Welcome to Border Collie Colors!

The site where border collie coat color & pattern genetics will be explained & pictures will be posted  to hopefully enlightened those interested in learning genetic detail for breeding or just to learn.

Border Collies are mostly known for being black with the white markings, or black & white with tan markings on the cheeks, eyebrows. under the tail & on the legs. Known as tricolor. In reality, they come in many colors & patterns. Some can be very difficult to distinguish from each other.

To avoid confusion, you must understand some information out there is incorrect, making it impossible to understand the basics. This has caused much confusion when registering border collies due to no option for a particular coat color or pattern, so many border collies are registered under the wrong color or pattern making it difficult for the breeders & owners alike. The result is a fog of confusion.

A word about color standards, overseas registries simply state: Any color is permissible, but white shouldn't predominate. Is short, they have adapted. In the USA, there is a stubbornness about the color standard, namely the color of red. What they are calling red is genetically brown/chocolate. And so the confusion continues. If there is no brown, how did lilac arrive? A simple question with a simple answer...let the genetics do the explaining.

It is the purpose of this site to clarify the basics, so it is then possible to go on to more detailed knowledge. So let's have some fun together & find out what all the ruckus is about!

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