Border Collie Breed Standards Comparison Chart

Border Collie Breed Standards comparison chart from around the world. This chart has the ANKC Border Collie breed standard, New Zealand Kennel Club NZKCKC Border Collie breed standard, United Kingdom Border Collie breed standard, AKC Border Collie breed standard, CKC Border Collie breed standard. This chart was created to allow you to to compare the standards, which are as current as of January 2008.

  Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKCKC
The Kennel Club The Kennel Club UK KC
KC
Amercian Kennel Club
AKC
Canadian Kennel Club CKCadian Kennel Club
CKC
Group: Group 5 (Working Dogs)   Pastoral Herding Group   
Preamble         The Border Collie originated in the border country between Scotland and England where the shepherds' breeding selection was based on biddable stock sense and the ability to work long days on rugged terrain. As a result of this selective breeding, the Border Collie developed the unique working style of gathering and fetching the stock with wide sweeping outruns. The stock is then controlled with an intense gaze known as "eye", coupled with a stalking style of movement. This selective breeding over hundreds of years developed the Border Collie's intensity, energy and trainability which are features so important that they are equal to physical size and appearance. The Border Collie has extraordinary instinct and an uncanny ability to reason. One of its greatest assets is the ability to work out of sight of its master without commands. Breeding based on this working ability has made this breed the world's premier sheep herding dog, a job the Border Collie is still used for worldwide.   
  Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
General Appearance: The general appearance shall be that of a well proportioned dog, the smooth outline showing quality, gracefulness and perfect balance, combined with sufficient substance to ensure that it is capable of enduring long periods of active duty in its intended task as a working sheep dog. Any tendency to coarseness or weediness is undesirable. The general appearance should be that of a well proportioned dog, the smooth outline showing quality, gracefulness and perfect balance, combined with sufficient substance to ensure that it is capable of enduring long periods of activity in its intended task as a working sheepdog. Any tendency to coarseness or weediness is undesirable. 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. The Border Collie is a well balanced, medium-sized dog of athletic appearance, displaying style and agility in equal measure with soundness and strength. Its hard, muscular body conveys the impression of effortless movement and endless endurance. The Border Collie is extremely intelligent, with its keen, alert expression being a very important characteristic of the breed. Any aspect of structure or temperament that would impede the dog's ability to function as a herding dog should be severely faulted. The Border Collie is, and should remain, a natural and unspoiled true working sheep dog whose conformation is described herein. Honorable scars and broken teeth incurred in the line of duty are acceptable. 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. Characteristic: Tenacious, hardworking sheepdog, or great tractability.
  Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Characteristics: The Border Collie is highly intelligent, with an instinctive tendency to work and is readily responsive to training. Its keen, alert and eager expression add to its intelligent appearance, whilst its loyal and faithful nature demonstrates that it is at all times kindly disposed towards stock. Any aspect of structure or temperament foreign to a working dog is uncharacteristic. The Border Collie is highly intelligent, with an instinctive tendency to work and is readily responsive to training. It's keen, alert and eager expression add to its intelligent appearance, whilst its loyalty and faithful nature demonstrates that it is at all times kindly disposed towards stock. Any aspect of structure or temperament foreign to a working dog is uncharacteristic. Tenacious, hard-working sheep dog, of great tractability.      
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Temperament: (See under Characteristics)   Keen, alert, responsive and intelligent. Neither nervous nor aggressive. The Border Collie is energetic, intelligent, keen, alert, and responsive. An intense worker of great tractability, it is affectionate towards friends but may be sensibly reserved towards strangers. When approached, the Border Collie should stand its ground. It should be alert and interested, never showing fear, dullness or resentment. Any tendencies toward viciousness, nervousness or shyness are very serious faults. Keen, alert, responsive and intelligent. Neither nervous nor aggressive
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Head And Skull: The skull is broad and flat between the ears, slightly narrowing to the eye, with a pronounced stop, cheeks deep but not prominent. The muzzle tapering to the nose, is strong and the same length as the skull. The lips are tight and clean and the nose is large with open nostrils. The nose colour in all dogs will be a solid colour with no pink or light pigment, and shall complement the background colour of the dog. The skull is broad and flat between the ears, slightly narrowing to the eye with a pronounced stop cheeks deep but not prominent. The muzzle, tapering to the nose, is strong and the same length as the skull. The lips are tight and clean and the nose is large with open nostrils. The nose colour in all dogs will be a solid colour with no pink or light pigment, and shall compliment the backgrounds colour of the dog . 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. Expression is intelligent, alert, eager, and full of interest. Eyes are set well apart, of moderate size, oval in shape. The color encompasses the full range of brown eyes, dogs having body colors other than black may have noticeably lighter eye color. Blue eyes (with one, both or part of one or both eyes being blue) in dogs other than merle, are acceptable but not preferred. Eye rims should be fully pigmented, lack thereof considered a fault according to degree. Ears are of medium size, set well apart, one or both carried erect and/or semi-erect (varying from 1/4 to 3/4 of the ear erect). When semi-erect, the tips may fall forward or outward to the side. Ears are sensitive and mobile. Skull is relatively flat and moderate in width. The skull and muzzle are approximately equal in length. In profile the top of the skull is parallel with the top of the muzzle. Stop moderate, but distinct. The muzzle is strong, tapering slightly to the nose. The underjaw is strong and well developed. A domed, blocky or very narrow skull is faulty according to degree, as is cheekiness and a snipey muzzle. Nose color matches the primary body color. Nostrils are well developed. Lack of nose pigmentation is a fault according to degree. Bite: Teeth and jaws are strong, meeting in a scissors bite. Complete dentition is required. Missing molars or pre-molars are serious faults as is an undershot or overshot bite.

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, or 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 sized and texture, well set apart. Carried erect or semi-erect and sensitive in use. Mouth: Teeth and jaws strong with a perfect, regular complete scissor bite, (i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws).

   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Eyes: The eyes are set wide apart, oval shaped of moderate size harmonising with the colour of the coat but darker colour preferred, except in the case of chocolate where a lighter colour is permissible and in the case of merles where blue is permissible. The expression is mild but keen, alert and intelligent. The eyes are set wide apart, oval shaped of moderate size harmonising with the colour of the coat but darker colour preferred, except in the case of chocolate where a lighter colour is permissable and in the case of merles where blue is permissable. The expression is mild but keen, alert and intelligent. 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.      
  Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Ears: The ears should be of medium size and texture, set well apart, carried semi-erect. They are sensitive in their use, and inside well furnished with hair. The ears should be of medium size and texture, set well apart, carried semi-erect and sensitive in their use and inside well furnished with hair. Medium size and texture, set well apart. Carried erect or semi-erect and sensitive in use.      
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Mouth: The teeth should be sound, strong and evenly spaced, the lower incisors just behind but touching the upper, that is a scissor bite. The teeth should be sound, strong and evenly spaced, the lower incisors just behind but touching the upper, that is a scissor bite.. 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.      
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Neck: The neck is of good length, strong and muscular, slightly arched and broadening to the shoulders, without throatiness or coarseness. The neck is of good length, strong and muscular, slightly arched and broadening to the shoulders, without throatiness or coarseness. Of good length, strong and muscular, slightly arched and broadening to shoulders. Neck is of proportional length to the body, strong and muscular, slightly arched and blending smoothly into the shoulders. Topline: Back is level from behind the withers to the slightly arched, muscular loins, falling to a gently sloping croup. Body is athletic in appearance with a deep, moderately broad chest reaching no further than the point of the elbow. The rib cage is moderately long with well sprung ribs. Loins moderately deep and short, muscular, slightly arched and with a slight but distinct tuck up. The tail is set on low and is moderately long with the bone reaching at least to the hock. The ideal tail carriage is low when the dog is concentrating on a given task and may have a slight upward swirl at the end like a shepherd's crook. In excitement, it may be raised proudly and waved like a banner, showing a confident personality. A tail curled over the back is a fault. Of good length, strong and muscular, slightly arched and broadening to shoulders.
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Forequarters: The shoulders are long, and well angulated to the upper arm, neither in nor out at elbow. The forelegs are well boned, straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Pasterns show flexibility with a slight slope when viewed from the side. The shoulders are long and well angulated to the upper arm, neither in nor out at the elbow. The forelegs are well boned, straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Pasterns show flexibility with a slight slope when viewed from the side. 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. Forelegs should be parallel when viewed from front, pasterns slightly sloping when viewed from side. Because sufficient length of leg is crucial for the type of work the breed is required to do, the distance from the wither to the elbow is slightly less than from the elbow to the ground and legs that are too short in proportion to the rest of the body are a serious fault. The shoulder blades are long, well laid back and well-angulated to the upper arm. Shoulder blades and upper arms are equal in length. There is sufficient width between the tops of the shoulder blades to allow for the characteristic crouch when approaching and moving stock. The elbows are neither in nor out. Feet are compact, oval in shape; pads deep and strong, toes moderately arched and close together with strong nails of moderate length. Dewclaws may be removed. 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.
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Body: The body is moderately long with well sprung ribs tapering to a fairly deep and moderately broad chest. The loins are broad, deep, muscular and only slightly arched, flanks deep and not cut up. The body is moderately long with well-sprung ribs tapering to a fairly deep and moderately broad chest.. The loins are broad, deep and muscular with well turned stifles and strong hocks, well let down, and when viewed from the rear are straight and parallel. 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. Neck is of proportional length to the body, strong and muscular, slightly arched and blending smoothly into the shoulders. Topline: Back is level from behind the withers to the slightly arched, muscular loins, falling to a gently sloping croup. Body is athletic in appearance with a deep, moderately broad chest reaching no further than the point of the elbow. The rib cage is moderately long with well sprung ribs. Loins moderately deep and short, muscular, slightly arched and with a slight but distinct tuck up. The tail is set on low and is moderately long with the bone reaching at least to the hock. The ideal tail carriage is low when the dog is concentrating on a given task and may have a slight upward swirl at the end like a shepherd's crook. In excitement, it may be raised proudly and waved like a banner, showing a confident personality. A tail curled over the back is a fault. 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.
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Hindquarters: The hindquarters are broad and muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to the set on of tail. The thighs are long, broad, deep and muscular with well turned stifles and strong hocks, well let down, and when viewed from the rear are straight and parallel. The hindquarters are broad and muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to the set on of the tail. The thighs are long, broad, deep, muscular with well turned stifles and strong hocks, well let down, and when viewed from the rear are straight and parallel. 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. Broad and muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to the low set tail. The thighs are long, broad, deep and muscular. Stifles are well turned with strong hocks that may be either parallel or very slightly turned in. Dewclaws should be removed. Feet, although slightly smaller, are the same as front. Broad, muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to set on of tail. Thighs long, deep and muscular with well turned stifles and string, well let down hocks. From hock to ground, hindlegs well boned and parallel when viewed from rear. Feet: oval in shape, pads deep, strong and sound, toes arched and close together. Nails short and strong.
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Feet: Oval in shape, pads deep, strong and sound, toes moderately arched and close together. Nails short and strong. Oval in shape, pads deep, strong and sound, toes moderately arched and close together. Nails short and strong. Oval, pads deep, strong and sound, toes arched and close together. Nails short and strong.     
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Tail: The tail is moderately long, set on low, well furnished and with an upward swirl towards the end, completing the graceful contour and balance of the dog. The tail may be raised in excitement, but not carried over the back. The tail is moderately long, set on low, well furnished with an upward swirl towards the end, completing the graceful contour and balance of the dog. The tail may be raised in excitement but not carried over the back. 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.    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.
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Gait/Movement: The movement is free, smooth and tireless, with a minimum lift of the feet, conveying the impression of the ability to move with great stealth. The action, viewed from the front, should be straight forward and true, without weakness at shoulders, elbows or pasterns. Viewed from behind the quarters thrust with strength and flexibility, with hocks not close nor too far apart. When trotting, the dog's feet tend to come closer together as speed increases, but when the dog comes to rest he should stand four square. Any tendency to stiltiness or to cowhocks or bowhocks is a serious fault. The movement is free, smooth and tireless, with a minimum lift of the feet, conveying the impression of the ability to move with great stealth. The action, viewed from the front, should be straight forward and true, without weakness at shoulders, elbows or pasterns. Viewed from behind the quarters thrust with strength and flexibility, with hocks not close nor too far apart. When trotting, the dog's feet tend to come closer together as speed increases, but when the dog comes to rest he should stand four square. Any tendency to stiltiness or to cowhocks or bowhocks is a serious fault. Free, smooth and tireless, with minimum lift of feet, conveying impression of ability to move with great stealth and speed. The Border Collie is an agile dog, able to suddenly change speed and direction while maintaining balance and grace. Endurance is its trademark. The Border Collie's most used working gaits are the gallop and a moving crouch (stealth) which convert to a balanced and free trot, with minimum lift of the feet. The head is carried level with or slightly below the withers. When shown, Border Collies should move on a loose lead and at moderate speed, never raced around the ring with the head held high. When viewed from the side the trot is not long striding, yet covers the ground with minimum effort, exhibiting facility of movement rather than a hard driving action. Exaggerated reach and drive at the trot are not useful to the Border Collie. The topline is firm. Viewed from the front, action is forward and true without wasted motion. Viewed from the rear, hindquarters drive with thrust and flexibility with hocks turning neither in nor out, moving close together but never touching. The legs, both front and rear, tend to converge toward the center line as speed increases. Any deficiency that detracts from efficient movement is a fault. Free, smooth and tireless, with minimum lift of feet, conveying impression of ability to move with great stealth and speed.
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Coat: Double coated, with a moderately long, dense, medium textured topcoat while the undercoat is short, soft and dense, making a weather resisting protection, with abundant coat to form mane, breeching and brush. On face, ear tips, forelegs (except for feather), hind legs from hock to ground, the hair is short and smooth. Double coated, with a moderately long, dense, medium textured topcoat while the undercoat is short, soft and dense, making a weather resisting protection with an abundant coat to form a mane, breeching and brush. On face, ear tips, forelegs (except for feather), hindlegs from hock to ground, the hair is short and smooth. A smooth coat is acceptable. 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. Two varieties are permissible, both having close-fitting, dense, weather resistant double coats with the top coat either straight or wavy and coarser in texture than the undercoat which is soft, short and dense. The rough variety is medium in length without being excessive. Forelegs, haunches, chest and underside are feathered and the coat on face, ears, feet, fronts of legs is short and smooth. The smooth variety is short over entire body, is usually coarser in texture than the rough variety and may have slight feathering on forelegs, haunches, chest and ruff. Neither coat type is preferred over the other. Seasonal shedding is normal and should not be penalized. The Border Collie's purpose as an actively working herding dog shall be clearly evident in its presentation. Excess hair on the feet, hock and pastern areas may be neatened for the show ring. Whiskers are untrimmed. Dogs that are overly groomed (trimmed and/or sculpted) should be penalized according to the extent. 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.
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Colour: Black and white, blue and white, chocolate and white, red and white, blue merle and the tri-colour black, tan and white. In each case the basic body colour must predominate and be the background colour of the dog. A variety of colours is permissible, but white should never predominate. Variety of colours permissible. White should never predominate. The Border Collie appears in all colors or combination of colors and/or markings. 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 are always secondary to physical evaluation and gait. Variety of colours permissible. White should never predominate.
   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
Sizes: Height:
Dogs 48-53 cm (approx. 19-21 ins) at withers
Bitches 46-51 cm (approx. 18-20 ins) at withers
Height: Dogs 48-53 cm (approx 19-21 in) at withers
Bitches 46-51 cm (approx. 18-20 in) at withers
Ideal height: dogs: 53 cms (21 ins); bitches slightly less. The height at the withers varies from 19" to 22" for males, 18" to 21" for females. The body, from prosternum to point of buttocks, is slightly longer than the height at the withers with the length to height ratio being approximately 10:9. Bone must be strong, medium being correct but lighter bone is preferred over heavy. Overall balance between height, length, weight and bone is crucial and is more important than any absolute measurement. Dogs must be presented in hard working condition. Excess body weight is not to be mistaken for muscle or substance. Any single feature of size appearing out of proportion should be considered a fault.

Ideal Height

Dogs – 21 inches (53 cm)

Bitches – slightly less

   Australian National Kennel Council
ANKC
New Zealand Kennel Club NZKC The Kennel Club UK KC Amercian Kennel Club AKC Canadian Kennel Club CKC
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.
Notes: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Any deviation from the foregoing should be considered a fault, the seriousness of the fault depending upon the extent of the deviation.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.