Dog Breed:   COLLIE

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Many theories have been put forward about the origins of the Collie as a breed. But, it will remain a mystery whether the typical sheepdog from the early 1800s, after cross breeding with Greyhounds, as well as Gordon- and Irish Setters, led to the Collie.

Even the origin of the name of the breed is based on supposition. The original name Colley could derive from the Anglo-Saxon word col, meaning black, which was possibly the original color of the breed. It is also likely that the name derives from the black-faced sheep, called colleys, that the Collie used to herd.

The Collie herded sheep in the Scottish Highlands, sometimes without the shepherd's guidance. In order to cope with this task, the dog needed to be able to act on his own initiative, a fact which causes the Collie to differ in mentality from other breeds. The Collie does not serve blindly - he loves his family, but there are moments when, due to his personality, his own initiative shines through.

The Collie's popularity began with Queen Victoria (1837-1901), who fell in love with the breed on visits to her Scottish retreat. It was then that the lowly farmers dog was elevated to a state of canine aristocracy. It then became more fashionable to own a Collie and show entries rose.The intelligent sheepherder emerged in this area but quickly became a favorite in England for it's herding abilities.

In 1879 the first English Collie was imported to this country. It is from England that we find the famous pillars of the breed, from which the American fanciers sought not only their next big winner, but also their foundation stock.

Height: 24 - 26" (61 - 61cm) for dogs, 22 - 24" (55.9 - 55.9cm) for bitches

Weight: 60 - 75 lbs (26.8 - 26.8 kg) for dogs, 50 - 65 lbs (22.3 - 22.3 kg) for bitches

Coat Type: The Rough coat is long, abundant, straight and harsh to the touch. The undercoat is soft, woolly and extremely dense. The coat is most profuse on chest and neck, and on tail and hindquarters. The acceptable color combinations include Blue Merle, Sable and White, Tricolor, and White. Grooming is a frequent chore and requires thorough brushing to rid coat of dead hair and prevent mats; shedding can also be a problem.

Temperament: The kind Collie is friendly, watchful and easy to train. He is a personable dog and is especially patient with children, making him an excellent choice for growing families.

Collie's are very loyal and devoted pets but need training with a gentle touch from an early age. They also need lots of exercise and play time or they can become bored and can be destructive with digging, barking and car chasing.

Health Problems: Prone to eye problems; epilepsy is suspected to have a genetic component in this breed.

Special Interest: Despite the fact that the breed has been around for centuries, it was often considered common and familiar. Its popularity mushroomed however in the Victorian era when the Queen herself was greatly impressed by this hardworking herder and saw its potential as a showdog. She brought some back with her to the Royal Kennels and since then, the dog has become a favorite the world over. Stories about the breed and the subsequent "Lassie" movies furthered the breed's popularity as well.  Even though the character of "Lassie" was female, all of the dogs who portrayed her on TV and in the movies were male.  The males tend to have darker, richer and fuller coats, thus showing up better on film.

Classifications:
AKC: Group 7 - Herding Dogs
CKC: Group 7 - Herding Dogs
KC: Non-Sporting - Working Group
FCI: Group 1
ANKC: Group 5 - Working Dogs

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Sharon Ziegenhagen is an award-winning artist and is a member of the National Dog Museum Artists' Registry and exhibitor at the New York Dog Fanciers Club "Dog Art Competition".  Find out more about her.

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