How Do You Compare Different Border Collie Bloodlines?

For the everyday person, most Border Collies probably look like another normal dog you may come across as a pet. However, not all Border Collies are the same. Border Collies are some of the most popular working dog breeds because they have been bred for centuries to hone in on specific traits like prey drive, temperament, and instinct for herding. We’ll discuss why it's so important to understand the breeding practices and bloodlines of a collie both for working farms and as a house pet, and how making the wrong choice can be harmful for both the collie and its owners.

A Brief History of the Collie

The Border Collie originated across the pond in the U.K. near the border of Scotland and England. The name Collie itself is derived from a Gaelic word meaning “useful”, and border refers to the border between the two countries. This area of the world has a vast population of sheep, which Border Collies helped keep in line.

In the early 1900s, the International Sheep Dog Society was formed. Their original intent was to spread the word about the breed to improve the dog's characteristics to better suit its shepherd. Now it serves as a registry to preserve the history of past and present offspring. Since the ISDS's inception, 3 three registries have been rooted here in the U.S. with similar goals in mind, but only one, the American Border Collie Association, is still operating today.

Defining the Modern Border Collie

It's important to note that a Collie and a Border Collie are not the same. There are distinct differences between breeds. Collies tend to be bigger in size, have different variations in their hair types, and a much calmer temperament suited for a family lifestyle. Whereas Border Collies, especially working lines, are smaller, more agile, and have an innate need for a herding job.

For buyers interested in a working collie, it's non-negotiable to research their working bloodlines. Understanding the typical breed traits is not the same as breeding a Border Collie for specific herding traits. Even the AKC, a respected registry, will only provide you with information about how the breed will act in a show capacity, not working on a hillside with livestock. Specific bloodline types will ultimately inform purchasers how much aptitude the pups will have for different types of livestock, how strong their natural eye for herding is, and many other specific traits needed for a working breed.

How Border Collies Are Bred for Different Purposes

Border Collies can be bred for a variety of reasons. Of course, there are breeders purely for being a house pet, but they breed for utility, show, sports agility, and sheepdog trials too. As we’ve already touched on, working border collie breeders work meticulously to make sure their dogs carry on temperament traits that work well on a farm or ranch. There are also breeders who focus more on physical traits like color genetics or having a voluminous coat. Some scientists even say, from a gene standpoint, working border collies versus non-working collies are nearly two different breeds entirely! This is why disclosing the reason you need or want a collie is so important. A family ending up with a working border collie would not be appropriate for all lifestyles, making for an unsavory situation for both humans and the dog alike.

What Sets a Working Border Collie Apart

Commonly, the things that set working collies apart from non-working collies are their breeding practices and traits. The most common traits are drive, natural herding eye, stamina, agility, trainability, and their intuitive nature with stock. Working lines are tested through each of these traits to test how practical they are for a working farm environment. Doing such testing helps hone each litter thereafter to become a happy and healthy working collie.

Comparing Temperament Traits Between Collie Bloodlines

Temperament is a critical distinction between working dogs and non-working dog lines. Border collies have a cluster of traits that have a range of intensity based on the “purpose” the dog was bred for. For example, if their herding drive is high, being placed in a home without a job can lead to destruction and anxiety. Or a home with a collie that has a strong herding eye can turn an otherwise fine dog into one with aggression or a fixation toward inanimate objects. Working collies are the only line that you should have these concerns with. Showlines have their own nuances to consider. Many inexperienced pet owners think that getting a border collie who has a breeding history for show means it's easier to train. As mentioned earlier, breeding practices can completely change the temperament of a dog, or even introduce new traits not typically seen in the breed as a whole.

Understanding Color Genetics in Breeding Programs

A Border Collie can come in a variety of colors, but is most commonly known for their black and white coat. Other variations are brown and white, both black and brown tri colored, red merle, blue merle, and a rare lilac silver color. However, if you're searching for a working line, coat color and color genetics as a whole are not top priority. Working breeders find that the performance of the dogs is the most important factor in lineage.

Health and Structural Considerations When Comparing Lines

The general health of the Border Collie breed is fairly strong, but there are some conditions they are prone to. Like many dogs in their weight and height class, Border Collies can struggle with hip and joint issues. Additionally, one of the most common conditions these dogs can suffer from is Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), which can lead to blindness. However, most reputable breeders offer health testing to help breed out illness as much as they can.

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