In the 19th century, border collies gained popularity among the English landed nobility. They are still used today as herding dogs and are kept as pets. Due to their ability to quickly train, border collies are used in the police service, for the detection of drugs and explosives, as well as in search and rescue operations. They make good guide dogs. The Border Collie has recently taken part in American Kennel Club shows, but this event has been accompanied by controversy and protests from breeders who believe that breeding for the sake of appearance can harm the performance of this breed.