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

The Sable Border Collie is a purebred dog originating from the Anglo-Scottish border that features a beautiful two-toned tan and black coat. While sable is a relatively rare coat pattern for Border Collies, it is recognised as a standard coat pattern by many kennel clubs!

If you want to know more about Sable Border Collies, keep reading this article to find out the answers to all your questions about this coat color!

Cover Image Credit: @yzma_thesable via Instagram

Table of Contents

What Is A Sable Border Collie?

Sable Border Collies feature a coat with tan hairs that have black-tips. The sable hairs cover most of their body and they usually have a large white patch that extends over their chest, neck, legs, stomach and tail as well as a white blaze mark on their face. The black tips are usually most prominent on their head, ears and shoulder region and is less noticeable on their back and legs.

The intensity of the sable pattern varies from dog to dog. Some Sable Border Collies appear to be more tan than black while others look more black than tan. This depends on how long the black tip is on each hair. Sable Border Collies that look more black than tan are usually called “Shaded Sables” while ones that are more than black are called “Clear Sables.”

While it is most common for Sable Border Collies to have black tipped hairs, it is possible for them to come in other colors such as Slate Sable, Blue Sable, Red Sable (Chocolate Sable) etc.

Are Sable Border Collies Rare?

Sable Border Collies are quite rare but by no means feature the rarest Border Collie coat color/pattern. The American Kennel Club (AKC) as well as many other kennel clubs recognise “sable” as a standard coat color for Border Collies. The AKC registration code is 164.

The seventeen AKC recognised Border Collie colors are:

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

Sable Border Collie Genetics

Sable (Ay) is the top dominant on the A-locus meaning that Border Collies only need to carry one sable allele to express the pattern.

Sable Border Collie Characteristics

Sable 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	Sable double coat.
Eyes	Brown or green.
Shedding	Moderate to high.
Apartment Adaptability	Not suited to apartments.
Good with Children	Sometimes.

Coat Variations

Sable Merle Border Collie

Sable Merle Border Collies carry the merle gene which dilutes sections of their coat. Instead of having an unbroken sable pattern, there may be patches of diluted brown or tan throughout their coat in a mottled pattern.

It can be hard at times to distinguish between a normal Sable Border Collie and a Sable Merle Border Collie as the merle pattern looks only slightly different from the plain sable pattern. Usually the merle pattern is quite prominent when they are born however fades over time to be visible just around their ears.

There are many different types of Merle Border Collies besides Sable Merle Border Collies such as Blue Merle, Red Merle and Slate Merle. You can read all about Blue Merle Border Collies and Red Merle Border Collies here.

Saddleback Sable Border Collie

Saddleback Sable Border Collies have black tipped hairs over their back in a saddle pattern. They are different from normal Saddleback Border Collies as their saddle hairs have tan roots instead of being solid black.

Clear Sable Border Collie

Clear Sable Border Collies have a lighter sable coat. Usually only the ear tips are black and the rest of their coat is tan.

Shaded Sable Border Collie

Shaded Sable Border Collies have a darker sable coat. Most of their body is covered in black tips so they sometimes appear to be nearly all-black.

Blue Sable Border Collie

Blue Sable Border Collies have blue-tipped hairs instead of black tipped ones. This is the result of carrying the dilution gene which changes their black hairs to an ash-grey color. Blue Sable Border Collies are extremely rare.

Chocolate Sable Border Collie (AKA Red Sable Border Collie)

Chocolate Sable Border Collies have chocolate (red) tipped hairs instead of black tipped ones. This is rare as Border Collies need to inherit two copies of the recessive “b” allele to express brown/red pigmentation. You read all about Brown Border Collies here.

Sable Border Collie Price

Sable Border Collies are more expensive than the average Black and White Border Collie as the coat color is much rarer. Most Sable Border Collies cost between $2000USD and $4000USD however some can be even more expensive.

Sable Border Collie Breeder

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!

French Bulldog Size Guide (Micro, Teacup, Toy, Mini & Standard)

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Temperament

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

In general, Sable 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. Sable Border Collies are also very intelligent so they pick up tricks very quickly and are quite easy to train. They should be socialized from a very young age, especially around young children otherwise they may be inclined to herd them.

Size

Sable 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

Sable 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

Sable 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.

Sable Border Collie Names

Male Sable Border Collie Names	Female Sable Border Collie Names
Otto	Sabrina
Brandy	Beatrix
Moose	Nia
Rocky	Nutmeg
Fred	Gretel
Cobalt	Sienna
Whiskey	Hansel
Toast	Billie
Snickers	Astra
Icy	Dahlia