User:Mike0001/Collie rewrite

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Rough Collie

Sable and white Rough-coated Collie
Other names Collie (Rough Coat)
Scottish Collie
Country of origin United Kingdom (Scotland)
Traits

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.

Contents

[edit] Appearance

Three different Collie colours (from left to right): blue merle, pale sable and black tricolour
Three different Collie colours (from left to right): blue merle, pale sable and black tricolour

Four coat colors are recognized for rough collies: 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. Rough Collies have more pointed faces than their look-alike Sheltie 'cousins'. The downy undercoat is covered by a long, dense, coarse outer coat with a notable ruff around the neck, feathers about the legs, a petticoat on the abdomen, and a frill on the hindquarters.[1][2]

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 Female averages 5 cm (2 in) shorter. The male can weigh 20.4 to 34 kg (45 - 75 lb) and the female 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 - 4.5 kg) less. According to the American and UK Kennel clubs Breed standards, UK Rough Collies are slightly smaller than their USA counterparts.[1][2]

The distinctive rough collie head
The distinctive rough collie head

One of the characteristic features of the rough collie is its head.[3] [4] This is light in relation to the rest of the body, and resembles a blunted wedge tapering smoothly from ears to black nose. The muzzle is well rounded, and never square. There is considerable variation in the colour of the head, however. The eyes are medium sized and attentive. The ears are generally bent, the bottom part vertical and the tips sloped forwards, although the dog can lay them back, or hold them vertical when alert.

Once seen, the contrast between the rough collie head and that of a Border Collie is immediately apparent, the latter having a considerably shorter muzzle and a distinct stop between muzzle and forehead. The ruff is also distinctive in distinguishing the two breeds.

[edit] Temperament

This is an intelligent, friendly and active dog.[1][2] The double layered coat needs to be brushed frequently and thoroughly to keep it in a show condition, but it does not require extensive care. Rough collies should show no nervousness or aggressiveness, and are good with children and other animals.[1][2] They are mid-sized dogs, suiting them to live in small houses and apartments. The herding instinct is still very much apparent in some dogs, but other dogs do not show this as much. Rough Collies are very loyal and protective to their owners and are good with children. They are a good family dog. They are eager to learn and to please and respond best to a gentle hand. They require human company and should never be kept outside as they will become bored and inclined to bark. By nature gentle and domesticated, they are fearless in danger and will rush to defend their owners.[5]

[edit] History

Main article: Scotch collie

Both Rough and Smooth collies are descended from a localised variety of herding dog originating in Scotland and Wales.[6] The Scottish variety was a large, strong, aggressive dog, bred to chase highland sheep. The Welsh variety was small and nimble, domesticated and friendly, and also herded goat. When the English saw these dogs at the Birmingham market, they interbred them with their own variety of sheepdogs producing a mixture of short and long haired varieties. After the industrial revolution, dog ownership became fashionable, and these early collies were believed to have been crossed with the Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound) to get a more "noble" head, which is today one of the true characteristics of the rough collie.[7] Other crosses occurred with the Irish Setter and Labrador Retriever. The Irish Setter cross is the only one that could have genetically resulted in the introduction of the sable colour to the rough collie breed.[8] This cross also made the dogs taller and straighter, as well as heavier. When Queen Victoria acquired a rough collie, after seeing one at Balmoral Castle, they were transformed into something of a fashion item.[9] 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 and capable of covering up to 100 miles in one day. Sadly, in the UK the rough collie is no longer used for herding, having been replaced by the sturdier border collie.

The Collie Club of America is one of the oldest breed-specific clubs in existence in the United States (founded in 1886). The Collie Club in England dates from 1881.[10]

[edit] Rough Collies in popular culture

Lassie TV series, filming on location in Florida (1965)—courtesy State Archive of Florida
Lassie TV series, filming on location in Florida (1965)
—courtesy State Archive of Florida

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Collie Breed Standard. American Kennel Club (1977-05-10). Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  2. ^ a b c d Collie (Rough) Breed Standard. The Kennel Club (2006-05-12). Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
  3. ^ Wharton, Alice (1998). Collies. ISBN 0-7938-2800-7. 
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ Wharton, Alice (1998). Collies. ISBN 0-7938-2800-7. 
  6. ^ Wharton, Alice (1998). Collies. ISBN 0-7938-2800-7. 
  7. ^ Clark, Anne Rogers. The International Encyclopedia of Dogs. Hungry Minds Inc, U.S.. ISBN 978-0876056240. 
  8. ^ Wharton, Alice (1998). Collies. ISBN 0-7938-2800-7. 
  9. ^ Wharton, Alice (1998). Collies. ISBN 0-7938-2800-7. 
  10. ^ Wharton, Alice (1998). Collies. ISBN 0-7938-2800-7. 

[edit] External links

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