Reddit reviews The Dog Wars: How the Border Collie Battled the American Kennel Club

When it comes to Border Collies, there is a huge difference between KC and ISDS.

The Kennel Club is an organization that places high priority on the appearance of a dog. They select for superficial things- the perfect coat, the perfect ear set, the perfect markings, tail set, leg positioning, etc. Because they only select for the aesthetics of the dogs, they are losing what the breed really is. They believe if they can 'design' or 'build' the dog to look like it should be able to work, it'll be able to work. They believe that the function follows the form instead, which is incorrect. Border Collies, for hundreds of years, have been bred exclusively for working ability with little consideration for appearance (except maybe some consideration for coat and amount of bone depending on where they are working)- the work is what created the breed, the work is actually what defines a Border Collie. Since the KC selects for and rewards superficial qualities, it is actually destroying many working breeds. There's no emphasis or reward for working ability, so they don't need it. And when the working ability is disregarded, there is nothing there to keep the many quirks of this breed in check, you'll often end up with something that is somewhat neurotic, not to mention they're not as smart as working bred dogs.

The ISDS still breeds true working dogs, they are for the working dog. There is no emphasis placed on appearance, only working ability. A well bred working dog has a sound mind and temperament, the work kind of reels in the weird quirks the breed has. They have a lot of energy, but it isn't hard to instil an 'off' switch in the working lines. Getting a working dog absolutely does not mean you have to have sheep or have to let him work livestock... the breed in general is very active so you need to be prepared for that first and foremost (which I'm assuming you are since this is the breed you've decided on).

I would absolutely, hands down, recommend going with ISDS. The work is what created the many things you love about the breed... why not go to the source? :-)

This breed is one that is highly politicized... and you've certainly found the heart of it! Here are a couple articles about the AKC vs. ABCA (same as KC and ISDS in the US):

Into the Lion's Den

A Short History of the Border Collie and the AKC

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Also, this was written in the US but the concepts are all the same:

Tips on Getting a Border Collie

Good luck!! And please post again if you have more questions! :-)