hmm, I saw this breeder in the newspaper today..

[Dekka]

The smooth coat is definitely characteristic of the breed. I understand that.

But I do agree with people that say some of the working lines have been outcrossed to build stronger dogs more suited to herding cattle.

Not saying there is no out crossing (as I think there is nothing wrong with outcrossing to make a better working dog..this is where most of our breeds came from) But people often assume a BC thats tricoulour, or has short hair, or is little/big, is a cross or has something else in it. While it may be the case in some dogs, its not the case in most.

 

[Psyfalcon]

What about a red merle though? I've never heard of or seen that!

 

[BostonBanker]

My old boss had a beautiful red merle border collie - and I assure you, she was all BC! Not a great shot, but the only one I have on the computer.

The red gene exist is BCs; the merle gene exists. Both tend to be less common, so it is rare that them meet, but perfectly logical.

 

[Jynx]

I totally agree with Dekka on this..and to add,,if you look for some of the old timer working aussie breeders, their dogs are not that "pretty" )

While I honestly couldn't say if this guy was a BYB or not, I did see something about "eyes cleared" in a profile,,but would wonder if he does any other testing? You have to remember this guy has been breeding bc's for 40 years, and his site, gives the assumption he is working his dogs, I'd probably consider him an old timer, and while WE may not agree with what he's breeding, he's probably got a market for those old working dawgs..)

Breeding dogs for working, and doing it for that many years, he's most likely set in his ways, but again, if he's been in it that long, he must have a market.

just rambling
diane

 

[Whisper]

BCs come in sable, B&W, blue and red merle, tricolor, red and white, some even saddle-patterned, can be mostly white with a tiny bit of black, or black with only a tiny bit of white, the same combo with different colors, spotted and mismarked, etc. etc.
And as for the abhorrent changes of the Border Collie breed that have been made by showing them and not focusing on working ability, don't even get me started.
The breeder looks like a BYB to me as well.

 

[Dekka]

Just to clairify the first one looks a bit shady =oP but the other one posted looks ok.