MUSIC:  THEME FROM "THE NEVERENDING STORY"

TRAINING INFORMATION & RECOMMENDED BOOKS, ETC.!

The border collie is not only the most versatile breed in function, but also in it’s appearance! The border collie breed has two coat types, which are smooth-coated (short) and rough-coated (long).

The various colors found in the breed are: black and white, black and white with tan (black\white tri colored), red and white, and red and white with tan (red\white tri), blue and red merles, and blue colored border collies.

 The various ear sets found in the different individual border collies are prick (German Shepherd-like), collie tip (erect and tipped to the front at the ends), 3\4 drop to the front, fly away (up and out to the sides), and they can have one ear up and one ear down.

Their eyes are generally brown ranging from light to dark, with red dogs having amber colored eyes! Likewise, border collies can have one or both eyes blue, or just a fleck of blue in one or both eyes, and from the herding standpoint this is considered fine, since some top winning trial dogs have had one or more blue eyes or a fleck of blue in one or both eyes. border collie markings also enjoy a wide-range of types.

When it comes to white or tan markings the variations are endless ranging from a predominantly solid colored body with very little white markings to a white body with black or red markings. Facial markings vary from a white blaze up the face, a white snip on the end of the nose, a 1\2 white head to an all white head. However, the classical markings are a solid body color with a full white blaze up the nose, a full white collar around the neck, four white legs, and a white tip on the tail, however this look is not the rule by any means, because as I've already mentioned the coat types, color and markings, ear sets, and eye color variations can boggle the imagination.

This statement holds true for the size of border collies, which can range in height from 18" to 23" with an average of 20", and their weight can range from 30 to 75 pounds with an average of 40 to 45 pounds. Needless to say, with the wide-range of physical characteristics found in the border collie breed, that there are people, who mistake them for a mixed breed of dog.

However, people who know the breed will invariably recognize them from their willing attitude and overall attentiveness. In fact, one need only be around a well-bred and well-trained border collie a short while before they'll notice how acutely aware the dog is of his or her surroundings, and whatever task is at hand. At the same time, they will also notice the border collie's tendency to crouch or creep when focusing on livestock or an object, which has caught their attention at the moment.

Border collie owners, who appreciate the dog's instinctive herding abilities, biddable nature, and unsurpassed intelligence in the canine world often quote the appropriate mottos illustrative of the well-bred working\companion border collie, which states that they were bred for FUNCTION NOT FORM OR BRAINS NOT BEAUTY. These mottos in the herding world of border collies are relatively true to the origin and purpose of the border collie breed.

A type of herding dog developed in the mid 19th century by shepherds and farmers in the border country between England and Scotland, hence the origin of the "border" part of their name, while the "collie" part comes from the fact, that it means working in gaelic! These shepherds began with the dogs that were available, who demonstrated the herding characteristics they were seeking, and from this humble beginning they continued to breed selectively for the herding qualities they desired. And today conscientious breeders of herding border collies continue to refine the qualities that are necessary for them to be efficient farm and or competitive trial dogs.

Three of the most crucial qualities, that make the border collie, a supreme herding dog are the hypnotic eye or simply "the eye" which is it's ability to stare intently at the livestock until it or the group submits to the dog's will (presence), a natural outrun, which compels the dog to leave the handler's side running either clockwise or counter-clockwise to the opposite side of the livestock, where they then commence to fetch them to the handler, and the depth of heart, which gives birth to a confidence and biddable nature, and this is what enables the border collie to have the courage to standup to difficult livestock, while obediently honoring their handler's verbal or whistle commands. These are the most profound of the herding characteristics sought in the ideal border collie, and they are qualities, which aid in giving the border collie the reputation of being number one in the canine world in trainability, and an all around working and companion dog.