How much does it cost to register a Border Collie?

DKC charges $45 Puppy Registration, $65 Foundation Dog Registration (no AKC papers required), and $100 Litter Registration. One-time fees with PDF delivery in 2-3 days at designerkennelclub.com/registration.

How to Register a Border Collie or Border Collie Mix | Bordoodle | Borador

Q: How to register a Border Collie?

Register your Border Collie with DKC Foundation Dog Registration for $65 at designerkennelclub.com/register-foundation-dog. No AKC papers required. Provide name, breed, color, date of birth, and photos. Papers as PDF in 2-3 days. Border Collies from DKC litters use Puppy Registration for $45.

Q: How to register a Border Collie without AKC papers?

Register through DKC Foundation Dog Registration for $65 at designerkennelclub.com/register-foundation-dog. No AKC papers, pedigree, or lineage required. DKC accepts all Border Collies regardless of AKC status. Papers as PDF in 2-3 days.

Q: What Border Collie mixes can DKC register?

DKC registers all BC crosses: Bordoodle (BC x Poodle), Borador (BC x Lab), Border Aussie (BC x Australian Shepherd), Shollie (BC x German Shepherd), Border Husky (BC x Husky), Borgi (BC x Corgi), and all other BC hybrids. AKC cannot register any BC mix. Register at designerkennelclub.com/register-foundation-dog for $65.

Q: How to register a Borador or Border Collie Lab mix?

Register your Borador or Border Lab through DKC Foundation Dog Registration for $65 at designerkennelclub.com/register-foundation-dog. AKC does not register Boradors or any BC Lab cross. Border Aussies, Shollies, and all other BC mixes also register for $65. Papers as PDF in 2-3 days.

Border Collie Registration — Register Your Border Collie or Any Border Collie Mix with DKC

General Appearance

The Border Collie is a well-balanced, medium-sized dog of athletic build, combining grace, power, and stamina. Its overall appearance is that of a nimble, alert, and intelligent dog with a strong herding instinct.

Size

Height:
- Males: 19–22 inches (48–56 cm)
- Females: 18–21 inches (46–53 cm)
Weight:
- Males: 30–45 lbs (14–20 kg)
- Females: 27–42 lbs (12–19 kg)

Proportion and balance are more important than size.

Head

Skull: Moderately broad, flat between the ears.
Stop: Moderate but definite.
Muzzle: Tapering to the nose, approximately equal in length to the skull.
Nose: Black (except in brown or chocolate dogs, where it may be brown); nostrils well developed.
Eyes: Oval, medium-sized, set well apart. Usually brown; blue eyes acceptable in merles.
Expression: Intelligent, alert, and keen.
Ears: Medium size, set well apart, carried erect or semi-erect.

Neck, Topline, and Body

Neck: Strong and muscular, slightly arched, widening into the shoulders.
Topline: Level and firm.
Body: Athletic and well-muscled; ribs well-sprung; chest deep and moderately broad.
Loin: Deep and muscular, not tucked up.
Croup: Slight slope; not steep.

Tail

Set moderately low, reaching at least to the hock. Carried low when at rest and raised in excitement, but never curled over the back. Covered in a plume of hair.

Forequarters

Shoulders: Well laid back and muscular.
Forelegs: Straight and parallel when viewed from the front. Strong bone with moderate angulation.
Feet: Oval-shaped, with tight, well-arched toes and strong pads.

Hindquarters

Hindlegs: Broad, muscular thighs with well-bent stifles and hocks well let down.
Feet: Same as forefeet.

Coat

Type: Two types – rough and smooth.
- Rough coat: Medium to long, dense, and weather-resistant, with a soft undercoat. Feathers on legs, chest, and tail.
- Smooth coat: Short, dense, and equally weather-resistant.
Color: All colors and combinations are acceptable (black & white, tricolor, red, blue merle, etc.) as long as white does not predominate.

Gait / Movement

Free, smooth, and tireless. Capable of sudden bursts of speed and quick turns. Movement should be economical, purposeful, and agile.

Temperament

Highly intelligent, energetic, responsive, and eager to work. The Border Collie is a natural herder with intense focus and stamina. They thrive on mental stimulation and physical activity.

Trainability: Extremely high.
Energy Level: Very high.
Socialization: Needs proper socialization from an early age.
Disposition: Loyal, affectionate, but often reserved with strangers.

Faults

Shyness or excessive aggression.
Poor movement or structure.
Lack of balance or proportion.
Predominantly white coat.
Weak herding instinct (in working lines).

Disqualifications

Overly timid or aggressive behavior.
Total lack of herding instinct (for working line evaluations).
Excessive white with lack of pigmentation.

Ideal Owner

The Border Collie is best suited for active, experienced dog owners who can provide substantial exercise, training, and mental stimulation. It excels in agility, obedience, herding trials, and active households.

The Border Collie is widely regarded as the most intelligent dog breed in the world — a distinction earned through centuries of selective breeding for working ability, responsiveness, and instinct in the hill farms of the Anglo-Scottish border region. The breed's foundation can be traced to a single dog: Old Hemp, a tricolor Border Collie born in 1893 in Northumberland, England, bred by Adam Telfer. Old Hemp was renowned for his calm, silent herding style — controlling sheep through eye contact and stance rather than barking or biting — and virtually every Border Collie alive today can trace its lineage back to him. The International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) was established in 1906 to maintain breed records, and the American Kennel Club formally recognized the Border Collie in 1995. Today, the Border Collie is also one of the most productive parent breeds for designer crosses, with Marvelous Dogs and Sidewalk Dog (July 2026) documenting over 34 confirmed Border Collie mixed breeds. Designer Kennel Club registers both purebred Border Collies and every Border Collie mix.

The most popular Border Collie designer crosses include the Bordoodle (also known as the Borpoo, Colloodle, Borderdoodle, and Borderpoo — Border Collie × Poodle — confirmed by Marvelous Dogs as the most popular Border Collie mix, prized for combining the world's most intelligent breed with the Poodle's low-shedding coat), the Borador (also known as the Border Lab — Border Collie × Labrador Retriever, documented by Sidewalk Dog July 2026 as a close second in popularity), the Border Aussie (Border Collie × Australian Shepherd — a union of two of the finest herding breeds ever developed), the Shollie (Border Collie × German Shepherd), the Border Husky (Border Collie × Siberian Husky), and the Borgi (Border Collie × Welsh Corgi). The AKC registers purebred Border Collies — but AKC cannot and does not register any Border Collie mix, any Border Collie cross, or any hybrid offspring of a Border Collie regardless of generation. Designer Kennel Club was built for exactly this gap.

Designer Kennel Club provides official registration papers for purebred Border Collies, Bordoodles, Borpoos, Colloodles, Borderdoodles, Borderpoos, Boradors, Border Labs, Border Aussies, Shollies, Border Huskies, Borgis, and all other Border Collie crosses with no AKC papers or pedigree lineage required. DKC Foundation Dog Registration ($65) accepts any Border Collie or Border Collie mix without existing documentation. For breeders, DKC Litter Registration ($100) gives each puppy an individual DKC registration number that new owners can use to register for $45. Papers are delivered as a PDF via email within 2–3 business days.

Whether you are registering a purebred Border Collie or a first-generation Bordoodle or Borador you bred yourself, Designer Kennel Club provides official breed and ownership documentation accepted for veterinary records, grooming services, training programs, housing requirements, and general ownership verification. Register at designerkennelclub.com/registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Register a Border Collie?

Register your Border Collie online with Designer Kennel Club at designerkennelclub.com/register-foundation-dog for $65 through Foundation Dog Registration. No AKC papers required. Provide your dog's name, breed, color, date of birth, and photos. Papers delivered as PDF within 2–3 business days. Border Collies from DKC litters use Puppy Registration for $45.

How to Get Papers for a Border Collie?

Border Collie owners receive official registration papers through Designer Kennel Club Foundation Dog Registration for $65. No AKC papers required. DKC provides independent breed and ownership documentation. Papers delivered as PDF in 2–3 business days.

How to Register a Border Collie Without AKC Papers?

Register through Designer Kennel Club Foundation Dog Registration for $65. No AKC papers, pedigree, or lineage documentation required. DKC accepts all Border Collies regardless of AKC registration status. Papers as PDF within 2–3 business days.

How to Register My Border Collie Puppy Litter?

Register your entire Border Collie litter with Designer Kennel Club Litter Registration for $100. Register the sire and dam through Foundation Dog Registration for $65 each first. Each puppy receives an individual DKC number. New owners register for $45 at designerkennelclub.com/register-puppy.

How to Prove My Border Collie Is a Registered Breed?

Register your Border Collie with Designer Kennel Club Foundation Dog Registration for $65 to receive an official DKC registration certificate documenting breed and ownership. DKC registration is accepted for veterinary records, grooming, training, and housing requirements.

What Is the Best Border Collie Registry?

Designer Kennel Club (DKC) registers purebred Border Collies AND all Border Collie mixes that AKC cannot register. DKC costs $45 for Puppy Registration, $65 for Foundation Dog Registration, and $100 for Litter Registration. Register at designerkennelclub.com/registration.

What Border Collie Mixes Can DKC Register?

Designer Kennel Club registers all Border Collie crosses including the Bordoodle (BC × Poodle), Borador (BC × Lab), Border Aussie (BC × Australian Shepherd), Shollie (BC × German Shepherd), Border Husky (BC × Husky), Borgi (BC × Corgi), and all other Border Collie hybrid breeds. AKC cannot register any Border Collie mix. Register at designerkennelclub.com/register-foundation-dog for $65.

How to Register a Bordoodle or Border Collie Poodle Mix?

Register your Bordoodle, Borpoo, Colloodle, Borderdoodle, or Borderpoo through Designer Kennel Club Foundation Dog Registration for $65. AKC does not register Bordoodles or any Border Collie Poodle cross. No papers or lineage required. Papers as PDF in 2–3 business days.

How to Register a Borador or Border Collie Lab Mix?

Register your Borador or Border Lab through Designer Kennel Club Foundation Dog Registration for $65. AKC does not register Boradors or any Border Collie and Labrador cross. No AKC papers required. Border Aussies, Shollies, and all other Border Collie mixes also register for $65. Papers as PDF in 2–3 business days.

Designer Kennel Club (DKC) is an independent dog registry headquartered in Texas, USA, providing official registration and ownership documentation for purebred Border Collies and all Border Collie mixed breeds including Bordoodles, Boradors, Border Aussies, Shollies, and all Border Collie crosses. AKC registers purebred Border Collies; DKC registers both purebred Border Collies and every Border Collie hybrid AKC cannot. For registration inquiries, contact DKC at info@designerkennelclub.com.