Working Line Versus Show Line Border Collies

While the Border Collie has been known to make an excellent house pet for the active owner, these slim, athletic dogs were initially bred to work long days on family farms, herding sheep and protecting the household.

A descendant of the Landrace Collie family of The British Isles, the Border Collie is extremely intelligent, driven, energetic, and often referred to as a breed of “workaholics”.

The Border Collie owner may demonstrate their devoted pets’ many talents with various activities, from herding and agility to participation in dog shows and grooming competitions.

While the Border is a beautiful and exciting pet to own, there has been much debate within the dog community as to whether or not there is an actual difference between working line Border Collies versus those in the show line.

As its own breed, the Border Collie wasn’t officially recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1995. However, the International Sheep Dog Society began to differentiate the Border itself from its Landrace Collie ancestors in 1915.

As the Border Collie breed becomes increasingly desirable, heated debates have sparked across the globe as to what the actual difference is between a working line Border and its show line counterpart.

This article will attempt to settle the debate on the differences between the working-line border collie and the show-line border collie. Specifically, we will explore those unique qualities that separate the working-line Border Collie from the show-line Border, including physical attributes, personality, level of care, and cost.

working line border collie
Working Line Border Collie

How Does the Show Line Border Collies Look Different from the Working Line Border Collie?

As with many breeds, the primary (and most obvious) differential between these two lines is the dogs’ physique. The working Border has a short coat that can be coarse or soft. They stand 18-22 inches at the shoulder and have a very muscular, slim, athletic build.

Their coats may come in various colors and patterns, but their usual coloring contains black as the ground color with white markings on the chest, neck, feet, and face.

The show line Border, in comparison, will usually have a much longer, thicker coat that is soft to the touch. The coat of a show line Border requires daily brushing and regular grooming. In addition, show line Borders may be heavier in body mass than their working counterpart and with shorter legs.

The show line Border is often nicknamed the “Barbie Collie” due to their beautiful looks (and the fact that many say they are not as intelligent as working line Borders).

The thing all Border Collies have in common, working, show, or otherwise, is the distinct look of the eyes and general expression. Their beautiful almond-shaped eyes sit as the focus of the intense, unwavering gaze that Borders is famous for.

The border collie gaze is referred to as the “herding eye”. The Border collie uses its herding eye to captivate and command herds of animals (sheep, cattle, etc) in a magical manner. This incredibly unique and breed-specific use of its gaze to herd allows the Border to control their herd solely with the intimidation of their gaze.

Eye color may vary, though perhaps the most recognized (and most beloved) is the deep hazelnut color that adorns many Borders.

show line border collie
Show Line Border Collie

Do Working Line Border Collies Have Different Personalities from Show Line Border Collies?

Yes, there may be a difference in the personality of the working line and show line border collies.

Working border collies descend from a class of extremely intelligent sheepdogs. For this reason, a working line Border Collie will likely have an instinct to herd accompanied by an insatiable desire to work and a need for copious amounts of exercise.

Show Borders, in comparison, are bred primarily for their looks, though many breeders place significant importance on producing a Border who possesses a desire to please and a trainability that working line Borders may not be capable of.

While the show line Border may demonstrate distinctive behavioral or personality differences from those in the working line, both the working line and the show line border collie share similar energy and require plenty of physical and mental stimulation to succeed.

show line border collie
Show Line Border Collie

Does a Show Line Border Collie Cost More Than a Working Line Border Collie?

For either line, the cost of purchase of a border collie will depend primarily on the pedigree of the individual dog. Puppies that come from a championship line or those that have excellent working dog genetics with memberships for the International Sheep Dog Society will likely cost a great deal more than those with less verifiable genetic histories.

The purchase cost of an untrained puppy bred from working lines can cost anywhere from $800 to 2000 USD. However, a young working dog that has been trained to herd prior to sale runs around $7500. It is important to note that many breeders will restrict the sale of these pups to those who actually plan to work them.

A litter from a championship or skilled sheepdog line is often highly anticipated, and many will pay good money to reserve puppies, sometimes even years before the litter is even conceived.

Working Line Border Collie

A show line Border from a championship line will cost anywhere from $1300-4500 USD, sometimes even more. While weighing in with quite a hefty price tag, show-quality Borders will usually come with registration papers, proof of a superior lineage, and breeding rights for the purchaser.

The cost for a Border Collie puppy with an average (non-championship) pedigree, however, is closer to $600 USD, whether they come from a working line or a show line. And a Border puppy with no registration papers can cost as little as $200 – a much cheaper alternative for those wanting a Border for a family pet.

border collie herding livestock
Working Line Border Collie Herding Livestock

Which is a Better Family Dog: A Working Line Border Collie or a Show Line Border Collie?

A Border Collie of either line will make a great companion for those with an active lifestyle. The Border may be the perfect addition if you love to jog, hike, and play outside.

Families with a large yard, lots of time to dedicate to providing exercise and mental stimulation, and an active lifestyle are likely to bond very well with a Border from either line.

If you are new to the breed and would enjoy a more compliant, calm, and teachable Border Collie, a descendant of the show line may be the preferred choice.

It is becoming more and more common for today’s show breeders to focus more on implementing family-friendly traits as the Border Collie is becoming an increasingly popular family pet.

Suppose an incredibly energetic dog doesn’t phase you, but you would like to avoid strong herding instincts (as many Border owners do). In that case, it is incredibly important to talk to your breeder about the puppy’s precise lineage.

While Border Collies don’t always show their herding instincts early on in life, comprehensive knowledge of the pup’s lineage will prepare you for what may lie ahead.

It is vital for any owner to start training early and to continue with the training well into the pup’s early years. Many Border pups will keep their herding instincts hidden well into their first year or two of life.

The Border Collie is known to be highly affectionate and eager to please, making him an excellent addition to a larger family with older children.

A home with young children may not be as suitable for a Border, given that their hyper energy may not be welcomed around sleeping babies or easily frightened small children.

Border Collies of either line are very playful and likely to keep any family on their toes. If you have an active family that loves to spend time playing outside, the Border may be a perfect addition to your crew.

In addition to being very teachable, the Border is also known to be very protective of its pack and will be sure to keep your family safe and sound.

Borders are highly adaptable to any environment, making them great travel companions, and they will generally interact well with other pets in the household.

Working Line Border Collie

Which is Healthier: Show Line Border Collies or Working Line Border Collies? 

Border Collies, as a whole, are very healthy regardless of their genetic history. There are, of course, exceptions to this, such as is the case with inbreeding. The average lifespan of a Border is 12-15 years, though, if cared for properly, they may live even longer.

As is true with any breed, some specific ailments and diseases have a higher chance of affecting Border Collies. Borders are prone to epilepsy (a seizure disorder), hyperthyroidism, and osteoarthritis (joint pain), though recent research suggests that there is a unique disease that seems to be targeting show-line Border Collies.

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis is a family of genetic diseases that target the function of lysosomes within the cell. Certain strains of this disease have been previously seen in Australian Shepherds and Golden Retrievers, but the most recently discovered strain (nicknamed NCL-5) has targeted show line Border Collies specifically.

NCL-5 is a disease that causes neurologic dysfunction within the brain; clinical symptoms include ataxia, lethargy, convulsions, and sudden blindness. However, many cases have reported distinct behavioral changes in Borders diagnosed with NCL-5 as well, including sudden bouts of fear or aggression, apparent hallucinations, and lack of response to commands or loss of interest in normal activities.

The sudden appearance of never-before-seen diseases or ailments is yet another reason why owners should be diligent in researching a proper breeder. The continued sale of puppies who are not bred to regulation standards can only lead to the progression of health and behavioral issues.

It would be a crime to see the beautiful and intelligent Border Collie go extinct due to our human negligence; whether on the part of the breeder or the purchaser, we must all do our part to preserve the health and wellness of this astounding breed.

Do Show Line Border Collies Require More Care Than Working-Line Border Collies?

Any dog, regardless of the breed or pedigree, is bound to require a generous amount of care on the part of its handler: whether in relation to diet, exercise, and overall healthcare or to grooming and mental stimulation.

And while the Border Collie is no exception, there are certain differences in requirements of care that heavily depend on the pedigree and purpose of breeding.

For instance, working-line Border Collies do not require frequent grooming, but they do require copious amounts of exercise and mental stimulation. A short-haired working Border, whether sporting a coarse or soft coat, will require the very basics when it comes to grooming (a simple nail trim, monthly bath, and occasional brushing will suffice) but will require much more effort for physical and mental stimulation.

If a working Border is not being used for herding purposes, they require large amounts of supplemental exercise (an open yard to roam, daily walks or runs, and endless games of fetch).

Show-line Border Collies, in comparison, generally require the exact opposite; they must have frequent professional grooming (every 4-6 weeks on average) but require substantially less exercise. Most show-line Borders will be happy with minimal supplemental exercise: a daily walk, a potty break every few hours, and perhaps a game or two of fetch when you have the time.

Show-line Borders are bred to be much more docile than their “workaholic” cousins.

There is, fortunately, not much difference in healthcare requirements between these two lines. For any dog, especially those in the working or show class, veterinarians will recommend annual wellness visits when they are young, increasing to twice yearly as they age.

Most veterinarians will also recommend annual bloodwork (to screen for any potential diseases), regular dental cleanings, and, of course, a strict vaccine schedule. Many of these standard procedures may also be required by your breeder or league of registration.

Dietary needs may vary based on the line of Border Collie that you own. Working Borders, for instance, require a much larger caloric intake than a show-line due to the substantial difference in calories burned per day.

Many working Border owners feed their pets red meat or chicken, never lamb or sheep, while show-line Borders may benefit from a fish-based diet for healthier skin and coat.

Working Line Border Collie

Conclusion

While there may be many differences between the working-line Border Collie and the show-line Border Collie, one constant remains: this bright, intelligent, gorgeous breed is an important staple to both the farming and show industries. They also make wonderful house pets.

The Border deserves to be adored, not only for their many talents but for the devoted companionship they provide to any person lucky enough to cross their path.