Bordoodles are a hybrid dog that is the result of breeding between a Border Collie and a Poodle.
As with all designer dogs, there is a perception that Bordoodles encompass the best qualities of both breeds.
However, there’s no way to predict which qualities a Bordoodle will inherit from each parent.
For those who are allergic to dogs, finding a breed that is hypoallergenic is an important characteristic.
They can be a lifeline for those who require a service or therapy animal but are allergic to dogs.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. There's no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog in spite of claims that breeders might make. It’s always best to speak with your vet or your doctor before deciding to get a dog if you suspect you may have allergies to pets.
In this article, we’re going to take a deep dive into Bordoodles and whether they’re hypoallergenic.
With the introductions over, let’s take a closer look at Bordoodles.
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What is a Bordoodle?
A Bordoodle is a cross between a Border Collie and a Poodle. The mix is often called a designer breed.
These designer breeds have become more popular in the past couple of decades as the demand for low shedding dogs continues to rise.
Bordoodles can also be called Border Collie Poodle mix, Borderpoo, or Borpoo.
What does hypoallergenic mean?
The term hypoallergenic was first coined by the cosmetic industry in the 1950s. It was used to denote a product that was less likely to cause an allergic reaction. By it’s very definition, hypoallergenic doesn’t guarantee an allergic reaction won’t occur. It just means it not as likely as other cosmetic products.
What are hypoallergenic dogs?
So when we used the word alongside dogs, it denotes a breed that is less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
The American Kennel Club make it clear on their website that there’s no such thing as a 100 per cent hypoallergenic dog breed. The AKC say:
While there are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs, there are many breeds that do well with allergy sufferers. Dander, which is attached to pet hair, is what causes most pet allergies in humans and these dogs have a non-shedding coat that produces less dander.
However, there are some types of dogs that are more hypoallergenic than others.
The Poodle, for instance, is considered a hypoallergenic breed because their coat has special qualities and doesn’t shed a lot.
The AKC list 19 breeds that are generally described as hypoallergenic. We’ll touch on those a bit later.
But let’s first get an understanding of what causes an allergic reaction to dogs.
What causes an allergy to dogs?
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, as much as 10% of the US population is allergic to dogs.
Given the US is a nation of dog lovers, there’s presumably a lot of people doing research on hypoallergenic dogs!
When you consider dog allergies, you probably think of dog hair as the biggest culprit. Some dogs shed a lot, others are seasonal shedders with double coats, while some unique breeds don’t shed a lot or are hairless.
Dog hair is a consideration when you think about allergies to canines. However, dander is one of the biggest causes of an allergy flair up.
Dander are microscopic pieces of dead dog skin that can float in the air undetected and enter our bodies through the mucous membranes (nose and lungs).
The allergen is so small in size that the human eye is unable to pick it up. Some dogs secrete a lot of dander, while others have fur that traps the allergen.
The American Lung Association outline on their website why dander can cause allergic reactions in humans:
“Pet allergens are very light weight and small. They remain suspended in the air for a long time, much longer than allergens from cockroaches or dust mites. Because of their microscopic size and jagged shape, pet allergens easily stick to furniture, bedding, fabrics and many items carried into and out of the home.”
Other allergens can include pollen, which a dog can pick up during hikes or walks. Dog salvia and urine is another potential allergen, which can also end up up dog hair.
Are Bordoodles hypoallergenic?
Mountain Rose Bordoodles (Photo: Mountrain Rose Bordoodles)
Although there is no such thing as a dog that is completely hypoallergenic, Bordoodles are considered a hypoallergenic dog breed.
With a Poodle as a parent, Bordoodles have a good chance of having a low-shedding coat. The curls in the coat can trap dander to prevent a potential allergic reaction.
However, there is no guarantee that a Bordoodle won’t mimic the Border Collie more than the Poodle. Border Collies are not a hypoallergenic dog breed and they usually blow out their under coat twice a year at the changing of the seasons.
There are many varieties of Doodles but it all started with a Goldendoodle. The cross breed was created to work as a service or therapy animal for those in need with an allergy to dogs.
The idea behind the Goldendoodle was to combine the intelligence and patient nature of a Golden Retriever with the IQ and coat of a Poodle to make a versatile service animal.
Therefore, Bordoodle breeders will strive to create a cross breed that has hypoallergenic qualities. But as we mentioned above, it’s impossible to predict just how hypoallergenic a Bordoodle will be.
Do Bordoodles shed a lot?
Bordoodles shouldn’t require a lot of maintenance as they’re usually low shedding dogs.
A weekly brush should suffice to get rid of allergens, dirt or debris caught in their curls.
Hypoallergenic dog breeds
The American Kennel Club and the Kennel Club list a number of dogs that they consider to by hypoallergenic.
The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom list 31 different types of dogs:
• Lagotto Romagnolo
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Spanish Water Dog
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Giant Schnauzer
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Russian Black Terrier
• Hungarian Puli
• Komondor
• Bichon Frise
• Bolognese
• Chinese Crested
• Coton de Tulear
• Havanese
• Maltese
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Lhasa Apso
• Intermediate Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Mexican Hairless
• Standard Mexican Hairless
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Standard Poodle
• Toy Poodle
• Miniature Poodle
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Terrier
• Bedlington Terrier
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier
• Glen of Imaal Terrier
• Sealyham Terrier
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
The American Kennel Club has a shorter list comprised of 19 breeds:
Affenpinchser
Afghan Hound
American Hairless Terrier
Barbet
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frise
Bolognese
Chinese Crested
Coton de Tulear
Giant Schnauzer
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Lagotto Romagnolo
Maltese
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Poodle
Portuguese Water Dog
Russkaya Tsvetnaya Bolonka
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Schnauzer
Xoloitzcuintli
Anything else to consider?
If you’re thinking about getting a canine as a pet but you’ve got an allergy to dogs, you should speak to your local doctor or health expert to get advice.
When contacting breeders, you can enquire whether their past litters have yielded puppies with hypoallergenic qualities. Generally, it won’t be clear what traits a puppy will have until they start to approach adulthood.
In conclusion
Mountain Rose Bordoodles (Photo: Mountrain Rose Bordoodles)
So there you have it, Bordoodles are considered to by a hypoallergenic cross breed. They usually have low shedding coats.
However, there’s no guarantee that a Bordoodle won’t inherit some of the traits of their Border Collie parent, which could include the shedding patterns.
Just remember, there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog breed.
