Collie (Rough)
Working

Group:

Working

Size:

large

Lifespan:

8-12 years

Exercise:

medium

Grooming:

high

Trainability:

medium

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

medium

Area of Origin:

Scotland

Date of Origin:

1800’s

Other Names:

Scottish Collie

Original Function:

sheep herding

History

For centuries the Rough Coated Collie was hardly known outside Scotland, but it is now one of the world's most popular breeds. Descended from generations of hard- working herding dogs, it is a conscientious creature of immense intelligence. They are used as water rescue dogs and have served man as sheepdogs for centuries, guarding and herding flocks. The breed's name probably comes from its charge; the Scottish black-faced sheep called the Colley. Early Rough Collies were smaller, with broader heads and shorter muzzles. The Collie is so intelligent that he has been trained for many purposes, as a rescue dog, guide for the blind, movie star, and as a guard dog. Queen Victoria kept Collies at Balmoral Castle in Scotland and her interest launched the breed's subsequent popularity.

Temperament

The Collie is a very intelligent, friendly dog breed, who makes an excellent children's companion and gets along well with other household dogs. Suspicious of strangers, the Collie makes a good watchdog.

Upkeep

A good walk or jog on leash or a fun play session is needed every day. Herding is an excellent exercise. The collie can live outdoors in temperate to cool climates, but it is such a family-oriented dog that it is far happier indoors. The coat of the rough variety needs brushing or combing every other day, more when shedding.

Official Breed Standard

CHARACTERISTICS:
To enable the Collie to fulfil a natural bent for sheepdog work, its physical structure should be on the lines of strength and activity, free from cloddiness and without any trace of coarseness. Expression, one of the most important points in considering relative values, is obtained by the perfect balance and combination of skull and foreface; size, shape, colour and placement of eye, correct position and carriage of ears.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Collie should instantly appeal as a dog of great beauty, standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of proportion to the whole.

Head and Skull:
The head properties are of great importance and must be considered in proportion to the size of the dog. When viewed from the front or the side the head bears a general resemblance to a well-blunted clean wedge, being smooth in outline. The skull should be flat. The sides should taper gradually and smoothly from the ears to the end of the black nose, without prominent cheek bones or pinched muzzle. Viewed in profile the top of the skull and the top of the muzzle lie in two parallel, straight lines of equal length, divided by a slight, but perceptible "stop" or break. A mid-point between the inside corner of the eyes (which is the centre of a correctly placed "stop") is the centre of balance in length of head. The end of the smooth, well-rounded muzzle is blunt, but not square. The under-jaw is strong, clean cut and the depth of the skull from the brow to the underpart of the jaw, must never be excessive (deep through). Whatever the colour of the dog, the nose must be black.

Eyes:
These are a very important feature and give a sweet expression to the dog. They should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of dark brown colour, except in the case of blue merles when the eyes are frequently (one or both, or part of one or both), blue or blue flecked. Expression full of intelligence, with a quick, alert look when listening.

Ears:
These should be small and not too close together on top of the skull, not too much to the side of the head. When in repose they should be carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, i.e., with approximately two-thirds of the ear standing erect, the top third tipping forward naturally, below the horizontal.

Mouth:
The teeth should be of good size, with the lower incisors fitting closely behind the upper incisors; a very slight space not to be regarded as a serious fault.

Neck:
The neck should be muscular, powerful, of fair length and well arched.

Forequarters:
The shoulders should be sloped and well-angulated.
The forelegs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a moderate amount of bone.

Body:
The body should be a trifle long compared to the height, back firm with a slight rise over the loins; ribs well-sprung, chest deep and fairly broad behind the shoulders.

Hindquarters:
The hind legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below, with well bent stifles. Hocks well let-down and powerful.

Feet:
These should be oval in shape with soles well padded, toes arched and close together. The hind feet slightly less arched.

Gait:
Movement is a distinct characteristic of this breed. A sound dog is never out at elbow, yet it moves with its front feet comparatively close together. Plaiting, crossing or rolling are highly undesirable. The hind legs, from the hock joint to the ground, when viewed from the rear, should be parallel. The hind legs should be powerful and full of drive. Viewed from the side the action is smooth. A reasonably long stride is desirable and this should be light and appear quite effortless.

Tail:
The tail should be long with the bone reaching at least to the hock joint. To be carried low when the dog is quiet, but with a slight upward swirl at the tip. It may be carried gaily when the dog is excited, but not over the back.

Coat:
The coat should fit the outline of the dog and be very dense. The outer coat straight and harsh to the touch, the undercoat soft, furry and very close, so close as to almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant; the mask or face, smooth, also the ears at the tips, but they should carry more hair towards the base; the forelegs well feathered, the hind legs above the hocks profusely so, but smooth below. Hair on the tail very profuse.

Colour:
The three recognised colours are sable and white, tricolour and blue merle.

Sable:
Any shade from light gold to rich mahogany or shaded sable. Light straw or cream colour is highly undesirable.

Tricolour:
Predominantly black with rich tan markings about the legs and head. A rusty tinge in the top coat is highly undesirable.

Blue Merle:
Predominantly clear, silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black. Rich tan markings to be preferred, but their absence should not be counted as a fault. Large black markings, slate colour, or a rusty tinge either of the top or undercoat are highly undesirable.

White Markings:
All the above may carry the typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. The following markings are favourable - White collar, full or part; white shirt, legs and feet; white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on muzzle or skull or both.

Weight and Size:
Dogs: 55.8 - 60.9 cm (22 - 24 in) at shoulder. Bitches: 50.8 - 55.8 cm (20 - 22 in) at shoulder.
Dogs: 20.4 - 29.4 kg (45 - 65 lb). Bitches: 18.1 - 24.9 kg (40 - 55 lb).

Faults:
Length of head apparently out of proportion to body; receding skull or unbalanced head to be strongly condemned. Weak, snipy muzzle; domed skull; high peaked occiput, prominent cheek bones; dish-faced or Roman-nosed; undershot or overshot mouth; missing teeth; round or light coloured and glassy or staring eyes are highly objectionable. Body flat sided, short or cobby; straight shoulder or stifle; out at elbow; crooked forearms; cow-hocks or straight hocks, large, open or hare feet; feet turned in or out; long, weak pasterns; tail short, kinked or twisted to one side or carried over the back; a soft, silky or wavy coat or insufficient undercoat; prick ears, low-set ears; nervousness.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.