English Coonhound vs Borador - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Hybrid breeds have become popular in the last decade or so. The Borador, hailing from Northern America, is one of these popular crossbreeds between two very popular dog breeds - the Border Collie and the Labrador Retriever. Between the two dog breeds, you get extraordinary intelligence, energy and a wonderful temperament.

You first started hearing about this dog breed in the early 21st century. However each of the two breeds brought together to produce the Borador have got reasonable lengthy histories.

The interesting thing about the English Coonhound is that he originated in the United States, in the southern states. It is also called the American English Coonhound and recognized as such by the AKC. Its ancestry however is British coming from the hunting hounds- the Foxhounds- that were brought to the United States from England in the 17th and 18th centuries and were the base for the Virginia Hounds. These hounds came from dogs that were imported for George Washington, Thomas Walker and Robert Brooke. These Virginia Hounds were then developed into the English Coonhound.

A dog was needed that could handle the rougher terrain of the United States and hunt American Red Fox and racoons. Interestingly it was England, through the UKC, that first recognized the breed in 1905, labeling it the English Fox and Coonhound. The AKC recognized it in 2011.

Development of this group of hounds continued when the Treeing Walker Coonhound was split off as its own breed in 1945, and the Bluetick Coonhound followed in 1946. The English Coonhound can tree a prey or corner it until the hunter arrives. They hunt in packs or they can work one on one with the hunter. Either way they excel at finding and holding their prey “at bay”.

His Looks

The Borador is a medium to large sized working dog which is well well-proportioned and muscular. His size can’t be carved in stone, but generally he will be in size from 40 – 57cm and weight in the region of 18 and 26 kg. His coat can vary significantly, leaning more towards one particular breed than the other. So the coat can be short and smooth or long and wavy or straight.

The Borador essentially has medium-sized ears which are floppy and the tail is medium-length. Sometimes the Borador will have the black and white coat of the Border Collie or he could have a brownish/beige colour from a golden Labrador.

He’s an Amicable Breed

When your energetic Borador is trained and socialized, he becomes a great family member and he gets on well with children and other pets.You’ll find that he often has the sweet, amicable temperament of the Labrador while having the sharp, alert intellect of the Border Collie.

Most Boradors are also good watchdogs and will bark at strangers, but because they are so amicable, from barking, they can quickly become a stranger’s friend.

The English Coonhound is a medium sized dog with a domed head and a deep chest. His build is very athletic. He has dark eye and low-hung ears. The coats of the English Coonhound are extremely variable. For the most part there are three distinct types – the Redtick, the Tricolor and the Bluetick. They can be in any of these categories and have ticking of any color. The most predominate of this group is the Red. So, predominate is the red that the breed is often called the Redtick Coonhound by many.

The Borador is an intelligent dog that can be trained. He is a sociable dog and is friendly to all members of his human family, willing to extend a paw of friendship to strangers as well.

The Borador is also a friend of children and other pets. This combination of breeds is very energetic and you can’t just leave him for days on end in the backyard. He will need exercise and walks as well as ball games. When you become involved in his games, you tighten the bond between you and this is what this social, outgoing dog loves.

The Borador is going to make a wonderful pet because he is a mix of two very popular dog breeds. Give him all he deserves as a member of your family and you’ll have the perfect friend and companion for life.

The English Coonhound is quiet when at home and loud when hunting. They love to cuddle up on a couch and they are great pets. However, they still have a very high prey drive and need a lot of exercise as previously mentioned. They love kids and will be very loyal, hoping to please you all the time. They are curious and if left alone can be destructive. They can also be stubborn and strong willed, and they will howl when caged. If you are going to crate them, train them to it from 3 months on.

You won’t find serious health problems with your Boradors, as he is a robust breed. Nonetheless, there are some ailments that as a dog owner, you need to be aware of for your Borador.

Skin ailments – you don’t want to see your dog scratching or licking continuously so you want to be aware of things like parasites and allergies. Skin diseases can be debilitating for a dog and can even require lifelong treatments. Yes, corticosteroids can help with itchy rashes, but the best move is to try and avoid skin ailments by ensuring a nutritious diet rich in minerals and vitamins and which includes some raw meat.

Always be checking your pet for skin problems such as ringworm, caused by a fungus and found on your dog and which appear as scaly patches and hair loss.

Hip Dysplasia – an inherited problem with the hip joints. No-one can predict when hip dysplasia settles in, but it can be as early as 4 months of age.Your dog shows signs of stiffness and may not be his energetic self. Some dog owners want to see certificates first that the parents of puppies have been hip-cleared before they buy a puppy.

The English Coonhound is an exceptionally hardy breed. The only serious situation they regularly face is Bloat. Bloat appears when the dog eats a large meal too fast after exercising or eats too large a meal before exercising. What happens in bloat is the stomach is distended and the intestine can wrap around vital organs and kill the dog.

Breeders do test for elbow and hip dysplasia but the is not a lot of this in the breed.

Grooming

The Borador may have inherited the moderate shedder characteristics of the Border Collie or the more intense shedding of the Labrador Retriever. He will require a good brush at least twice a week to ensure you remove loose hairs so as to keep his coat shiny and healthy. Check your dogs ears too for yeast infections.

Feeding

Puppies and young Boradors are full of energy and they will require a diet that has an excellent protein content. If you’re unsure about how to feed your Borador, speak to your vet as some dogs need more calories depending on their level of activity.

Certainly if your dog has allergies, you may have to look for a special diet but otherwise a top brand commercial dog food can be a good choice if you include some home prepared food such as rice, vegetables and meat. It is important to give your dog some raw meat every now and then as well. Always have a bowl of cool, fresh water available for your pet 24/7.

Feeding

When feeding your English Coonhound be aware that this athlete loves to eat. You have to keep him from growing obese as his tendency to overeat is high. He uses a lot of energy on the hunt so if he is a hunting dog perhaps he needs more calories. Be careful when and how you feed him so that he won’t get bloat.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American English Coonhound is a very hearty breed and its most serious issue is Bloat. However, they also have long, floppy ears.

Exercise and games

Because they were bred to hunt they need a lot of daily exercise. Jogging, brisk walking, or playing at t dog park are good activities for him. If they don’t get enough energy they become high strung and can engage in destructive behavior. Don’t let them off leash as they might wander off after any scent they capture. They love to chase a ball and you’ll wear out before they do. He might be good at lure chasing.