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. J.P. Morgan and other members of the upper class have owned Collies. At this point Collies were mixed with the Borzoi, and *ALL* show dogs had to have the Borzoi influence for them to win in the show ring. The working dogs separated, branched out and became the different breeds (with theSchotse Collie remaining) and the show type became what we see now, the large dogs with flatter faces. The Collies great beauty has made them a favorite show dog and family companion. The Smooth Collie is more popular as a companion dog in Great Britain than in the United States, though he is gaining popularity in the U.S. today. The Smooth Collie is the same as the Rough Collie, but without the long coat. The AKC considers the Rough and Smooth Collies as varieties of the same breed. They are judged by the same standard with the exception of the coat. The first Collie was presented at a dog show in 1860.
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| General
Appearance ***
Appears as dog of great beauty, standing with impassive dignity, with no
part out of proportion to whole.
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| Characteristics
***
Physical structure on lines of strength and activity, free from
cloddiness and with no trace of coarseness. Expression most important.
In considering relative values it is obtained by perfect balance and
combination of skull and foreface, size, shape, colour and placement of
eyes, correct position and carriage of ears.
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| Temperament
***
Friendly disposition with no trace of nervousness or aggressiveness.
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| Head
and Skull ***
Head properties of great importance, must be considered in proportion to
size of dog. Viewed from front or side, head resembles a well-blunted
clean wedge, being smooth in outline. Skull flat. Sides taper gradually
and smoothly from ears to end of black nose, without prominent cheek
bones or pinched muzzle. Viewed in profile, top of skull and top of
muzzle lie in two parallel straight lines of equal length divided by a
slight, but perceptible stop or break. A mid-point between inside corner
of eyes (which is centre of a correctly placed stop) is centre of
balance in length of head. End of smooth, well rounded muzzle blunt,
never square. Under jaw strong, clean cut. Depth of skull from brow to
underpart of jaw never excessive (deep through). Nose always black.
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| Eyes
***
Very important feature giving sweet expression. Medium size (never very
small) set somewhat obliquely, of almond-shape and dark brown colour,
except in the case of blue merles when eyes are frequently (one or both,
or part of one or both) blue or blue-flecked. Expression full of
intelligence, with quick, alert look when listening.
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| Ears
***
Small, not too close together on top of skull, nor too far apart. In
repose carried thrown back, but on alert brought forward and carried
semi-erect, that is, with approximately two-thirds of ear standing erect,
top third tipping forward naturally, below horizontal.
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| Mouth
***
Teeth of good size. Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete
scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set
square to the jaws.
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| Neck
***
Muscular, powerful, of fair length, well arched.
ForeQuarters *** Shoulders sloping and well angulated. Forelegs straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with moderate amount of round bone.
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| Body
***
Slightly long compared with height, back firm with a slight rise over
loins; ribs well sprung, chest deep, fairly broad behind shoulders.
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| Hindquarters
***
Hindlegs muscular at thighs, clean and sinewy below, with well bent
stifles. Hocks well let down and powerful.
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| Feet
***
Oval; soles well padded. Toes arched and close together. Hind feet
slightly less arched.
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| Tail
***
Long with bone reaching at least to hock joint. Carried low when quiet
but with slight upward swirl at tip. May be carried gaily when excited,
but never over back.
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| Gait/Movement
***
Distinctly characteristic in this breed. A sound dog is never out at the
elbow, yet moves with front feet comparatively close together. Plaiting,
crossing or rolling are highly undesirable. Hindlegs from hock joint to
ground when viewed from rear to be parallel but not too close; when
viewed from side, action is smooth. Hindlegs powerful with plenty of
drive. A reasonably long stride is desirable and should be light and
appear effortless.
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| Coat
***
Fits outline of body, very dense. Outer coat straight and harsh to
touch, undercoat soft, furry and very close almost hiding the skin; mane
and frill very abundant, mask and face smooth, ears smooth at tips, but
carrying more hair towards base, front legs well feathered, hindlegs
above hocks profusely feathered, but smooth below hock joint. Hair on
tail very profuse.
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| Colour
***
Three recognised colours: Sable and white, Tricolour and Blue Merle. Sable: any shade of light gold to rich mahogany or shaded sable. Light straw or cream coloured highly undesirable. Tricolour: predominantly black with rich tan markings about legs and head. A rusty tinge in top coat highly undesirable. Blue Merle: predominantly clear, silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black. Rich tan markings preferred, but absence should not be penalised. Large black markings, slate colour, or rusty tinge either of top or undercoat are highly undesirable. All should carry typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. 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.
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| Size
***
Height: dogs: 56-61 cms (22-24 ins) at shoulder; bitches: 51-56 cms
(20-22 ins).
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Faults ** Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrottum.
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Rough
Collie 
Origin 
