Collies tend to be affectionate, friendly, energetic, and playful dogs. They tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are easily bored and are happy to have others to play with and activities to do.

Should a Collie Mix take after their Collie parent, you should be able to expect a similar temperament. But, the other parent breed will introduce their own potential traits and quirks, so you do want to ask the breeder about them.

You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. The breeder should have started some socialization and training, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home.

Collies tend to be moderately adaptable dogs. They do better with space where they can run, but they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough attention, mental stimulation, and exercise. They do well in cooler temperatures, but are extra sensitive to heat. They also do not like to spend long periods of time alone.

The other parent breed could introduce traits that affect adaptability, so you want to make sure you ask the breeder about them. If they are also a moderately adaptable dog breed, then you should be able to expect the same from a Cocker Spaniel Mix.

Although mixed-breed dogs can sometimes be healthier than purebred dogs, it’s not a guarantee. A mixed-breed dog could inherit none of the health conditions common to their parent breeds, but they could inherit all of them or some combination of them.

From the Collie side, potential health conditions to be aware of include Canine Cyclic Neutropenia, Collie eye anomaly, and sensitivities to certain drugs. All of these conditions can be identified through genetic testing.

Since reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies, you should be asking about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done.

Collies are highly intelligent. Despite getting bored easily, they do tend to pick up on things quickly and be patient with training. As long as they can handle the Collie’s high energy level, owners of all experience levels are a good fit for this dog breed.

If the other parent breed is also a highly trainable dog breed, then you should be able to expect something similar in a Collie Mix. If the other parent breed tends to be more difficult to train, you should be prepared to enroll in puppy training classes.

A mixed-breed dog can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or one that is a mix of both. Should a Collie Mix inherit the Collie coat, they will shed moderately year-round and shed heavier during seasonal changes. Daily brushing and weekly brushing down to the skin are required while bathing is on an as-needed basis.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to care for your Collie Mix’s nails, ears, and teeth. Cutting nails once or twice a month is usually enough to keep them from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections.

Gum disease in dogs is serious and can lead to other serious health conditions as well. One of the best defenses against gum disease and dental diseases later in life is practicing good dental care early and consistently throughout your dog’s life. Daily brushing or use of an enzyme toothpaste, in addition to regular cleanings at the vet, is ideal dental care for dogs.

The Collie is a high-energy dog breed. Daily walks plus some playtime and time to run are usually enough for this dog, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. If the other parent breed is also high energy, then you can expect a Collie Mix to be high energy as well. Even if the other parent breed has a lower energy level, you will still need to be prepared for the possibility of a high-energy dog.

Fully-grown Collies tend to stand 12-25 inches tall and weigh 25-55 pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. Although it’s not a guarantee, you can meet the mother to get an idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown Collie Mix.

Collies generally live for 10-14 years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar life span in a Collie Mix.