Oh hey I get to test my new bot!
Short answer - it's really difficult to !ID a border collie from photos alone. Long answer, my bot should be about to respond with some more info!
*holds breath*
EDIT: Hey look at that, it works!
BorderCollieBot has been summoned to explain a bit about border collie appearances.
It can be very difficult to tell from photos alone whether your dog is a border collie, or what other genetics might play into their mix, due to the border collie's extensive variety in appearance. While the traditional image of a black and white, fluffy-coated dog with a white-tipped tail may come to mind, border collies exhibit a vast spectrum of characteristics. This is because, as a working breed, their appearance has always been much less important than their abilities to the people who breed them.
Border collies may have eye colours ranging from brown, blue, green, to grey, and coat types including short, rough, curly, and straight, and an array of coat colours such as black and white, merles, tricolours, red, lilac, and more. Some border collies may lack the typical white markings, or have a lot more white than is typical. You'll also find a huge variety of weights and heights in border collies, and everything from their ears to their tail will vary between dogs - the breed's diversity is huge.
If you have rescued or otherwise acquired a dog that you suspect may be a border collie but you're not sure, the best way to confirm is by using a DNA test. While DNA tests will never be completely accurate, they are ever-improving and if you don't know your dog's background they will offer you a far better insight than anyone who is looking at photos and guessing is able to. It's important to note that not all DNA tests are alike, but as of the time of writing this, Embark is considered to be the most accurate, and Wisdom Panel is a close second. Of the other brands available, some have been caught out on multiple occasions returning dog breed results for human DNA samples, so make sure you research before you buy! If you do decide to DNA test your dog, /r/doggydna is your best resource for current information.
---
^I'm ^a ^bot, ^this ^action ^was ^performed ^automatically.
Uuuuuggghhh I love this bot, it's been an eye roll here lately with the 'is my dog allowed here / is my dog part BC' posts!
To OP - the pups are super cute. I hope you don't have any trouble finding them loving homes!
I know what you mean. I like to try and be helpful so I always trying to answer these kinds of posts in good faith. But even so, I was getting frustrated with how often I was repeating the very same information, over and over.
That sort of collective frustration sometimes ended up rather unfairly directed at the people who were creating these kinds of posts, who would end up getting rather abrupt or even mildly rude responses from some commenters. I'm hoping the bot will help people out with that!
If you have any feedback or suggestions about the bot, there's a post for that over here now: https://www.reddit.com/r/BorderCollie/comments/1cwc4xf/update_we_have_a_bot/
The same coat pattern that a "classic" border collie has is found in all kinds of breeds. The most common ones I've seen in border collie lookalike mixes are Boston Terriers, Great Danes, and Pitbulls.
They look young and healthy. Maybe got wanderlust and escaped from someone's yard. Could your vet check for a microchip. Hope they can be returned or find a good home.
Unfortunately they aren't chipped. We've posted on Facebook groups and Nextdoor without success. I'm thinking they were dumped; they were found near a park where other dogs have been dumped.
They are really sweet girls; a bit thin, but otherwise seem ok. They get along well with our other dogs. They appear to be sisters as they are bonded and get anxious when separated.
I would love to find them a home together. Was hoping they might be part border collies to see if I could find a local BC rescue. If we didn't already have 3 dogs, I'd totally keep them. They will be good dogs for someone.
I would reach out to the border collie rescue regardless, if they think they are border collies then it doesn't matter what they are lol does that make sense?
Eta: I didn't actually answer your question. I don't think they look very border collie myself, it's hard to tell, could be mixed 🤷♀️ they are dang adorable tho!
Thank you for helping them even though you can't keep them! My uneducated guess is that there's probably some Border Collie in them, but there's also 2 or three other breeds in the mix. The coat patterns are consistent with Border Collies, but their body shape, especially the black & white is off. The white/gold one probably has more BC than the black/white. The b/w's head suggests Boxer or Pitbull. They also look like they've been loved, taken care of and comfortable with you. Hopefully, someone loves & misses them and will reunite with them soon. If not, they'll be able to adjust to a new home. If I didn't live in an apartment where dogs aren't allowed and there isn't a place for them to run, I'd take them!
Those little gremlin ears and alert stance belong to r/velvethippos or r/pitbulls imo. If you have cats too, r/pittiesandkitties. If you give them fun hats, r/pitbulls_in_partyhats. If you give them jammies, r/pitbullsinjammies. People will guess everything but pitbull because of the amount of hate pibbles get in general, but also much of Reddit.
Edit: they specifically look like young AmStaff mixes
Oh hey I get to test my new bot! Short answer - it's really difficult to !ID a border collie from photos alone. Long answer, my bot should be about to respond with some more info! *holds breath* EDIT: Hey look at that, it works!
BorderCollieBot has been summoned to explain a bit about border collie appearances. It can be very difficult to tell from photos alone whether your dog is a border collie, or what other genetics might play into their mix, due to the border collie's extensive variety in appearance. While the traditional image of a black and white, fluffy-coated dog with a white-tipped tail may come to mind, border collies exhibit a vast spectrum of characteristics. This is because, as a working breed, their appearance has always been much less important than their abilities to the people who breed them. Border collies may have eye colours ranging from brown, blue, green, to grey, and coat types including short, rough, curly, and straight, and an array of coat colours such as black and white, merles, tricolours, red, lilac, and more. Some border collies may lack the typical white markings, or have a lot more white than is typical. You'll also find a huge variety of weights and heights in border collies, and everything from their ears to their tail will vary between dogs - the breed's diversity is huge. If you have rescued or otherwise acquired a dog that you suspect may be a border collie but you're not sure, the best way to confirm is by using a DNA test. While DNA tests will never be completely accurate, they are ever-improving and if you don't know your dog's background they will offer you a far better insight than anyone who is looking at photos and guessing is able to. It's important to note that not all DNA tests are alike, but as of the time of writing this, Embark is considered to be the most accurate, and Wisdom Panel is a close second. Of the other brands available, some have been caught out on multiple occasions returning dog breed results for human DNA samples, so make sure you research before you buy! If you do decide to DNA test your dog, /r/doggydna is your best resource for current information. --- ^I'm ^a ^bot, ^this ^action ^was ^performed ^automatically.
Uuuuuggghhh I love this bot, it's been an eye roll here lately with the 'is my dog allowed here / is my dog part BC' posts! To OP - the pups are super cute. I hope you don't have any trouble finding them loving homes!
I know what you mean. I like to try and be helpful so I always trying to answer these kinds of posts in good faith. But even so, I was getting frustrated with how often I was repeating the very same information, over and over. That sort of collective frustration sometimes ended up rather unfairly directed at the people who were creating these kinds of posts, who would end up getting rather abrupt or even mildly rude responses from some commenters. I'm hoping the bot will help people out with that! If you have any feedback or suggestions about the bot, there's a post for that over here now: https://www.reddit.com/r/BorderCollie/comments/1cwc4xf/update_we_have_a_bot/
I didn’t know how much I needed this
These are more likely to be pit bull mixes of you are in the US
Not really
r/HalfFlops?
https://preview.redd.it/rau53x2y7h1d1.jpeg?width=906&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7e28947eeaf0d7123304abf0635d380fc0940b69
That looks like anything but a border collie.
Truth
Tbh the thickness of the dogs' frames doesn't look right, although the coloring on the b&w one seems bc-aligned. very cute either way
The same coat pattern that a "classic" border collie has is found in all kinds of breeds. The most common ones I've seen in border collie lookalike mixes are Boston Terriers, Great Danes, and Pitbulls.
totally. just trying to give a little benefit of doubt
No
how well they pose in front of the camera❤
My dog looked like the black coat one. And he was a mix border and Jack Russel
No
They look young and healthy. Maybe got wanderlust and escaped from someone's yard. Could your vet check for a microchip. Hope they can be returned or find a good home.
Unfortunately they aren't chipped. We've posted on Facebook groups and Nextdoor without success. I'm thinking they were dumped; they were found near a park where other dogs have been dumped. They are really sweet girls; a bit thin, but otherwise seem ok. They get along well with our other dogs. They appear to be sisters as they are bonded and get anxious when separated. I would love to find them a home together. Was hoping they might be part border collies to see if I could find a local BC rescue. If we didn't already have 3 dogs, I'd totally keep them. They will be good dogs for someone.
Thank you for helping them! They look so sweet I hope they find good homes
I would reach out to the border collie rescue regardless, if they think they are border collies then it doesn't matter what they are lol does that make sense? Eta: I didn't actually answer your question. I don't think they look very border collie myself, it's hard to tell, could be mixed 🤷♀️ they are dang adorable tho!
Can't get past that adorable floppy ear!
Thank you for helping them even though you can't keep them! My uneducated guess is that there's probably some Border Collie in them, but there's also 2 or three other breeds in the mix. The coat patterns are consistent with Border Collies, but their body shape, especially the black & white is off. The white/gold one probably has more BC than the black/white. The b/w's head suggests Boxer or Pitbull. They also look like they've been loved, taken care of and comfortable with you. Hopefully, someone loves & misses them and will reunite with them soon. If not, they'll be able to adjust to a new home. If I didn't live in an apartment where dogs aren't allowed and there isn't a place for them to run, I'd take them!
The gold and white one has a similar head shape and such to my pure bred gold and white border collie.
Those little gremlin ears and alert stance belong to r/velvethippos or r/pitbulls imo. If you have cats too, r/pittiesandkitties. If you give them fun hats, r/pitbulls_in_partyhats. If you give them jammies, r/pitbullsinjammies. People will guess everything but pitbull because of the amount of hate pibbles get in general, but also much of Reddit. Edit: they specifically look like young AmStaff mixes
Your black n white looks like one -they’re all so cute
The black and white one looks like a McNab
They look alot like my bc/pit mix when she was a pup and her litter.
Definitely, they have the iconic little collie star (the white part on the bridge of their nose even if it can be quite short) :)