History of the Breed:

Although the exact origins of the Collie breed are lost in the mists of time, the Collie is believed to have originated in the hilly border counties of Scotland and Ireland. Farmers and shepherds needed a reliable; intelligent dog to guard the flock and also to guard and be a companion to the family. Although Collies today are known for their beauty, these first Collies were valued for their working ability and intelligence, and were a far cry in looks from the show Collies of today. These early Collies were small, between 25 and 40 pounds, and came in a wide assortment of colors and markings, with black and white being the most common. The Rough Collie's glory, its beautiful flowing coat, was probably an adaptation to the harsh, often bitter climate in which it lived. Since the appearance of the first Collie in the show ring in England in 1860, the Collie's appearance has undergone many changes: they have almost doubled in size, the coat has become thicker and colors have been standardized, heads have become leaner and lighter, and the eye has become darker. Today's males should stand 24"-26" at the shoulder and weigh 60-70 pounds. Females should stand 22"-24" and weigh 50-65 pounds. Despite these changes in appearance, the Collie retains the charming personality, workmanship, intelligence and devotion that endeared him to the Scottish farmers of old.

Collies Today:
Collies have proven themselves to be a very versatile and adaptable breed. Collies today are seen in the conformation ring, in the obedience ring and in herding events. Many Collies have even lived up to the high standards set by Lassie, performing feats of heroism and bravery. The Collie, Tang, won the first Ken-L-Ration Gold Medal for America's Dog Hero of the Year by leaping into the path of oncoming traffic and pushing four children to safety. Since then, six other Collies have received this prestigious award for similar feats of heroism. In Switzerland, Collies are used as mountain search and rescue dogs for police searches. Despite all of these impressive accomplishments, the most important role the Collie plays in today's world is the role of loving and loyal family member. Collies have transferred their inbred desire to protect the flock into a desire to protect the family.

Collies Rough and Smooth:
It comes as a surprise to many people that not all Collies look like Lassie. Collies come in two varieties, Rough and Smooth, and each variety may be one of four colors. Rough Collies have a flowing, abundant outer coat and a very soft, furry and tightly packed inner coat. The coat is very abundant on the mane and frill and the front legs are heavily feathered. The smooth Collie is identical in conformation to the Rough, but its outer coat is short, hard, dense and flat. The four recognized colors are Sable and White, Tricolor, Blue Merle, and White. The Sable and White is predominately sable with white markings on the chest, neck, legs, feet and the tip of the tail. The Tricolor is predominately black, with similar white markings to the Sable and tan shadings on the head and legs. The Blue Merle is a marble color, predominately blue-gray and black, with white markings as in the Sable and tan shadings as in the Tricolor. The White Collie is predominately white, with either sable, tricolor or blue merle on the head and no more than 20% of the body.

Collie Personality:
Collies are fairly active, outgoing dogs, Although often content to lie by the fire with their master, like most other working breeds, Collies were bred to do a job and are much more content when they receive plenty of exercise and are trained to perform certain tasks to keep their minds occupied. The Collie standard expressly forbids any display of sullenness, timidity or viciousness, and it is extremely rare to find a Collie possessing these undesirable traits. As a rule, Collies are loving, loyal and quiet and devoted companions, gentle with children and other animals and quiet and dependable house pets. A Collie will bond very closely with all family members and will reward a loving owner with years of unquestioning devotion and affection.

Choosing a Collie:
Before purchasing any dog, the buyer must do some research to determine if a particular breed will fit into the buyer's lifestyle. If you have determined that a Collie is the breed for you, the next and most important step is finding the perfect Collie for your family. This is not the time to look for a bargain; the cute puppy that you purchase will be a devoted family member for ten to fourteen years, so it is wise to choose your puppy carefully. The best place to obtain a Collie puppy is from a reputable Collie breeder who has studied the breed and proven the quality of his or her breeding stock through both conformation shows and careful health screening. Although you may pay a little more for one of these puppies, you will be assured that your puppy is of the highest and healthiest quality and the breeder will be available to help you should any problems or questions arise. These breeders can be located in several ways: ask your veterinarian for a reference, attend some local dog shows and talk to the breeders present, call your local All-Breed Kennel Club, or contact your local Rescue group for a list of reputable breeders in your area. If you decide that an older dog would be more suitable for your lifestyle, Collie Rescues in your area may be a good place to look. These groups also screen the health of their Collies and will be available to assist you if you encounter any problems. Breeders may also have some older dogs to place. One warning is needed: the local pet shop is probably the worst place to buy a Collie. Many of these dogs are poorly bred, poorly socialized and may have a` variety of health problems.

The Collie as Family Member:
The ideal place for your Collie to live is in your home with the family. Collies are very social, family oriented dogs and do not adapt well to life on a chain or in a kennel. If deprived of its rightful place as a full-fledged family member, a Collie's personality will never have a chance to fully develop and behavior problems may occur. Collies are not pesky dogs; they are content to receive an occasional pat or kind word from their owners. Most Collies are very sensitive to the moods and disapproval of their human family members and require only a verbal reprimand or a disapproving look as punishment. The benefits of keeping your Collie in the house are many: your dog will be happier, healthier and cleaner, and you will have a constant source of companionship, love, amusement, and protection. Collies are generally very easy to housebreak and if groomed regularly, will have almost no "doggy smell". If the idea of having a dog in the house is not acceptable to you, then perhaps you need to rethink your decision to acquire a dog as a pet.

Grooming the Collie:
The Rough variety of Collie, with its long, double coat, does require a commitment from the owner for regular and thorough grooming. To keep a Collie in top condition, grooming at least once a week is necessary, more often is preferable. The necessary equipment for grooming includes a long-bristled pin brush, a comb, a spray bottle filled with water, nail clippers, scissors, and either a dog toothbrush and dentifrice or a soft rag and baking soda. Begin by parting the hair in one section down to the skin and brushing thoroughly. Continue working in sections until the entire coat has been brushed. Water should be misted on the area before brushing to prevent hair breakage. Use the comb to remove knots from the feathering on the front legs. Special attention must be paid to the ears, chest, pants and belly coat; these are the areas which are most prone to matting. After brushing, trim the nails. Unless the dog's nails have been neglected, all that will be needed is to just snip off the clear pointed end of the nail each week. After trimming the nails, use the scissors to trim the hair which grows between the pads on the bottom of the feet. This hair should be trimmed even with the pads; do not remove the hair between the pads. Finish your grooming by cleaning your dog's teeth. Now your Collie will look and feel his best and be ready to go anywhere with you.