Red Border Collie Guide: Info, Facts, Pictures & More!

The Red Border Collie is a purebred dog originating from the Anglo-Scottish border. Red is a highly unique coat color that sets these Border Collies apart from the typical Black and White Border Collie. Their beautiful yet rare coat color 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: @redshepherdess via Instagram

Table of Contents

What Is A Red Border Collie?

Red Border Collies have a mainly brown coat which can range from a rusty red to deep chocolate color. They usually have some kind of white marking on their chest and some even have white patches all over their neck, chest, head, legs and tail. Red Border Collies that have substantial white markings are usually called “Red and White 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 b/b Border Collies i.e. brown coated Border Collies. When we refer to an “ee Red Border Collie” or an “Australian Red Border Collie” we are talking about a gold coated Border Collie.

Red Border Collie via @threeredtails // Instagram

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.

ee Red Border Collie / Australian Red Border Collie / Recessive Red Border Collie / Gold Border Collie / Blonde Border Collie — ee Red Border Collie via @bordercollies.rex.blue // Instagram

Are Red Border Collies Rare?

Red Border Collies are pretty rare but they are nowhere near as rare as ee Red Border Collies. The gene that causes the red coat is recessive so both parents need to carry at least one copy of the gene to pass it on to their offspring. The Border Collie puppies then need to inherit two copies of the gene to express the red coat. They are “b/b”.

Red is a part of the American Kennel Club’s seventeen standard Border Collie colors which are:

Black
Blue
Blue Merle
Brindle
Gold (Recessive Red)
Red
Sable
Sable Merle
White & Black
White & Red
Red Merle
White & Blue
White & Blue Merle
Lilac
Saddleback Sable
White & Red Merle
White Ticked

Red Border Collie Characteristics

Red Border Collie Characteristics
Height	18 to 22 inches (45.7cm to 55.9cm).
Weight	30 and 55 pounds (13.6kg to 24.9kg).
Temperament	Lively, hardworking, intelligent.
Activity Levels	High.
Exercise Requirements	1 to 2 hours per day.
Lifespan	12 to 15 years.
Coat	Red double coat.
Eyes	Brown, blue or green.
Shedding	Moderate to high.
Apartment Adaptability	Not suited to apartments.
Good with Children	Sometimes.

Genetics

Red (Brown) 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.

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.

Coat Variaitons

Australian Red Border Collie (AKA ee Red, Gold, Blonde or Recessive Red)

Australian Red Border Collie via @the.toffee.pop // Instagram

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.

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 border collie — Red Tri Border Collie via @rosietheredcollie // Instagram

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

Red Border Collies are more expensive than the average Border Collie as the coat color is quite rare. Most Red Border Collies cost between $2000USD and $4000USD however some can be even more expensive.

Red Border Collie Breeders

If you are looking for a Border Collie breeder, consider PuppySpot where you can use our discount code PUPPY300 for $300 dollars off any dog. Check out their current litters here!

PuppySpot is a dog adoption website that connects breeders with prospective pet owners. They have a zero tolerance policy for puppy mills which is why they screen every breeder annually! They have placed over 200,000 puppies in homes and offer various trusted, USDA-certified transportation options to deliver your puppy to your home safely! You won’t regret having a look at their Border Collie puppies here as they are so cute!

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.

Mini Schnoodle Full Grown (Adult Size & Age Fully Grown)

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 socialization. This socialization program should include introduction to young children otherwise they may be inclined to herd them.

Size

Red Border Collies get to a height of 18 to 22 inches (45.7cm to 55.9cm) tall and weigh between 30 and 55 pounds (13.6kg to 24.9kg) when fully grown.

You can also get smaller Border Collies called Mini Border Collies however this is an unofficial size. You can read all about Mini Border Collies in our Border Collie size guide here.

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 color 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 Names

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