Rough Collie
The rough collie is the long-coated Scottish collie made widely familiar by Lassie, but its older roots are in practical sheep and cattle dogs of Scotland and northern England. It shares type with the smooth collie, distinguished mainly by an abundant straight outer coat, soft undercoat, wedge-shaped head, tipped ears, and balanced outline. Common colors include sable and white, tricolor, blue merle, and color-headed white, with details varying by kennel club.
Most rough collies are responsive, people-oriented dogs with moderate herding drive, less frantic than many border collies but still in need of daily exercise and mental work. The coat should be brushed to the skin, especially behind the ears, under the elbows, and through the ruff during seasonal shedding. Health-conscious breeders pay attention to Collie eye anomaly, hip soundness, dermatomyositis, and the MDR1 gene mutation that can affect sensitivity to certain medications. Their gentle style suits many homes, but they can be vocal and emotionally soft if handled harshly.
