Registration Organizations and Dog Group (in 1997): There are a number of
independent Border Collie Registries. Most of them strongly emphasize
working ability over conformational considerations.
- ABCA American Border Collie Association
- c/o Patty Rogers 82 Rogers Rd. Perkinston, MS 39573 (601) 928-7551
founded 1986.
- Registers border collies in US, Canada and elsewhere.
- AIBC American International Border Collie
- c/o Senette Parker P.O. Box 274 Chappell Hill, TX 77426
(409) 836-4864 (home) (713) 529-6070 (staff/answering machine).
- AKC: Herding Group
- ISDS - International Sheep Dog Society
- Chesham House 47 Bromham Road Bedford MK4 02AA England
- NASDS - North American Sheep Dog Society
- c/o Rossine Kirsch Route 3 McLeansboro, IL 62859 (618) 757-2239
- AKC National Breed Club: The Border Collie Society of America
Official Web Site
- Secretary,
April Quist, 4556 Maureen Circle, Livermore, CA 94550-8003
-
- Rescue:
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Breed Description:
Region of Origin: Scotland and the Scots-English Border.
National Club established in the US: 1957 (), 1995 (BCSA)
Numbers Registered with AKC in 1996 - 1678 1996 breed popularity rank - 70th
Original purpose and special abilities:
The Border Collie was developed as a intensely competitive field trial
herding dog out of the general population of Scots herding dogs. This
development occured at the time of the Victorian creation of separate dog
breeds from the traditional landrace breeds of the United Kingdom (a landrace
is a breed selected for a purpose across a wide area in the absence of a
specific registry)
Breed History:
In Scotland, when English economic forces converted Scots farming to a sheep
economy, following the infamous highland clearances, the sheepdog
was absolutely necessary for the control of the widely scattered flocks.
To quote from James Hogg (1772-1835), a shepherd and poet and essayist
from the Ettrick Valley on the Scottish Borders:
- "without [the sheperd's dog]
the mountainous land of England and Scotland would not be worth sixpence. It
would require more hands to manage a flock of sheep and drive them to market
than the profits of the whole were capable of maintaining."
These herding dogs of the 1700's and early 1800's were more varied in
conformation than any one breed is today. At the time the concept of a formal
breed was not established and most of them represented local populations
selectively bred for working ability (this type of breed is called a landrace).
In addition to herding the dogs were often employed as stalking and flushing
dogs for hunting of small game.
From the 1870's on the Victorian passion for
classification and order spread to the catagorization of dog breeds leading to
the creation of registries, breed standards and a drive to generate uniformity
of appearance and 'improve' landrace breeds. A working sheepdog registry was
established in the 1906 by the English based International Sheep Dog Society
(ISDS) to promote dogs with working abilities. The Border Collie came into
existance at that time, primarily in relation to the popularity of working
sheep dog trials. Modern Border Collies are traced, according to Sheila Grew,
in her book Key Dogs from the Border Collie Family (1985) the 1890's breeding
program of Adam Telfer, a Northumbrian farmer. His breeding program
successfully selected for handler control and moderation in aggression (biting
of stock) while seeking to maintain instinct, concentration and power (eye)
over sheep and cattle. The ISDS currently the only registry for working
sheepdogs in the United Kingdom. The working trials sponsored by the ISDS draw
an international audience.
Size:
- Weight 30 to 45 pounds - working dogs to be lean and
muscular, never fat.
- Height AKC 19 to 22 (inches) (dogs): 18 to 21 (bitches)
Eye color: Brown except in blue merles; in that color they may have
blue patches and one or both may be blue in color.
Lips: Tight, this is not a drool prone breed.
Ear type: Ears are medium sized and set well apart. When alert
they are carried erect and/or
semi-erect. If carried semi-erect the tips break forwards or outwards to the
side between 1/4 to 3/4 of the distance from the base to the ear tip. The tips
may fall forward or outward to the side.
Disqualifications:
Breed disqualifications can lead to a dog be offered
as a pet animal. One should never pay more for a dog with breed
disqualifications because it is rare or unusual !
- There are no breed specific disqualifications in the AKC Border Collie
standard. However the breed standard states that an all white dog is not a
permissible color. This should mean that white is a disqualification, however
it is not so stated.
- A general disqualification in most registries is the absence of two
apparently normal, fully descended testicles in the scrotum in males.
Cosmetic Surgeries (to establish 'breed look') None are called
for but if an individual is born with a fifth toe on the hind legs, this is
removed.
Color:
The Border Collie appears in many colors, with various combinations of patterns
and markings. The most common color is black with or without the traditional
white blaze, collar, stockings and tail tip, with or without tan points.
However, a variety of primary body colors is permissible. The sole exception
being all white. Solid color, bi-color, tri-color, merle and sable dogs are
judged equally with dogs having traditional markings. Color and markings are
always secondary to physical evaluation and gait.
As to the fundamental colors, black (dominant black) A , black and tan
a-t , sable a-y and , merle M are present.
White markings are generally the traditional " collie markins "
(technically termed irish marked ) due to the s-i gene, or
piebald due to the s-p gene. Extreme white spotting s-1 is
discouraged because of the difficulties of distinquishing such pups at birth
from the defective white double merle puppies that arise out of merle to merle
breedings. This is further discussed below.
The AKC standard specifically states "Color and markings are
always secondary to physical evaluation and gait."
Merle (blue merle) is due to the presence of the dominant gene for merling
(M) which has the effect of creating patches of black, grey and white
wherever the dog would be black. Thus on a black and tan dog grey, black and
white patches are present in the black regions of the head and body but the tan
legs, muzzle, cheeks and eye spots appear to be a normal tan. In a red sable
dog the presence of the merle gene is difficult to detect in the coat. However
merle also may affect the eyes. They can have blue patches or even be entirely
blue so a sable merle is often recognized by the color of the eyes. A dog with
two doses of merle (a homozygous or double merle dog) has reduced vitality (the
double merle condition is termed semi-lethal). Most merles have a single dose
of the gene (that is they are heterozygous) so that breeding of merle to any
color other than merle gives only 50% merle pups. Double merles
(homozygousMM) have much more extensive white and may have severe eye
deformities, and may be blind. The semi-lethal nature of double merle is the
source of predjudice against white collies.
However there is also a gene for extreme white spotting S-e in dogs
that is not associated with merle. This is the commonest source of extensively
white marked dogs in general and does not seem to be associated with any
serious defects. This gene is also present in the Australian Shepherd breed but
the ASCA discourages breeding dogs with the color because it makes it more
difficult to identify the defective double merle puppies
at birth..
The ASCA recommends against breeding merles to merles and encourages the
culling of double merle puppies at birth because of the strong probability that
the pup will be blind, deaf or both.
- Their guidelines are these:
- white around an eye or an ear, sunburst pupils, missing or tiny eyes,
a white body splash, white on a leg coming up onto the body, faded
appearance, more than 1/3 total body white.
Coat Type:
The emphasis on the coat is an easy care coat for a working dog. The rough
coated variety has medium to long (3 inches to 5 inches) weather resistant
outer coat with a soft dense under coat. This may be flat to wavy and is short
on the face, and front of the legs with feathering developed on the chest,
back of the legs and tail. The smooth coated variety has a short (1 to 2 inch)
weather resistant coat over the entire body with slight feathering variably
present on back of limbs and tail. The short coated variety is still equipped
with an undercoat.
The coat of a working herding dog should not be wooly, wirey or
excessively curly or with excessive length to feathering as all of these
variations increase the amount of burrs and debris that can be caught in the
coat. Even with the proper coat the dogs still require some
brushing.
Temperament:
Typically Border Collies are a high energy, highly trainable, work orientated
dog, friendly an pleasant with their family and a trifle standoffish with
strangers. Willing to bark an alert but never extremely shy nor vicious.
Border Collies are not only highly trainable, they require work and training.
Recently the breed has gained public attention because of the high ratings they
have received in a number of " the smartest dog " type books. What
the general public fails to realize is that most pet owners do not want a high
energy work motivated dog. What they want is a pleasant medium energy companion
type dog not a herding work-a-holic.
Special Requirements: : Other than the need for regular
work, and intense interaction with their owners, regular brushing in the rough
coated varieties these are hardy dogs with few special requirements.
Typical Competitive Activities for this Breed:
Border Collies are highly regarded in obedience and their trainability
makes them prime candidates for the interactive obedience based sports.
Physically sound dogs are superb choices for flyball, frisbee and agility
competitions. They are also good watch dogs and have a talent for tracking.
They are one of the breeds of choice for herding and livestock working
competitions.
Genetic problems commonly encountered in this breed:
Collie Eye Anomaly is an inherited condition seen in a number of Collie
breeds besides the Scots Collie, including the Australian Shepherd. According
to Dr. Gregory Acland at Cornell this condition varies from mild to severe. In
mild cases an examination of the inner portion of the eye with an opthalmoscope
reveals a pale patch near the optic disk in which the pigmented and vascular
layers supporting the retina are missing (the retina is the layer of light
receptors that lines the inside of the back of the eye), however the eyeball
itself remains intact and the retina is not detached from the inner surface of
the eye. Dogs with mild Collie Eye Anomaly will live normal lives and are not
apparently handicapped by the condition.
When the condition is severe multiple anomalies can be present in the eye, and
degenerative changes can occur which may lead to blindness. For this reason
breeding stock should be examined for eye disease and the advice of a competent
medical geneticist should be followed.
Selective breeding in examined Collie lineages has greatly reduced the severity
of the disease in recent years. The idea that CEA is inevitably linked to the
small size of the desirable eye in the show bred dogs is challenged by two
observations. (1) Collie eye anomaly has not been observed in Borzoi, many of
which have similar eye conformation to show collies (small, deep-set oblique
eyes) and (2) Collie Eye Anomaly is appearing, although at low levels of
incidence, in Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and some other collie breeds
which are not characterized by small, deep set, oblique eyes.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is the term used to describe the progressive
dying of the cells of the retina. There are a number of different genetic
defects, usually breed specific, that cause PRA. The PRA present in
Collies is called rod-cone dysplasia type 2. It can be detected by
electroretinogram by 6 weeks of age and opthalmoscopic examination by 4 months
of age. Even 6 week old puppies may show signs of night blindness and there is
generally severe visual impairment by a year of age. Breeding stock should be
examined for this condition. Unlike Collie Eye Anomaly, PRA is progressive and
if present will always lead to loss of vision.
Micropthalmia is a common consequence of inheriting two doses of the merle
gene. The condition is apparent in a puppy when you see it. Do not buy a puppy
with tiny or missing eyes unless you want a visually impaired dog. Similarly
double merle puppies may be deaf. If you are considering a puppy from two merle
parents and the one in question has an excessive amount of white arrange to
have its hearing tested before concluding the purchase.
Hip Dysplasia (HD) also occurs in this breed. Breeding stock should be examined
for the condition. Whatever the genetic basis of the condition, there is
certainly a correlation between severity of HD and aggressive programs of over
feeding to create rapidly growing puppies. It is best to manage large breed
puppies so that their growth is relatively slow no matter what the examined hip
certification is on the parents.
Non-genetic health problems commonly encountered in this breed:
The increase in availability of eye clinics, especially among working
Australian Shepherd fanciers has lead to the discovery that a lot of working herding dogs suffer
traumatic eye damage. This is caused by being kicked in the head by the herded
stock. After a working session the owner should examine the dog for signs of
trauma and if in doubt consult a veterinarian. Some traumatic damage to the eye
can loosen the retina and lead to permanent visual impairment.
Breed Pluses:
Although highly trainable these are among the livestock herding breeds that
require work to do to stave off behavioral problems that can develop in a
bored dog. Happiest if they are fully included in the family's life and if
there are dog specific projects available for the dog.
Breed Minuses: They are a sensitive dog not suited to heavy handed
training. They have a tendency to be one person or one family dogs. These dogs
do need a fenced yard if they are not a working stock dog. The need active work
to do our they will create their own work, often it will not be appropriate to
the life of a confined house dog.
Who should own this breed?People who want an active highly
trainable dog for an intense dog companionship experience. People who
need a livestock herding dog.
Who should not own this breed?People who do not want to include the dog in the family life. People
looking for a sedentary apartment dog. People who would relegate the dog to a
back yard, away from the family existance.
Esthetic Defiencies: Often these are also the breed
disqualifications and are legitimate reasons for a dog to
be sold at a pet price on a 'neuter contract'. These should not detract from
the health of the dog or its suitability as a pet.
- Tail Tail carried in a tight curl over the back like a spitz.
- Eyes Light or blue eyes in a dog that is not a merle.
- Ears Ears hanging like a hound's.
- Dentition Undershot or overshot, missing teeth.
Color Excessive white in a dog that is not a double merle.
Do not buy a puppy that is 'sold as a pet because it
is/has':
- A double merle.
- It is excessively fearful or excessively aggressive.
- It has a really exaggerated posture - front feet flat on the ground to the
stop pad, hind feet flat on the ground.
- Chronic lameness in a 2 to 5 month old puppy.
- The unhealthy scrawny pup in the litter. This pup may have any one of a
number of life treatening congenital illnesses such as a major heart anomaly,
pancreatitis, severe food sensitivities.
- An extremely large puppy for its age with very large, tender or hot to
the touch "growth knobs" at the wrists and ankles. Very rapidly growing
puppies are much more likely to have joint problems later in life. This is in
part a management problem. These dogs can be fed too rich a diet as pups and
pushed to grow too rapidly. Too rapid growth is generally an error made by
novice owners and breeders.
- A pup from an excessively inbred litter.
Author (i.e., person to flame if you take exception to this breed
description) - Bonnie Dalzell
References:
- Acland, Gregory, PhD, DVM, 1997.
- Cornell University, Baker Institute.
Personal communication on medical
aspects and genetics of Collie eye diseases.
- Bisco, G, 1997
- Old Farm Collie Home
Website. This well done site contains many interesting articles and
pictures showing the change in Collie type through the breed's history.
- woolgather@clarityconnect.com
- History of the Border Collie in the The
Border Collie Museum at The Shepherd's Dogge Website.
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