I am hoping to become a first time border collie owner in the near future and am keen on having a red or chocolate bitch. I currently have a chocolate roan cocker spaniel dog and was only made aware of the fact that all chocolate cocker spaniels are a bit "whimpy" and "scatty" as a breeder informed me at a show after I had bought him. As a kennel assistant I have also heard the stereotype of "stupid" chocolate labradors and it has to be said that the ones i've come across haven't always been the brightest sparks! Are there any known differences in temprament between different colours of border collies?

I have a BW, a tri and a red merle. They are all incredibly smart and quick to learn in spite of the fact that merles are supposed to be difficult. I know people with all colours of BC and none of them could be described as stupid. I think you need to make them think for themselves when they are young and that helps. If mine lost a toy under the furniture then they had to get it out themselves. I've never let them get upset about it, if they start to worry I just get it out give it to them and let them see me put it back. I then encourage them to get it themselves and go OTT with praise when they do. Lots of people don't make their dogs think for themselves when they are pups maybe this is why some dogs have a reputation for being stupid? If you e-mail me:  collie_mad@msn.com I can chat to you in more detail :-)

Mary ray dosent have any trouble with her reds!!!!! ;)
i dont think there is any difference in temperment/mentality of the different colours.
& ive met ALOT of dogs!
of course the classic B&Ws do tend to be abit favoured for showing,but other than that have what you like!!!!!!
good luck in finding your pup!

Shouldn't be any difference between the colours but a lot depends on the bloodlines & how carefully the temperament & character selection has been made in breeding animals

No doubt there will be those who will disagree with this but I will say it anyway.

I have a brown tri collie, a Woodsorrel, nephew of Mary Rays Quincy. He is incredibly clever, very sensitive, very, very willing to please. However, that is a line thing, I don't believe it has anything to do with his colour. He is also sharp as hell, fear aggressive and unpredictable, a real mummy's boy and the most affectionate dog I have ever met. Again, the product of his genes but not the one that dictated his colour! ;)

The only thing I will say about reds/chocolates/browns is I would advise against getting one bred from red to red, i.e. red parents, grandparents and the like. This can cause skin trouble and digestion problems, sensitive stomachs. With the odd b&w thrown in it dilutes the problems but although Indy is now a lot better, he still chews and itches himself an awful lot and I have to watch everything he eats, even a biscuit can upset him, as does raw meat other than chicken and tripe.

However, I do know a lot of reds who are fine but they came from different coloured parents. I believe a few of Indy's siblings have been ok but then I also know of some that have been as bad as him. Good luck with getting your collie, I hope it isn't as manic as my three! :p

In other words colour isnt the deciding factor in these collie traits ;) and as in any breeding dilute to dilute should be very carefully researched and thought out

I have a b+w youngster and my friend has his r+w brother. They are both very similar in their characters. Absolute loving dogs who adore their moms (and anyone who's standing within six feet) Again, like previous post though, this is down to the breeders 25 years of careful breeding which has meant that the temperaments are outstanding.
I show one of my dogs and do agility with the other. As previous post has said, showing is mainly dominated by the black and white, however you do see the red and white and merles coming through which is great to see. At agility you have all colours.
I think the main thing is that as long as you are prepared to put the work in and the dog is mentally stimulated in some way and you are careful where you get the dog from then you will be ok.

i dont think colour makes any difference whatsoever!
i have 3 black and white, 1 black tri and 2 reds, all different ages, and different lines, my red pup is very big and bolshy, and my older red is dainty and can be nervy ( she also has a bad heart)

please make sure you do your research before buying,

i have a red and white he is lovable,naughty,full of himself, but then the other side if he gets picked on he backs down he has never protected himself, but one of his brothers who is a black and white, is what i would call manic and unpredictable he will pick a fight and go looking for trouble,my red and white was a  calm puppy the only reason i say this is i have a black and white puppy at the moment and oh god he is into everything up to everything and you have to have eyes in the back of your head for him,
i think it is the lines you buy from ,like other people have said look into the dogs you are buying from,
carol

My red tri is the quietest of all of mine, i also have 2 b/ws and a blue merle, the blue merle Cassie is the nuttisest but the B/W pups getting close. I just think it depends on the individual dogs and their upbringing also on the parents etc.

I dont believe colour has everything to do with temperment, you get good and bad in all colours and all breeds, my tri border collie is a dream to own, we have had some challenges but we worked through them, i agree with hannah its lines,parentage and upbringing that determines the character of an individual dog, i think its unfair to say all merles are scatty and red/whites nervy (not saying anyone is :P) people are different, dogs are different :D