Border Collie

Herding Dog Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

The Border Collie's rootstock is of western European origin, with northern England and Scotland being the specific areas of development. People wanting specific herding characteristics isolated individual dogs exhibiting those traits and bred them, thereby developing a "pure breed.” The Border Collie breed was established just over 100 years ago.

They are specifically known for their "eye,” or almost hypnotic stare, when herding stock. Other specific traits include intelligence, speed, strength and an innate herding instinct. The Border Collie sets the standard in herding, particularly on sheep. This breed was historically bred for working ability rather than type.

The Border Collie was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1961.

General Appearance

The Border Collie has good body balance, which enables him to change directions and speed quickly, from a high speed to a creep, a stalk to a steady lift.

The smooth outline should show quality, gracefulness and perfect balance. There should be sufficient substance to convey endurance. Balance, outline, intelligence, temperament, and movement are of overriding importance. The Border Collie is thoroughly sound, willing and able to do its work. Working dogs are not to be penalized under any conditions for scars or blemishes that are due to occupational injuries.

Faults: Any tendency to coarseness or weediness in the general appearance of the dog.
Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.

Characteristics

The Border Collie is a fast, alert and intelligent dog that is anxious and able to work livestock under the direction of its master. They should be neither nervous nor aggressive, but keen and responsive.

Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness.

Head

Essentially an old-fashioned Collie type.

SKULL

Fairly broad, no prominence of occiput. Stop well-defined. No fullness in cheeks.

MUZZLE

Tapering to the nose, moderately short and strong. Approximately the same length as the skull.

TEETH

The Border Collie has a full complement of strong teeth that meet in a scissors bite.

EYES

Set wide apart, moderate in size, and oval in shape. Brown in color, except in merles where one, or both, or a part of one, may be blue. Expression should be mild, keen and intelligent.

EARS

Ears are medium size, broad at the base and taper towards the tip. May be carried drop, semi-erect or prick, and need not be matching. Are sensitive in their use.

NOSE

Black, except in brown dogs where it may be brown; and in blue dogs, where it should be slate. Well developed nostrils.

Neck

Strong and muscular; of good length. Slightly arched at the crest and broadening as it merges with the shoulders.

Forequarters

Shoulders are well laid back, and the elbows are held close to the body.

FORELEGS

Straight and parallel when viewed from the front, from the side the pasterns are slightly sloping. Bone is strong, but not coarse.

Body

Slightly longer than tall. Athletic in appearance, with well-sprung ribs and a deep, rather broad chest. The loin is deep and muscular, not tucked up. The croup slopes gently to the set on of the tail.

Hindquarters

Strong and muscular.

HIND LEGS

Thighs are long and deep, stifles and hocks are well turned. Rear pasterns are well boned and parallel when viewed from the rear.

Feet

Oval in shape, with deep pads and tight, well arched toes. Nails are short and strong.

Tail

Moderately long, reaching at least to the hock joint. Set on low, well furnished with hair, and with an upward sweep at the end which completes the graceful appearance of the dog. The tail may be raised in excitement, but never carried over the back.

Coat

Varied lengths: long, medium or smooth. May be straight or wavy. The long-coated dog will have well-feathered forelegs, breeches and tail, and an abundant mane.

The top coat is dense and of medium texture. The undercoat is soft, short and dense to provide adequate weather resistance.

Color

Black and red. Less predominant colors include gray, blue merle, red merle, lemon and sable. May have white trim only, and/or may be accompanied by tan points.

All colors or combination of colors and/or markings permissible. Solid color, bi-color, tri-color, merle and sable dogs are to be judged equally with no one color or pattern preferred over another. White markings may be clear white or ticked to any degree. Random white patches on the body and head are permissible but should not predominate. Color and markings always secondary to physical evaluation and gait.

Disqualification: Albinism.

Size

Ideal height at the withers for males is 21 inches, slightly less for females.

Gait

Free, smooth and tireless, keeping the feet close to the ground. Gait conveys the impression of being able to move with great stealth and speed.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a bench show/conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.