As requested...
Today I will be looking at the Schleich Border Collies and comparing them - to gain a better understanding of what a real Border Collie looks like.
Also note - I might in future do a more detailed review on each figure.
Schleich Border Collie [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The lovely - and small Border Collie by Schleich. To scale, it is not, and I suppose that is one of my biggest problems with it. Recently I aquired this figure and was disapointed by its size. As a Border Collie owner, I know what size they should be in comparison to other dogs - and that's not miniature.
So, just a couple of thoughts on why I think it's too small.
Aw, gosh, I'm going to sound like a horrible, mean critic soon if I keep pointing out flaws in models and brands. But it's how I evaluate models, and that's why, when I find one that fits, I love it so very much. I hope it's not too bad to compare figures.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Compare the two photographs. A noticable difference here is the length of the dog's topline (i.e.- back) from whithers to tail base. The Border Collie in the photo is considerably longer in the back to the Schleich. Another thing here to note is head size. Schleich Border Collie actually has a rather large head in comparison to the body proportions.
I would excuse it for less feathering (i.e. - Schleich Border Collie is not nearly as fluffy as the BC in the photo), but...
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]A smooth-coated Border Collie. And, even without all that hair, it is evident the Schleich Collie's head is oversized, as well as having a shortened topline. This shorter coated BC may help with what I am trying to explain. While hair and fluff can be a huge part of Border Collies (especially show ones), the underneath bone structure must remain the same. This, too, is something I put emphasis on when assessing my figures.
One thing I am impressed with the Schleich Border Collie is that while too short, the topline is somewhat accurate in shape. Note that BCs do not have sloping toplines, but rather, elegantly raised like that of a Rough Collie (and that's actually hip structure, not hair).
Schleich tummy-tuck, too, is good, but again, the torso is too short. Lengthen him out (and downsize that head) and we'd be getting close.
One thing I might add to consider here is the origin of a particular Border Collie. What I mean by that is that there are various strains worldwide, of Border Collies. In the same way we've recently gotten two breeds form the Akita (American and Japanese Akita) due to distinctly different strains, BCs are varied but similar, and of the same breed. By this I mean type, size, and appearance varies.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Take this lovely BC, for example. This BC displays all the traditional Border Collie well-known all over the world, but particularly as English. This BC is an English working dog strain, and is very typical of the original BCs. Note here that the Schleich BC is likely taken from this variety.
Another point I find silly, but nonetheless.... I think Schleich's tail is too short. Most BCs have long tails, even those without lots of feathering. Just saying.
Size: [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Here we have a quick sketch I did earlier to show what a 1:12 BC should
actually be, and the other BCs.. Schleich and Bully. Below I have examples with real life dogs.
Also note real life Border Collies, of any type, are not small, in fact are known as being in the 'medium' breed range - right up there with Golden Retrievers and Boxers. Because of this, Schleich's 1:12 is not accurate for this figure.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Here is a Border Collie (Black and White) next to an Australian Shepherd. This shows the size. According to Schleich's 1:12 Border Collie, as a breed, the BC would be this height:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]The height of the small dog. The smaller dog is actually a Miniature Australian Shepherd, and fits exactly to Schleich's 1:12 scale. Oh dear. That's a mini Border Collie.
The bigger dog is an Australian Shepherd, which, as we have seen above, is the same size as a Border Collie (actually it is often smaller.)
And, finally, for this figure, the paint job. By that I mean, yes, the colour. Colour itself is fine, but there's one small problem. The pattern.
Border Collies come in many coat colours and patterns, even that of the Schleich BC. But.. it is considered a 'standard' BC - which is incorrect. I'll explain what I mean.
In dogs, there are various forms of white patterning. The colour we see in Border Collies is known as 'Irish White Spotting'. That means this is a common pattern, and is seen in the majority of BCs. The BC standards do emphasize on patterning.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Irish White - White displayed on the collar, chest, paws, undersides, tip of tail, and desirably the face. The white collar is particularly common and desirable.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Schleich - Irish White is there, except for the white collar. Missing white collars are seen in BCs, but often in a very unusual way, and rarely where the entire back of the neck is black. For example, one side may even be black, and the other white. These markings are not always desirable.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]An example - this BC has black only on one side of the white collar. This can happen, but not in a regular black pattern.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]More examples of unusual color patterns, which are usually not consistent among generations, unlike the Irish Patterning.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Considered a mismark: solid black leg, while other legs are white. BCs can come in solids, but there's a lot more to that. Another day.
Now, for..
Schleich Agility Border Collie.(As I do not own this figure, these are my observations based on photographs. Note, I also used photos from google.)
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]This Border Collie might be smaller, but I am almost inclined to say it is much more like the real thing. So, not to any scale (that I know of), but perhaps noticably better?
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]This much I will say. This Border Collie is longer. From a distance, I would say yes, it is almost exactly accurate, but there are a few things I might point out.
The back could be more elevated towards the loins, but that is nothing.
My ownly problem, really, is with the movement.
Firtsly, though, I will give this lovely figure grace as it is a motion figure - and so hard.
My only comment there is that the legs are too short and, despite being in the agile pose, the hind legs have no length. What I mean by that is this:
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Even with it's low position, this BC's hind legs are poised, doubled up underneath him like a spring, ready to release at any moment. This is such a typical Collie action, and something the second Schleich figure is lacking. Put it simply: the front legs on that figure are anatomically longer than the hind legs.
If he stood up, there'd be some serious angle!
The tail, however, is of excellent length and marking. Coat length and feathering is what I would consider adequate for an agility Border and head is well proportioned. Markings are excellent. Accurate, and predictable. From some angles the mouth looks a bit crocodile-ish,but I can't say until someday I own this figure.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]But finally, I would have to say for colour, markings, anatomically and well, not for size, my 'most realistic' Schleich Border Collie would be the second, Agility BC.
Wow, that was an epic job. Border Collies are such a varied breed, even in my country there are at least 4 strains/types and all sizes and colours.
I hope you all enjoyed this presentation and especially 4U!
Again, I apologise if I am too picky about my collection/comparison habits!
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I love your comparisons, I think Schleich needs to hire you! 
)
, I have not held these guys. Based on photos, the smaller is Stablemate scale, and the larger...? 1:9? The larger BC is beautifully sculpted, which is what I expect form breyer. Very anatomically accurate, even in that tricky pose. could have better, finer detailed fur, but oh well. Stablemate BC is very, very good for something so small. Excellently posed, shaped, and painted. 
:)