Red Border Collie (Ultimate Breed Guide)

The Red Border Collie is a purebred dog originating from the Anglo-Scottish border. Red is a highly unique coat colour that sets these Border Collies apart from the typical Black and White Border Collie. Their beautiful yet rare coat colour as well as their alert, hardworking and intelligent nature makes them highly sought after, fetching high prices.

If you are interested in Red Border Collies, keep reading this article to find out the answers to all your questions about this dog breed!

Cover Image Credit: Photo by Luzelle Cockburn on Unsplash

What Is A Red Border Collie?

An Australian Red Border Collie has a gold or pale yellow coat. They often feature white markings on their chest, neck, legs, face and tail. Australian Red Border Collies are also called ee Red Border Collies, Gold Border Collies, Blonde Border Collies or Recessive Red Border Collies.

In the United States and Britain, Border Collies with brown coats are called “Red Border Collies” however in Australia, Red Border Collies have gold coats. In Australia, Border Collies with brown coats are called “Chocolate Border Collies”. It can be really confusing to figure out what someone means when they say they have a Red Border Collie due to all the different naming standards around the world.

In this article when we refer to a “Red Border Collie” we are talking about genetically ee Red Border Collies i.e. gold coated Border Collies or Australian Red Border Collies.

What Is An ee Red Border Collie?

An ee Red Border Collie has a gold or pale yellow coat. There are many names for ee Red Border Collies including Australian Red, Recessive Red, Gold or Blonde. These dogs carry two recessive “e” alleles at the E-locus which means that they express phaeomelanin pigment (instead of eumelanin pigment) and will be golden/yellow.

Are Red Border Collies Rare?

Australian Red Border Collies are pretty rare. The gene that causes the coat is recessive so both parents need to carry at least one copy of the gene to pass it on to their offspring.

Red Border Collie Characteristics

Red Border Collie Characteristics
Height	45cm to 56cm
Weight	13kg to 25kg.
Temperament	Lively, hardworking, intelligent.
Activity Levels	High.
Exercise Requirements	1 to 2 hours per day.
Lifespan	12 to 15 years.
Coat	Gold double coat.
Eyes	Brown, blue or green.
Shedding	Moderate to high.
Apartment Adaptability	Not suited to apartments.
Good with Children	Sometimes.

Genetics

Australian Red (Gold) Border Collies are genetically “e/e”. This means that they will express phaeomelanin pigment (instead of eumelanin pigment) causing their coat to be golden/yellow.

In contrast Red (Brown or Chocoalte) Border Collies are genetically “b/b”. To express the red (brown) coat, they have to carry two recessive “b” alleles at the B-locus. If they carry either one “B” or two “B” alleles, they will have a black coat instead as “B” is a dominant allele. They are also carry the dominant “E” allele meaning that they express eumelanin unlike the Australian Red Border Collie.

Red Coat Variations

Red Merle Border Collie

Red Merle Border Collies have a red (brown), copper, beige and white coat in a mottled pattern. Most of their coat is a beige-grey and they feature red (brown), white and copper patches throughout it. They also usually feature a large white patch on their chest, neck, legs and muzzle and have light or dark brown noses. In most cases they have light brown or amber eyes however they can sometimes have green eyes.

Red Tri Border Collie

Red Tri Border Collies have a mainly brown coat with white and tan markings. The white markings are located on their chest, neck, legs and face while the tan points are on their eye brows, muzzle, ears, back and tail. They look a lot like Red and White Border Collies but have additional tan points.

Red and White Border Collie

Red and White Border Collies are mainly brown but feature substantial white markings. They usually have “Irish spotted” markings which are located on their chest, neck, legs, tail as well as a white blaze marking on their face.

Red Border Collie Price

Australian Red Border Collies are more expensive than the average Border Collie as the coat colour is quite rare. Most Red Border Collies cost between $2000AUD and $4000AUD however some are even more expensive.

Temperament

Red Border Collies are a high energy, intelligent and extremely hard working dog. For these reasons, they do very well in physically and mentally challenging environments such as farms where they can herd livestock and run around a lot.

In general, Border Collies require a lot more exercise per day than other breeds. If you can’t provide them with lots of play and exercise, they may become destructive out of boredom.

They also need plenty of mental exercise. Border Collies are very intelligent meaning that they love to learn new tricks and are quite easy to train. Their training should begin from the time they are a puppy and should include proper socialisation. This socialisation program should include introduction to young children otherwise they may be inclined to herd them.

Size

Red Border Collies get to a height of 45cm to 56cm tall and weigh between 13kg and 25kg when fully grown.

Lifespan

Red Border Collies have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Border Collie including size, gender and whether they are desexed or intact. These variables mean they can have shorter or longer lifespans than the average.

You can give a Border Collie the best chance of living a long life by giving them plenty of daily exercise, feeding them healthy food and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Shedding & Grooming

Red Border Collies shed a moderate amount throughout the year and heavily twice a year during seasonal shedding when they lose their undercoat. Their coats consist of the outer layer of ‘guard hairs’ which are what give Border Collies their colour while their undercoat is white and very dense.

The heavy shedding lasts for 2 to 3 weeks during spring and autumn when they lose their undercoat. They are not hypoallergenic as they produce a moderate amount of dander which irritates allergy sufferers.

The best way to reduce the amount that your dog sheds is to regularly brush them. Slicker brushes are great for dogs with single coats and deshedding tools are great for dogs with double coats.

Red Border Collie Name Ideas

Red Male Border Collie Names	Red Female Border Collie Names
Redford	Rosie
Teddy	Pepper
Scooby	Cinnamon
Bear	Penny
Bruno	Maple
Yogi	Bambi
Reece	Marley
Dusty	Ruby
Russell	Amber
Milo	Willow