These dogs are not sables. They are genetically e/e’s– the same as golden retrievers, yellow Labs, and Irish setters.
The reason why they are called “Australian reds” is because they exist in greater numbers there than elsewhere, and the normal “red” in border collies is what I call a “liver.”
The dogs are sometimes advertised as “golden border collies,” which actually might be a more accurate name. However, that name suggests hybridization with golden retrievers, another breed widely used in dog sports.
Never mind that the vast majority of crosses between the two are solid black and look a little bit like very rugged flat-coated retrievers. Like these puppies:
Advertisements
Yeah the “golden border collie” would confuse me now that I’ve housed the hybrid version.
The red BC looks a lot like the variations of English Shepherds. Is there a fundamental difference?
Well, they are relatives, but different.
English shepherds are derived from the pre-Enclosure dogs that helped small farmers manage small flocks and guard the wattle-and-daub huts.
Border collies are post-Enclosure and are meant to control large numbers of sheep over vast acreages.
ES are loose-eyed, meaning they herd but are not too intense.
Border collies are typically strong-eyed and are very intense herders.
ES are better choices for pet dogs or dogs for the small farm.
BC’s are competition dogs or those who actually have large flocks of sheep.
I’m still learning about all of this. We got our Australian Red earlier this year when we were looking for a red&white border collie. I like the term Golden. But most people we meet seem to think he’s some kind of cross breed.