Dog Breed Guide

Rough Collie

Profile

Size

Medium - Large

Country of origin

United Kingdom (Scotland)

Origin

19th century

Bred for

Sheep herding, Companion

Height

male 56 - 61cm (22 - 24in), female 51 - 56cm (20 - 22in)

Weight

male 27 - 34kg (60 - 75lb), female 23 - 29kg (51 - 64lb)

Life span

12 - 14 years

A long, abundant coat, a magnificent frill covering the neck and chest, and a long, slender, elegant head are its hallmarks. It comes in three colors: sable and white (shades of brown with white), tricolor (black, white and tan) and blue merle (gray mottled with black).

Gentle and kind, the Rough Collie is deeply devoted to its family. It is intelligent and understands its owner's feelings well, so it is easy to train. It is patient with children and is said to be an ideal family dog. Its herding instincts may lead it to chase and try to round up children and other moving things.

The thick coat needs brushing several times a week, and it sheds heavily during shedding season. It does not do well in heat. Some individuals carry a genetic sensitivity to certain medications, so always tell your vet the breed.

Good to know

The most famous Collie in the world is Lassie. The story, first published as a short story in 1938, became a hit with the 1943 film Lassie Come Home and was loved for many years afterward in TV series and more.

Lassie is a female in the story, but the dog who played her in the film was a male named Pal. Pal, originally hired as a stand-in, got the starring role because the female lead began shedding heavily during filming, and the male looked bigger and more impressive on screen. Pal's descendants went on to play Lassie for generations.

The person who made the Scottish sheepdog famous was Queen Victoria. Around 1860, while staying at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, she fell in love with Collies and kept them in her own kennels, which made them popular among the upper classes.