Appearance
        The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog, measuring 19 to 22 inches at the withers for dogs, and 18 to 21 inches for bitches. Their body is slightly longer than it is tall. The overall appearance of a Border Collie is that of a well-balanced, muscular, athlete, who is smooth and graceful in motion. Border Collie motion should display agility, grace, substance and stamina. A working Border Collie traverses many miles a day over difficult terrain, and he does so day after day. Therefore motion should appear fluid and effortless with an unlimited endurance.

Coat and Color
        Two coat varieties are acceptable in Border Collies, although both varieties of coat are a weather-resistant double coat. The acceptable coat varieties are rough and smooth.
        The coat of the rough coated variety is of medium to long in length, with a texture that is flat to slightly wavy. As dogs reach a more advanced age, the coat may become wavy, under these circumstances these dogs should not be faulted. The coat on the facial area should be short and smooth.
        The smooth coated variety of Border Collie has a short, smooth coat over the entire body. Additionally, the smooth coated Border Collie may have feathering on the forelegs and a fuller coat on the chest area.
         Border Collies can be found in a wide variety of colors. The only color that is not permitted is an all-white dog. A black dog with white markings was most easily seen when working the flock a night, and was therefore the most preferred color. The coat color, however, did not make them better herding dogs. These dogs were bred for ability, not esthetics.
        Other common Border Collie colors include; red and white, blue-merle with white, and red-merle with white. Some of these colors also have tan markings.

Head
        The head of the Border Collie is in proportion to its body. The skull is broad with a moderately short, blunt muzzle.
        The ears a medium-sized and wide-set, although they can stand either erect or semi-erect.
        The eye color can be any shade of brown, with blue eyes faulted - except in merles. The eyes are moderately sized and oval in shape. The expression is that of intelligence and alertness.

Personality
        Border Collies are extremely intelligent animals and can be very easy to train. Training a Border Collie is essential. You must give this intelligence a focus, or they will create their own entertainment. Border Collies excel in obedience, as well as flyball, frisbee, agility and various other athletic activities. This breed is the canine version of the "Energizer Bunny". As such, they must have an outlet for that energy. Turning a Border Collie loose in a fenced yard to exercise itself, will not solve the "energy problem." The dog will most likely either escape or dig pits, seeking entertainment.
        Play fetch, train in obedience, play frisbee, or teach him to retrieve golf balls. The key is you spending time with the dog. Time in which the dog is physically active, pleasing you.

        Border Collies are not for everyone, but for those who want a dog that can team up with them as a canine athlete, this could be your dog. Those dog people who want to explore the world of the canine activities have a prime candidate.