Characteristics
The Border Collie is highly intelligent with an instinctive tendency to work and is readily responsive to training. Its keen, alert and eager expression add to its intelligent appearance, whilst its loyalty and faithful nature demonstrates that it is at all times kindly disposed towards stock.   Any aspect of structure or temperament foreign to a working dog is uncharacteristic.

General Appearence
The general appearance should be that of a well proportioned dog, the smooth outline showing quality, gracefulness and perfect balance, combined with sufficient substance to convey the impression that is capable of endurance. Any tendency to coarseness or weediness is undesirable.

Head and Skull
Skull fairly broad, occiput not pronounced. Cheeks should not be full or rounded. The muzzle tapering to the nose, should be moderately short and strong, and the skull and foreface should be approximately the same length. Nose black, nostrils well developed. Stop very distinct.

Eyes
The eyes should be set wide apart oval shaped of moderate size and dark brown in colour, except in the case of merles where one or both, or part of one or both, may be blue. The expression should be mild yet keen.

Ears
The ears should be of medium size and texture, set well apart, carried semi-erect and sensitive in their use. Inside the ear should be well furnished with hair.

Mouth
The teeth should be strong, with perfect regular and complete scissor bite; ie the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck
The neck should be of good length, strong and muscular, slightly arched and broadening to the shoulders.

Forequarters
Front legs parallel when viewed from front, pasterns sloping slightly when viewed from side. Bone should be round and strong but not heavy. Shoulders well laid back, elbows close to the body.

Body
Ribs well sprung, chest deep and rather broad. The back should be broad and strong, and lions deep muscular and slightly arched. The body should be slightly longer than it is high at the shoulder.

Hindquarters
The hindquarters should be broad and muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to the set on of the tail. The thighs should be long, broad, deep, muscular with well turned stifles and strong hocks, well let down. From hock to ground the hind legs should be well boned and parallel when viewed from the rear.

Feet
Oval in shape pads deep, strong and sound toes arched and close together. Nails short and strong.

Gait
The movement should be free smooth and tireless, with a minimum lift of feet, conveying the impression of the ability to move with great stealth and speed.

Tail
The tail should be moderately long, the bone reaching at least to the hock joint, set on low, well furnished and with an upwards swirl towards the end completing the graceful contour and balance of the dog. The tail may be raised in excitement but never carried over the back.

Coat
There are two varieties of coat, one moderately long, the other smooth. In both, the topcoat should be dense and medium textured, the undercoat short, soft and dense to give good weather resistance. In the moderately long coated variety there should be abundant coat to form a mane breaching and brush. On face, ears, forelegs ( except for feather ), hindlegs from hock to ground, the hair should be short and smooth.

Colour
A variety of colours is permissible, but white should never be predominate.

Size
Ideal height: Dogs about 48-53cm (19-21 inches at the withers).  Bitches slightly less - 46-51cm (18-20 inches at the withers).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.