[Space Wrangler]

As a border collie owner and enthusiast, I followed the lawsuit that the ABCA (American Border Collie Assoc.) filed against the AKC to keep the border collie OUT of the breed standards of the AKC. The idea being that the Border Collie is a working dog, and the most important trait is it's ability to herd livestock. The ABCA didn't want to water down the working charecteristics of the breed in order to maintain some physical attributes that a bunch of dog snobs came up with. The suit was settled, but to this day, anyone who shows border collies in any AKC events are pariahs of the border collie world. Herding ability is paramount for the breed, therefore, no matter what the dog looks like, it is judged solely on it's abilities.

[PatriotGames]

If Border Collies or Shetland Sheep Dogs owned all humans then the humans would never want to be owned by any other breed. :-)

[kstewskis]

but to this day, anyone who shows border collies in any AKC events are pariahs of the border collie world. Herding ability is paramount for the breed, therefore, no matter what the dog looks like, it is judged solely on it's abilities.

Amen. No BC called "Fluffy" ever could get the job done when you have 100 head of sheep on about 50 acres of rolling land.

I take great joy when my BC rolls in (dried) horse dung at the AKC shows here at a local polo field. Have to laugh at her expression too, as we pass right by the poof balls they call show dogs.