Border Collies are uniquely bred working dogs that should remain under the registry of their own breed association, says the president of the Canadian Border Collie Association.
Aileen McConnell said she and other farmers and ranchers value the animals’ herding characteristics and fear the loss of the breed registry’s control to the Canadian Kennel Club.
CKC, which recognizes and provides registry services for 174 dog breeds and regulates CKC-approved shows and events, is surveying members about placing Border Collies into its own miscellaneous breed category.
The CBCA now manages the registry.
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McConnell relies on Border Collies to help manage the sheep herd on her Victoria area farm.
She fears CKC’s move could result in that organization setting conformation standards that could be at odds with what owners need.
“At no time was the Border Collie ever bred or registered because of its looks, but always recognized by its working ability with livestock.”
McConnell noted how they are commonly used in livestock operations but also help remove wildlife from airport fields and golf courses.
“We feel the people who should define the standard of the Border Collie are the people who run the registry in Canada,” she said.
The CBCA has reciprocity agreements with the American Border Collie Association and the International Sheep Dog Society, the guardian of this working breed for a century.
CBCA is lobbying Agriculture Canada, which administers the Pedigreed Animal Act, to ensure it remains the breed registrar. Provincial breed associations have also been contacted to become involved in similar letter writing campaigns.
McConnell said a national poll of Border Collie owners about a decade ago showed they wanted to keep control of the registry.
“We thought this battle had been won,” said McConnell.
Her group has received no response from Agiculture Canada or CKC.
CKC was unavailable for comment.
