The Rough Collie is a graceful, gentle family dog known for its intelligence, loyalty, and flowing coat made famous by Lassie.
How the Rough Collie coat is built, and what that means when you groom it.
Critical: A Rough Collie should not be shaved.
The undercoat keeps heat out as well as in, and the outer coat shields the skin from sun and insect bites. Clipping the whole coat off removes both. It often grows back patchy, soft or a different colour, and in some animals the guard hairs never return properly. Brush the undercoat out instead of cutting it off.
Caution: A Rough Collie coat mats easily.
Fine or long hair tangles at the base of the coat, out of sight, where the mats tighten and pull on the skin. Brushing has to reach right down to the roots in sections, not just skim the surface.
Information: A Rough Collie drops its undercoat in heavy bursts.
The undercoat comes out in heavy bursts over a few weeks. An undercoat rake, or a bath followed by a proper blow-dry, clears it far faster than daily brushing. Clipping the coat down is not a shortcut for this.
A few of the Rough Collie profiles members have added to United Pet Club.
The Rough Collie is a large, gentle herding breed from Scotland, known for its long flowing coat, sensitivity, and strong bond with children.
The Rough Collie is a large herding dog from Scotland, recognized by its long double coat, narrow wedge-shaped head, and expressive almond eyes. The breed reached wide public attention through the Lassie films and television series, which fixed its image as a devoted family companion.
Adult dogs typically stand between 22 and 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh roughly 50 to 75 pounds. Despite the size, the temperament is soft. Rough Collies tend to be calm indoors, attentive to family members, and sensitive to tone of voice and household mood.
The breed keeps the working intelligence of its herding background. Collies learn quickly, watch their people closely, and often respond to subtle cues. That same sensitivity means harsh handling tends to backfire.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Scotland |
| Size | Large (50 to 75 lb) |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
| Group / role | Herding |
| Good with | Children and families |
The Rough Collie fits households that can give daily company, moderate exercise, and regular grooming. The breed does well with children and tends to stay close to its people. Owners who travel often or leave a dog alone for long stretches may find the breed's attachment difficult to meet.
The Rough Collie developed as a herding dog in the Scottish Highlands and gained worldwide popularity after Queen Victoria took an interest in the breed in the 1860s.
The Rough Collie traces back to herding dogs used in the Scottish Highlands and northern England. These working dogs managed sheep across rough, open country, and breeders valued stamina, biddability, and a coat that handled wet, cold weather.
The breed gained royal attention in the 1860s, when Queen Victoria saw Collies during a visit to Balmoral in Scotland and kept several at Windsor. Royal interest raised the breed's profile and helped move it from farm work toward the show ring and companion homes.
The first dog shows of the late 19th century shaped the modern type. Breeders refined the long, narrow head and the heavy double coat, and the Collie was among the breeds recorded in early kennel club registers in Britain and the United States.
During the 20th century the Lassie books, films, and television series carried the breed to a global audience. The fictional dog established the Rough Collie's reputation as a loyal, intelligent rescuer and drove a long period of high demand.
The Rough Collie is a large, elegant dog with a long double coat, a refined wedge-shaped head, and almond-shaped eyes that give a soft expression.
The Rough Collie has a lean, balanced frame built for movement rather than bulk. The head is long and refined, narrowing to the nose in a smooth wedge, and the ears are semi-erect with tips that fold forward. The almond eyes set the breed's gentle, watchful expression.
| Trait | Standard |
|---|---|
| Height | 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder |
| Weight | 50 to 75 pounds |
| Coat | Long, straight outer coat over a dense undercoat |
| Colors | Sable and white, tricolor, blue merle, white |
| Eyes | Almond-shaped, dark (merles may have blue or flecked eyes) |
The double coat is the breed's most recognized feature. A coarse, straight outer coat lies over a soft, dense undercoat, with a heavy mane and frill around the neck and chest. Recognized colors are sable and white, tricolor (black, white, and tan), blue merle, and predominantly white with colored markings. The coat sheds year round and blows heavily during seasonal molts.
Rough Collies are gentle, loyal, and sensitive dogs that bond closely with their families, do well with children, and tend to be reserved rather than aggressive with strangers.
The Rough Collie is gentle and devoted. The breed forms strong attachments to its household and prefers to stay near its people. With children the temperament is patient and tolerant, which is part of the breed's long-standing reputation as a family dog.
With strangers, Collies are usually reserved rather than hostile. Many bark to announce visitors, then settle once the household accepts the newcomer. The breed generally coexists well with other dogs and household pets, helped by a herding background that favors managing rather than confronting.
The breed is sensitive. Rough Collies read tone and mood closely, and they respond poorly to shouting or rough correction. Some lines are vocal, and the herding instinct can show as following or gentle gathering of children and other animals.
| Trait | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affection | 5 |
| Energy | 3 |
| Trainability | 5 |
| Vocalness | 4 |
| Shedding | 5 |
The Rough Collie needs frequent brushing for its heavy double coat, daily moderate exercise, and steady company, since the breed is prone to loneliness when left alone.
The Rough Collie adapts to house or apartment living when given daily exercise and company, though more space suits the size. The breed tolerates cold well thanks to the double coat but needs shade and water in warm weather. The breed does best with regular human contact and can struggle with long hours alone.
Rough Collies do well on a balanced diet sized to a large breed, fed in two daily meals, with portions adjusted to keep the dog lean.
The Rough Collie needs a complete, balanced diet formulated for large breeds. Choose a food with a named protein source and feed amounts based on the dog's weight, age, and activity. Because the heavy coat can hide weight gain, check body condition by feel rather than appearance.
| Life stage | Amount per day | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (2 to 6 months) | 2 to 3 cups, growth formula | 3 to 4 |
| Adult | 2.5 to 3.5 cups | 2 |
| Senior | 2 to 3 cups, adjusted for activity | 2 |
Keep treats to about 10 percent of daily calories. Many owners support coat and joint health with omega-3 fatty acids, though supplements should be added only with veterinary guidance. Provide fresh water at all times, especially after exercise in warm weather.
The Rough Collie typically lives 12 to 14 years and is generally healthy, though the breed is prone to inherited eye disorders and a drug sensitivity linked to the MDR1 gene.
The Rough Collie is generally a sound breed with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. Responsible breeding and screening reduce the most common inherited problems. The breed carries a well-documented drug sensitivity tied to the MDR1 gene, which affects how some dogs process certain medications.
| Condition | Signs | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Collie eye anomaly | Often none; detected on eye exam | Inherited; screen breeding dogs |
| Progressive retinal atrophy | Night blindness, vision loss | Inherited; DNA testing available |
| MDR1 drug sensitivity | Severe reaction to some drugs | DNA test; inform your vet |
| Hip dysplasia | Stiffness, reduced activity | Screen breeding stock |
Rough Collies are highly trainable and quick to learn, responding best to patient, reward-based methods that suit the breed's sensitive nature.
The Rough Collie is intelligent and eager to cooperate, which makes training straightforward for most owners. The breed picks up commands quickly and enjoys having a job. Because Collies are sensitive, harsh corrections tend to cause withdrawal rather than progress, so calm and consistent handling works better.
Rough Collies reach breeding maturity at one to two years, carry litters for about 63 days, and typically produce six to eight puppies that need careful early socialization.
Rough Collies reach physical maturity between one and two years of age, and responsible breeders wait until a dog is fully grown and health-screened before breeding. Gestation lasts about 63 days, and litters commonly range from six to eight puppies.
Before breeding, dams and sires should be tested for inherited conditions, including MDR1 status and eye disorders, so that affected genes are not passed on. Early handling and socialization of the puppies set the foundation for the breed's gentle adult temperament. Puppies usually go to new homes at around eight weeks, once weaned and started on vaccinations.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Breeding maturity | 12 to 24 months |
| Gestation | About 63 days |
| Average litter size | 6 to 8 puppies |
| Weaning age | Around 6 to 8 weeks |
| Recommended health tests | MDR1, eye exam, hip screening |
Municipal licences cover the paperwork; a free United Pet Club record is what actually connects your Rough Collie to your phone.
A Rough Collie that slips past the gate of the housing society is identified by its record, not by its pedigree. Provide that record without spending a rupee: the free United Pet Club profile carries your telephone number, the dog's photograph, and its details for life. Register your dog and the matter is settled.
A microchip without a registration is merely a number under the skin. File your Rough Collie's fifteen digit number with United Pet Club and it becomes a working address: free for life, open to every chip brand, and searchable from any clinic or shelter in the country or abroad. Microchip registration first, the free account alongside.
Create a free United Pet Club account, enter your Rough Collie's details along with a photograph, and save the profile. The lifetime plan maintains the record at no cost, and any municipal licence you hold sits alongside it rather than replacing it.
Enter the fifteen digit chip number into your free account together with your current address, phone number, and email. The lifetime plan covers the registration and every subsequent update without charge, whatever the chip's manufacturer.
Several municipal corporations, Delhi and Mumbai among them, require dogs to be licensed under local by-laws. The United Pet Club profile is separate and voluntary, and it is the record a finder anywhere can actually search, free of cost.
Nothing whatsoever. The free lifetime plan includes the profile, the microchip record, and unlimited updates, with no renewal fee at any point.
Common questions about the Rough Collie cover its size, temperament, grooming needs, lifespan, suitability for families, and availability.
Rough Collies are a large breed. Adults stand about 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh roughly 50 to 75 pounds, with males generally larger than females.
Yes. The breed is gentle, loyal, and patient with children, and it tends to bond closely with the whole household, which is a key reason for its long reputation as a family companion.
Care is moderate. The main demands are frequent brushing of the heavy double coat, daily exercise, and steady company, since the breed dislikes being left alone for long periods.
The typical lifespan is 12 to 14 years. Regular veterinary care, a lean weight, and health screening of breeding dogs support a long, healthy life.
Yes. The double coat sheds year round and blows heavily during seasonal molts. Brushing two to three times a week, and more during shedding seasons, helps manage loose hair.
Very. The breed is intelligent and eager to cooperate, learning quickly with patient, reward-based methods. Its sensitivity means gentle handling produces the best results.
The breed is well established and available through reputable breeders, with rescue groups also placing adult dogs. Health-tested puppies from screened parents may involve a waiting list.
