How long does a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix live?

A typical lifespan is 10–12 years, the midpoint of the German Shepherd (7–10 years) and the Border Collie (12–15 years).

Is a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix easy to train?

Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

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German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

A German Shepherd Border Collie mix is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Border Collie. Most grow into large dogs of 40–70 lb and live 10–12 years.

German Shepherd, a purebred dog — German ShepherdPhoto: Erick Drumss Hernández, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Border Collie, a purebred dog — Border ColliePhoto: Horacio Cambeiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Photos show the purebred parents. There is no single look for a mix: puppies in one litter can resemble either side.

Weight40–70 lbcan be 30–90 lb

Height20–24 inat the shoulder

Lifespan10–12 years

SizeLarge

How big does a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix get?

German Shepherd50–90 lb

The mix40–70 lb

Border Collie30–55 lb

Pounds. The dark band is where most German Shepherd Border Collie Mix dogs end up; the light band is the full range between the smallest and largest parent.

Height runs 20–24 inches at the shoulder, against 22–26 in for the German Shepherd and 18–22 in for the Border Collie.

Coat, energy and training

Shedding

High

Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.

Energy

Moderate to very high

Plan on long daily walks plus real exercise, such as running, fetch or a sport. A yard alone will not tire this dog out.

Trainability

Very high

The German Shepherd rates very high and the Border Collie very high; a puppy may lean either way.

Grooming

Moderate

Brush a couple of times a week.

Temperament

The German Shepherd is usually described as confident, courageous, smart. The Border Collie as affectionate, smart, energetic. A mix can take after either parent or land in between. If you can, meet both parents of a puppy before you choose.

German Shepherd vs Border Collie vs the mix

Trait	German Shepherd	German Shepherd Border Collie Mix	Border Collie
Weight	50–90 lb	40–70 lb	30–55 lb
Height	22–26 in	20–24 in	18–22 in
Lifespan	7–10 yr	10–12 yr	12–15 yr
Shedding	high	high	moderate
Energy	moderate	moderate to very high	very high
Group	Herding	mixed	Herding

Questions about the German Shepherd Border Collie Mix

How big does a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix get?: Most grow to 40–70 pounds and 20–24 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 30–90 pounds.
How long does a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 10–12 years, the midpoint of the German Shepherd (7–10 years) and the Border Collie (12–15 years).
Does a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix shed?: Shedding is high. Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.
Is a German Shepherd Border Collie Mix easy to train?: Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

Other German Shepherd mixes

Other Border Collie mixes

Figures are calculated from each parent breed's standard height, weight and life expectancy. How we calculate.