Are merle and standard Border Collies very different?

A merle Border Collie mainly differs from a standard one in coat color. Standard border collies are usually black-and-white, brown or yellow with solid color blocks. Merle coats are generally grey, mottled and gradient-like; some merles are reddish-brown, also gradient.

Because merle is rarer, it costs more than standard border collies, but that is not a measure of a dog’s quality. What matters more in a dog is temperament; looks should be secondary.