Border Collie Colours

Border Collie dogs appear in a variety of colours. From common colours to black and white to extremely rare colourings like the white Border Collie or lilac Border Collie – this dog breed does not have one standard colour.

When it comes to the breed standard, a variety of colour combinations and markings are allowed. So, let’s look at the different colours of Border Collies.

Common Border Collie Colours

The most common colours include black and white, which features a predominantly black coat with distinctive white markings. Other popular combinations are blue and white, red and white, and tricolour, which includes black, white, and tan.

What Colours Do Border Collies Come In?

Below are the most common Border Collie colours.

Black Border Collies

Black Border Collies are what you imagine when you think of a Border Collie dog. Black Border Collies are not completely black and have white patches on the tail, paws, head and neck. This is the most common colouring for this breed.

Red and Red Merle Border Collies

Red Border Collies are red and white. The theory behind the red colouring is rumoured to result from breeding a black and white Border Collie with a red Doberman, or possibly these dogs were a mutation from the traditional black coat.

This is not a common colour; Border Collie puppies will only have this colouring if their parents have it.

A Red Merle Border Collie results from a Merle gene mutation that occurred during the 1940s. These dogs have a ticking, red colouration with white patches.

Blue and Blue Merle Border Collies

Blue Border Collies are one of the rarest colourations. These dogs are essentially white Border Collies with a black ticking gene, giving them a blue tinge.

A Blue Merle Border Collie occurs when two blue genes are combined with a black and white coat or a Sable Border Collie coat, which results in a multi-coloured dog with cream, blue and white colouring.

Gold Border Collies and Brindle Border Collies

Golden and brindle colourations are incredibly rare.

The Golden Border Collie, golden-yellow in colour, first appeared during the 1990s. This colour is not registered with individual breed clubs but is recognised by the American Kennel Club.

What Colours Does the Australian National Kennel Council Recognise in Border Collies?

The Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) recognises a variety of colours. White should never be the dominant colour, although white patches are permissible.

According to the ANKC breed standard, the following colourings are recognised:

• Black and white – Black is predominant with white markings.
• Blue and white – Blue is predominant with white markings. A blue Border Collie is identified as being anywhere from silver-grey to a charcoal colour.
• Chocolate and white – having the chocolate gene means a dog can have a light brown coat or a dark brown coat with white markings.
• Red and white – Red is predominant with white markings. Red colour ranges from slightly darker than gold to ginger.
• Blue merles – A silver-blue coat with ticks of black. Tan points are allowed. Large black markings are not desired.
• Black, white and tan – Black is the predominant colour in this tri-colour Border Collie. Tan and white markings are present above the eyes, on the cheeks, legs and under the tail.

What Colour Border Collie Should I Choose?

There is no right answer as to which colour Border Collie you should choose. There are so many different coat colours and patterns: one solid colour (which is very rare), bi-colour, tri-colour, slate, merle, sable or speckled.

Although black and white Border Collies is the standard look, you can get any colour pup you wish.

Border Collie Puppy Coat vs. Adult Coat

Puppies are mostly born with the same coat colours as adult dogs.

Puppies do have much softer fur than adult Border Collies, even if it is a rough coat variation of the breed. The hair of pups is much shorter than adult dogs and will require frequent brushing with a soft brush to protect their delicate skin.

The soft puppy coat will disappear once the pups enter puberty when they are around 6 to 8 months old. Their coats will then be replaced with longer, tougher fur.

Final Thoughts on Border Collie Colours

Border Collies are intelligent dogs who are hard-working and devoted to their owners. When we think of Border Collies, we mostly think of black and white dogs, but there are so many different colour options available.

You can take your pick from unconventional coat colours on a brindle Border Collie, a seal Border Collie, a slate Merle Border Collie, a red Border Collie, or even Border Collies without any white markings at all.