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INTERPRETING THE STANDARD |
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The Board of Directors of the Border Collie Society of America is concerned that some judges are having trouble understanding and applying the priorities in the standard for judging the Border Collie. BCSA's principal concern is and always has been to preserve the working characteristics and abilities of the Border Collie and to not allow a split to occur between working Border Collies and show Border Collies (something that has actually happened in other breeds).
The standard states that, "The Border Collie is and should remain a natural unspoiled true working sheep dog." To that end, the standard states unequivocally that, "Any aspect of structure or temperament that would impede the dog's ability to function as a herding dog should be severely faulted." In other words, the most important faults are the ones that interfere with or impede herding ability.
While not stated explicitly, the converse is clearly implied, i.e., that any aspect of structure or temperament that would aid or enhance the dog's ability to function as a herding dog should be rewarded. That is, the most important positive characteristics are the ones that aid or enhance herding ability.
Therefore, in judging the Border Collie, faults and virtues should, inter alia, always be compared and weighed against each other according to how each characteristic affects herding ability.
There are three specific areas where some additional comments are warranted: temperament, movement, and teeth.
Temperament: With respect to temperament, the standard states, "The Border Collie is energetic, intelligent, keen, alert, and responsive." These are all characteristics that aid or enhance herding ability, and they should be rewarded when present.
While the standard states that the Border Collie "… may be sensibly reserved towards strangers," the words "sensibly reserved" in no way are meant to excuse a poor temperament as the standard then goes on to say that "When approached, the Border Collie should stand its ground. It should be alert and interested, never showing fear, dullness or resentment." The standard also states that, "Any tendencies toward viciousness, nervousness or shyness are very serious faults." Temperament problems that would adversely affect herding ability should, of course, be severely faulted.
Movement: Efficient movement is extremely important for the Border Collie as "endurance is its trademark." What the standard calls for is "facility of movement rather than a hard driving action." Typical head carriage is "level with or slightly below the withers,” and the Border Collie's trot is "balanced and free," "with minimum lift of the feet," and "covers the ground with minimum effort." Efficient movement enhances herding ability, and should be rewarded when present.
Conversely, the standard states that, "Exaggerated reach and drive at the trot are not useful to the Border Collie." "When shown, Border Collies should … never [be] raced around the ring with the head held high." Such movement is inefficient and uncharacteristic of the breed. Movement that is so inefficient that it would adversely affect herding ability should, of course, be severely faulted.
Teeth: The standard states that, "Complete dentition is required. Missing molars or pre-molars are serious faults as is an undershot or overshot bite." The Border Collie, unlike some other herding breeds (such as the Australian Cattle Dog), does not normally herd using its teeth. Rather, the Border Collie uses bursts of speed, rapid changes of direction, agility, stealth and "eye" to control the sheep. Therefore, tooth faults are primarily a breeding issue. The general admonition above to compare and weigh all faults and virtues against each other based upon how they affect herding ability should definitely be applied to tooth faults.
January 2012
Page Updated 01.12.2012