Rough collie dogs, a dog breed noted for herding and protecting, are strong, loyal, friendly, attentive, and swift. The rough-coated collie has a stunning long coat that flows as he runs, and his head has a sleek and elegant wedge form. Rough collies can thrive in rural and urban environments but require company and daily walks or long walks. Although rough collies are slightly less active than border collies, they need at least 45 to 60 minutes of outdoor activity daily. Surprisingly, after he returns inside, he is very peaceful and content to sit and relax with his owner.
This isn’t just another article on Collie facts. My parents bred Rough Collies; I grew up with them as family members. I now have two gorgeous long-haired Collies of my own, but I am familiar with different breeds from working at a veterinary clinic and fostering several dogs. I currently volunteer for a service dog training program and run a Rover doggy daycare from my home. While I adore all dogs, I would still prefer a Collie over any other. I am a standard breed fanatic.
What is so adorable about a Collie dog? Publicly glamorous yet privately ridiculous – that is frequently the way of a “Lassie Dog.” Most Collies carry themselves with the elegance and decorum of royalty unless someone they care about wants to play. Suddenly, as if a king had grown bored of strutting on his throne and switched places with his court jester’s life, they morph into complete clowns. Collies are amiable dogs, and those who know them well describe them as beautiful derps.
History
The Rough Collie’s early precursors are said to have come with the Romans approximately 2000 years ago. The Rough Collie, originally shorter in both leg and nose, is said to have inherited certain traits from the Borzoi, which has an extended, carved head, though when this happened is unknown.
Queen Victoria was essential in popularizing the Collie. However, she only preserved the Smooth version. Later, Queen Alexandra maintained Rough Collies, and she is most likely responsible for the breed’s success in the show ring and the development of its more glamorous appearance today.
Keep in mind that every purebred dog was originally a mutt. For a long time, Collies were called “Scottish Shepherds” or “Scottish Shepherds”. He favored a dog
Scottish farmers have been bred for feature over the shape. (Today, a collection called the Scottish Collie Preservation Society breeds puppies to emulate the old-fashioned “farm collie.”) The prototype Collie canine seemed more specific – specifically within the wedge-formed head structure – compared to the modern dog that we know. The numerous collie “breeds” that have split off into distinct breeds are partially to blame for this.
Rough Collie Facts Sheet
| Longevity |
10 – 14 years |
| Weight |
60-70 lbs. 50-65 lbs. |
| Height |
22-24 in. to the shoulder 24-26 in. to the shoulder |
| Colors |
Multicolored (black, brown, tan, and white) |
| Coat |
Length |
| Energy level |
High energy level outside, low energy level inside. |
| Exercise |
45-60 minutes of exercise per day |
| Size |
Large |
Grooming Rough Collies
Smooth Collies, while they do not mat, require frequent grooming since they have a double coat, and the undercoat needs to be brushed out during shedding. Rough Collies require attention to prevent matting, particularly behind the ears and elbows, and to remove loose coats. Weekly brushing down on the skin eliminates the problem while also keeping the coat and skin healthy. If females are spayed, they shed heavily once a year; if intact, females shed three months after their heat cycle, and males around their birthday, necessitating a little extra care.
Exercise Needs
Collies are often energetic and need frequent physical activity, especially when there are arguments within the family. They need aerobic activity and the opportunity to run and play. Teaching dogs to fetch can be a healthy kind of exercise, as can having a fenced yard where they can run and go for daily walks. They should not be confined to the backyard for extended periods, as boredom breeds barking. Collies are people dogs who prefer to be with their owners first and foremost. A Collie should be ready to go when it’s time and able to relax when it’s time.
Training
While Collies are intelligent and easy to train, puppy lessons are suggested for socialization and training. But it should not stop there. Collies enjoy training and learning, which make them better companions and foster a positive bond with their owner and family. Collies flourish with positive teaching approaches. They thrive at obedience, agility, and herding, as well as barn hunting and lure coursing, and owners will find new ways to enjoy their dogs!
Nutrition
The first thing a Collie owner can do to ensure good skin and coat, as well as overall well-being, is to provide a proper diet. Collies thrive on high-quality dog chow that is mostly meat-based and contains fewer grains as ingredients. Many breed specialists believe that Collies should not be fed foods with corn or soy in them. Collies are prone to bloating, thus two or more feedings each day, rather than one, are recommended, and adding meat to the food has been demonstrated to lessen risk.
Conclusion:
The Rough Collie (additionally referred to as the Long-Haired Collie) is a medium—to huge-sized dog breed that was first designed to herd sheep in Scotland. More recent breeding has concentrated on the Collie as both a show dog and a companion. The standard badges require a characteristic long, narrow, pointed muzzle and semi-piercing ears, so some dogs have soft-pointed ears. Rough Collies are usually sable and white (occasionally mahogany), blue merle, tri-colored, or color-headed white.
The need-to-know
Dogs suitable for experienced owners
- Extra training required
- Must be mindful of possible health problems
- Enjoys active walks
- Enjoys one to two hours of walking every day.
- Large dog
- Minimum drool
- Requires grooming daily
- Chatty and vocal dog
- Barks and alerts to visitors/anything unusual
- May have difficulty with new dogs but gets along with known dogs.
- It may be necessary to receive additional exercises before living with other treatments.
- Needs a large garden
- Can live in semi-rural areas
- Can be left occasionally with training