Border Collie Base Coat Colors and the Genetics Behind Them

Quick Take

• Border Collies aren't just black and white. The AKC actually recognizes far more coat colors than most owners realize. See all recognized colors →
• Some Border Collie coat colors come with a hidden health risk that has no cure and no genetic test to screen for it. Explore the health risk →
• White isn't actually a Border Collie coat color, and depending on how a dog gets its white fur, the consequences can be serious. Learn why white differs →
• Two genes control the foundation of every Border Collie coat color, and understanding them reveals why certain color combinations are genetically impossible. See the two key genes →

Border collies are known as the smartest dogs in the world. They pick up new cues quickly, are excellent at herding, and are also incredibly active working dogs. They also have beautiful coats that, despite some misconceptions, come in a wide variety of colors. Read on to learn more about the standard border collie base coat colors and the genetics behind them.

AKC Border Collie Colors

According to the Border Collie Society of America (BCSA), the official American Kennel Club (AKC) parent club, any color border collie is acceptable, not just the traditional black and white. There are no disallowed or even less-preferred colors in the show ring; the breed standards only say that white should not predominate.

The following coat colors are listed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) Border Collie breed standard. However, if a dog doesn’t have one of these coat colors, it does not mean that it cannot be registered or shown, as the official club breed standards have no such rules against it. It simply means that certain colors that are infrequently used or not well-defined may not appear on the general breed standard information page, but they are not disqualifying.

The following colors are currently listed on the AKC’s website:

• Black
• Blue
• Blue merle
• Red
• Red merle
• Sable
• White and black
• White and blue merle
• White and red
• Lilac
• Saddleback sable
• Sable merle
• Gold
• Brindle
• White and blue
• White and red merle
• White ticked

The AKC breed registration information also currently lists the following markings:

• Tan points
• White markings
• White markings and tan points
• White markings and ticked pattern
• White markings, tan points, and ticked pattern
• White markings and brindle points
• White markings, brindle points, and ticked pattern
• Merle markings

Border Collie Core Base Colors and Dilutions

Border collie base coat colors are determined by the black (B/b) and dilution (D/d) gene series. These genes will dictate a dog’s underlying pigment before markings, such as tan or brindle points, or patterns, such as ticked or merle, act on it.

So, there isn’t a single gene that dictates coat color, but rather a combination of genes that control the type of pigment that is produced, how (or if) that pigment is diluted, and where white markings or other patterns appear on a dog’s coat. This process produces the myriad border collie color patterns.

Black

Black is the most common dominant base color in border collies. Dogs with at least one B allele exhibit black pigment unless the black base color is affected by the dilution gene (d/d). More specifically, black-and-white is the most common color combination for border collies. This is the standard black coat pigmentation, so it is completely normal and healthy.

Red

Red is a warm reddish-brown color often called chocolate or liver. This color is traditionally caused by two copies of the recessive b allele (b/b) at the B locus, which turns the black pigment into chocolate or reddish-brown. A red (or red-and-white) coat color in border collies is a normal coat variation and is not inherently responsible for genetic health issues.

Lilac

Lilac border collies have light brown to silvery-grey fur. This color is a diluted chocolate/brown, also called a “red” coat. Recessive brown, or b/b genes, from both parents combine with recessive d/d dilution genes from both parents. Instead of black or dark brown nose leather and paw pads, lilac dogs have pinkish-brown, liver, or light taupe pigmentation.

Lilac dogs can suffer from a condition known as color dilution alopecia. Symptoms include fur loss, bumpy or scaly skin, skin infections, and itchiness. Color dilution alopecia isn’t a life-threatening condition, and it can be managed by a veterinarian, but it cannot be cured.

Blue

Blue border collies are dilute black, or grey with a bluish tint. This color comes from a recessive dilution gene (d/d) acting upon the standard black base pigment (B Locus). The dog must have at least one dominant allele for the black base color, but both parents must carry at least one copy of the recessive dilution gene to produce blue puppies.

As with lilac and other dilute colors, these dogs may be prone to color dilution alopecia. As mentioned above, this can sometimes cause hair loss or thinning, as well as overall poor coat quality. It can also leave the skin more prone to dryness and irritation.

What About White?

Most border collies have white markings, but white is not a base coat color because white is an absence of pigment, not a color itself. Many all-white border collies are born safely due to extreme piebald (white-spotting) or dominant white genes. These dogs do have pigmented skin, so their nose and paw pads typically have normal black or liver pigmentation. They are also not generally at higher risk of health issues.

However, Some all-white coloring is the result of two merle genes. Double merle dogs are white due to the double merle gene reducing pigmentation, not due to albinism. They typically have light blue eyes and pink skin around their eyes and nose. They have a high risk of congenital deafness and sometimes blindness as well. Their eyes and skin are sensitive to light, they sunburn easily, and they have a higher risk of developing skin cancer.