Borders are recommended for owners who love being active and spending time outdoors. Whether you want to get a puppy or plan on breeding them, it’s best to learn about their hair colors as well.

The Border Collie’s fur color, markings, and pattern

A Borders’ coat is double-layered but comes in two types. The first one is smooth and short, while the rough coat is medium in length and has feathering.

Perfect for their herding job and their love for the outside world, the Border Collie’s hair is weather-resistant, too. The downside is, they’re not hypoallergenic, but they only need to be groomed moderately.

The Border Collie Society of America (BCSA) and American Kennel Club (AKC)’s breed standard for this canine recognizes all the Borders’ colors and the mixture of shades, patterns, and markings.

It’s rare for the Border Collie to have one solid color, but they usually are bicolor, tricolor, sable, with merle, tickled, or in speckled patterns. Some of this breed also comes in seal, slate, and gold.

Here’s a video that serves like a slideshow of different Border Collie colors, patterns, and markings.

The most common Border Collie colors

We mentioned that Border Collies come in different colors, but some of them are uncommon.

So if you’re on the hunt for a good-looking Border (meaning this breed with a color you like), these options are often available.

Black & White Border Collie

Whenever this breed is mentioned, a lot of people would picture them with two colors – black and white.

It’s technically the signature look of the Border Collie. Their body is mostly black with white markings on their face and underside. Some have their whole head covered in black fur while from the collar to the tail, it’s black and white.

Black is a dominant gene that makes it a standard for this dog.

Chocolate & White Border Collie

Another common color combination is brown and white, but others simply call it brown. It looks like the pattern of black and white Borders, but the shade can range from light to dark brown. The white is usually found at the collar and chest area, as well as the bottom.

Those Border Collies who have this bicolor have unique eyes. They’d either be light to medium brown, golden yellow, or green.

To get a brown Border Collie, its parents should both have a chocolate gene.

Blue & White Border Collie

When we say “blue” in dogs, it doesn’t mean the solid color. It’s the term used to call the recessive dilute gene. This happens when the black color gets diluted that it makes a shade of slate, blue-ish, or a grayish undertone.

You may want to avoid going for a blue and white Border as they are susceptible to a condition called color dilution alopecia. All dog breeds that may have a blue coat can get this illness, which will lead to skin problems.

Red Border Collie

Also called as Australian/Aussie red, gold, yellow, liver, or tan, this shade isn’t that popular. Although it’s rare, this Border Collie color is recognized in the US.

The red color is a recessive gene, and Borders, who have this color, have parents who also have the same hue.

Another variation of this color is red merle.

Blue Merle Border Collie

Keep in mind that “merle” isn’t a color but a pattern that’s commonly associated with blue or red coats.

A dominant modifying gene causes the merle effect where a dog will have patches of pigmentation all over their body. For blue merles, their base coat color has a grayish or white base with blue-ish or black spots and patches.

The gene that causes the merle pattern doesn’t just affect the Border’s hair, but also their eyes and nose.

Blue merle Border Collies have bright-colored eyes, like blue. Don’t be surprised if your dog has different-colored eyes, also known as heterochromia, which is common in merles (another term for it is merle eyes). They also tend to have a pink nose.

They may be highly-sought-after and looks stunning, but the merle gene comes with a price – ailments such as blindness, deafness, and overall poor health. This is most common in double merle or lethal white Borders.

Red Merle Border Collie

Similar to blue merles, red merle Borders have the red and white color as a base and the pattern that breaks up the color.

Some Borders would be mostly white with red, brown, or cinnamon patches all over their bodies. They also have a liver-colored nose.

Slate Merle Border Collie

The slate shade is more striking as the white, black, or blue coat color is diluted. Border Collies who have this coat has one parent who’s a merle, and the other has two recessive dilute genes.

Slate merles are becoming popular, but it’s not an official color of the Border Collie as per the AKC.

Black Tri-Color Border Collie

Tri-colors are quite common in this breed. They’re so beautiful on Borders that it’s their 2nd most popular coat variation.

It would usually consist of solid colors like red, blue, black, chocolate, then paired with white and tan markings. Others would even have three colors with a merle pattern.

Markings are commonly found on their eyebrows, cheeks, chest, legs, and bottom area.

For black tri-color Borders, they often have a black and white coat with tan markings. But then again, others can have different markings or patterns.

Blue Tri-Color Border Collie

Blue tri-colored Borders also have a dominant merle gene. The only difference here is that only one of the parents is carrying that gene.

Their base coat color is similar to blue merles, but their markings are either copper or tan. They may have markings all over their body, in some parts, or just in one area.

Chocolate Tri-Color Border Collie

This one has the chocolate recessive genes, but to get a tri-color, both its parents should have the tri-color gene and chocolate gene.

You’d find a chocolate tri-color Border Collie with brown as a base, then copper and tan markings.

Lilac Border Collie

The lilac shade is like the chocolate and white color, but it has both the chocolate and the dilute genes, which is necessary to get this shade.

Lilac is a unique hue that is sometimes referred to as fawn (in Kelpies), Isabella (in Dobermans), or silver. One thing’s for sure, it’s something beautiful. There are Border Collies that have a lilac merle, lilac tricolor, and lilac tricolor merle.

Being rare, this color is harder to breed.

Sable Border Collie

Sable Borders have fur that’s tan- or cream-colored and darker tips. Remember, sable is a type of marking, and it’s sometimes visible on the spots of the dog. Some have black roots, and the tip is light brown.

Even if it’s recognized officially as a color of the Border Collie, they’re fairly rare.

Brindle Border Collie

These Borders can have any base color mentioned, but the brindle pattern is an alternating stripe of red and black or yellow and black.

The pattern doesn’t just show anywhere on the Border Collie’s body as it usually affects the tan areas. With that said, if a Border has an overall tan base (a recessive yellow or Aussie red), then they may have an overall brindle.

Border Collie puppy colors changing

The colors and markings we mentioned aren’t always visible in puppies. Once they reach maturity, then that would be their permanent coat color.

Some shades and patterns can determine a puppy’s health or temperament like merle, but not all of them. But whichever hue you’re interested in when searching for a pup, a legitimate breeder would show you essential documents, such as the medical records of the parents and their litter.

In fact, there are breeders out there who would even take the time to explain how the Border Collie’s genetics affect their color.

The Verdict: All Border Collie colors are beautiful

If you want to breed Border Collies, make sure that you follow standards and consider the dog’s health, not just getting the color you want.

Related to what Mrs. Barabara Carpenter said on The Border Collie Museum, dogs used to protect and herd livestock were not just bred for their abilities, but also for their conformation.

If you’re planning to buy a Border Collie puppy, research everything about the breed, and even the color of that cute pooch you hope to take home. Additionally, if you’re looking for some creative inspiration for coffee-themed dog names, read our article about Best Coffee Names for Dogs.

With tons of variations in the Border Collies color and markings, it’s like being able to use an entire palette of paint! Even if we haven’t discussed all the shades that this breed comes in, we focused on those that are frequently seen.

If you want to see ALL the colors available for Border Collies, check out the website for Furry Paws.

Do you have a Border Collie with the same color we mentioned or is it different? Tell us all about it by commenting on the box below.

The post Facts you need to know about the Border Collie colors and markings appeared first on BorderCollieHealth.

If you’re interested in getting this dog in a rare merle coat, we’re here to help you understand facts on whether a blue merle Border Collie is different from Borders with traditional colors.

The origin of the blue merle Border Collie

It’s important to clarify that merle is a pattern, not a color. It was recognized and termed as merle in the early 2000s, but it has been visible in different dog breeds for years.

Depending on the breed, merle is also called dapple. Other dogs that get this color pattern as well are Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds, Great Danes, Cardigan Welsh Corgis, and Dachshunds.

The merle pattern appears as irregular, dark-colored patches, smudges, or streaks over a diluted or lighter shade of the base coat hue.

Border Collies have an extensive range of color combinations. They appear in blue, blue merle, blue and white, red, red merle, red and white, black and white, saddleback sable, sable merle, and many more! With that said, the merle pattern is the least common, which means they are quite rare.

Blue Merle Border Collie breeding & genetics

Genetics can be tricky and complicated, but to simply put it, a dog’s coat color is a result of two base colors – a dominant and a recessive gene that it will inherit from its parents.

For breeders to get a blue merle Border Collie, one of its parents should be carrying the merle gene. What it does is take a dominant color (like black) and dilutes it to make that grayish or bluish shade with swirly and splotchy streaks or lines.

Having a blue merle Border Collie parent doesn’t guarantee a puppy with the same color pattern. There’s a possibility to get one pup with a merle coat in a whole litter.

Aside from the merle allele/gene and non-merle allele, there’s a third variant called cryptic merle. It’s also referred to as a ghost or phantom merle that appears as black or liver, with only a few areas of merle.

Even if these dogs look pretty, proper and ethical breeding should be followed carefully.

What does a blue merle Border Collie look like?

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the breed standard description for the Border Collie is that they are “a well-balanced dog of athletic appearance, displaying style and agility in equal measure with soundness and strength.”

So aside from having a merle coat color pattern, they look like every other purebred Border Collie. They have short ears that can fold forward or stand erect. They still come in two coat types, smooth and rough, and they’re still not hypoallergenic.

The Border Collie’s size can vary a little, with females being a bit smaller. On average, they stand 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm) tall and a weight that can range between 30 to 45 pounds (14 to 20 kg).

Although they’re not large dogs, they aren’t suited for apartments. It’s best if they get to live on a farm or ranch where they can herd livestock and help with work. If not, a home with a securely fenced, spacious yard would work.

Aside from the shade of the Border Collie’s coat, there’s another physical feature that the merle gene can affect.

Do Merle Border Collies have blue eyes?

Yes, because not only does the merle gene give brighter coats, but also lighter-colored eyes.

A blue merle Border Collie can have faded amber, light green, or pale blue eyes partnered with their intense gaze. Others simply consider it as brown or blue. Some of these merles have mismatching eyes or heterochromia, where one eye is brown, and the other is blue.

Just when you thought there are so many color patterns for Border Collies, it seems to have endless variations! There are saddle-patterned blue merles with unique eyes. They have one blue eye, and the other is a merle eye (part brown, part blue).

Temperament and Characteristics of blue merle Border Collies

As we mentioned earlier, all purebred Border Collies are alike. Though there are specific health problems related to the merle gene, there’s no proof that a dog’s personality correlates with the color of its coat.

Blue merle Border Collies, as well as other Borders with different coat colors and patterns, have the same traits that this breed is known for. They are all highly intelligent, agile, athletic, energetic, eager to please, and a great family companion.

No matter the color of their fur, a Border Collie will still be exceptional when it comes to herding. After all, that’s what they’re bred to do, and it’s in their nature.

Training a blue merle Border Collie

Speaking of herding, always supervise whenever your Border Collie is around little children and other pets. Whether you use him as a working or family dog, they all are prone to their instinct to herd and nip.

Don’t judge the breed so quickly, though. This dog loves their humans and other family members, but they need to be properly socialized and trained to grow as well-behaved dogs.

Introduce your blue merle Border to different people, places, noises, and smells. And since they are little happy helpers, you can train him to do some chores.

Watch Indie help around the house. This proves that whether it’s a blue merle Border Collie or one with a different color, marking, or pattern, they’re a brilliant breed that can learn all kinds of skills and talents you teach them.

How to take care of a blue merle Border Collie?

Groom your blue merle as you would any other Border Collie. Their double-layered coat is beneficial for protecting this breed from hot and cold weather, but they still shed, especially when they’re shedding that winter coat.

A Border’s fur needs to be brushed twice a week and daily during the shedding season. Since blue merles have light-colored parts of their hair, they may be prone to tear or dirt stains. You can bathe your dog once every three months or if necessary.

Clean ears weekly with a cloth or cotton to avoid wax and debris buildup, and to remove excess moisture. Keep your pet’s nails from splitting or cracking by trimming it every two to three weeks.

Diet and exercise for blue merle Border Collies

You should be feeding your Border with the amount that is specific to his size, age, and activity level.

This breed may be a medium-sized dog, but they require higher calories to support their high energy levels.

If your Border Collie maintains an active lifestyle, such as getting to play a lot aside from their daily exercise and even join canine sports, he would need 900 to 1,000 calories a day. If he’s a working or herding dog, about 1,400 calories a day would be sufficient.

For exercise, at least an hour every day should be spent on walking, jogging, hiking, or any other type of exercise or training. It will keep his temperament and health in check!

A blue merle Border Collie’s health/genetic problems

Not only is the merle pattern gene complicated, but it’s also associated with potential health concerns.

All dogs that are bred and cared for properly are generally healthy, but they can still be susceptible to genetic health problems. Some of the illnesses that are common in Borders are epilepsy, hip dysplasia, Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).

If you decide to get a blue merle Border Collie, it may get other ailments that are related to their coat color.

Have you ever heard of the term “lethal white”? It refers to dogs who have a double merle genotype. Both parental breeds who carry the merle gene have a 25% chance to produce a double merle Border Collie puppy. On average, that’s a quarter of the litter.

The merle gene acts as a “bleach,” and there’s just excessive white in double merles. They often have the white on their heads and ears, where auricular and visual defects may take place.

The American Border Collie Association indicated that inherited or congenital deafness has a lot of causes. But those with merle, piebald, and roan coats, blue eyes, or a white head has a noticeably higher risk for hearing problems.

We can prevent passing the double merle gene by promptly neutering or spaying those dogs who have the color pattern.

On average, a Border Collie’s lifespan is 12 years. Overall, it can be anywhere from 10 to 14 years. Others exceed their life expectancy and reach 17 years!

For merles who are blind or deaf, they just need to get used to their situation and some extra care, but they’re also the same loving breed.

Here’s a short video showing that even if they are visually impaired or have hearing problems, they’re still very smart.

What’s the cost of a blue merle Border Collie?

Blue merle Borders are considered rare, but aside from that, some factors may contribute to its value, such as the breeder’s location and the dog’s pedigree.

The average price for Border Collies is around $600, but it’s best to prepare a budget for buying a blue merle Border Collie puppy as the cost can go up to $4,500.

Be very careful, though. Aside from checking medical records of the Border Collie parents and the litter, as well as visiting their environment to observe, you have to be extra cautious.

Some breeders may grab the opportunity to overcharge for blue merle Border Collie puppies just because they are rare. It may be a genetic difference, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay more when buying or adopting this breed in this particular color and pattern.

Blue merle Border Collie breeders

When purchasing a blue merle Border Collie, only responsible breeders have their dogs and litters tested or screened. They’d proactively provide health certificates before letting you pick and take home a puppy.

Generally, getting a Border Collie breed should include hip scores and evaluation tests from an ophthalmologist.

If you’re ready to start your search, here are some websites of breeders that sell blue merle Border Collie puppies and other colors of the breed:

• Rising Sun Farm (Hemingway Ave, Minnesota)
• Nightshades Border Collies (Midwest Kansas)
• Prairie Wind Border Collies (Douglass, Kansas)

Blue merle Border Collie rescue and adoption

One of the noblest things you can do to save another dog’s life is by adopting. A lot of purebred and Border Collie mixes are still waiting for their fur-ever home and family. After all, rescuing this breed would only cost about $300, which also saves you a lot of money.

If you don’t feel confident because you’re unsure of the dog’s health, you can have it screened or tested by a veterinarian.

Give a hardworking Border Collie a second chance to experience the love of your family, whether it’s a blue merle, a purebred, a crossbreed, a puppy, or an adult:

• Glen Highland Farm (Morris, New York)
• All Border Collie Rescue (The Woodlands, Texas)
• Shadewood Farm and Kennels (Charles City, Virginia)

You can also filter out your search on sites like Petfinder.

Other types of merle Border Collies

You can never have enough color combinations found in the Border Collie breed. Blue merle is one of the common merle patterns, but to show you how gorgeous this they are in different looks, here are other merles that you might fall in love with.

Red Merle Border Collie

Just like blue merle Border Collies, red merles are canines with the gene pattern that breaks up the brown base color.

Lilac Merle Border Collie

Borders with this shade have diluted chocolate and blue base, which makes them look gray or silver. But instead of having black patches or streaks, they’re splotches.

Slate Merle Border Collie

Slate merles have the coat colors white, black, and blue diluted. They’re more evident as they are way lighter than blue merles.

Sable Merle Border Collie

This shade is a combination of a sable Border Collie with another that has the merle gene. It can either appear dark brown with an orange or pinkish cast on the coat, giving a rusty blue merle look.

Harlequin Merle Border Collie

Harlequin Borders have one parent with any merle, and the other is a non-merle. Their coat is white with gray, black, or brown spots on their head, body, and/or tail. Sometimes, they can have a tricolor or tan spots on their faces and legs.

Should you get a blue merle Border Collie?

Border Collies, whether it’s a blue merle or not, are beautiful dogs inside and out. We should always do our part in learning about the breed’s history and their needs, instead of judging them by their looks and color.

Blue merle Border Collies are just like any other Border Collie. Before you buy this canine with this color pattern, keep in mind that they’re susceptible to eye problems and congenital deafness. Aside from that, they’re generally healthy.

Borders also make excellent family dogs as they get along well with children and other pets. But it’s in their nature to herd and nip, so be sure to be there when they’re around the kids.

Being intelligent and energetic, they easily get bored and require more than an hour of exercise a day.

If you’re the kind of owner who has a lot of space for a Border Collie to run around, loves being active, and time to bond with the dog by teaching him tricks, then it’s the right companion for you.

Do you currently have dogs that join canine sports, this is one breed that would excel in agility rings, obedience, flyball, and more!

What do you think about the blue merle Border Collie? Do you already have this pooch? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Is the blue merle Border Collie right for you? appeared first on BorderCollieHealth.

White coloring or marking in Borders is common, but some are controversial. Keep reading to find out why and if white Border Collies are different from the colored ones.

Genetics: What makes White Border Collies?

All-white Border Collie puppies come from parents who are both merles (carriers of the merle gene). In fact, a primarily white coat appears on other breeds too, such as Australian Shepherds (Aussies), Shetland Sheepdogs (Shelties), and Standard Collies (both rough- and smooth-coated).

Almost all Borders have white markings. It’s either a small amount, partial (parti), almost, or completely white. White factor, a term used to refer to heterozygous dogs, is a recessive gene that affects the amount of white spotting.

The white-spotting is seen on three basic alternate forms (alleles) that progressively produces more white on canines.

You’d find Border Collies who either have none or tiny white spots on their chest and toes. They mostly are tricolor – black, tan, and little white blazes.

The second form creates a white blaze on the face, broad collar area, belly, legs, and the tip of the tail. The pattern is often referred to as “Irish” and can sometimes vary. Others call it piebald, which is also a patterned-white coat with some colored-spotting. If there’s so much pigment, it can be just a high-white normal merle.

The third and last one causes excessive white coloring that ranges from minimal to an all-white coat.

A pair of white-factored Borders can produce color-headed white puppies.

A white Border Collie’s looks and size

Border Collies do have a lot of color combinations, but they’re all the same breed. They’re medium in size with an average height of 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm) and a weight of 30 to 45 pounds (14 to 20 kg).

No matter the color, a Border’s double-layered coat can range from short and smooth to long and rough. It can also be either be straight, wavy, or curly. The most popular and common color of Border Collies is black and white, but as we mentioned earlier, their hair can appear in just about any color pattern.

Some of the shades seen in Border Collies are lilac, lilac and white, tricolor, brown and white, red and white, red merle, blue merle, slate merle, white merle, blue and white, and brindle.

Borders can also have single-color furs such as Australian red, which is also known as blonde or gold. But it’s less frequent.

The Border Collie breed is not hypoallergenic and sheds throughout the year. It gets worse during shedding season as their hair is transitioning from a winter coat to a summer coat.

Do white Border Collies have blue eyes?

Border Collies have eyes that can vary from blue to brown. But if the dog is a lethal white like an albino, they do have blue eyes.

There would be times that they’d have different colored eyes due to the lack of pigmentation in the eye called heterochromia. It’s commonly seen in merle Borders, but even black and white Border Collies can have blue eyes.

Aside from the eyes, white or double merle Border Collies have a nose that is mostly or all pink.

Every Border Collie would have that noticeable intense gaze called the eye, that they use for their crouch and stare when controlling sheep.

In this video, you can see what an all-white or albino Border Collie looks like. Aside from the color, it’s still energetic like other Borders:

White-factored Border Collies

There’s a belief going around that a Border Collie with a white coat wouldn’t be an efficient working or herding dog.

Farmers or ranchers have a superstition that sheep will not respect or follow a dog that’s white or has the same shade of color as theirs. But organizations, such as the American Border Collie Association (ABCA), considers a Border’s appearance to be irrelevant to their job or task.

A dog’s attitude and skills are more useful in identifying its ability to work (like herding).

Canines used in dog shows have physical traits that are more homogenous compared to working Border Collies. In order to win, they must conform as close as possible to the breed standards. There are many points that can be specific, such as coat and structure.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a breed standard that specifies a preference to a Border Collie with dark brown eyes, as well as a keen and intelligent expression. Any broken teeth or scars will not be counted against the dog when inside the ring in deference to their working origin. And the white should not predominate their coat color.

Do white Border Collies have a different temperament?

For Borders, coat color doesn’t affect their personality. They are still the smartest dog in the canine world, and would always have the same energy that their breed is known for.

They’re not only hardworking, but they’re also loving family companions.

Border Collies do well with kids and other pets like cats. But do be aware of their herding instinct, which means they may herd and nip. It’s a trait that’s bred into them. You can only control it with early training, but it’s not possible to completely get rid of it.

The bottom line is, a Border Collie would do great as a working or herding dog, and as a family pet if they’re adequately trained.

If you think it’s impossible to train a blind AND deaf dog, think again. There are lots of ways that you can teach primary and advanced commands, but some people use a vibration collar. Here’s how you can use it:

Health problems: Are white Border Collies deaf and blind?

A pure white Border Collie is also called “lethal white,” which is a misleading and incorrect term. This genetic form is avoided by breeders and buyers as they can be considered defective, not because they’re lethal.

White-bodied dogs with also a white head mostly suffer from blindness and deafness. That’s why two merles shouldn’t be bred together as a quarter of their litter will inherit the gene that impairs the ability to make pigment.

Even those dogs who have some colors in their hair, but white overlaps on their eyes and ears can possibly have hearing and eye problems.

Keep in mind that NOT ALL Borders will suffer from being deaf and/or blind.

White Border Collies also deserves love

All dogs, no matter the color or breed, deserves affection, too.

We should never judge their abilities and personalities based on how they look. The way they grow up and behave will significantly depend on how they’re treated and cared for.

Some breeders don’t care about the consequences of breeding merles. They who only think about producing Border Collies with coat colors that are stunning, rare, and sometimes defective.

If you’re concerned about health issues, be cautious about most white Border Collies, even if they have colored spots or merles. It’s better if you’re aware that a merle dog is different from a double merle.

Other than that, ask essential questions about the confirmation and background of the puppy you’re interested in. Even with medical records, you should still have your dog’s hearing, and eyesight tested. There’s nothing wrong with making sure, so you know how to help your dog adjust or live his or her life to the fullest.

Do you have a white Border Collie? Does he or she have health problems? How old is your Border dog? Let us know all about it by sharing your story in the comment box below.

If you like this dog breed, you might also like English Cream Dachshund.

The post Are there white Border Collies, and are they rare? appeared first on BorderCollieHealth.