Rough Collie
Other names: Collie, Scottish collie, Long-Haired collie, English collie, Lassie dog

The Rough Collie came about in the early 1800s and was first known as a herder of Scottish farmland livestock. Rough Collies are seen in various colours of coat. Arguably the most famous of all Rough Collies was the dog that starred in the TV series Lassie which first aired between 1954 and 1971. Six dogs in total played Lassie throughout those years and contributed to the popular notion of the Rough Collie as a brave and loyal dog. Rough Collies are used by armed forces and security services around the world.
Key facts about the Rough Collie
Origins and history
The suspected origin of the Rough Collie dates back to the first Roman invasion of Britain. Soldiers brought with them a breed of herding dog that was able to control herds of animals that accompanied the marauders on their quest to conquer. Successive breeding with similar dogs already found in Scotland may have been instrumental in the creation of the collie we know today. Queen Victoria was especially fond of the Rough Collie.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 1 - Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Section
Section 1 : Sheepdogs
Physical characteristics of the Rough Collie
Adult size
Female : Between 20 and 22 in
Male : Between 22 and 24 in
Weight
Female : Between 37 and 57 lb
Male : Between 44 and 62 lb
Coat colour
Collies are coloured white and sable or a mix of mahogany and sable; there are also varieties of tri-coloured, blue merle, double merle or a mix of sable and merle.
Type of coat
The hair is long.
A coarse outer coat with a mane around the neck beneath which lies a dense and downy undercoat.
Eye colour
Usually dark-brown colour; the eyes of blue merle Collies are often blue or brown and flecked with blue.
Description
The head of the Rough Collie is light and small in relation to the rest of its body. The muzzle is slender and the foreface of the dog follows a rounded yet wedge-like line from the ears to the point of the nose. The upper third of the ear folds over. The body of the dog is longer than it is tall at the withers and the tail is long with a swirl at its tip.
Good to know
Rough Collies become easily bored if they are not exercised enough or played with. They are family dogs and need to feel as though they are a valued and integral part of the family. If the dog is allowed to be bored and is neglected it will exhibit antisocial behaviour and may even become unmanageable.