BORDER COLLIE APPEARANCE: COAT, COLORS & EARS
Border Collie Appearance COAT, COLORS & EARS BY KAREN BELL
Mary Fish Arango photography
TEXTURE Like many Herding dogs, Border Collies have two coats. The outer coat should have a coarse, slightly wiry feel. The outer coat is straight or may be a bit wavy (especially as a dog ages) and is designed to shed water and protect from wind and snow. The undercoat is softer and somewhat wooly, and provides insulation from cold and also from heat. The undercoat is the “temperature regulator.” COLORS: COAT, EYES & NOSE Border Collies come in a wide variety of colors in addition to the well- known black and white. All colors are acceptable, including red/brown, blue, lilac, gold, sable, seal, and brindle. Dogs can have white markings, tan points, merle patterns, or none of the above. White markings often appear in the classic Irish patterns, (white blaze, collar, tail tip, front legs, and back feet), and although predominantly white dogs are not preferable, there is no color that is not allowed in the conformation ring. No color or marking is preferred; all should be judged equally. Unique markings, such as white spots on the back or side or tail, which can be disqualifying in other breeds, are not faults in the Border Collie. Color and markings are always secondary to movement. For many breeders, it is fun to watch the rainbow of colors appear as puppies are born. Border Collies come in such a wide array of colors that occasionally DNA testing is the only way to determine the actual color of a dog. Eye color can vary with the predominant body color of the dog. Dark-col- ored dogs should have correspondingly dark eyes. Eye colors can range from dark black/brown to amber, gold, green, or blue. While blue eyes on a dark dog are not preferred, it is not a fault. Merles can have two of the same color eyes, two different colors, and/or the “merle” eye which is a two-toned eye. Eyes should be oval in shape and, preferably, have dark pigment surrounding the rim. The nose should be fully pigmented with well-developed nostrils.
UNIQUE MARKINGS,
SUCH AS WHITE SPOTS
ON THE BACK OR SIDE
OR TAIL, WHICH CAN BE
DISQUALIFYING IN OTHER
BREEDS, ARE NOT FAULTS
IN THE BORDER COLLIE.
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