Rough Collie
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| Collie | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Alternative names | ||
| Collie (Rough Coat) | ||
| Country of origin | ||
| Scotland | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| FCI: | Group 1 Section 1 #156 | Stds |
| AKC: | Herding | Stds |
| ANKC: | Group 5 (Working dogs) | Stds |
| CKC: | Group 7 - Herding dogs | Stds |
| KC (UK): | Pastoral | Stds |
| NZKC: | Working | Stds |
| UKC: | Herding Dogs | Stds |
The Rough Collie is a breed of dog developed originally for herding in Scotland. It is well known because of the works of author Albert Payson Terhune, and was popularized in later generations by the Lassie novel, movies, and television shows. There is also a smooth-coated variety; some breed organizations consider the smooth-coat and rough-coat dogs to be variations of the same breed.
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[edit] Appearance
Collies have four basic coat colors: sable and white, where the "Sable" ranges from pale tan to a golden mahogany; white; tricolour, which is primarily black edged in tan; and blue merle, which is a mottled gray. All have white coat areas, in the collar, parts of the leg, and maybe tail tip. Some may have white blazes on their faces. Tricolours are more likely to have a tan blaze on their face.
The desired size and weight varies among breed standards; male collies can stands 55.8 to 66 cm (22 to 26 in) at shoulder; the bitch averages 5 cm (2 in) shorter. The male can weigh 20.4 to 34 kg (45 - 75 lb) and bitches 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 - 4.5 kg) less.
[edit] Temperament
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By all accounts, this is an intelligent dog who loves to work, but in contemporary times has little herding instinct, since its bloodline consists of 50% bird-hunting dogs and 25% wolf-hunting dogs, which dilute the influence of the 25% herding dog.
They are friendly, unaggressive dogs. The coat needs to be brushed frequently to keep it in a show condition, but it doesn't require extensive care. They are mid-sized dogs, suiting them to live in small houses and apartments. The herding instinct is still very much apparent in the breed today.
[edit] History
Both Rough and Smooth collies are descended from a localised variety of herding dog originating in Scotland. [1] Originally, there were numerous forms of these dogs. After the industrial revolution, dog ownership became fashionable, and these early collies were crossed with the Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound), to get a more "noble" head, which is today one of the true characteristics of the rough collie. Continued breeding for show purposes drastically changed the appearance of the dogs; in the 1960s, it was a much taller dog than it is today. Earlier dogs were also more sturdy in build.
[edit] Miscellaneous
The mascot of Texas A&M University, Reveille VII, is a Rough Collie.
[edit] See also
