Favorite Border Collie Type?

As most people know who know the breed or who watch dog shows... Border Collies are a somewhat divided breed. On one side of the spectrum is show Border Collies (often referred to as "Barbie Collies"), and on the other side is working Border Collies. The two breeds tend to be shockingly different in appearance and in temperament.

So, honestly, which is you favorite and why? Ethics aside... if that's possible... which as far as appearance and general personality do you prefer?


Show Border Collies - Typically sporting a much longer, finer coat, a wider muzzle, larger eyes, rose ears or low-set ears, a stockier build, and a more easy-going & friendly (by friendly, I mean more tolerant and agreeable with strangers) personality. USUALLY much less herding drive.
http://www.glentressbordercollies.com/images/Mart4.jpg

Working Border Collies - All varieties of coat... almost always much lighter & more weather-proof. Longer muzzle, smaller eyes, lighter build, all ear-sets and often prick eared, keener expression, smaller height/weight, more suspicious of strangers, more athletic, & more problem-solving skills. MUCH drivier and more desire for a job.
http://www.workingsheepdog.co.uk/pics/glen_5783.jpg

I love working BCs, i love that they have so much drive Makes training easier), i like the varied look of the worker and i love the more independant nature :D.

Then there are the performance bred BCs, the ones here are nutters and are bred for speed only. Alot of the performance bred BCs here cannot jump to save themselves and are always having accidents clipping jumps... breaking toes, pulling up lame.

working of coarse, I dont even remotly like barbie collies.

I like working BCs. I like all working breeds better, they seem more "authentic" than the mindless clones people use for show.

Working Border Collies. They are bred for what they were created to do: herd.

I have yet to see a Barbie Collie with ANY herding instinct.

Niiice! I kind of hoped/expected it to go this way... however, I have MANY friends & acquaintences who, when they first meet Gonzo, ask why he isn't as "pretty" as Border Collies they've seen in shows. I was just wondering if, ethics aside, whether you would prefer to have a show or working BC.

IMHO, you shouldn't get a BC, if you want a dog that's pretty, fluffy, and has no or minimal drive.

I have never met a show BC. All of the border collies I have met are the working bred BC'S and I love them! I don't think I have ever seen a show BC perform, but maybe I do see them in agility trials and just never know it.

not likley flatcoat lol show BCs tend to be slower, they have this strange ability to appear like they are moving at rocket speed...while barly moving lol

I prefer dogs with odd markings, so I wouldn't likely get a clone dog. I also like smooth BCs. I'd end up with a working dog for sure.

I prefer working BCs. :D Their look just appeals to me more.. my friend recently got a 2 month old BC pup to help out on the farm. She is sooo cute. ^_^.. plus, I don't believe I have ever even met a show BC!

I too prefer the working BCs, probably because they are a very popular herding dog on the Lancastrian and Yorkshire hills. :)

Working type, by far! :D

definitaly working :)

Working Type. :D
The show ones don't look like real border collies to me.

Working, definitely. Their overall appearance and temperament appeal to me way more than the show bred BCs.

Oh Erika, you know I'm going to split hairs on this one :p As a conformation nut, my first instinct would be to vote show BCs. BUT, as the owner of an ex-racer and knowing the debate between NGA and AKC greys, I also want to vote working BCs. Speaking in terms of the breed's future, I'd definitely vouch for the continuation of working BCs. But, loving fluffy hair as much as I do, I can't say I'd condemn show BCs.

Can I vote both? =P

Long haired border collies are my choice

Now i couldnt tell you if they are show or working....i've seen both on farms though and well couldnt tell ya about shows....i've never been to a dog show

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Originally Posted by Alasse

Long haired border collies are my choice

Now i couldnt tell you if they are show or working....i've seen both on farms

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The difference is the working BC would be looking for a job to do, while the show BC would be laying around wondering when it was getting it's next bath.

On looks alone, show. I don't think I could have a BC, especially a working one with all of their drive. I do generally like breeds that aren't so split (Dalmatians with correct conformation tend to be able to run easier with more stamina due to the angulation of the joints)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Suki Wingy

On looks alone, show. I don't think I could have a BC, especially a working one with all of their drive. I do generally like breeds that aren't so split (Dalmatians with correct conformation tend to be able to run easier with more stamina due to the angulation of the joints)

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One of the primary reasons for the split in the US especially, is the conflict between ABCA & AKC... One (ABCA) feels that BC's are a true working dog, and their working style & skill distinguishes them, not looks. The other (AKC) feels that if a dog *looks* like they can perform, it's enough to assume that they can do it (even though all of that coat, bone, and lack of the correct BC temperament won't last long in a real working situation). A Border Collie that receives it's AKC Ch is actually dropped from the ABCA, they feel so strongly against it. And Border Collies have only been AKC recognized since the mid-90's.

It would be awesome to have a balance, but I don't see that happening, unless the AKC steps in and actually requires show breeders to prove their dogs on stock.

Giselle... teehee. Weell, I guess Border Collies are suffering in the AKC just as much as lots of other working dogs. Definitely including GSD's, ACD's, Labs, and Greyhounds for sure. But, the difference between show & working BC's is super-dramatic.

lol unfortinatly the working tests like they have in the UK is pointless, the show dogs are incapable of passing a simple test, ths is well proven in that since the BC was recignized in the UK only 1 single BC have EVER acheived full champion status, only 3? I think KC dogs ever passed and the others did not acheived show champ, they they did not make full status. since then many barbie dogs have tried and not one single barbie was able to pass the working test. the show folks are now putting in a bid saying that their dogs cant pass the test(equivilant of a ISDS NOVICE) because its too hard, and they want to prove their dogs can still work, so they figer the test for show dogs should be made easier. they say that the ISDS has no "sympathy" for their show dogs....if their dogs can truly work as well I fail to see why they require sympathy lol

I like the working look. It's what I think the BC should look like. The show look is too poofy.

I prefer all aspects of the working breed by far, except I do prefer friendlier ones. (I'm going with the working type with the hopes I can socialize & trim him enough to be friendlier!) ;)