Brown Border Collie: Pictures, Facts, Origin & History
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| Height: | 18–22 inches |
| Weight: | 30–55 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Colors: | Brown |
| Suitable for: | Hands-on dog owners who want an intelligent, trainable dog |
| Temperament: | Energetic, hardworking, smart |
Border Collies most popularly come in black and white. However, Border Collies can come in several other colors, including brown. These dogs aren’t as common, but some breeders specialize in them. Often, brown Border Collies are brown and white. They look similar to black Border Collies but with brown instead of black.
Beyond their coloration, brown Border Collies look and act like any other. This coloration has probably been around since the breed’s inception, so the dog shares a history with the larger Border Collie breed, too.
Border Collie Breed Characteristics
The Earliest Records of Brown Border Collies in History
The Border Collie is a landrace breed, meaning they developed naturally without controlled breeding. They originated on the Anglo-Scottish border, hence their name. Mentions of these dogs first occurred at the end of the 19th century. However, the term “Border Collie” wasn’t utilized until 1915, when it was used to distinguish the breed from other collies, like the rough collie.
All these collies originally came from the same breeding stock in the British Isles. However, geographic isolation and breed standards differentiated the Border Collie into its own breed. All color patterns we have today were probably around at this time.
How the Border Collie Gained Popularity
While this breed did develop naturally, many modern Border Collies can trace their lineage back to a single dog—Old Hemp. This canine was born in September 1893 and died at the beginning of the 1900s. He was a tricolor dog, though both of his parents were not. He was considered quiet and a great herder, which led to him being used heavily as a stud.
Many Border Collies today can trace their ancestry back to this canine. It’s believed that he sired as many as 200 dogs during his lifetime. At this point, the breed was further standardized and really began taking off.
One of his descendants, Winston Cap, was used by the International Sheep Dog Society to portray the characteristic Border Collie. He was also a popular stud dog, with many modern dogs tracing their lineage to this canine.
Formal Recognition of the Border Collie
Border Collie standards have two types: the ISDS standard (for herding) and the “appearance” standard, which can differ from country to country.
The original ISDS sheepdog trials are still utilized today. The course involves a herding dog and its handler moving livestock quietly through a course. There are several guidelines in place for how the sheep must be moved. For instance, the sheep cannot become distressed. International tests and national tests may differ. Border Collies have been accepted in these trials since their beginning.
In this case, the standard is more based on skill than appearance. The best dog wins.
On the other hand, the appearance standard is solely based on what the dog looks like. There are some critics of this standard. It is thought that if dogs are purely bred for appearance, their herding abilities and health will decline. Few dogs participate in trials and dog shows, as dogs bred for purpose rarely match appearance standards.
The Border Collie was officially recognized by the AKC in 1995.
Top 4 Unique Facts About the Brown Border Collie
1. They’re extremely intelligent.
These dogs are some of the smartest in the world. This intelligence allows them to thrive in herding events and practically any other canine sport. They can learn commands quickly and follow those commands in real-life situations. However, this intelligence can also lead to boredom. These dogs require significant entertainment throughout the day or can become destructive. They’re bred to work and can become challenging if they aren’t doing a job.
2. All Border Collies can trace their lineage back to a single dog.
Border Collies came from a single sire—Old Hemp. This canine was descended from the collies around the Scottish-Anglo border. His herding skills were highly sought after, making him a very popular sire. His children shared his herding abilities, leading to them being quite popular.
3. They’re used for more than just herding.
While these dogs were originally bred for herding, their intelligence allows them to work in various fields. For instance, they’re often utilized in search and rescue work. However, they don’t make good guard dogs because they’re friendly. The police or military doesn’t utilize them for this reason.
4. Many celebrities have Border Collies.
Many famous people have Border Collies, including Queen Victoria. More modern icons like Tiger Woods and Bon Jovi also had a Border Collie or two. They’re increasingly popular dogs in the United States, so it isn’t surprising that celebrities commonly choose these canines.
Do Brown Border Collies Make a Good Pet?
Border Collies can make great pets for the right family. However, they aren’t a good option for everyone. Many purchase them for their intelligence and devoted nature, but they can be time-consuming. Unlike many dog breeds, Border Collies aren’t bred to be companion animals but to work. When adopted as a pet, they require significant amounts of exercise, training, and attention.
These dogs were made to work and must be given something to do. Otherwise, they can become bored and destructive. It’s a lot of work to keep their mind busy and bodies exercised.
Border Collies are extremely athletic and have intense concentration. Their sometimes-obsessive behavior can be a bit much and requires redirecting. Those owning them as pets often have to invent problems for them to solve, which can get a bit tiresome after a while.
These canines also have great herding skills. They will attempt to herd just about everything, including cars and children. Many Border Collies have been hit by cars after running into the road. Children don’t react to “herding” the same way sheep do—typically, they try to run away. The Border Collie may increase their herding attempts by snapping at the children, which can result in injuries. This trait cannot be trained out, so we typically don’t recommend them for those with children.
These dogs can make great pets for those looking for a more hands-on dog. If you want to compete in any canine sport, this is the breed to do it with.
Conclusion
Brown Border Collies aren’t as common as their black cousins, but they aren’t exactly rare, either. Many breeders specialize in the brown variation of this breed, and the coloration has been around since the breed developed.
These canines can make great pets for the right family. However, they’re also a lot of work. They require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Otherwise, they can become destructive. They aren’t for the average dog owner; they’re much more hands-on than other breeds.
They’re great for any canine sports and some of the best herding dogs. For these purposes, you can’t find a much better breed.
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Featured Image Credit: karenduplessis, Pixabay
