Coolies

[CatStina]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

Heck I get that even in papillons, which I do think are pretty standardized. I've gotten many questions online and off wondering why my dogs all look so different and which is 'right'. They really all are. Variety is not a bad thing. BCs vary just as much if not more than koolies looks wise. Aussies also vary a ton in looks.

You can find a BC that looks like an Aussie. An Aussie that looks like a BC. An English shepherd that looks like an Aussie or a BC. Or a Welsh sheepdog that looks like a BC. Or a koolie that looks like a BC.

There's some overlap looks-wise in many of these breeds and varying types.

More people think Saxon is a Pit Bull than recognize him as a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. There is a fair amount of variety in the SBT, Pit Bull, AmStaff and other Bull Breeds, as well. Many recognized breeds have a lot of variety in them.

[AdrianneIsabel]

If you want to knit pick you can find Dalmatians who look different from one another, however I can pick a papillon out of a crowd and the same goes for a whippet, even strange and out of standard ones. The pyr sheps I've seen (which is very limited) share a similar look, my pit bulls though varied share key characteristics. When two types of Koolies look so different it's confusing, not that one needs to appease the masses but its a reasonable notice.

If we try hard enough every breed can be shared as "so varied you can't standardize it!" but that's rather hyperbolic.

[AdrianneIsabel]

Originally Posted by Aleron

. This breeder likes small, slick coated dogs for where they live but that one likes more substantial, thick coated dogs for their purposes. It isn't terribly hard to select for different coats or builds within a population.

this makes sense but I previously presented this and was given a response (I believe by Avalon, I'll double check when I'm home) that no, this breed does not vary due to needs. So... Confusion as to why its varied remains.

[Laurelin]

I really don't see how koolies vary more than an aussie or a border collie, to be honest.

[AdrianneIsabel]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

I really don't see how koolies vary more than an aussie or a border collie, to be honest.

I can't say that I agree at this point, could you help me understand with photos?

[Oko]

Yeah, not really seeing how their variety of looks is any different from a lot of working breeds. Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, English Shepherds come to mind. To me, they all have a cohesive feel going on, even if I can't pinpoint it per say. None of the dogs pictured have really looked like border collies to me, really. Once again, I'm not sure why looks have to be the standard. Why couldn't it be working ability? I'm pretty sure Linds was talking about how much they varied in looks as well...

I would share photos of border collies that don't look like border collies, but I don't want to share photos that aren't mine.

[AdrianneIsabel]

I would understand more if someone could tell me what Avalon and Sara/Linds/Nina Koolie share, or if none then how does one differentiate a standardized breed from a herding farm mix?

[AdrianneIsabel]

Originally Posted by Oko

Yeah, not really seeing how their variety of looks is any different from a lot of working breeds. Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, English Shepherds come to mind. To me, they all have a cohesive feel going on, even if I can't pinpoint it per say. None of the dogs pictured have really looked like border collies to me, really. Once again, I'm not sure why looks have to be the standard. Why couldn't it be working ability? I'm pretty sure Linds was talking about how much they varied in looks as well...

I would share photos of border collies that don't look like border collies, but I don't want to share photos that aren't mine.

So is the only key characteristic that signifies BCs vs Aussies their working style? Because I'm pretty sure there is a generalized understanding of what a border collie looks like, just like a GSD, even though they can vary greatly. I believe the sought after understanding is what is the generalized look of a koolie and if there is not one then is there any discrepancy about breeding 20lb ones and 80lb ones?

[JessLough]

They don't really look like border collies to me... though to be honest, I think what might be throwing people off is the condition of these Coolies vs Traveler/Zinga/Didgie

[Oko]

I know a 22 lb border collie and a 65+ lb one, if that helps you understand where I'm coming from.