The Rough Collie
See more about the Rough Collie on The Royal Kennel Club website
The Rough Collie has a long-standing reputation as one of the most beautiful dog breeds. Although many people picture the Rough Collie as looking like Lassie, the breed comes in three recognised colour variations: Sable and White, Tricolour and Blue Merle.
The Rough Collie is adaptable and can be equally happy running in the woods, walking with the family in town or working on a farm. Collies bond closely with their families whether acquired as puppies or older dogs. They are affectionate, playful and have a wonderful sense of fun.
Collies have a well-developed sense of home that revolves around their family. The breed is known for its intuitive awareness of family activities and may recognise the footsteps of a family member, the sound of an individual vehicle or the time when someone is due home.
The breed can be quite vocal, with an interesting range of sounds including different barks, grunts and the famous Collie “singing”. Head tilting, puffing cheeks, nodding, smiling and nose nudging are also ways in which a Collie may communicate.
Their shepherding heritage means that Collies generally get along well with other dogs and are often tolerant of other household pets. As a family dog, the Collie is an intelligent and fully participating family member with a strong desire to please.
A thorough brushing once a week will help prevent mats and tangles and keep the coat in good condition.
Height:
Dogs: 56–61 cm (22–24 inches) at the shoulder.
Bitches: 51–56 cm (20–22 inches) at the shoulder.
The Rough Collie is a worker and should never be dismissed as only a pretty face. It should appear as a dog of great beauty, standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of proportion to the whole and no trace of exaggeration.
Rough Collies should have a friendly disposition with no sign of nervousness or aggression.
Rough Collie Breed Standard
General Appearance
Appears as a dog of great beauty, standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of proportion to the whole, giving the appearance of working capability.
Characteristics
Physical structure on lines of strength and activity, free from cloddiness and with no trace of coarseness. Expression is most important. In considering relative values, it is obtained by perfect balance and combination of skull and foreface, size, shape, colour and placement of eyes, and correct position and carriage of ears.
Temperament
Friendly disposition with no trace of nervousness or aggressiveness. A great companion dog: friendly, happy and active, and good with children and other dogs.
Head and Skull
Head properties are of great importance and must be considered in proportion to the size of the dog. Viewed from the front or side, the head resembles a well-blunted, clean wedge, being smooth in outline. Skull flat. Sides taper gradually and smoothly from the ears to the end of the black nose, without prominent cheek bones or a pinched muzzle.
Viewed in profile, the top of the skull and top of the muzzle lie in two parallel straight lines of equal length, divided by a slight but perceptible stop or break. A midpoint between the inside corners of the eyes, which is the centre of a correctly placed stop, is the centre of balance in the length of the head.
The end of the smooth, well-rounded muzzle is blunt, never square. Underjaw strong and clean-cut. Depth of skull from brow to underpart of jaw never excessive. Nose always black.
Eyes
A very important feature giving a sweet expression. Medium size, never very small, set somewhat obliquely, almond-shaped and dark brown in colour, except in blue merles when the eyes are frequently blue or blue-flecked. Expression full of intelligence, with a quick, alert look when listening.
Ears
Small, not too close together on top of the skull and not too far apart. In repose, carried thrown back, but when alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with approximately two-thirds of the ear standing erect and the top third tipping forward naturally, below horizontal.
Mouth
Teeth of good size. Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite; the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Muscular, powerful, of fair length and well arched.
Forequarters
Shoulders sloping and well angulated. Forelegs straight and muscular, neither in nor out at the elbows, with a moderate amount of round bone.
Body
Slightly long compared with height. Back firm with a slight rise over the loins. Ribs well sprung, chest deep and fairly broad behind the shoulders.
Hindquarters
Hindlegs muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below, with well-bent stifles. Hocks well let down and powerful.
Feet
Oval, with soles well padded. Toes arched and close together. Hind feet slightly less arched.
Tail
Long, with bone reaching at least to the hock joint. Carried low when quiet, but with a slight upward swirl at the tip. May be carried gaily when excited, but never over the back.
Gait/Movement
Distinctly characteristic of this breed. A sound dog is never out at the elbow, yet moves with the front feet comparatively close together. Plaiting, crossing or rolling are highly undesirable.
Hindlegs from the hock joint to the ground, when viewed from the rear, should be parallel but not too close. When viewed from the side, the action is smooth. Hindlegs powerful, with plenty of drive. A reasonably long stride is desirable and should be light and appear effortless. Absolute soundness is essential.
Coat
Fits the outline of the body and is very dense. Outer coat straight and harsh to the touch; undercoat soft, furry and very close, almost hiding the skin.
Mane and frill very abundant. Mask and face smooth. Ears smooth at the tips, but carrying more hair towards the base. Front legs well feathered. Hindlegs above the hocks profusely feathered, but smooth below the hock joint. Hair on the tail very profuse.
Colour
Three recognised colours: Sable and White, Tricolour and Blue Merle.
Sable: Any shade of light gold to rich mahogany or shaded sable. Light straw or cream colour is highly undesirable.
Tricolour: Predominantly black with rich tan markings about the legs and head. A rusty tinge in the topcoat is highly undesirable.
Blue Merle: Predominantly clear, silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black. Rich tan markings are preferred, but their absence should not be penalised. Large black markings, slate colour or a rusty tinge in either the topcoat or undercoat are highly undesirable.
All should carry typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. Favourable markings are a full or partial white collar, white shirt, legs and feet, and a white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on the muzzle or skull, or both. All white or predominantly white is highly undesirable.
Size
Dogs: 56–61 cm (22–24 inches) at the
shoulder.
Bitches: 51–56 cm (20–22 inches) at
the shoulder.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Reproduced by kind permission of The Kennel Club.
Last updated April 2012.
The Smooth Collie
Height:
Dogs: 56–61 cm (22–24 inches) at the shoulder.
Bitches: 51–56 cm (20–22 inches) at the shoulder.
Weight:
Dogs: 20.5–29.5 kg (45–65 lbs).
Bitches: 18–25 kg (40–55 lbs).
The three recognised colours in the UK are Sable and White, Tricolour and Blue Merle. All may carry typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree.
The Smooth Collie is a medium-sized, short-coated breed of great intelligence. A pastoral breed, the Smooth Collie has had a close association with people and is a faithful and loyal companion, eager to please in whatever way it is allowed.
Smooth Collie Breed Standard
About the Breed Standard
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance, including the correct colour of a breed, and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential.
Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
From time to time, certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely. Judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch information related to this breed for details of any current issues.
If a feature or quality is desirable, it should only be present in the right measure. However, if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable, it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring.
General Appearance
Appears as gifted with intelligence, alertness and activity. Stands with dignity, governed by perfect anatomical formation, with no part out of proportion, giving the appearance of working capability.
Characteristics
Physical structure on lines of strength and activity, free from cloddiness and with no trace of coarseness. Expression is most important. In considering relative values, it is obtained by perfect balance and combination of skull and foreface, size and shape, colour and placement of the eyes, and correct position and carriage of the ears.
Temperament
Friendly disposition with no trace of nervousness or aggressiveness.
Head and Skull
Head properties are of great importance and must be considered in proportion to the size of the dog. Viewed from the front or side, the head resembles a well-blunted, clean wedge, being smooth in outline. Skull flat. Sides taper gradually and smoothly from the ears to the end of the black nose, without prominent cheek bones or a pinched muzzle.
Viewed in profile, the top of the skull and top of the muzzle lie in two parallel straight lines of equal length, divided by a slight but perceptible stop or break. A midpoint between the inside corners of the eyes, which is the centre of a correctly placed stop, is the centre of balance in the length of the head.
The end of the smooth, well-rounded muzzle is blunt, never square. Underjaw strong and clean-cut. Depth of skull from brow to underpart of jaw never excessive. Nose always black.
Eyes
A very important feature giving a sweet expression. Medium size, never very small, set somewhat obliquely, almond-shaped and dark brown in colour, except in blue merles when the eyes are frequently blue or blue-flecked. Expression full of intelligence, with a quick, alert look when listening.
Ears
Moderately large, wider at the base and placed neither too close together nor too much on the side of the head. When in repose, carried thrown back, but when alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with approximately two-thirds of the ear standing erect and the top third tipping forward naturally, below horizontal.
Mouth
Teeth of good size. Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite; the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Muscular, powerful, of fair length and well arched.
Forequarters
Sloping shoulders, well laid back. Good return of upper arm, placing the elbow below the withers. Elbows turning neither in nor out. Forelegs straight and muscular. Moderate bone. Flexible pasterns without weakness.
Body
Slightly long compared with height. Back level and firm, with a slight rise over the loins. Ribs well sprung. Chest deep and fairly broad behind the shoulders.
Hindquarters
Hindlegs muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below, with well-bent stifles. Hocks well let down and powerful.
Feet
Oval, with soles well padded. Toes arched and close together. Hind feet slightly less arched.
Tail
Long, with bone reaching at least to the hock joint. Carried low when quiet, but with a slight upward swirl at the tip. May be carried gaily when excited, but never over the back.
Gait/Movement
Distinctly characteristic of this breed. A sound dog is never out at the elbow, yet moves with the front feet comparatively close together. Plaiting, crossing or rolling are highly undesirable.
Hindlegs from the hock joint to the ground, when viewed from the rear, should be parallel. Hindlegs powerful and full of drive. Viewed from the side, the action is smooth. A reasonably long stride is desirable and should be light and appear quite effortless. Absolute soundness is essential.
Coat
Short, flat topcoat of harsh texture, with a very dense undercoat. Not trimmed or clipped.
Colour
Three recognised colours: Sable and White, Tricolour and Blue Merle.
Sable: Any shade from light gold to rich mahogany or shaded sable. Light straw or cream colour is highly undesirable.
Tricolour: Predominantly black with rich tan markings about the legs and head. A rusty tinge in the topcoat is highly undesirable.
Blue Merle: Predominantly clear, silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black. Rich tan markings are preferred, but their absence should not be penalised. Large black markings, slate colour or a rusty tinge in the topcoat or undercoat are highly undesirable.
All may carry typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. Favourable markings are a full or partial white collar, white front, legs and feet, and a white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on the muzzle or skull.
White markings should not extend behind the withers or above the hock. All white or predominantly white is most undesirable.
Size
Height:
Dogs: 56–61 cm (22–24 inches) at the shoulder.
Bitches: 51–56 cm (20–22 inches) at the shoulder.
Weight:
Dogs: 20.5–29.5 kg (45–65 lbs).
Bitches: 18–25 kg (40–55 lbs).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Note for Prospective Puppy Buyers
The Royal Kennel Club breed standard is a guide and description of the ideal for the breed. The size described does not imply that every dog will match the measurements given for height or weight. A dog may be larger or smaller than the measurements stated in the breed standard.
Smooth Collie breed standard last updated April 2019.