Breed Standard
(The Kennel Club, March 1994)
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance including the correct colour of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch information related to this breed for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable, it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring.
General appearance - Well-proportioned, smooth outline showing quality, gracefulness and perfect balance, combined with sufficient substance to give impression of endurance. Any tendency to coarseness or weediness undesirable.
Characteristics - Tenacious, hard-working sheep dog, of great tractability.
Temperament - Keen, alert, responsive and intelligent. Neither nervous nor aggressive.
Head and skull - Skull fairly broad, occiput not pronounced. Cheeks not full or rounded. Muzzle, tapering to nose, moderately short and strong. Skull and foreface approximately equal in length. Stop very distinct. Nose black, except in brown or chocolate colour when it may be brown. In blues nose should be slate colour. Nostrils well developed.
Eyes - Set wide apart, oval-shaped, of moderate size, brown in colour except in merles where one or both or part of one or both may be blue. Expression mild, keen, alert and intelligent.
Ears - Medium size and texture, set well apart. Carried erect or semi-erect and sensitive in use.
Mouth - Teeth and jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck - Of good length, strong and muscular, slightly arched and broadening to shoulders.
Forequarters - Front legs parallel when viewed from front, pasterns slightly sloping when viewed from side. Bone strong but not heavy. Shoulders well laid back, elbows close to body.
Body - Athletic in appearance, ribs well sprung, chest deep and rather broad, loins deep and muscular, but not tucked up. Body slightly longer than height at shoulder.
Hindquarters - Broad, muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to set on of tail. Thighs long, deep and muscular with well turned stifles and strong well let down hocks. From hock to ground, hindlegs well boned and parallel when viewed from rear.
Feet - Oval, pads deep, strong and sound, toes arched and close together. Nails short and strong.
Tail - Moderately long, the bone reaching at least to hock, set on low, well furnished and with an upward swirl towards the end, completing graceful contour and balance of dog. Tail may be raised in excitement, never carried over back.
Gait/movement - Free, smooth and tireless, with minimum lift of feet, conveying impression of ability to move with great stealth and speed.
Coat - Two varieties: 1) Moderately long; 2) Smooth. In both, topcoat dense and medium textured, undercoat soft and dense giving good weather resistance. In moderately long-coated variety, abundant coat forms mane, breeching and brush. On face, ears, forelegs (except for feather), hindlegs from hock to ground, hair should be short and smooth.
Colour - Variety of colours permissible. White should never predominate.
Size - Ideal height: dogs: 53 cms (21 ins); bitches slightly less.
Faults - Any departure from the foregoing points 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.
Note - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Published with kind permission from The Kennel Club
© The Kennel Club
From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch information related to this breed for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable, it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring.
General appearance - Well-proportioned, smooth outline showing quality, gracefulness and perfect balance, combined with sufficient substance to give impression of endurance. Any tendency to coarseness or weediness undesirable.
Characteristics - Tenacious, hard-working sheep dog, of great tractability.
Temperament - Keen, alert, responsive and intelligent. Neither nervous nor aggressive.
Head and skull - Skull fairly broad, occiput not pronounced. Cheeks not full or rounded. Muzzle, tapering to nose, moderately short and strong. Skull and foreface approximately equal in length. Stop very distinct. Nose black, except in brown or chocolate colour when it may be brown. In blues nose should be slate colour. Nostrils well developed.
Eyes - Set wide apart, oval-shaped, of moderate size, brown in colour except in merles where one or both or part of one or both may be blue. Expression mild, keen, alert and intelligent.
Ears - Medium size and texture, set well apart. Carried erect or semi-erect and sensitive in use.
Mouth - Teeth and jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck - Of good length, strong and muscular, slightly arched and broadening to shoulders.
Forequarters - Front legs parallel when viewed from front, pasterns slightly sloping when viewed from side. Bone strong but not heavy. Shoulders well laid back, elbows close to body.
Body - Athletic in appearance, ribs well sprung, chest deep and rather broad, loins deep and muscular, but not tucked up. Body slightly longer than height at shoulder.
Hindquarters - Broad, muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to set on of tail. Thighs long, deep and muscular with well turned stifles and strong well let down hocks. From hock to ground, hindlegs well boned and parallel when viewed from rear.
Feet - Oval, pads deep, strong and sound, toes arched and close together. Nails short and strong.
Tail - Moderately long, the bone reaching at least to hock, set on low, well furnished and with an upward swirl towards the end, completing graceful contour and balance of dog. Tail may be raised in excitement, never carried over back.
Gait/movement - Free, smooth and tireless, with minimum lift of feet, conveying impression of ability to move with great stealth and speed.
Coat - Two varieties: 1) Moderately long; 2) Smooth. In both, topcoat dense and medium textured, undercoat soft and dense giving good weather resistance. In moderately long-coated variety, abundant coat forms mane, breeching and brush. On face, ears, forelegs (except for feather), hindlegs from hock to ground, hair should be short and smooth.
Colour - Variety of colours permissible. White should never predominate.
Size - Ideal height: dogs: 53 cms (21 ins); bitches slightly less.
Faults - Any departure from the foregoing points 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.
Note - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Published with kind permission from The Kennel Club
© The Kennel Club
Breed Health
DNA testable diseases:TNS (Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome)Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS) is an immune system disease where the neutrophils (white blood cells) produced by the bone marrow become “trapped” and cannot be effectively released into the bloodstream. The dog is unable therefore to fight infection, and will become very ill & eventually die from infections.
There Is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the genetic status of the dog.
CL (Ceroid Lipofuscinosis or Storage Disease)Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (CL), also known as storage disease is a rare disease which affects the nerve cells of the body. Most symptoms do not appear until the age of 18 months, but then increase rapidly with dogs rarely living past the age of 2 ½ years. Symptoms, which include unreasonable apprehension, abnormal gait & demented behaviour – which increase rapidly after onset.
There Is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the genetic status of the dog.
CEA (Collie Eye Anomoly)Collie Eye Anomoly (CEA) is an inherited eye disease - whereby there is a lesion on the back surface of the eye, near to the optic nerve. Chorioretinal Hypoplasia (CH) is the pale patch which can be seen by an opthamologist via a physical examination in a young dog (preferably before 7 weeks of age), however this can be very difficult to determine accurately as changes in the eye development can make the patch difficult to see – hence cases of dogs being known to “go normal” (appear to be affected at 6/7 weeks and clear a while later). In the most severe cases dogs have been known to lose their sight.
There Is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the genetic status of the dog.
Goniodysgenesis (pre-disposition to glaucoma)Goniodysgenesis is an abnormality within the eye & is associated with primary closed angle glaucoma. The fluid in the eye does not drain properly, resulting in excessive pressure build up, which if untreated will eventually cause permanent damage to the optic nerve & ultimately blindness.
Until 2018, the only method of testing for goniodydgenesis has been a clinical gonioscopy examination performed by a BVA eye panellist to assess the drainage angles of the eye.
In May 2018, The Roslin Institute published its research on the discovery of a genetic variant on the OLFML3 gene & Animal Genetics launched a DNA test for the pre-disposition to goniodysgenesis & glaucoma. The test verifies the presence of the recessive mutation & results are presented as one of the following:-
G/G 'Affected' - the dog carries two copies of the mutant gene & is very susceptible to developing glaucoma. It will always pass a copy of the mutation to its offspring.
N/G 'Carrier' - the dog has one copy of the OLFML3 mutation & there is a 50% probability that it can pass a copy of the defective gene to its offspring.
N/N 'Clear' - the dog has no OLFML3 mutation & cannot pass the defective gene to its offspring.
MDR1 (Multi Drug Resistance gene)The MDR1 gene is responsible for ensuring that the body’s natural P-glycoprotein functions normally by protecting the body from toxins. In MDR1 affected dogs the function is compromised and therefore toxins (from environmental or administered toxins -drugs etc) may leak into the major organs.
There Is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the status of the dog.
Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome (Cobalamin Malabsorption or Vitamin B12 Deficiency)Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome (IGS) is a genetic disorder by which the vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, fails to be absorbed from the intestine. Lack of cobalamin leads to changes in the hematopoietic system and to neurological symptoms due to irreversible damage of the brain and nervous system. Symptoms include anorexia, lethargy and failure to gain weight.
IGS is caused by a recessive genetic mutation and the available DNA test determines the genetic status of the dog as one of the following:-
'Clear' (N/N): The dog is a non-carrier of the mutant gene and therefore cannot pass the mutant gene to its progeny. The dog will never develop Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome.
'Carrier' (N/IGS): The dog carries one copy of the mutant gene and one copy of the normal gene. The dog will never develop Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome but since it carries the mutant gene, it can pass it on to its progeny with the probability of 50%.
'Affected' (IGS/IGS): The dog carries two copies of the mutant gene and therefore it will pass the mutant gene to its entire progeny. The dog will develop Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome.
SN (Sensory Neuropathy)A severe neurological disease, SN is caused by the progressive degeneration of sensory and motor nerve cells. The onset of the disease occurs between 2 to 7 months of age and as quality of life is severely affected, dogs with SN are usually euthanised before two years of age. Symptoms include knuckling of the feet, self-mutilation wounds and incoordination of gait, with a progressive loss of sensation occuring in all limbs. Prognosis is poor as there is no effective treatment.
There is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the status of the dog.
DH (Dental Hypomineralisation, known as Raine's Syndrome)Dogs that are affected by dental hypomineralisation, have teeth that are not as strong as they should be. This means that they can be worn down more easily and can cause the affected dog pain.
Raine’s syndrome is known to affect Border Collies, with signs usually appearing at an early age. Affected dogs may develop brown discoloured teeth, smooth enamel, signs of wear, cracked teeth and inflammation and the only way to treat this condition is by extracting worn teeth.
It is an autosomal-recessive condition, which means that a dog must inherit two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father) before its health is likely to be affected. A dog that inherits only one copy of the abnormal gene (from its mother or its father) will likely have no signs of the disease, but will be a carrier and may pass the gene on to any offspring.
There is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the status of the dog.
NON DNA testable disease - physical testing onlyRetinal Pigment Epithelial Dystrophy (RPED)RPED is a serious condition which can lead to blindness in Affected dogs. The disease is caused by the inability of some cells in the eye to produce enzymes which break down waste materials (most commonly, lipopigments) - these then accumulate on the retina of the eye. The cells in the eye which are sensitive to light then degenerate, causing partial or total blindness. It can be detected in dogs as young as 12 months old, although most Affected dogs have been at least 18 months of age when they have been diagnosed.
The mode of inheritance for this disease is not known, and it is thought that nutrition (particularly availability of Vitamin E) also plays a significant role; because of BVA/KC/ISDS eye testing schemes (and possibly better nutrition), the incidence is very low.
Dogs can be tested for RPED whenever they have a routine eye exam; there is no genetic test available for RPED. Several DNA tests exist for the various PRA condition BUT none of these apply to Border Collies. The old PRA tests have now been divided in categories and the test now used is the one for RPED.
KC/BVA Hip Dysplasia schemeHip Dysplasia is known to affect the Border Collie. It is the abnormal formation of the hip socket, which in the most severe cases may cause lameness and arthritis of the joints. It is a genetic (polygenic) trait that is also affected by environmental factors.
Hip x-raying by a veterinary surgeon & subsequent submission to the BVA for scoring is a procedure to establish the condition of the dogs hips.
KC/BVA Elbow Dysplasia schemeElbow dysplasia is a condition involving developmental abnormalities of the elbow joint, specifically the growth of the cartilage or the structures surrounding it. These abnormalities give rise to osteoarthritic processes.
Elbow x-raying by a veterinary surgeon & subsequent submission to the BVA for scoring is a procedure to establish the condition of the dogs elbows.
BAER Hearing testingIt has been ascertained that a small percentage of Border Collies suffer from either partial or total hearing loss (deafness). There is current testing available, as well as more research being undertaken into the condition.
BAER Hearing testing can be performed on on puppies & adult dogs to establish the status of their hearing.
Other conditionsEpilepsy is known to affect Border Collies. Unfortunately there is currently no available test to ascertain the status of a dog for this disease.
DNA testable diseases:TNS (Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome)Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS) is an immune system disease where the neutrophils (white blood cells) produced by the bone marrow become “trapped” and cannot be effectively released into the bloodstream. The dog is unable therefore to fight infection, and will become very ill & eventually die from infections.
There Is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the genetic status of the dog.
CL (Ceroid Lipofuscinosis or Storage Disease)Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (CL), also known as storage disease is a rare disease which affects the nerve cells of the body. Most symptoms do not appear until the age of 18 months, but then increase rapidly with dogs rarely living past the age of 2 ½ years. Symptoms, which include unreasonable apprehension, abnormal gait & demented behaviour – which increase rapidly after onset.
There Is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the genetic status of the dog.
CEA (Collie Eye Anomoly)Collie Eye Anomoly (CEA) is an inherited eye disease - whereby there is a lesion on the back surface of the eye, near to the optic nerve. Chorioretinal Hypoplasia (CH) is the pale patch which can be seen by an opthamologist via a physical examination in a young dog (preferably before 7 weeks of age), however this can be very difficult to determine accurately as changes in the eye development can make the patch difficult to see – hence cases of dogs being known to “go normal” (appear to be affected at 6/7 weeks and clear a while later). In the most severe cases dogs have been known to lose their sight.
There Is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the genetic status of the dog.
Goniodysgenesis (pre-disposition to glaucoma)Goniodysgenesis is an abnormality within the eye & is associated with primary closed angle glaucoma. The fluid in the eye does not drain properly, resulting in excessive pressure build up, which if untreated will eventually cause permanent damage to the optic nerve & ultimately blindness.
Until 2018, the only method of testing for goniodydgenesis has been a clinical gonioscopy examination performed by a BVA eye panellist to assess the drainage angles of the eye.
In May 2018, The Roslin Institute published its research on the discovery of a genetic variant on the OLFML3 gene & Animal Genetics launched a DNA test for the pre-disposition to goniodysgenesis & glaucoma. The test verifies the presence of the recessive mutation & results are presented as one of the following:-
G/G 'Affected' - the dog carries two copies of the mutant gene & is very susceptible to developing glaucoma. It will always pass a copy of the mutation to its offspring.
N/G 'Carrier' - the dog has one copy of the OLFML3 mutation & there is a 50% probability that it can pass a copy of the defective gene to its offspring.
N/N 'Clear' - the dog has no OLFML3 mutation & cannot pass the defective gene to its offspring.
MDR1 (Multi Drug Resistance gene)The MDR1 gene is responsible for ensuring that the body’s natural P-glycoprotein functions normally by protecting the body from toxins. In MDR1 affected dogs the function is compromised and therefore toxins (from environmental or administered toxins -drugs etc) may leak into the major organs.
There Is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the status of the dog.
Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome (Cobalamin Malabsorption or Vitamin B12 Deficiency)Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome (IGS) is a genetic disorder by which the vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, fails to be absorbed from the intestine. Lack of cobalamin leads to changes in the hematopoietic system and to neurological symptoms due to irreversible damage of the brain and nervous system. Symptoms include anorexia, lethargy and failure to gain weight.
IGS is caused by a recessive genetic mutation and the available DNA test determines the genetic status of the dog as one of the following:-
'Clear' (N/N): The dog is a non-carrier of the mutant gene and therefore cannot pass the mutant gene to its progeny. The dog will never develop Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome.
'Carrier' (N/IGS): The dog carries one copy of the mutant gene and one copy of the normal gene. The dog will never develop Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome but since it carries the mutant gene, it can pass it on to its progeny with the probability of 50%.
'Affected' (IGS/IGS): The dog carries two copies of the mutant gene and therefore it will pass the mutant gene to its entire progeny. The dog will develop Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome.
SN (Sensory Neuropathy)A severe neurological disease, SN is caused by the progressive degeneration of sensory and motor nerve cells. The onset of the disease occurs between 2 to 7 months of age and as quality of life is severely affected, dogs with SN are usually euthanised before two years of age. Symptoms include knuckling of the feet, self-mutilation wounds and incoordination of gait, with a progressive loss of sensation occuring in all limbs. Prognosis is poor as there is no effective treatment.
There is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the status of the dog.
DH (Dental Hypomineralisation, known as Raine's Syndrome)Dogs that are affected by dental hypomineralisation, have teeth that are not as strong as they should be. This means that they can be worn down more easily and can cause the affected dog pain.
Raine’s syndrome is known to affect Border Collies, with signs usually appearing at an early age. Affected dogs may develop brown discoloured teeth, smooth enamel, signs of wear, cracked teeth and inflammation and the only way to treat this condition is by extracting worn teeth.
It is an autosomal-recessive condition, which means that a dog must inherit two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father) before its health is likely to be affected. A dog that inherits only one copy of the abnormal gene (from its mother or its father) will likely have no signs of the disease, but will be a carrier and may pass the gene on to any offspring.
There is a DNA test available for this disease to distinguish the status of the dog.
NON DNA testable disease - physical testing onlyRetinal Pigment Epithelial Dystrophy (RPED)RPED is a serious condition which can lead to blindness in Affected dogs. The disease is caused by the inability of some cells in the eye to produce enzymes which break down waste materials (most commonly, lipopigments) - these then accumulate on the retina of the eye. The cells in the eye which are sensitive to light then degenerate, causing partial or total blindness. It can be detected in dogs as young as 12 months old, although most Affected dogs have been at least 18 months of age when they have been diagnosed.
The mode of inheritance for this disease is not known, and it is thought that nutrition (particularly availability of Vitamin E) also plays a significant role; because of BVA/KC/ISDS eye testing schemes (and possibly better nutrition), the incidence is very low.
Dogs can be tested for RPED whenever they have a routine eye exam; there is no genetic test available for RPED. Several DNA tests exist for the various PRA condition BUT none of these apply to Border Collies. The old PRA tests have now been divided in categories and the test now used is the one for RPED.
KC/BVA Hip Dysplasia schemeHip Dysplasia is known to affect the Border Collie. It is the abnormal formation of the hip socket, which in the most severe cases may cause lameness and arthritis of the joints. It is a genetic (polygenic) trait that is also affected by environmental factors.
Hip x-raying by a veterinary surgeon & subsequent submission to the BVA for scoring is a procedure to establish the condition of the dogs hips.
KC/BVA Elbow Dysplasia schemeElbow dysplasia is a condition involving developmental abnormalities of the elbow joint, specifically the growth of the cartilage or the structures surrounding it. These abnormalities give rise to osteoarthritic processes.
Elbow x-raying by a veterinary surgeon & subsequent submission to the BVA for scoring is a procedure to establish the condition of the dogs elbows.
BAER Hearing testingIt has been ascertained that a small percentage of Border Collies suffer from either partial or total hearing loss (deafness). There is current testing available, as well as more research being undertaken into the condition.
BAER Hearing testing can be performed on on puppies & adult dogs to establish the status of their hearing.
Other conditionsEpilepsy is known to affect Border Collies. Unfortunately there is currently no available test to ascertain the status of a dog for this disease.
So you want a Border Collie?
The Border Collie Breed Council have produced a really useful guide to owning a Border Collie. The booklet can be found HERE