Promoting the Working Border Collie (original) (raw)

All application requests and documents must be filed with the Secretary through the ABCA office in Perkinston, Mississippi.

I. All of these conditions must be met:

A. A pedigree of the dog should be supplied to the Secretary, giving all details available on the sire and dam, including registration numbers when available.

B. Confirmation by a DACVO certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist that both sire and dam have been PRA/CEA tested and found clear, and they have received "good" or "excellent" ratings from OFA regarding their hips. (This condition may be impractical or impossible to meet in some cases. The ROM Committee has the authority to waive this condition in some circumstances.)

C. Confirmation that the dog seeking registration on merit has attained a minimum age of two years and has been certified to be clear for PRA/CEA by a DACVO certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist within 30 days prior to the date of application. The dog must also receive at least a "good" rating from OFA on his/her hips.

D. Fee: $100 non-refundable. The applicant will also be required to bear whatever cost may be incurred by the committee to meet eligibility requirements.

E. A video of the dog working livestock must be supplied to each member of the ROM Committee. That Committee will make a recommendation whether to refer to the full Board of Directors or not. If referred to the full Board, a video of the dog working livestock must be supplied to the rest of the Directors unless some of them have seen the dog and do not need a video.

F. The owner of the dog requesting registration on merit must be a member in good standing of the American Border Collie Association, Inc.

G. The dog or bitch cannot have been previously deregistered by the ABCA.

II. Working Qualifications (One or the other of these options must be met.)

A. Written proof that the dog seeking registration on merit has placed in the top 10% of three open, advertised National style and size trials judged under ISDS or USBCHA rules.

B. To pass the working qualifications, the dog must demonstrate outstanding abilities in outrun, lift, fetch, driving, and must satisfy the Directors as to his good balance, power, and eye. At least three of the Directors must see the dog in person working livestock at a place other than his home on livestock that he is not used to.

In all cases, at least three Directors must see the dog seeking registration on merit and 11 of the 12 Directors must vote to approve the dog for registration.