I have a question for all you more experience breeders. Could anyone help me understand the implications, if any of using a Blue & White Dog in my breeding program. Are there any drawbacks to using a blue dog? I have only owned and bred Black & White and Tri coloured dogs. Is the heredity patterning with blues the same as tri’s? What happens when you breed a black, white & tan tri to a blue? Are there any genetic faults or problems linked to the colours, that I should be aware of if introducing a blue into my line.
Thanks in advance for all the information I am sure you will share with me. Arlene - Can-Do Border collies

One of the breeders listed on here has an interesting section on border collie colours which may help. http://www.mastamariner.co.uk Click on 'border collies', then scroll down until you see 'colours'. It's quite long but does explain a lot.
Catherine Everitt does have blue in her line, so may be worth a call.
LynnT

There are some very good sites on colour. A particularly good one at

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Runway/3559/faq.htm
which has other excellent pages, with technical genetic features - Aussie colours, but I imagine the genetics are similar.

Also
http://www.gis.net/~shepdog/BC_Museum/Permanent/BC_Looks_Health.html

I have understood that you need to watch out for deafness if you introduce blue carrying a high proportion of white. I also know that in shelties, a double- merle breeding gives a lethal result (lliterally)

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats