What colors do Border Collies come in?
Border Collies come in more than 17 colors, but they are most commonly black with white markings. Other common base coat colors outside of black include gold, sable, blue merle, brown, and red.
- Black: Black Border Collies have a coat that is predominantly black, with white patches on their head, neck, chest, feet, and tail.
- Red: Red Border Collies appear in different tones of red. Red is one of the most common colors seen in this breed.
- Blue: Thanks to a gene that dilutes black coloring, the blue coat on blue Border Collies is actually a progressive ash gray.
- Blue merle: The blue merle Border Collie has a white chest with a gray base coat that has patches of black on their ears, face, back, and tail.
- Brindle: Brindle is a striped tiger-like pattern that is a normal coat pattern in purebred Border Collies.
- Gold: Gold Border Collies, also sometimes called blondes, have a coat color most commonly associated with Golden Retrievers.
- Lilac: Lilac Border Collies are actually red with a gene that dilutes their pigment. They appear somewhat purple in natural light.
- Red merle: Red merle Border Collies have a red base coat, some white markings on their chest, face, neck, and tails, and random dark patches.
- Sable: Sable is a pattern associated with a tan or red coat with black tips on each hair.