Most believe the Collie evolved in the highlands of Scotland and Northern England. Some claim that the Collie's ancestors
were brought to the British Isles by Roman conquerors in the middle of the first century, A.D. But it is known that the earliest
invaders, the Stone Age nomads also brought dogs with them to what is now Southern England. From these probable decendants
came a hardy, quick-witted dog that was needed to handle sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs, and they were undoubtedly used for
hunting along with their herding duties. English dogs were highly prized in Italy in the 11th century. The growth of the wool
industry in the Middle ages was aided along by dogs known as the ban dog and the cur in 15th and 16th century England. Not
until about the 18th century did the breeding of domestic animals begin. The rough Collie was virtually unknown in London
as late as 1860, while a bob-tailed smooth sheep dog was more common to that area. The rough Collie came down from Scotland
and the border countries to farmer's markets at Birmingham, following the development of the railroads. The Collie most likely
made his show ring debut in December, 1860, at Birmingham, the third formal dog show at which conformation of individual animals
was judged. They were most likely shown in the group classified "sheepdogs" with combined different strains of rough and smooth
Collies, bob-tails, and beardies.
None of the sheepdogs were very popular at this time. They were generally working dogs, without pedigrees, and they were
more of a farmers dog. They were small, weighing 25 to 45 lbs, relatively short legged, long-backed, short necked, and had
unsightly feet and legs. Many were cow-hocked, fiddle fronted, overangulated, with a wide variety of tails lengths including
no-tails, bob-tails, half-tailed and long-tailed dogs all occurring in the same litter. They had much heavier heads and had
terrier like eyes. The coats were various lengths from smooth to extremely long and frilled, in one black and white Scottish
strain. The color was origionally black and white or black and tan, but sometimes grey, dull brown or mixed brindle sable
in color.
The Collie's popularity began with Queen Victoria (1837-1901), who fell in love with the breed on visits to her Scottish
retreat. It was then that the lowly farmers dog was elevated to a state of canine aristocracy. It then became more fashionable
to own a Collie and show entries rose.
One of the most important Collies, a dog named Old Cockie, became recognized in 1868. All show Collies trace back to Old
Cockie through his sable and white grandson Charlemagne, whose pedigree shows the only two sables: Maude, his dam, and her
sire, Old Cockie. Old Cockie live fourteen years as a cherished and pampered companion of Mr. James Bissell.
Collies are very family oriented dogs. They love children, they are very intelligent, quick learners, very sensitive,
playful, and great outdoors dogs. Collies get along well with other pets. Collies, however, are not for everyone. The do require
a lot of exercise to keep them happy and fit. Collies are very energetic and will become easily bored if left alone for extended
periods. They are very good at finding things to do if they are bored, which will often include digging, barking and other
general destructive behaviors.
Collies should not be tied up or chained. Because they are a herding dog they are able to run up to 40 miles a day. It
is preferable to have a large fenced yard or a large kennel area. Collie are also great athletes and can easily jump a 4 or
5 foot fence when motivated to do so. A 6 foot fence is suggested for fencing off areas. Collies understand boundaries well
and it is advisable to walk a new puppy around the yard twice a day for the first week, and once a day for two following weeks
to teach them the yard limits. Collies can become car chasers and it is advisable to stop this at the FIRST sign of car chasing
activity.
Collies make excellent obedience dogs. The require a soft touch when initally learning the exercise and a quick correction
once they do understand but just refuse to do the exercise. Collies can become stubborn and unwilling to learn anything if
too much correction is used. They are also bright enough to figure out ways to avoid doing exercises. In general they are
very intelligent and very sensitive dogs. Collies also retain many of their inherited herding abilities and make excellent
working dogs. Smooth collies are occasionally used as assistance dogs for physically handi-capped people. Collies have also
been known to be used as therapy dogs, Search and Rescue dogs, Avalanche Dogs, Water Rescue dogs, Drug-detection dogs, and
Fire Rescue dogs. Collies have been decorated five times for Ken-L-Ration Hero Dogs.
Grooming is a necessity for rough collies. Rough coats take some care. A good brushing one a week will take care of many
mats and tangles and a bath every two months or so is ok. Smooths are much easier to care for. They have short hair like a
shepherd, but still have the thick double coat. Smooths seem to shed a lot because the fur is more likely to fall out, where
as in roughs, it is more likely to tangle up into hair balls. Collies shed about as much as any other dog. Their major hair
loss is in the spring as the weather gets warm and in the fall as the new winter fur comes in. If you brush them out then,
shedding shouldn't be a big problem. Large mats should be removed with thinning shears if they persist behind the ears, under
the legs or around the neck. It is also advisable to remove the fur from the inner pads of the feet and the lower areas of
the hock and pasterns. Those dogs with dew claws need them trimmed at least once a month.
Collies live about 12 to 16 years on average. Males are a bit more rambunctous than females. Females are usually pretty
reserved. Both are equally acceptable for children. All of the "Lassie's" were male collies. Females tend to have less coat
than the males and are slightly smaller. Both are equally intelligent. Collies also "think" they are also great "lap" dogs.
