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Rough Collie

General
Other Names		Scottish Collie
Dog Group Kennel Club		Pastoral
Breed Classification		Rough Collies belong to the pastoral group and are used for sheep-herding, as companions, in obedience and agility trials as well as in the show-ring.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50 per week
Feeding Requirements		The breeder will give you a diet sheet for your puppy which should be followed. As adults, Collies are an easy breed to feed as they are not fussy eaters.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		The average price of a puppy is between £450 to £550.
Average Puppy Price		£300-500
Lifespan		9 - 15 years Rough Collies will live from 12 to 14 years.
Average Litter Size		5 Litter sizes can vary from 2 to 8 puppies, but 5 is normal.
General Physical Description		Rough Collies are dogs of dignity and beauty with sweet, expressive and intelligent looks. They are perfectly balanced and with their abundant coats and elongated, narrow, chiseled heads, they are easily recognisable. Their action is smooth and appears effortless, with great drive coming from their hindlegs.
Height Min Max Bitch 51cm (20") 56cm (22") Dog 56cm (22") 61cm (24") Weight Min Max Bitch 23kg (51lbs) 30kg (66lbs) Dog 27kg (60lbs) 34kg (75lbs)
Size Category		Medium
Weight Height Range		Bitches measure between 51 to 56cms at the withers and weigh between 23 to 30kgs, whilst dogs measure between 56 to 61cms, weighing between 27 to 34kgs.
Ailments		With the Collie's susceptibility to skin complaints, good nutrition and grooming practices are a must. Considering the eye problems of the breed, screening is necessary. Ensure a good routine for dental hygiene is in place as Collies have a greater susceptibly to oral problems than most breeds.
Common Ailments		Nasal Solar Dermatitis (Collie Nose) Deafness
Susceptibility To Illness		Medium
Other
History		It is believed this breed is descended from dogs which accompanied the Roman invaders in 50BC and native Scottish dogs. They probably take their name from a type of black sheep, Colleys, bred in the lowlands of Scotland. In the 1860's Queen Victoria became entranced with these dogs when she visited her Scottish estate at Balmoral and took some back with her to Windsor Castle. Known at that time as the Scottish Sheepdog, the Collie first entered the show-ring at the Birmingham Dog Society Show and was soon highly sought after. By 1878, America followed suit. In the 1940's, the breed shot to even greater fame when a Rough Collie was chosen to star as 'Lassie'.
Intelligence		Rough Collies learn very quickly and, because of their sensitive natures, should be trained in a positive manner with neither physical abuse or harsh verbal treatment being used.
Show Characteristics		The head is of great importance and should appear as a blunt and lean wedge with a slight stop and smooth clean outline. The foreface should be chiseled for the eye set; the eyes being almond-shaped, medium-sized and always black with a sweet expression. The jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The ears should be small and neither too far apart or too close together, brought forward when alert and thrown back when at rest. The neck should be well-arched, muscular and powerful and of a fair length adjoining sloping and well-angulated shoulders. The body should be slightly longer compared to the height, firm with a slight rise over the loins. The forelegs should be straight and muscular with a moderate amount of round bone and the hindlegs, muscular at the thighs with well-bent stifles. The feet should be oval and well-padded with toes arched and close together. The tail should be long reaching at least to hock joint, carried low when quiet but slight upward swirl at the tip; carried gaily when excited but never over the back.
Country Of Origin		Scotland
Famous Examples		Lassie, from the much-loved series of films based on Eric Knight's classic novel 'Lassie Come Home' (For interest 'Lassie' was really a 'Laddie' in the films.)
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		High
Overall Exercise		60 - 80 minutes per day. Surprisingly enough, Rough Collies do not demand too much exercise and will easily adapt to family circumstances. However, free-running should be given, allowing them time to play with and retrieve a ball. Care must be taken to stop them putting on too much weight.
Distress Caused if Left Alone		High
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		Medium
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Medium
Tendency to Bark		High
Ease of Transportation		High
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		High
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		Rough Collies have friendly dispositions with no traces of nervousness or aggression. They are happy dogs who bond very closely with their families and will get on well with other dogs and household pets. Collies are superbly loyal companions for children, always willing to play and to give and accept adoration. They are very protective of their home environment but will warmly receive invited friends.
Grooming
Coat Length		Medium/Long
Grooming Requirement		Once a week
Trimming
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		With their abundant double coats, Collies need weekly brushing to prevent serious matting. The under coat is soft and furry, sitting close to the skin, while the outer coat is harsh and straight. During moulting, daily brushing is beneficial. Occasional trimming will keep the feathering on the front legs and tail in check.
Colour		These dogs come in shades of sable, tri-colour and blue merle.
Shedding		Moderate
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

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