COLLIE Breed Standards
The early history of the Collie is unrecorded, and almost nothing is known of its origins or how it received its name. The dog is thought to have existed in Scotland and northern England for many centuries, helping rural shepherds bring their sheep and cattle to market. The dog’s forebears were probably the same as those of the Border Collie, and both dogs are thought to have evolved from more ancient Scottish shepherding dogs. The name Collie derives either from the old Scotch Gaelic word col, meaning “black,” or another old Gaelic word meaning “useful.”
The Collie’s background as the common man’s shepherd kept it out of the historical record until the late 18th and early 19th century. Around that time, the Collie caught the eye of dog fanciers and much effort was made to refine the breed. Further renown came to the Collie in 1860, when Queen Victoria adopted one. Subsequent breeding culminated in a rough coated Collie named Old Cockie, born in 1867, who is credited with setting the standard for the modern Collie, both in form and color. By that time the Collie had been imported to America, and on both sides of the Atlantic the dog was cherished by shepherd and aristocrat alike.
American Kennel Club recognition came in 1885; the Collie breed standard was written up in 1886, and remains unchanged today. Albert Payson Terhune is credited with first popularizing the Collie in fiction, writing several books that featured Collies prominently. Even greater popularity came with the advent of the popular television show, Lassie, which propelled the Collie to the highest echelons of American popularity.
SKILLS: The Collie, is a lithe, strong, responsive, active dog, carrying no useless timber, standing naturally straight and firm. The deep, moderately wide chest shows strength, the sloping shoulders and well-bent hocks indicate speed and grace, and the face shows high intelligence. The Collie presents an impressive, proud picture of true balance, each part being in harmonious proportion to every other part and to the whole. Except for the technical description that is essential to this Standard and without which no Standard for the guidance of breeders and judges is adequate, it could be stated simply that no part of the Collie ever seems to be out of proportion to any other part. Timidity, frailness, sullenness, viciousness, lack of animation, cumbersome appearance and lack of over-all balance impair the general character.
SIZE: Dogs are from 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 60 to 75 pounds. Bitches are from 22 to 24 inches at the shoulder, weighing from 50 to 65 pounds.
COAT: The well-fitting, proper-textured coat is the crowning glory of the rough variety of Collie. It is abundant except on the head and legs. The outer coat is straight and harsh to the touch. A soft, open outer coat or a curly outer coat, regardless of quantity is penalized. The undercoat, however, is soft, furry and so close together that it is difficult to see the skin when the hair is parted. The coat is very abundant on the mane and frill. The face or mask is smooth. The forelegs are smooth and well feathered to the back of the pasterns. The hind legs are smooth below the hock joints. Any feathering below the hocks is removed for the show ring. The hair on the tail is very profuse and on the hips it is long and bushy. The texture, quantity and the extent to which the coat "fits the dog" are important points. The four recognized colors are "Sable and White," "Tri-color," "Blue Merle" and "White." There is no preference among them. The "Sable and White" is predominantly sable (a fawn sable color of varying shades from light gold to dark mahogany) with white markings usually on the chest, neck, legs, feet and the tip of the tail. A blaze may appear on the foreface or backskull or both. The "Tri-color" is predominantly black, carrying white markings as in a "Sable and White" and has tan shadings on and about the head and legs. The "Blue Merle" is a mottled or "marbled" color predominantly blue-grey and black with white markings as in the "Sable and White" and usually has tan shadings as in the "Tri-color." The "White" is predominantly white, preferably with sable, tri-color or blue merle markings. The Smooth Variety of Collie is judged by the same Standard as the Rough Variety, except that the references to the quantity and distribution of the coat are not applicable to the Smooth Variety, which has a short, hard, dense, flat coat of good texture, with an abundance of undercoat.
CARE REQUIRED: The spectacular stiff coat sheds dirt readily and a thorough weekly brushing will keep it in good condition. Take extra care when the soft dense undercoat is being shed. The Smooth variety has a one-inch coat and should be brushed every one to two weeks. If the long coated variety has a BIG matt, and the dog is not being used for show, the matt may need to be cut out, as opposed to combed out, as to avoid pain to the dog. Bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. This breed sheds heavily twice a year.
CHARACTER: A noble, highly intelligent dog. Sensitive, sweet, kind, easy to train and loyal. Usually good with other pets and friendly with other dogs. Very devoted to and protective of his loved ones.
EXERCISE: The Collie needs plenty of exercise, preferably some of it off the leash.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: An excellent children's companion, playful and gentle, with some exceptions. Can be willful and must be trained gently or he will refuse to cooperate. Some exhibit herding behavior as puppies, nipping at people's heels
TRAINING: They are good-natured, friendly, dogs. They are energetic outdoors. They can be wary of strangers, stubborn and indolent. It has a fairly good sense of protectiveness for its master, especially for children.
