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| Rough Collie | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Sable and white Rough-coated Collie | |||||||||
| Other names | Collie (Rough Coat) Scottish Collie | ||||||||
| Origin | United Kingdom (Scotland) | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||
The Rough Collie is a breed of dog developed originally for herding in Scotland. It is well known because of the works of author Albert Payson Terhune, and was popularized in later generations by the Lassie novel, movies, and television shows. There is also a smooth-coated variety; some breed organizations consider the smooth-coat and rough-coat dogs to be variations of the same breed.
Appearance
Collies have four basic coat colors: sable and white, where the "Sable" ranges from pale tan to a golden mahogany; white; tricolour, which is primarily black edged in tan; and blue merle, which is a mottled gray. All have white coat areas, in the collar, parts of the leg, and maybe tail tip. Some may have white blazes on their faces. Rough Collies have more pointed faces than their look-alike Sheltie 'cousins'. The downy undercoat is covered by a long, dense, coarse outer coat with a notable ruff around the neck, feathers about the legs, a petticoat on the abdomen, and a frill on the hindquarters.
The desired size and weight varies among breed standards; male collies can stands 55.8 to 66 cm (22 to 26 in) at shoulder; the Female averages 5 cm (2 in) shorter. The male can weigh 20.4 to 34 kg (45 - 75 lb) and the female 5 to 10 pounds (2.3 - 4.5 kg) less. According to the American and UK Kennel clubs Breed standards , UK Rough Collies are slightly smaller than their USA counterparts.
Temperament
This is an intelligent and friendly dog who loves to work. The coat needs to be brushed frequently to keep it in a show condition, but it does not require extensive care. Rough Collies are calm dogs but can get excited and rush about if you want them to. They are mid-sized dogs, suiting them to live in small houses and apartments. The herding instinct is still very much apparent in some dogs, but other dogs do not show this as much. Rough Collies are very loyal and protective to their owners and are good with children. They are a good family dog.
History
Main article: Scotch collie
Both Rough and Smooth collies are descended from a localised variety of herding dog originating in Scotland. Originally, there were numerous forms of these dogs. After the industrial revolution, dog ownership became fashionable, and these early collies were crossed with the Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound), to get a more "noble" head, which is today one of the true characteristics of the rough collie. Continued breeding for show purposes drastically changed the appearance of the dogs; in the 1960s, it was a much taller dog than it is today. Earlier dogs were also more sturdy in build.
The Collie Club of America is one of the oldest breed-specific clubs in existence in the United States (founded in 1886).
Rough Collies in popular culture
- Lad, hero of Albert Payson Terhune's early 20th century novels about his Sunnybank Collies.
- Lassie, perhaps the most famous Rough Collie, of book, film, television and radio fame.
- The youngest dog to ever win the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was a nine month old Rough Collie named Ch. Land Loyalty of Bellhaven.
- The mascot of Texas A&M University, Reveille VII, is a Rough Collie.
- Colleen the London collie dog on Road Rovers
- Wilson of the Japanese series Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin
- Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) owns a Rough Collie in Wayne's World.
See also
- Collie
- Farm collie
- Pal, the original Lassie in the 1943 film, Lassie Come Home
External links
- North America
- United Kingdom
- Australia