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Collie
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The type of Collies used to create the BioPet Vet Lab DNA
database were Rough Collies.
The Rough Collie is a breed of dog developed originally for
herding in Scotland. It is also well known because of the works of
author Albert Payson Terhune, and was popularized in later
generations by the Lassie novel, movies, and television shows.
There is also a smooth-coated variety; some breed organizations
consider the smooth-coat and rough-coat dogs to be variations of
the same breed.
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Rough Collie
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Description
Appearance
Three coat colors are recognized for Rough Collies: sable and
white, where the "sable" ranges from pale tan to a mahogany;
tricolour, which is primarily black edged in tan; and blue merle,
which is mottled gray. All have white coat areas, in the collar, parts
of the leg, and maybe tail tip. Some may have white blazes on their
faces. Rough Collies do not have a more pointed faces than their
look-alike Sheltie 'cousins'. The downy undercoat is covered by a
long, dense, coarse outer coat with a notable ruff around the neck,
feathers about the legs, a petticoat on the abdomen, and a frill on
the hindquarters.
The desired size and weight varies among breed standards; male
collies can stand 55.8 to 66 cm (22 to 26 in) at the shoulder; the
Female averages 5 cm (2 in) shorter. The male can weigh (45 -
100 lbs) and the female can weigh the same or more than a male.
A Collies average weight is about 50-60lbs. Large breed rough
collies from the U.S. can weigh in excess of 100lbs. According to
the American and UK Kennel clubs Breed standards, UK Rough
Collies can be a lot smaller than their USA counterparts; USA
breeds can still qualify for the AKC standards.
One of the characteristic features of the Rough Collie is its head.
This is light in relation to the rest of the body, and resembles a
blunted wedge tapering smoothly from ears to black nose. The
muzzle is well rounded, and never square. There is considerable
variation in the colour of the head, however. The eyes are medium
sized and attentive. The ears must be are generally bent, the
bottom part vertical and the tips sloped forwards, although the dog
can lay them back, or hold them vertical when alert. Collies not for
the show ring, many times have ears which do not bend at all.
Once seen, the contrast between the Rough Collie head and that
of a Border Collie is immediately apparent, the latter having a
considerably shorter muzzle and a distinct stop between muzzle
and forehead. The ruff is also distinctive in distinguishing the two
breeds.
Temperament
The double layered coat needs to be brushed frequently and
thoroughly to keep it in a show condition, but it does not require
extensive care. Rough collies should show no nervousness or
aggressiveness, and are good with children and other animals.
However, they must be well socialized to prevent shyness. They
are mid to large sized dogs, are suited to live in small apartments
because of their calm disposition; as they are not high strung as
the Poodle, Labrador and other hunting breeds. The herding
instinct is very much apparent in some dogs, but other dogs do not
show this as much. Rough Collies are very loyal and protective to
their owners. They are a good family dog. They are eager to learn
and to please and respond best to a gentle hand. They relish
human company and should be let outside as they need to run and
exercise. By nature gentle and domesticated, they are fearless in
danger and will rush to defend their owners. Due to several booms
in the popularity of this breed, breeders more concerned with profit
than breeding good dogs have produced Collies that are
high-strung, neurotic or extremely shy. These problems are not
typical of well-bred Collies, and can usually be avoided by
acquiring a Collie either through an ethical breeder or a good
rescue organization.
Health
While Rough Collies are generally resilient and healthy, there are
some health issues that can affect the breed.
Collie eye anomaly (CEA), a genetic disease which causes
improper development of the eye and possible blindness, is a
common ailment in the breed. More rarely, Collies can be affected
by Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), another genetic disease in
which bilateral degeneration of the retina results in progressive
vision loss culminating in blindness. Through genetic testing and
careful screening program it would be theoretically possible to
eradicate both of these problems in purebred lines, however,
certainly in the UK, the Kennel Club does not require these tests to
be done either for registration or showing. Some people claim that
the problem is made worse with the less rigid breeding standards
of home breeders and puppy mill breeders. Collie puppies should
be screened at an early age by a certified veterinary
ophthalmologist to check for both of these problems. Note, the UK
Kennel Club "Accredited Breeder Scheme" requires eye tests and
recommends the genetic test for this class of members, however, a
very small proportion of UK registered puppies are bred under this
scheme.
Canine cyclic neutropenia is a cyclic blood disorder that is usually
fatal to affected puppies. The disease is also referred to as "gray
collie syndrome," due to affected puppies having a pale gray,
pinkish/gray or beige coloring, none of which are normal Collie
colors. Puppies that survive through adulthood are plagued with
immune disorders throughout their lives and rarely live more than
three years. DNA testing can help detect carriers of the recessive
gene that causes the disease.
Hip dysplasia: As with most of the larger breeds, hip dysplasia is a
potential concern for Rough Collies. Although this disease appears
to be "multigene", careful selection by many breeders is reducing
this problem. The UK Kennel Club "Accredited Breeder Scheme"
requires hip-scores this class of members, however, a very small
proportion of UK registered puppies are bred under this scheme.
Collies may carry a mutant Mdr1 gene that results in a sensitivity to
Ivermectin and related drugs. A screening test is used to determine
if alternative medications are required. Overdoses from the
proscribed medications can result in neurological imparement or
even death. This faulty gene is present in several breeds, but is
well known among collies.
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Country of origin
Scotland
Weight
50-75 lb
Height
22-26 in
Coat
Long double coat
Color
Sable and white; tri-color (white, black,
tan); blue merle
Life span
14-16 years
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Lassie TV Series - 1965
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Dog Breed Test samples analyzed in about two weeks
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