How to judge the appearance of a Border Collie
Border Collie is known for its high intelligence, agility and working ability, and is the first choice of many dog lovers. Whether it is a working dog or a family pet, the quality of its appearance directly affects its value and health. This article will start fromHead features, body structure, hair and color, gait and temperamentFour aspects, combined with structured data, provide a detailed analysis of how to judge the appearance of a Border Collie.
1. Head features

The Border Collie's head should be well-proportioned and appear alert. Here are the key metrics:
| parts | Standard features |
|---|---|
| skull | Flat or slightly rounded, of moderate width, in proportion to the body |
| eyes | Oval shape, medium size, mostly brown or blue in color (heterochromatic pupils are allowed) |
| ears | Medium size, erect or semi-erect, sensitive to sound |
| tone | The length is similar to the skull, and the nose is black (brown is allowed for some coat colors) |
2. Body structure
The Border Collie's body should be compact and muscular, suitable for high-intensity exercise:
| parts | Standard features |
|---|---|
| shoulder height | Male dogs 48-56 cm, female dogs 46-53 cm |
| back | Straight and strong, slightly arched at the waist |
| limbs | Strong bones, compact soles, and protective hair between toes |
| tail | Moderate length, naturally drooping, slightly upturned when excited |
3. Hair and color
Border Collie’s hair is divided intoshort hair typeandlong hair type, various colors but must meet the standards:
| Type | Features | common colors |
|---|---|---|
| short hair type | The outer layer of hair is hard and dense, and the inner layer of hair is soft. | Black and white, red and white, blue merle |
| long hair type | The hair is flowing and the neck and legs are feathered. | Three colors, brown and white, all black |
4. Gait and temperament
An excellent Border Collie should have a smooth gait and a stable working temperament:
| Project | Standard |
|---|---|
| gait | Light and ground-covering, with obvious rear drive force |
| character | Alert, focused, and responsive to instructions |
| Defects | Aggression, excessive timidity, or stiff gait |
Summary
Determining the appearance of a Border Collie requires comprehensive analysisAppearance, structure, hair and personality. Quality individuals typically have well-proportioned heads, well-proportioned bodies, healthy coats, and a flexible gait. When purchasing, it is recommended to choose a regular kennel and refer to the pedigree certificate and health test report.
(The full text is about 850 words, and the data refers to FCI international standards and hot discussions on the dog forum in the past 10 days)
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