Collie Origins

For centuries the Rough Coated Collie was hardly known outside Scotland, but it is now one of the world's most popular and most beloved breeds. The collie descended from generations of hard-working herding dogs, and is renown for its high intelligence. They are sometimes used as water rescue dogs and have served man as sheepdogs for centuries- guarding and herding different types of flocks. The breed's name probably comes from its charge; the Scottish black-faced sheep called the "Colley!" 

Early Rough Collies were smaller, with broader heads and shorter muzzles. The Collie is so intelligent that he has been trained for many purposes - as a rescue dog, guide for the blind, war hero, movie star.  It can also be good as a watchdog, but man has found out that its extremely difficult to train a collie to attack viciously.

Queen Victoria's interest in the Collies she kept at Balmoral Castle in Scotland launched the breed's subsequent popularity.  J.P. Morgan and other members of the upper class have also owned Collies. At that point in time, Collies were mixed with the Borzoi, and *ALL* show dogs had to have the Borzoi influence for them to win in the show ring.

  The working dogs separated, branched out and became the different breeds (with the scotch collie remaining) and the show type became what we see now - the larger dogs with flatter faces.  In the mid to late 1800s, the Collie was brought over to the US from England and thus introduced to our own country.

The Collies great beauty has made them a favorite show dog and family companion. The Smooth Collie, which lacks the long flowing coat of the rough collie, is more popular as a companion dog in Great Britain than in the United States, though he is gaining popularity in the U.S. today.  The AKC considers the Rough and Smooth Collies as varieties of the same breed. They are judged by the same standard with the exception of the coat.

 

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Fun Fact:  The first Collie was presented at a dog show in 1860.

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