades of brown or gray in the undercoat. Moreover, their coat could also develop a charming neck ruffle that’s found in their Border Collie parents which will have a silky texture. An adult Ski-Border is a medium-sized dog breed that will weigh around 20 to 24 pounds and stand around 20 inches at the shoulders but will vary depending on the dog’s gender.
American Eskimo Border Collie Mix Temperament
These dogs love being around humans but their free-spirited and energetic nature might be too much for city life. It’s best to provide them with a big yard where they can run and play freely; they excel in obedience, herding, and agility courses. While these dogs are quite sporty, they also enjoy indoor slumbers and will occasionally bark when they meet strangers.
These dogs will take after their parents, so it’s important to understand how their parents behave. When it comes to Border Collies, they’re often referred to as the most intelligent dog breed and are known for their vigor, endurance, friendliness, and loyalty. In the case of the American Eskimo, they aren’t as smart as their spouses but are willing to learn tricks and will be able to follow orders after some repetition.
As for energy levels, the Ski-Border will be through the roof, so they’ll be a good fit for individuals who love adventure or for active families. Thanks to their herding instincts, Border Collies are great guard dogs and will happily protect the youngest members of the family. While they will be friendly with pets and children they grew up with, they could be cautious around new people and may even show aggression.
Meanwhile, American Eskimo Dogs are rather shy and reserved when it comes to strangers. They will have alert ears and eyes and will be serious when on watch duty but are rarely aggressive. If you want to eliminate the possibility of aggression in these dogs, simply give them early socialization and regular training.
American Eskimo Border Collie Mix Training and Exercise
Fortunately for first-time dog owners, the Border Collie is a smart dog and can learn quickly, but will need routine and extensive training to help it reach its potential. This breed will need a lot of exercise to keep its mind occupied and body fit, so be sure to give one-hour walks every day at a minimum. Because this dog excels in dog sports and herding, you may want to play Frisbee or fetch with your pooch to help it burn off energy and keep its focus.
On the other hand, the American Eskimo will need walks, hikes, and even dog sports to keep your pup healthy and happy. To keep this dog from misbehaving, it will need proper training and early socialization, especially when adopting older dogs. You can’t expect your new dog to be perfect and it will take some time to train your Eskie; if you find that training is becoming frustrating, try to simplify it or just try again next time.
When these unique characteristics are combined, they produce the temperament of the Ski-Border, which will also need regular physical and mental stimulation to keep it healthy. It should get around 60 to 90 minutes of exercise per day, socialize early, and be taught obedience commands. To get a well-behaved dog, it will need positive reinforcement and consistent training.
If your Ski-Border doesn’t grow up with children, it may take them some time to get used to them. There are times when they will have the tendency to jump and this could scare small children, so it’s important to teach them how to stay seated when kids are around. Because of its herding background, your dog should be able to get along well with other pets.
Once they get to know the other pets around your home, this breed won’t be aggressive but it’s still important to keep an eye between them and your pooch in case their herding habits kick in. Moreover, they shouldn’t be kept with small animals such as reptiles, birds, or rodents — these dogs will be able to coexist with other dogs and cats when socialized early.
American Eskimo Border Collie Mix Grooming
Your dog will experience heavy shedding, especially as the season changes and their double coats will need frequent brushing. Despite shedding a lot less compared to the Border Collie, the American Eskimo will still need daily grooming. However, their offspring will shed variably depending on the more dominant genes, but you can expect them to shed moderately or heavily.
It’s still necessary to brush their coat a few times a week to eliminate loose hair and to prevent matting. You’ll also need to bathe your pooch once every 2 to 3 months to manage their shedding. Your dog will also need to have its ears cleaned and nails clipped, and you should also brush your Ski-Border’s teeth at least once a week to eliminate gum disease and to avoid the build-up of plaque.
American Eskimo Border Collie Mix Diet
It’s only natural that you provide your Ski-Border with access to clean water at all times and expect that as it ages, its nutritional requirements will also change. Because both parents are high-energy dogs, they will need a diet that will support their bodies through various activities. Be sure to feed your pup with 1 to 2 cups of high-quality dog food that’s split into smaller meals throughout the day rather than giving them one huge meal.
This is the best way to keep them full around the clock and will help to avoid bloating and other gastrointestinal issues — it will also prevent them from gaining too much weight. However, be sure to consider how much you feed them depending on their weight, age, and activity levels. If you still need help with how to feed your pooch, make sure to consult your veterinarian to get advice on the best way to give your puppy or adult dog the nutrition it needs.
American Eskimo Border Collie Mix Health
Unfortunately, there are no dogs that are immune to typical issues that canines face. Because of its high energy level, the Ski-Border is prone to bone and muscular issues, and by the time they reach old age, it’s common for them to develop idiopathic epilepsy and hip dysplasia. With their long life span of up to 15 years, these dogs will generally enjoy a healthy life but you should look out for common health problems such as:
- Epilepsy
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive retinal atrophy
These are issues that the Ski-Border may inherit from both its parents and early diagnosis will be essential to prolonging their life which includes eye and hip exams. While there are also a few genetic concerns that have been identified in the American Eskimo, many of these conditions are rare. Even so, it’s important to stick to your dog’s schedule for medical checkups.
It’s also vital that you screen for conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy, as well as evaluations by an ophthalmologist and a hip specialist. Regular visits to your vet will help to detect the signs of any potential problems early which help your dog live a happy and long life.
Where Can You Get an American Eskimo Border Collie Mix?
If you’re sold on the idea of getting a Ski-Border for your home, you may take your pick between purchasing or adopting one.
Breeders
Because Border Collies are among the most popular dog breeds, there is no shortage of dog breeders and various mixes of this dog. Be sure to find reputable breeders who are willing to answer all of your questions, and provide certifications to prove that their puppies are healthy. If you have any doubts or the breeder is unwilling to answer any questions, be sure to leave and look for a responsible breeder.
Costs
In general, you should expect to pay between $200 to $800 for any Border Collie mix puppy, but certain mixes will cost more depending on the parent dog breed. If you’re looking for a puppy that meets certain requirements and has a certain pedigree, then your Ski-Collie could cost as much as $800 to $4,000. Just keep in mind that the exact cost for these dogs will depend on factors such as health examinations, color, show potential, local cost of life, and even gender.
Adoption
Adopting a dog is a great way to add to your family pets, and you should definitely consider getting this hybrid from a shelter or a rescue organization. Just keep in mind that you can’t expect to get one for free. While shelters are charitable and will help owners find the perfect dog, they still need to feed every pooch in their care which costs money.
As such, they may ask for a donation to help them sustain their efforts and to continue providing services for dogs in need. To increase the chances of finding the perfect Ski-Collie for you, be sure to look for rescues and shelters that deal specifically with Border Collies because they will also take in mixed breeds.
It’s also best to keep in mind that adopting your pooch will still cost you money since you need to provide it with food, shelter, grooming, and accessories like a bed and collar. You’ll save more by adopting one but if you’re looking for a dog with specific traits, your best bet is to see a breeder. Finally, to keep your dog well-adjusted and happy, give it plenty of love, socialization, and training as much as you can.
Should You Get an American Eskimo Border Collie Mix?
If you’re excited to get one of these energetic dogs as part of your family, think about whether you can keep up with its exercise needs. If you lead an already active lifestyle, then it’s likely that this is the best dog for you. But before anything else, do extensive research to make sure that it will fit into your lifestyle and home.
But no matter what your decision is, you can be sure that this canine is family-oriented and highly intelligent that’s perfect for dog lovers.
Other Border Collie Mixes for You to Consider
If the Ski-Collie isn’t the dog for you, the following sections provide a list of Border Collie mixes that you can check out.
1. Border Beagle
This is a mix between the Border Collie and Beagle which produces a medium dog that’s energetic, friendly, and playful. It can get along with anyone and will love spending time with kids. It will be just as happy in an apartment as it would be in a bigger house — just make sure to interact and play with it every day to keep it happy.
2. Border Heeler
Created from the combination of the best herding dogs, a Border Collie and a Blue Heeler is this mix that’s also considered to be great herders. Because the Border Heeler is such an active dog, it should be given a minimum of 90 minutes of exercise to keep it happy. When given enough intensive exercise, they will make for a wonderful family pet and will be cozy in homes that offer an outdoor space.
3. Bordernese
The Bordernese is what happens when you cross a Bernese Mountain Dog with a Border Collie, resulting in a dog that’s medium to large in size. Its beautifully lush and impressive coat will need to be brushed regularly, so be sure to have a brush ready at all times. Affectionate and friendly, these dogs will be friends with everyone and are a great choice for young families.
4. Border Aussie
When you cross the Australian Shepherd with the Border Collie, you get the Border Aussie, an excellent herding dog. They will be happiest when given a job to do, and will eagerly keep your cattle in line. Because they’re so active and energetic, they won’t be able to sit still so be sure to give it exercise or work to do every day.
5. Border Jack
The combination of the Jack Russell Terrier and Border Collie results in this loyal, active, intelligent, and playful dog that should be exercised and mentally stimulated daily. These dogs can be stubborn sometimes, so training them can be a challenge for new owners. However, once you assert yourself as a leader, they can be a great choice for families.
6. Golden Collie
By combining the Border Collie with a Golden Retriever, you get the Golden Collie, a large dog that’s alert, lovable, intelligent, and playful. The Golden Collie is a talented pup that will excel as a watchdog and has talents in military work, agility, and other services. They will also do well in homes with families, other pets, and small children.
7. Shollie
Here is a cross between the popular breed of German Shepherd and the Border Collie, but despite its famous parents, this isn’t a breed that we will see often. This Border Collie crossbreed is intelligent thanks to their parents and will also demand plenty of physical and mental exercises. However, they’re not the easiest to train, so they won’t be a good match for novice owners.
8. Borador
Born from the union between the Labrador and Border Collie, these border collie mix puppies are extremely smart since they come from two of the smartest breeds in the dog world. Thanks to their Labrador lineage, they will get along well with kids, other dogs, and even strangers. These dogs are also eager to please their owners and are very responsive with obedience training.
9. Bodacion
When you cross the Dalmatian and the Border Collie, you get the Bodacion, a medium to large hybrid dog that takes two purebred dogs to make a cross from highly different breeds. Luckily, their breeds mix very well and result in intelligent, energetic, social, and hardworking dogs. Their personalities allow them to get along with kids and other dogs, and can also serve as an excellent watchdog.
10. Border Collie Cocker
This is a hybrid breed between the pure Border Collie and the pure Cocker Spaniel, which results in an intelligent, lively, and playful dog. The Border Collie Cocker will do well with other pets and family but will also need daily exercise and will benefit from an active family.
Other Collie mixes that you can look into include the following.
- Doberman Collie: A mix between the Border Collie and the Doberman
- Border Schnollie: A mix between the Border Collie and the Schnauzer
- English Borsetter Collie: A mix between the Border Collie and the English Setter
Conclusion
All in all, the Ski-Collie can be a great companion for active individuals and those who can include them in family activities. Be sure to give them plenty of activities such as dog sports, agility, and herding. To keep your dog in good health, be sure to give them proper care through a balanced diet, mental and physical stimulation, and lots of hugs and cuddles for this good boy.
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