People can still breed for herding, but it is getting hard with Aussies. There are no longer any registries keeping track of working bred dogs. My concern isn't with cutting sales, since working Border Collies usually have no problem selling pups. My problem is a) it dilutes the breed, and b) people think they are getting real border collies, but are only getting look-alikes. I believe the original collie was much like the border collie, before it was bred for show, coneheads, etc. If the AKC would change the name of what they are registering - American Agility Dogs, or some such thing, then I wouldn't object at all.
"I would say, from my relatively limited experience with border collies is that while they are very smart and great little dogs, they are probably unsuitable for many pet homes, since they really seem to need a job. If that is honestly the case, I can’t imagine that people out there who are breeding for herding are selling many to pet homes anyway."
BCs bred for work make fine pets. They are intense - probably too intense for what many desire - but they can loaf around with the best of them if needed. They don't need a job as much as they need their people. A hyper BC on a farm doesn't herd sheep, he chases them - and gets shot. I strongly encourage someone thinking about a BC as a pet work with a rescue to get a dog that an experienced owner has evaluated for personality.
Our original BC:
"So, I still don’t see how AKC recognition is affecting their breeding programs."
As long as the competing registries register more Border Collies, and they do right now - about 90% - then the harm is minimal. The harm is mainly to a buyer who thinks he is getting a Border Collie, when he is really getting a heavy-boned, long haired, B&W dog. However, in the past, competing registries have had a hard time staying around in competition with the well known and vastly larger AKC.
And I agree - thanks for the polite discussion.