The Rough Collie is the same as
the Smooth Collie with the
exception of coat length. The
breed is thought to have evolved
from dogs brought originally to
Scotland by the Romans as far
back as 50 BC which then mated
with native types.
Purists may point to subtle
differences which have appeared
as individual breeders selected
stock for future breeding, but
the fact remains that the two
breeds derived very recently
from the same stock and, in
truth, share lines which can be
found in common to this day.
The Rough Collie is, of course,
the somewhat refined version of
the original working collie of
the Scottish shepherd, fro,
which it has been selected over
at least a hundred years. As a
result we now see a glamorous
show dog which draws applause
because of his aesthetic
appearance, in the same way that
his working cousin thrills
audiences in the competitive
obedience ring.
This is not to suggest that the
work of the pedigree breeder has
made the Rough Collie the
equivalent of the human “dumb
blonde”. Far from it: many of
the breed can perform
satisfactorily, offered the
chance, and it is as well for
owners to remember the “origin
of the species” when taking
their companions across farmland
and hillside; all too easily the
quiet pet can prick up his ears
at the sight of a grazing flock
with disastrous results as the
old instincts take charge. The
basic message is that for all
his beauty, the Collie is a
worker and must never be
dismissed as “just a pretty
face”.
The coat does not look glamorous
as a result of negligence;
grooming is hard work, but that
work is very rewarding.
Surprisingly enough the Rough
Collie does not seem to demand
vast amounts of exercise, but
care must be taken to stop him
from putting on too much weight.
The working Rough Collie needs a
working award before he can be
crowned Champion rather than
Show Champion.
General
Appearance.
Appears as a dog of great
beauty, standing with impassive
dignity, with no part out of
proportion to the whole.
Characteristics.
Physical structure on lines of
strength and activity, free from
cloddiness and with no trace of
coarseness. Expression is most
important. In considering
relative values it is obtained
by perfect balance and
combination of skull and
foreface, size, shape, colour
and placement of eyes, correct
position and carriage of ears.
Temperament.
Friendly disposition, with no
trace of nervousness or
aggressiveness.
Head and
Skull.
Head properties are of great
importance, must be considered
in proportion to the size of the
dog. Viewed from front or side,
the head resembles a
well-blunted clean wedge, being
smooth in outline. Skulls flat.
Sides taper gradually and
smoothly from ears to end of
black nose, without prominent
cheek- bones or pinched muzzle.
Viewed in profile, top of skull
and top of muzzle lie in two
parallel straight lines of equal
length divided by a slight, but
perceptible stop or break. A
mid-point between inside corner
of the eyes [which is centre of
a correctly placed stop] is
centre of balance in length of
head. End of smooth,
well-rounded muzzle blunt, never
square. Under-jaw strong, clean
cut. Depth of skull from brow to
underpart of jaw never excessive
[deep through]. Nose always
black.
Eyes.
Very important feature giving
sweet expression. Medium size
[never very small], set somewhat
obliquely, of almond shape and
dark brown colour, except in the
case of blue merles when eyes
are frequently [one or both or
part of one or both] blue or
blue flecked. Expression full of
intelligence, with quick, alert
look when listening.
Ears.
Small, not too close together on
top of skull, not too far apart.
In repose carried thrown back,
but on alert brought forward and
carried semi-erect, that is,
with approximately two-thirds of
ear standing erect, top third
tipping forward naturally, below
horizontal.
MOUTH
Teeth of good size. Jaws strong
with a perfect, regular and
complete scissor bite. Ie upper
teeth closely overlapping lower
teeth and set square to jaw.
NECK
Muscular. Powerful, of fair
length, well arched.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders sloping and well
angulated. Forelegs straight and
muscular, neither in nor out at
the elbows, with moderate amount
of round bone.
BODY
Slightly long compared with
height, back firm with a slight
rise over loins; ribs well
sprung, chest deep, fairly broad
behind shoulders.
HINDQUARTERS
Hind legs muscular at thighs,
clean and sinewy below, with
well bent stifles. Hocks well
let down and powerful.
FEET OVAL
Soles well padded. Toes arched
and close together. Hindfeet
slightly less arched.
TAIL
Long with bone reaching at least
to hock joint. Carried low when
quiet but with slight upward
swirl at tip. May be gaily
carried when excited but never
over back.
GAIT/MOVEMENT
Distinctly characteristic in
this breed. A sound dog is never
out at the elbow, yet moves with
front feet comparatively close
together. Plaiting, crossing or
rolling are highly undesirable.
Hind legs from hock joint to
ground when viewed from rear to
be parallel but not too close;
when viewed from side, action is
smooth. Hind legs powerful with
plenty of drive. A reasonably
long stride is desirable and
should be light and appear
effortless.
COAT
Fits outline of body, very dense.
Outer coat straight and harsh to
touch, undercoat soft, furry and
very close almost hiding the
skin; mane and frill very
abundant, mask and face smooth,
ears smooth at tips, but
carrying more hair towards base,
front legs above hocks profusely
feathered, but smooth below hock
joint. Hair on tail very profuse.
COLOUR
Three recognised colours: Sable
and White, Tricolour and Blue
Merle.
SABLE: any shade of light gold
to rich mahogany or shaded sable.
Light straw or cream coloured
highly undesirable.
TRICOLOUR: predominantly black
with rich tan markings about
legs and head. A rusty tinge in
top coat highly undesirable.
BLUE MERLE: predominantly clear,
silvery blue, splashed and
marbled with black. Rich tan
markings preferred, but absence
should not be penalised. Large
black markings, slate colour or
rusty tinge either on top or
undercoat are highly undesirable.
All should carry typical white
Collie markings to a greater or
lesser degree. The following
markings are favourable – white
collar, full or part, white
shirt, legs and feet, white tail
tip. A blaze may be carried om
muzzle or skull, or both.
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SIZE –HEIGHT:
dogs 56-61cm [22-24in] at
shoulder.
bitches 51-56cm [ 20-22in].
