Where the Rough Collie came from
The Rough Collie comes from Scotland, where Collie type dogs herded sheep in the Highlands. They were working farm dogs well before the breed became a show dog.
In the 1800s, Queen Victoria saw Collies at Balmoral Castle in Scotland and took a liking to them, and the breed became fashionable. Breeders refined the coat and head, and the working dog became a show and companion dog.
The AKC recognized the breed in 1885. The breed became world famous through the Lassie stories and films.
- 1800s Queen Victoria takes an interest in the Scottish Collie at Balmoral
- 1885 AKC recognizes the Collie
- 1943 Lassie Come Home, the first Lassie film, reaches movie screens
The job a Rough Collie was bred for
The dogs moved sheep over open Highland land and guarded the flock. At home that shows as a gentle herding instinct, a sensitive nature and a tendency to bark to alert.
Sports that fit a Rough Collie
- Herding. Their original job
- Agility. Moderate speed and eager to please
- Obedience. Sensitive and loyal
- Therapy work. Known for a gentle temperament
- Scent work. A calm job that builds confidence
Training tips for a Rough Collie
- Use soft, positive training, as many are sensitive.
- Teach a quiet cue for alert barking.
- Brush while giving treats to make grooming a good time.
- Go slowly with new places and noises.
Body and health
Many Collies carry the MDR1 gene, which makes some drugs unsafe, so ask a vet about testing. The thick coat also needs heat care.
Fun fact. Lassie is a female dog in the story, but the first film Lassie was a male Collie named Pal.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Rough Collie is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.