Rough Collie
A gentle, elegant Scottish collie with a flowing coat, known for its soft nature and devotion to family.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 56–61 cm · Females 51–56 cm
- Weight
- Males 25–34 kg · Females 20–29 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, long
- Colours
- Sable, Tricolour, Blue merle
- Bred for
- Herding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 156 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 4/5 – High |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 4/5 – High |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 4/5 – High |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a gentle, family-oriented dog
- enjoy grooming
- can give moderate daily exercise
Think twice if you …
- want a dog that rarely barks
- dislike dog hair at home
- need a dog that is happy alone for long hours
Care
Temperament
Rough Collies are gentle, loyal and kind. They are often a little reserved with strangers but rarely aggressive. They are sensitive and respond poorly to harsh treatment.
Exercise
About an hour a day of walks and play keeps them fit and content. They enjoy rally, obedience, herding and gentle agility.
Grooming
Brush the dense coat thoroughly a few times a week, paying attention behind the ears and in the trousers. Shedding is heavy at coat changes.
Training
Willing and quick to learn with kind, reward-based methods. Early socialisation and a quiet cue help with shyness and barking.
Health
Collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy and MDR1 drug sensitivity are known in the breed, along with occasional skin conditions. Breeding dogs are usually eye examined and DNA tested, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
- Hips (HD)
DNA tests
- CEA
- MDR1
- DM (SOD1)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Rough Collie descends from the working sheepdogs of Scotland. In the 19th century it caught the eye of Queen Victoria and fanciers, who refined it into the elegant long-coated dog seen today. Films and books about Lassie later made it one of the best-known breeds in the world.
Modern Rough Collies are gentle, sensitive and closely bonded to their families. They are less driven than working-line herding breeds and usually settle well indoors, but they still need daily exercise and companionship. The coat is beautiful but takes regular care, and many collies are vocal.
Did you know?
Queen Victoria's enthusiasm for collies she met near Balmoral helped make the breed fashionable in the 1860s.