At Scenic Collies, we love the incredible variety of colours and markings Border Collies can have. Colour is often what first catches the eye — and it’s something we enjoy celebrating.
At the same time, we believe in being transparent about how colour genetics work. Visual colour and genetic colour are not always the same thing, and understanding the difference helps avoid confusion while keeping health and temperament the top priority.
Our approach is simple:
- Puppies are described in visually familiar terms so families know what they’re seeing
- Genetics and DNA testing guide our breeding decisions, not colour trends
This balance allows us to enjoy beautiful coats while breeding responsibly.
🧬 Visual Colour vs Genetic Colour
Many colour names are used to describe appearance, while genetics explain how colour is inherited.
For example, the term “blue merle” is commonly used to describe grey or silver merle coats. Genetically, many of these dogs are black-based merles, where the merle pattern breaks up black pigment to create lighter tones.
Both descriptions can be correct — they are simply describing colour from different perspectives.
Merle can also influence early pigment in noses, gums, and eye colour. Lighter pigment in puppies does not necessarily indicate dilute genetics and often darkens as puppies mature.
🐾 Colour Development
- Newborn puppy colours often change as coats develop
- Merle tones may soften or deepen with age
- Red puppies may appear orange, apricot, or golden
- Chocolate coats can vary from dark to light, sometimes with warm or lilac-toned areas
- Eye colour may change in the first weeks of life
Final adult colour and eye colour cannot be guaranteed in young puppies.
🐶 Our Dogs & Their Litters
🐾 Teddy × Evie
This pairing has produced puppies including:
- Chocolate & White
- Wheaten & White
- Red & White (often appearing apricot or orange)
Several puppies from this pairing inherited beautiful mixed green and blue eye colour, similar to Teddy.
🐾 Teddy × Rosie
This pairing produced a wide range of visual colours, including:
- Lilac Merle (visual)
- Chocolate Merle (visual)
- Blue Merle (visual)
- Dark Chocolate & White
- Lighter Chocolate & White
- Chocolate & White with golden tones and lilac-toned undercoat
- Golden & White
This litter is a wonderful example of how coat modifiers and merle patterning can create varied and unique appearances within the same breeding.
🐾 Teddy × Luna
This current pairing has produced:
- 2 × Black & White
- 1 × Chocolate & White
- 3 × Red & White (orange/apricot tones)
- 2 × Wheaten & White
- 1 × Slate Merle (visual)
Colours and markings will continue to develop as the puppies mature.
🧬 Health & Ethics First
All of our breeding dogs are health tested, and colour genetics are considered carefully to ensure ethical pairings. We do not breed for rare colours or make guarantees based on appearance.
Our focus remains on:
- Sound health
- Stable temperament
- Puppies suited to family life
Colour is part of what makes each puppy special — but it is never the goal.
🎨 Visual Colour vs Genetic Colour at Scenic Collies
| Visual Description (What You See) | Genetic Base Colour | Why They Look This Way | How We Describe It Publicly |
| Blue Merle (grey/black merle) | Black-based + Merle | Merle lightens black pigment into grey/blue shades | Blue Merle (black-based) |
| Slate Merle (soft grey tones) | Black-based + Merle | Merle + modifiers soften black into slate/grey | Slate Merle (black-based) |
| Chocolate Merle (brown-toned merle) | Black-based + Merle + warm modifiers | Merle and coat warmth create brown appearance | Black-based Merle with chocolate tones |
| Lilac-toned Merle | Black-based + Merle + coat modifiers | Merle + undercoat colour causes lilac cast | Black-based Merle with lilac tones |
| Chocolate & White | Black-based + white + warm modifiers | Warm coat modifiers create chocolate look | Black-based & white with warm brown tones |
| Dark Chocolate & White | Black-based + white + strong warmth | Heavy rufous polygenes deepen colour | Black-based & white (dark brown tones) |
| Light Chocolate & White | Black-based + white + mild warmth | Lightened pigment distribution | Black-based & white (light brown tones) |
| Golden / Apricot & White | Black-based + white + rufous modifiers | Rufous genes create golden/apricot shades | Red/Apricot & white (black-based) |
| Wheaten & White | Black-based + white + soft rufous | Pale warm pigment expression | Wheaten & white (black-based) |
| Black & White | Black-based + white spotting | Standard pigment expression | Black & white |
| Dual Green / Blue Eyes | Eye pigment variation | Merle affects eye pigment distribution | Green/blue eyes (may change with age) |
🔒 Transparency Matters
Our understanding of genetics continues to grow, and we update our wording as we learn more. This doesn’t change the dogs themselves — it ensures clear, honest communication with our puppy families.
🐾 Scenic Collies
Temperament first. Health always. Colour enjoyed — not chased.
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