The International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS), the American Border Collie Association (ABCA) and the Canadian Border Collie Association (CBCA), are pleased to announce a joint agreement whereby the ISDS will recognise the pedigree of an ABCA/CBCA recorded sire and/or dam as valid for the registration of pups in the ISDS Stud Book according to ISDS Rules. Recognition of ABCA/CBCA pedigrees.

AN IMPORTANT AGREEMENT FOR BORDER COLLIES
The International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS), the American Border Collie Association (ABCA) and the Canadian Border Collie Association (CBCA) are pleased to announce a joint agreement whereby the ISDS will recognise the pedigree of an ABCA/CBCA recorded sire and/or dam as valid for the registration of pups in the ISDS Stud Book according to ISDS Rules.

This position has been reached for the benefit of owners, breeders and dogs alike. The two organisations have the same objective of supporting the Border Collie being a working sheepdog. It is recognised that this will be greatly helped by effectively bringing together the worldwide community of these dogs and giving owners greater access to an appropriate register.

BACKGROUND
The ISDS was established in 1906. Its pedigree register of Border Collies is presented in a Stud Book that has been issued annually since 1949. The two earliest volumes trace back to the pedigrees of dogs from around 1894. Over 250,000 dogs have been entered and today the ISDS registers some 5,000 - 6,000 dogs per annum for 4,000 members.

The ABCA/CBCA commenced its register in 1983. Although it does not publish details, its certificates contain a pedigree chart. Over 200,000 dogs have been entered and some 20,000 per annum have been added recently for 13,000 members.

The ISDS register has historically never recognised any other. ISDS dogs have been exported to all parts of the world for nearly 100 years and thus form the base of all non-UK registries. The ABCA/CBCA recognises an ISDS pedigree, earlier pedigrees from precursor ABCA/CBCA organisations (American International Border Collie (AIBC) Registry and North American Sheep Dog Society (NASDS) registry), plus those from the Canadian Border Collie Association and, in the past, a limited number from an Australian Border Collie association. Both the ISDS and the ABCA/CBCA have Registration on Merit schemes for the purpose of admitting number of previously unregistered working sheepdogs of exceptional merit. Both organisations are committed to supporting the Border Collie as expressed in its true purpose as a working sheepdog.

RATIONALE
In the past, the flow of sheepdogs was out of the UK only. Today, there is still an export but new regulations to control rabies in the UK, plus a growing ability in non-UK dogs, means a growth in trade. This is to the benefit of canine health with an increased gene pool. Greater interest in international competition means that the ISDS needs to consider the international family of Border Collies.
Meanwhile, there is a growing separation in the identity and behaviour of the 'show' Border Collie as regulated by various national kennel clubs. Such breed standards are detrimental to the potential ability and health of a working sheepdog. A mutual recognition between those working Border Collie registers that have the same objective would be beneficial.

RULE SYSTEM
Beyond this matter of recognition, the ISDS and ABCA/CBCA will continue with existing membership and registration rules; the ABCA/CBCA position is unchanged. In future, one organisation is not obliged to consult with the other over any proposed changes to respective rules, although the common bond of purpose will encourage a greater dialogue. The following changes are to ISDS practice only.
The ISDS will now accept an ABCA/CBCA registration of sire and/or dam as valid for the registration of pups in the ISDS Stud Book according to the ISDS Rules in force at the time of application. These currently require that the owner of the sire/dam is a member of the ISDS and that the dog has a valid certificate for prescribed eye examinations. The ISDS will require that the owner of such an ABCA/CBCA registered dog present an original ABCA/CBCA certificate with pedigree and original eye examination certificate (photocopies are not acceptable); these will be returned to the owner. There will thus be no need for the ISDS to confirm registration with the ABCA/CBCA Secretary. The ISDS will record the details of the dog in its computer registration system and on all produced documents retaining the ABCA/CBCA number and adding an international prefix.

Note that it is not the intention of the ISDS to provide ISDS registration numbers to adult ABCA/CBCA dogs since this is an unnecessary duplication.

A guide to those with ABCA/CBCA registered dogs is available.