History

Though England has long been accepted as the home of the Collies, the breed was mostly found in the highlands of Scotland in the 18th century. Its origin, however, is still not clear. An accomplished herd dog, Collie has successfully played the role of a war dog, a sled dog, a sports dog, a search and rescue dog, a hunting dog, and a companion dog. The breed became very famous when Queen Victoria decided to keep Collies at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. It reached America in 1879.

Appearance

An elegant dog with a symmetrical body, Collie is one of the most good-looking dog breeds. It has a chiseled face and dark, almond shaped eyes. The head is lean and wedge-shaped, and the top of the head is flat. The slightly elongated body is trim, flexible and muscular. The dog has erect ears with only the tip folding forward. The breed comes in two varieties—Smooth Coated Collie and the Rough Coated Collie. The only difference is the length of their coat.

Color

Both Rough and Smooth Collies are available in four standard colours, which are: sable and white, tri colour (which is mix of white, black and tan), blue merle and white.

Personality

An intelligent and lovable dog with gentle manners, Collie is well known for its loyalty and dedication. The dog is a fast learner and needs to be trained gently. It may exhibit nipping behavior because of its herding instincts. Protective by nature, the breed does not entertain strangers.

Health Concerns

The breed is susceptible to some inherited diseases such as Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), canine hip dysplasia, and deafness. Epilepsy, endocrine diseases, allergies, and skin diseases are also reported among them.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR