Border Collie Colors
Border Collies don't only come in the traditional black and white; they come in a kaleidoscope of colors! Here are some examples.
Keep in mind that every dog inherits one gene for each trait from each of its parents. Some genes are dominant over others, so sometimes a dog may carry a gene responsible for a certain trait, but not display that trait. If it is ever mated to another dog which carries that gene, however, they will likely produce puppies which display it.
Keep in mind that every dog inherits one gene for each trait from each of its parents. Some genes are dominant over others, so sometimes a dog may carry a gene responsible for a certain trait, but not display that trait. If it is ever mated to another dog which carries that gene, however, they will likely produce puppies which display it.
Black and White
This is the "traditional" and most recognizable color, and also the base for several others. If a dog carries two copies of the tri color gene (at) that dog will likely display tan markings on its face and legs. Black/white is also the base color for blue/white - the black in the coat is genetically diluted to a grayish blue color. Black/white or blue/white is also the basis for blue merle or slate merle. (See below.)
In genetics the gene for black is represented as B. B is always dominant, which means that any dog with one copy of B will be black, even if it carries the gene for brown or red (b).
This is the "traditional" and most recognizable color, and also the base for several others. If a dog carries two copies of the tri color gene (at) that dog will likely display tan markings on its face and legs. Black/white is also the base color for blue/white - the black in the coat is genetically diluted to a grayish blue color. Black/white or blue/white is also the basis for blue merle or slate merle. (See below.)
In genetics the gene for black is represented as B. B is always dominant, which means that any dog with one copy of B will be black, even if it carries the gene for brown or red (b).
Chocolate and White
Chocolate or red and white, like black/white is also the base for several other colors. If a dog carries two copies of the tri color gene (at) that dog will likely display tan markings on its face and legs. Red/white is also the base color for lilac/white - the chocolate in the coat is genetically diluted to a lighter color. Red/white or lilac/white is also the basis for red merle or lilac merle. (See below.)
In genetics the gene for chocolate is represented as b. Chocolate/ red (b) is a recessive color and black is a dominant color. Because black (B) is dominant over brown (b), a dog with one copy of each (Bb) will appear black, but can produce brown puppies if ever mated to a dog which also carries chocolate (b). So if you see a chocolate (red) Border collie, you can know that it carries two copies of chocolate. This dog will always pass on a copy of chocolate, because this is the only color it carries.
Chocolate or red and white, like black/white is also the base for several other colors. If a dog carries two copies of the tri color gene (at) that dog will likely display tan markings on its face and legs. Red/white is also the base color for lilac/white - the chocolate in the coat is genetically diluted to a lighter color. Red/white or lilac/white is also the basis for red merle or lilac merle. (See below.)
In genetics the gene for chocolate is represented as b. Chocolate/ red (b) is a recessive color and black is a dominant color. Because black (B) is dominant over brown (b), a dog with one copy of each (Bb) will appear black, but can produce brown puppies if ever mated to a dog which also carries chocolate (b). So if you see a chocolate (red) Border collie, you can know that it carries two copies of chocolate. This dog will always pass on a copy of chocolate, because this is the only color it carries.
Dilutes
Dilutes are blue (or slate) or lilac colored dogs. Blue dogs are diluted black dogs; lilac dogs are diluted chocolate dogs (which is actually a double recessive, making them more unusual.) The diluted color is often more distinct in puppyhood than adulthood, as the dog's color gradually darkens somewhat with age.
The dilute gene (expressed in genetics as d) modifies, or dilutes, the color of a dog's main pigment (except in the case of gold or ee red dogs.) Dilute is recessive, so a dog must carry two copies of the dilute gene in order to express diluted color. So if you see a lilac or slate dog, you can know that it carries two copies of dilute. This also means that it will always pass on a copy of the dilute gene.
Below is an example of solid lilac tri. Note the lighter color in puppyhood, and the tri markings around the eyes which become apparent in the darker adult coat.
Dilutes are blue (or slate) or lilac colored dogs. Blue dogs are diluted black dogs; lilac dogs are diluted chocolate dogs (which is actually a double recessive, making them more unusual.) The diluted color is often more distinct in puppyhood than adulthood, as the dog's color gradually darkens somewhat with age.
The dilute gene (expressed in genetics as d) modifies, or dilutes, the color of a dog's main pigment (except in the case of gold or ee red dogs.) Dilute is recessive, so a dog must carry two copies of the dilute gene in order to express diluted color. So if you see a lilac or slate dog, you can know that it carries two copies of dilute. This also means that it will always pass on a copy of the dilute gene.
Below is an example of solid lilac tri. Note the lighter color in puppyhood, and the tri markings around the eyes which become apparent in the darker adult coat.
Merle
The merle gene (M in genetics) is always dominant, meaning that only one copy of the merle gene is needed for a dog to express the merle pattern. A non-merle dog will have the genetic code m/m (no copies of merle) while a merle dog will have the genetic code M/m (one copy of merle.) A merle dog should never be bred to another merle dog because two copies of the merle gene can produce sight and/or hearing problems. Dogs with two copies of merle are called double merles (M/M.) A few breeders who focus too much on color and not enough on the health of their dogs have intentionally used double merles for breeding, because a double merle will always produce merle puppies. This is a reprehensible practice and should never be supported or encouraged.
The merle gene (M in genetics) is always dominant, meaning that only one copy of the merle gene is needed for a dog to express the merle pattern. A non-merle dog will have the genetic code m/m (no copies of merle) while a merle dog will have the genetic code M/m (one copy of merle.) A merle dog should never be bred to another merle dog because two copies of the merle gene can produce sight and/or hearing problems. Dogs with two copies of merle are called double merles (M/M.) A few breeders who focus too much on color and not enough on the health of their dogs have intentionally used double merles for breeding, because a double merle will always produce merle puppies. This is a reprehensible practice and should never be supported or encouraged.
Blue Merle
Merle (in any color) is actually a pattern overlaid on a color. Blue merle is the merle pattern on top of a black and white (or black/white/tri) dog.
Merle (in any color) is actually a pattern overlaid on a color. Blue merle is the merle pattern on top of a black and white (or black/white/tri) dog.
Here is a light blue merle puppy (not slate.)
(Clark's - Imp. Joe x Boots, 2019)
(Clark's - Imp. Joe x Boots, 2019)
Red/ Chocolate and Lilac Merle
Chocolate, or red merle, is simply the merle pattern on top of the standard red or chocolate color. Lilac merle occurs when the merle pattern overlays the lilac color. In some dogs, such as Boots (top left with puppies) and Mac (above center) the merling of the coat is fairly light and is predominantly noticeable on the face. HTF's Fiona (above right) is a standard red tri merle and the merle pattern is much more distinct.