Collie
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 Description:
The Collie originates from Scotland where
it has been used as an excellent herder
of sheep since before the 14th Century.
The original ancestors of the breed were
brought to Britain during the Roman Invasion,
and later, invading Picts and Scots brought
the breed up north to Scotland. The intelligent
sheepherder emerged in this area; hence,
Scotland is considered the place of origin
for this breed. References from the 16th
Century depict Collies capably herding,
guarding and driving flocks of sheep.
Height:
The height of a Collie is between 24 - 26"
(61 - 61cm) for dogs, 22 - 24" (55.9
- 55.9cm) for bitches
Weight:
The weight of a Collie is between 60 - 75
lbs (26.8 - 26.8 kg) for dogs, 50 - 65 lbs
(22.3 - 22.3 kg) for bitches
Coat Type:
The Collie's rough coat is long, abundant,
straight and harsh to the touch. The undercoat
is soft, woolly and extremely dense. The
coat is most profuse on chest and neck,
and on tail and hindquarters.
Color: Acceptable
color combinations for the Collie's coat
include Blue Merle, Sable and White, Tricolor,
and White. Grooming is a frequent chore
and requires thorough brushing to rid coat
of dead hair and prevent mats; shedding
can also be a problem.
Temperament:
The kind Collie is friendly, watchful and
easy to train. He is a personable dog and
is especially patient with children, making
him an excellent choice for growing families.
Health Problems:
The Collie is prone to eye problems;
epilepsy is suspected to have a genetic
component in this breed.
Special Interest:
Despite the fact that the Collie breed has
been around for centuries, it was often
considered common and familiar. Its popularity
mushroomed however in the Victorian era
when the Queen herself was greatly impressed
by this hardworking herder and saw its potential
as a show dog. She brought some Collies
back with her to the Royal Kennels and since
then, the dog has become a favorite the
world over. Stories about Collies and the
subsequent "Lassie" movies furthered
the breed's popularity as well.
Classifications:
AKC: Group 7 - Herding Dogs
ANKC: Group 5 - Working Dogs
CKC: Group 7 - Herding Dogs
FCI: Group 1 Section 1 Sheepdogs
KC: Non-Sporting - Working Group
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