Rough Collie

A dog needs to always be in a pack. The Rough Collie needs the company of people or animals. The breed itself is not intrusive and does not require much attention. At the same time, they will be a faithful companion.

Breed Photos

Origin History

In Scottish, the dog’s breed means “useful”. The owners decided to call it that because the dog was bred to help on the farm. Collies herded sheep and cattle.

Two centuries ago, invaders from Rome moved to the islands near Britain. They decided to take some dogs with them. At that time, collies were considered members of the “Scottish Shepherd” breed. All the dogs were black. But the hard work of breeders made many colors for this dog. As in Rome, the collies herded cattle in their new place. They were perfect for the job.

Appearance

The Rough Collie is a tall and large dog. The body of the animal is adapted to prolonged physical exertion. The height of bitches is 51 to 56 cm and of males 56 to 61 cm.

Males weigh from 20.5 to 29.5 kg and females from 18 to 25 kg.

The hair of the dog is long. It needs care. Rough Collies have a variety of colors, ranging from tri-color to white and even marble.

Character

A dog needs to always be in a pack. The Rough Collie needs the company of people or animals. The breed itself is not intrusive and does not require much attention. At the same time, they will be a faithful companion.

If the owner is looking for a nanny for his children, the Rough Collie is perfect for this role. The dog can safely be left with children and toddlers.

If we talk about socialization, the collie quickly and easily makes new acquaintances with other animals. Accepting another pet into a pack is not a problem for the collie.

The Rough Collie is a loud dog. It expresses emotions with its voice. But owners should be vigilant – any barking for no reason should be stopped immediately. If this is not done, the dog will get used to this behavior and will bark at things or people for nothing. It can become a bad habit.

Care

Owners of a Rough Collie should get a metal comb. It should be used to brush the dog twice a week. A stiff comb is needed to get rid of dust and dirt on the dog’s body. Nails can be trimmed once a month. It is also necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the collie’s ears and teeth. After a walk, it is worth checking the pads of your pet’s feet, where mites are most likely to hide.

Training

The Long-Haired Collie is an active dog breed. The animal needs both psychological and physical activity.

The dog is only happy to learn new commands. It is an intelligent breed. If you don’t give a collie enough different activities, she will find something to do herself. But it won’t be useful for the owner.

The breed is human-oriented. For the owner to become a pet leader, the dog must understand that he is in charge. This is done through training.

Common Diseases

Owners should consider that the Long-Haired Collie is an athletic and robust dog. But still tends to some diseases:

• retinal atrophy;
• paralysis;
• limp;
• hip dysplasia.

Nutrition

The dog of this breed is prone to food allergies. Therefore, you should feed the Long-Haired Collie dry and balanced food. To choose the food, you should first consult a veterinarian. The amount of food should be adjusted based on the duration of physical activity of the dog. If the owner does decide to feed the collie by-products, there are a few rules to consider. The diet should include quality meat, fresh vegetables, and regular meals.