Like their smaller cousins (Border Collies), the Rough Collies have really started to gain the attention of the Indian dog admirers in recent times. This breed hails from the United Kingdom and is very popular all around the world. They are widely appreciated for their furry coat and their beautiful appearance. These dogs have an above average tolerance to hot climatic conditions and thus, they can easily survive in India which is famous for its tropical climate. Also, this breed is very intelligent and fairly easy to handle and thus it is a hassle-free experience for any dog owner to raise and maintain this breed. Therefore, the Rough Collies are a decent option for anyone residing in India or anywhere else in the world.
The Collie or the Rough Collie is a highly responsive and sturdy but equally graceful canine. This medium to large-sized breed is very well-balanced and presents a picture of strength, speed, and elegance. The official standards for the Collies are given as follows:
The average weight of the Rough Collies lies somewhere between the range of 23-34 kg. The male Collies are slightly bigger in size than their female counterparts. And, the average height of this breed is around 22-26 inches (at the shoulders).
|
GENDER |
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
MALE |
27-34 kg |
24-26 inch |
|
FEMALE |
23-29 kg |
22-24 inch |
The Collies are double coated with a soft and furry undercoat and a straight, harsh and rough exterior coat. The coat is quite profuse all over the body except on the legs and head. Their coat is found in a lot of different colors like white, sable, blue merle et cetera.
They have a hard, muscular and firm body with a sinewy and heavily frilled neck that is slightly arched. The chest region is deep with well-rounded ribs. Their back is leveled and strong and it ends with a tail which is moderately long and is quite bushy in appearance. The forelegs and hind legs are powerful, straight and sturdy.
They have a well-proportioned head which is in balance with the rest of the body. Their eyes are medium in size, shaped like an almond and are found in dark color tones. The ears are not too big and not too small and are placed high on the head.
The underjaw is slightly more powerful than their upper jaw, the teeth are of good size and are nicely placed inside their mouth which closes in a scissors bite. Their overall muzzle is well-rounded and fairly smooth.
The Collies are extremely sprightly, cheerful and beautiful canines. This breed is very friendly and affectionate with their family members and is quite protective of them as well. They are careful with small children and are also quite comfortable with other canines too. They mix well with the strangers but still remain alert and attentive most of the times of their surroundings. These dogs are highly territorial and they possess a great watchdog ability and hence they are exceptional guard dogs. They are very loyal to their owners and loved ones and always remain by their side through thick and thin. General character traits of the Rough Collies are listed below:
The Rough Collie is also known as the Long-haired Collie in some parts of the world because of its beautiful and fluffy coat which is quite eye-catching but it also serves an important function. It keeps this canine safe and secured in almost any weather condition, hot or cold, dry or humid, this breed is very well protected because of it's useful and pretty coat.
Apart from their coat, they are also very popular for their responsive and loyal character and a jolly personality. They are quite easily excitable canines who love to be outside the house, playing various games with their loved ones. They are really happy to meet new people and socialize and spread their charm wherever they go.
The collies are considered to be great house pets because of their all-around friendliness, easy to get along character, great guarding abilities, and their obedient and well-mannered attitude. Any potential dog owner looking for a charming and intelligent breed would be happy to have a Collie in his/her life.
The Collie breed is found in two popular types which are as follows:
And talking about the Rough Collies, they can be found in numerous colors which are as follows:
|
Adaptability |
**** |
Sensitivity Level |
***** |
|
Affection Level |
***** |
Potential for mouthiness |
*** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
** |
Drooling Potential |
* |
|
Barking Tendencies |
**** |
Energy Level |
*** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
**** |
Health Issues |
**** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
**** |
Intelligence |
**** |
|
Child Friendly |
***** |
Playfulness |
**** |
|
Exercise Needs |
*** |
Shedding Level |
**** |
|
Grooming Needs |
*** |
Social Needs |
***** |
|
Good for novice owners |
**** |
Stranger Friendly |
**** |
|
Trainability |
***** |
Watchdog Ability |
***** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
*** |
Tolerates Cold |
**** |
A high-quality feeding material is not only good for their health and fitness but also for their skin and coat and thus it should be selected wisely. They do well on a diet which is mostly meat-based and has less grain content. But, still, it is recommended to take the opinion of a skilled vet before choosing the feeding material for a Collie.
They require a moderate amount of exercise on a daily basis to be in the right shape. They are happy to accompany their owners on long walks in a park or an open field. They enjoy playing numerous games with their loved ones and all this contributes to fulfilling their exercising needs.
Collies are always very excited to get trained and learn various new things from their owners. The training sessions not only make the Collies learn important commands and skills but it also helps in making the bond between the canine and its owner a lot stronger. With persistent training, Collies can excel in various skills like herding, agility, obedience et cetera.
The fluffy coat of the rough collies requires a moderate amount of grooming. They should be brushed at least 2-3 times a week so as to avoid any mat formation. Bathing and trimming of nails can be done occasionally. And, their shedding potential is reasonably high and these dogs shed on a seasonal basis and in large amounts.
The Rough Collies can suffer from quite a few health problems and thus they need proper care and attention from their family members. Some of the common health issues found in the Collies are as follows:
The Rough Collies should be taken to a vet’s clinic at least once a month for general health check-ups and consultation.
The true story of the origin of the Collie breed is shrouded in mystery. The first known record of these dogs dates back to the end of the 18th century when this breed first arrived on the British Isles with the Celts.
The Collies were extensively used for sheepherding and guarding purposes and they slowly became quite popular all over the United Kingdom because of their talents on the field and their magnificent appearance. They even caught the eye of Queen Victoria who admired and loved this breed with all her heart.
The reason why this breed was named Collie is still not very clear, but it is believed that their name is inspired from a Gaelic word that translates to ‘useful’. And, if that’s the case, then it perfectly suits them as these dogs were immensely capable and proficient at their job and thus were appreciated by most people. The AKC registered this breed in the year 1885 and since then they have remained consistently popular all around the world.
