Every year it seems, some new crossbreed of dog is in the spotlight. For the most part, developments in dog breeds have been great for people.
Breeders with the right ingenuity have found ways to breed hypoallergenic dogs. They’ve mixed breeds to take advantage of certain dog personalities, sizes, and other features.
The developments and advances in breeding have made more people interested in trying out new dogs that push the envelope of what many people consider “normal” dogs.
Why not find the perfect dog that fits your personality with the right size and temperament that you’re looking for?
Coydogs are a dog breed that is getting a lot of attention. Once thought to be some sort of urban myth, dog mixes with coyote added in are becoming more common.
Coydogs certainly are not for everyone, and they come with distinct differences from purely domesticated dogs, but they can be amazing pets for the right folks.
The coyote border collie mix combines the smarts of the collie with the energy and athleticism of the coyote. The individual characteristics your dog has will depend on how he inherits those traits from his parents.
Here is some helpful information about coyote border collie mixes you should know before you get one.
Table of Contents
Temperament
- A lot of coydog owners describe their dogs as having a bit of a wild streak. This mainly hinges on how much coyote is in your animal. The more coyote in there, the more “wild” they will be. If you’ve got a good percentage of coyote in your coyote border collie mix, then you can expect it to be more difficult when you’re doing any sort of behavioral training.
- They’ll need plenty of space to roam and get their energy out, so these aren’t ideal for apartment living. Some coydog owners describe their dogs as only being comfortable sleeping in holes they dig out in the yard. You can expect similar small quirks with your coydog, and it may take some getting used to.
- Training them is difficult but not because they’re dumb. Quite the opposite. Coyotes are cunning animals, and border collies are extremely intelligent. Put together, you get a very smart animal. That can work against you if you’re trying to get them to do things that they don’t want to do. They will have a stubborn streak you will have to work through.
- If you’ve got small children or are going to be around kids with your dog, then you may want to reconsider getting a coydog. They don’t love all of the cuddles and roughhousing that comes with having kids around.
Also, coydogs don’t mix well with other dogs all of the time, so be careful when introducing them to other dogs, and they may not be the best for homes that already have a dog or two living there.
Size
Coyotes are not big animals. They’re typically medium-sized dogs with a lot of muscle and a build for getting around quickly when they need to.
The size of your coydog will depend a lot on what type of dog you’re mixing it with. If the mix is with a bigger dog breed then your coydog will likely be larger than your average coyote and vice versa.
Coloring
A coyote border collie mix will usually have a light brown coat with white areas typical of both a coyote and the border collie.
Typically, you’ll get the white underneath the neck of the coydog and on the chest. Darker fur will be along the tail and the nose, and there will be a tapering of the brown color as you travel down the legs.
These dogs look stunning, and you’ll turn a lot of heads whenever out on a walk with your dog.
Health Considerations
Generally speaking, coyotes are resilient dogs that require relatively little health maintenance.
These are a strong breed that survives in the wild, so you’re probably not going to be at the vet all of the time. That said, coydog owners report dealing with arthritis as they age (as many dogs do) and elbow dysplasia occurs in some of the dogs.
Feeding Your Coyote Border Collie Mix
For people interested in owning a coydog, it’s important to know that, even though it’s a dog, the coyote traits will often rise to the surface and become a dominant part of their personality.
To keep them healthy, they are going to need food that caters to coyotes more than you might think.
They need a diet that is rich in protein, and a lot of coydog owners feed a lot of raw meat to their dogs.
They will need food multiple times (2-3) per day and can eat bones and other items normal domesticated dogs can’t handle.
How to Know If Your Dog Is Truly a Coyote Mix
Most of the time, the easiest way to tell if your dog is a coyote mix is by examining their coat. Coyotes have light brown fur and a build that is easy to spot. If your dog has a good percentage of coyote in them, then it will be easy to tell.
Personality and temperament are other ways to tell. Coyotes do not do well in packs. They are more solitary than many other dogs and dog-like animals.
If you notice that your dog shies away from other humans and dogs, or acts strangely when other people are around, then you may have a coydog on your hands.
They will almost always have the signature triangular ears and eyes that come together sharply at one end. A thick, bushy tail is also another giveaway.
Conclusion
Coydogs tend to be very loyal to their owners, as long as the owner is a strong leader that instills confidence and security in their animal.
If you’re someone who lives alone and loves a good challenge, then a coydog can be a great pet.
Just know that you’re going to be spending more time training them, and will need to be vigilant with your pet dog.