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The Collie is perhaps better known than any other dog breed. Its television and cinema appearances have left it with the nickname of the “Lassie Dog” but its first brush with fame came a century earlier when it was Queen Victoria’s preferred dog.

ORIGIN
There are two theories on the Collie’s ancestry. Some believe Scottish herdsmen developed the breed from dogs native to the UK. Others claim its foundation stock were introduced by the Romans. All sheepdogs in Scotland are ‘collies’ (possibly derived from a sheep variety, colley). One collie variety was so adept at working sheep and so popular among farmers that it became the Collie. It is still often referred to as the Scotch Collie. Its name could also have been derived from Col, an Anglo-Saxon word for black. Collies were originally black and other colours were developed when the breed became fashionable in Victorian England.

Queen Victoria saw the Collie at work when she visited Scotland in 1860 and was so impressed she took some home. Collies skyrocketed to fame and breeders exaggerated the elongated muzzle and rough coat.

GENERAL APPEARANCE
Tt should instantly appeal as a dog of great beauty, intelligence and dignity. Apart from the coat, the sweet expression and tipped ears are considered the stamp of this breed. It may be a dog of great beauty but it is important not to forget its working past — Collies have strength, yet move with grace.

The coat fits the outline of the dog and should be very dense. The outer coat is straight and harsh to touch, the under coat soft, furry and very close. The mane and frill should be very abundant and hair on the tail is profuse.

There are three colours of which sable and white is the most commonly known. There are also tn-colours (predominantly black and white with rich tan markings about the head and legs) and blue merle (mainly clear, silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black, often with rich tan markings).

SIZE
Dogs are up to 61cm tall at the shoulder, bitches slightly smaller, and weigh up to 30kg.

TEMPERAMENT
collies should be happy and friendly. Gentle and docile, they are perfect house dogs that can also mix it with the rowdiest of children. They are adoring of their families. Lassie tales, of Collies travelling thousands of kilometres to be with their mdsters, are not entirely fiction. Although rarely used for working nowadays, the Collie’s looks and nature make it an excellent companion.

CARE AND GROOMING
Obviously the rough coated Collie needs plenty of grooming to looks its best. The coat gives good tolerance to the cold and rain but heat can be a problem and, indoors, it tends to lose its hair.

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