How do labradors and border collies get along?

Answer 1

It depends on the dogs themselves, not the breeds. Just like humans, all dogs are different and have different personalities.

All dogs, regardless of breed, have the same instincts - to hunt and live in packs (even if their pack are humans) and to protect the pack. Different breeds can, and do, live together in the same pack, often breeding to produce hybrids.

Introducing a new dog into the family is a hit and miss.

Labradors and border collies are both naturally extremely loyal and docile breeds. There should generally be no problem when mixing both of these breeds in a home. But again, it depends on the personalities of dogs themselves.

An overprotective dog for example might be cautious about introducing a new member into the pack (aka family). There might be a lot of nipping and barking and growling to warn the new dog to not betray the pack and to learn their place in the pack. It's not necessarily aggression, but it's how dogs establish social order and hierarchy amongst themselves. There is no democracy in a dog pack, there's one leader and the followers.

Introducing a new male into a family where there is already a male and female dog could sometimes cause aggression due to competition over the female. The resolution here is to get the males both neutered.

Then there are the over-friendly dogs who will be happy to accept absolutely anyone into the pack, whether it be another dog, a cat, a duck, a goat or the neighbour's mouse. Or even a grasshopper they found out in the garden (based on a true story).


You should give them both equal amounts of attention. Never favour one over the other. never send one to bed and let the other stay up longer. Feed them both at the same time.
Remind them that they are equals, no matter what their breed.

It might be a good idea to take your dog to meet the other one before you decide to take on the other. That way they have officially met and got to know each other before they become a permanent addition to their territory.


Border collies are intelligent, highly loyal, affectionate and active.
Labradors too are intelligent, incredibly loyal, affectionate and rarely aggressive unless they have to defend their family.
Both breeds are used as service dogs due to their high intelligence and sometimes work together in their industries.