The Black Rough Collie is a stunning dog breed that's as intelligent as it is beautiful. They are a variant of the classic Rough Collie, made famous by Lassie.
Their thick, double coat is a key identifying feature, with a rough outer layer and a soft undercoat. This coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting.
Black Rough Collies are known for their loyalty and affection towards their family, making them excellent companions. They thrive on interaction and attention from their loved ones.
They are generally good with children, but as with any breed, early socialization is crucial to ensure a harmonious household.
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Health and Care
The black rough collie is a wonderful companion, but like any dog, she needs proper care and attention to stay happy and healthy. They live comfortably in the city or country as long as they have enough exercise.
A brisk, daily walk and yard play are sufficient to keep them active, but be aware that they can get bored and lonely if left alone for too long, resulting in excessive barking. This is normal for herding breeds like the Collie, but it can be avoided by keeping them mentally challenged with ongoing obedience training or dog sports.
To prevent excessive barking, it's essential to let your black rough collie join in all family activities and keep them mentally stimulated. Training is a breeze, but early socialization is crucial to prevent timidity, and obedience training is a must, especially with a "Quiet" command as part of their training program.
Some potential health issues to be aware of include Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hip Dysplasia, and Collie Eye Anomaly. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential to detect any potential problems early on.
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Size
When considering the size of your Collie, it's essential to understand that they can grow quite large. Males stand 24 to 26 inches tall.
Collies can weigh anywhere from 50 to 70 pounds, making them a medium to large breed.
Health
As a responsible dog owner, it's essential to be aware of the potential health issues that can affect your Collie. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a common eye condition that can lead to blindness.
Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are crucial to detect any health problems early on. A physical examination can help identify signs of Hip Dysplasia, a condition that can cause arthritis and mobility issues.
To determine if your Collie is prone to Collie Eye Anomaly, a DNA test can be conducted. This test can also help identify Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Eye tests, blood tests, and DNA tests can all be used to diagnose and monitor various health issues in Collies. Allergy tests can also be conducted to identify any potential allergies your dog may have.
Here are some common health tests used for Collies:
- Eye tests
- Blood tests
- DNA tests (for Pra and other conditions)
- Physical examinations
- Allergy tests
Care
The Collie is a social breed that thrives on family interaction. She loves to be around her people and can get bored or lonely if left alone for too long.
A brisk, daily walk and yard play are sufficient exercise for the Collie. She's not a high-energy breed that requires hours of intense physical activity.
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To prevent excessive barking, it's essential to keep the Collie mentally challenged with ongoing obedience training or dog sports. This will keep her engaged and stimulated.
Training the Collie is relatively easy, but early socialization is crucial to prevent her from becoming timid. A "Quiet" command should be a part of every Collie's training program.
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Feeding
Feeding is a crucial aspect of your Collie's health and care. A recommended daily amount is 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food, divided into two meals.
The amount of food your adult dog needs depends on their size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. This means that a highly active dog will need more food than a less active one.
The quality of dog food also makes a difference. Better dog food will go further in nourishing your dog and reduce the amount you need to feed.
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Coat Color and Grooming
The Collie's coat is a distinctive feature, coming in four colors: sable, tricolor, blue merle, and white. The Rough Collie has a thick undercoat that's so dense it's hard to see the skin when you part the hair.
Both the Rough and Smooth Collie varieties shed moderately, but the amount of grooming needed depends on the variety. The Rough Collie needs thorough brushing twice a week to keep its long coat looking its best.
Brushing once a week is sufficient for the Smooth Collie, but both varieties need regular nail trimming, ear checks, and dental care to stay healthy. Trim the Collie's nails once a month to prevent overgrowth.
Check the ears once a week for dirt, redness, or a bad odor that can indicate an infection. Wipe them out weekly with a cotton ball and gentle ear cleaner to prevent problems.
Daily brushing is even better for preventing gum disease and bad breath, so make it a habit to brush your Collie's teeth at least two or three times a week.
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Herding and Activities
Herding and Activities are a big part of what makes the Black Rough Collie such a wonderful breed. They have a natural instinct to herd and can be trained to compete in herding trials.
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Collies are capable of being keen herders while remaining sensible, flexible family companions. They can participate in herding to preserve their special heritage and open up new opportunities for owner and dog.
The qualities that make a good herding dog – trainability, adaptability, loyalty, soundness of body and character, agility, and grace – are important in many areas and contribute to making the dog an outstanding companion as well.
If you're interested in herding with your Black Rough Collie, you can start with a Herding Instinct Test, which introduces them to herding at the basic level. This test shows whether or not your Collie has the natural instinct to herd.
Here are some dog sports and activities that Black Rough Collies can participate in:
- Agility trials
- Obedience
- Conformation
- Flyball
- Tracking
- Herding events
Herding
Herding is an essential part of the Collie's history and nature. The breed has been used for centuries as a sheepdog in the highlands of Scotland.
Collies are naturally inclined to herding and can be trained to work on ranches, farms, or even in suburban settings with a few animals. They possess the qualities necessary for herding, such as trainability, adaptability, and loyalty.
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Participation in herding helps preserve the Collie's heritage and offers new opportunities for owners and dogs to bond. Herding clubs across the country provide clinics, work days, trials, and tests to help owners develop their dogs' skills.
Collies can participate in herding title programs, such as the Herding Instinct Test, which introduces them to herding in a controlled environment. This test assesses whether a Collie has the natural instinct to herd, even if they've never been exposed to livestock before.
Collies are also eligible for non-competitive herding tests, which measure their herding instincts and trainability. With proper training, they can even compete in herding trials.
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Smooth Uses
Smooth Collies have been used as draft dogs, hitched up to a wagon or toboggan to pull children around the yard. They're also great at being entertainers, jumping through hula hoops and tire swings.
On our Michigan hobby farm, the two long-haired Collies I grew up with were used as herders, sent to round up goats, chickens, and even the pet rabbit after they had been let out to free range. They were very good at this job.
Smooth Collies are generally preferred over Rough Collies as guide dogs for the blind due to their shorter fur and easier upkeep. They're also being used as assistance dogs in various capacities.
Smooth Collies are being used as PTSD, Mobility Assistance dogs, and Seizure Alert Dogs, among other roles.
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Training and Behavior
Training a black rough collie requires patience and consistency. They are intelligent and eager to learn, but can be vocal and need to be socialized to prevent shyness.
Early socialization is key to developing a well-rounded black rough collie. Expose your puppy to various people, sights, and sounds from an early age, and enroll them in puppy kindergarten classes.
A daily walk and playtime in the yard will keep your black rough collie happy and exercised. They can adapt to most home environments as long as they receive enough physical and mental stimulation.
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Personality
Rough collies are generally great with children and other animals, but they must be well socialised to prevent shyness. They can be fairly vocal, but some are easily trained not to bark.
Collies are naturally protective of small children and can become suspicious of strangers, especially if they approach young children. They perform well as watchdogs, barking at strangers but not becoming aggressive.
A well-bred Collie is sweet, friendly, and gentle, making her a great family dog. She's especially fond of kids and enjoys playing with them and protectively watching over them.
Collies are highly intelligent and learn quickly, but they can be prone to barking excessively if bored or frustrated. To prevent this, keep them occupied and challenged mentally with activities like dog sports or puzzle toys.
Rough collies are loyal and may be one-family dogs, but they're generally not aggressive or protective beyond barking and providing a visual deterrent. They're excellent with kids and respond best to a gentle hand.
Early socialization is key to ensuring your Collie grows into a calm, kind, and well-rounded dog. Expose them to various people and scenarios when they're young, and enroll them in puppy kindergarten classes to help them polish their social skills.
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Training
Training your Collie requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. They learn quickly, so be prepared to engage their intelligence.
Choose a gentle hand when training, as Collies respond best to this approach. They're eager to please and will thrive with kind guidance.
Early socialization is crucial, so enroll your puppy in a puppy kindergarten class and expose them to various people, sights, and experiences. This will help them grow into a well-rounded dog.
Meet at least one of the parents, usually the mother, to ensure they have a nice temperament. Meeting siblings or relatives can also give you an idea of what to expect from your puppy.
Rough Collies can be fairly vocal, but some can be trained not to bark with gentle guidance. They're generally great with children and other animals, but may be shy if not well socialized.
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Breed History and Maintenance
The black Rough Collie has a rich history that spans thousands of years, originating from Scotland's Highland regions where they were bred to herd sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs. They were originally called Collis, Colley, Coally, and Coaly, possibly due to their association with the Scottish black-faced sheep.
These intelligent dogs have been a part of human history for so long that some historians believe they were brought to the British Isles by Roman conquerors over 2,000 years ago. Their herding ability was more important than appearance, so they varied greatly in looks.
To keep your black Rough Collie looking its best, regular grooming is a must. They require brushing twice a week to prevent matting and tangling of their long coat.
Breed History
The Collie breed has a rich history that spans thousands of years. They originated in Scotland, specifically in the Highland regions.
Collies were first bred to herd sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs, and their herding ability was more important than their appearance. They varied greatly in looks, but were predominantly black.
The Collie's ancestors were brought to Southern England by Stone Age nomads. These early Collies became the tough and intelligent dogs we know today.
Queen Victoria is credited with saving the Collie breed from obscurity in 1860, when she brought some back to England after visiting Scotland. She fell in love with their good looks and gentle temperament.
The first Collie was imported to the United States in 1879. This marked the beginning of the breed's popularity in America.
The Collie Club of America was formed on August 26, 1886, making it one of the oldest canine specialty clubs. This organization has been dedicated to promoting and preserving the breed ever since.
One Collie, named Old Cockie, is credited with introducing the sable coat color to the breed. She was born in 1867 and is considered a foundational Collie.
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Breed Maintenance
Collies require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling of their beautiful coats. Rough Collies need to be brushed twice a week, while Smooth Collies are fine with weekly grooming.
Baths should be given to Collies when they're needed, which is about once every six to eight weeks. This will help keep their coats clean and healthy.
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It's essential to check your Collie's ears for dirt, odor, or redness once a week. This will help prevent infections and keep their ears healthy.
Trimming your Collie's nails every month is crucial to prevent overgrowth. This will also help prevent scratching and damage to furniture.
Brushing your Collie's teeth at least two or three times a week will prevent bad odor and remove bacteria and buildup. This will also help keep their teeth healthy and strong.
Collies are not hypoallergenic and will shed moderately, so regular grooming is necessary to keep their coats under control. They are typically not droolers and shouldn't have a strong odor.
Performing a quick at-home checkup each week will help you catch any illnesses or injuries before they become a problem. This will ensure your Collie stays healthy and happy.
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Living with a Black Rough Collie
Collies are highly protective of children, watching over them and keeping them safe from danger, just like Lassie did for Timmy.
They're also gentle with other pets in the family, making them a great addition to households with multiple animals. The Collie is an affectionate, tender guardian, willing to watch over baby rabbits, chicks, or goats.
To ensure a harmonious household, it's essential to teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise interactions between dogs and young children. This will prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party.
A Black Rough Collie typically stands 22 to 26 inches tall and weighs 45 to 75 pounds, requiring regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. They are very active dogs and need a lot of exercise, so be prepared to spend time with them outdoors.
Here are some general health concerns to be aware of: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and Collie eye anomaly. Regular veterinary check-ups can help prevent or detect these issues early on.
Collies are intelligent, loyal, and hardworking dogs, making them a great fit for active families.
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Children and Pets
Living with a Black Rough Collie means being part of a loving and protective family. The Collie is known for her love of children, even those she wasn't raised with.
Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent biting or ear or tail pulling. It's a good idea to teach your child never to approach any dog while he's eating or sleeping.
No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. The Collie is also protective of and gentle with other pets in her family.
She's an affectionate, tender guardian, willing to watch over baby rabbits, chicks, or goats.
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Quick Navigation
Living with a Black Rough Collie is a unique experience, and to help you navigate the ins and outs, let's start with the basics.
History
The Black Rough Collie has a rich history, dating back to the early 19th century when they were bred as herding dogs in Scotland.
Health
Regular grooming is essential for a Black Rough Collie, as their thick coats can easily become matted and tangled.
Uses
These dogs were originally bred for herding, but today they're often kept as beloved family pets.
Appearance
Black Rough Collies are known for their distinctive black coats and piercing brown eyes.
Grooming
A good brushing session can help prevent matting and tangling, and should be done at least twice a week.
Exercise
Black Rough Collies require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy, with daily walks and playtime being essential.
Training
With patience and consistency, Black Rough Collies can learn to obey commands and behave well in public.
Quick Facts
The Black Rough Collie is a wonderful breed with a rich history. They were first recognized in Scotland and Northern England.
One of the most distinctive features of the Black Rough Collie is their coat. It's long and thick, and can be either smooth or rough. The most common colors are black, white, and tri-color.
Black Rough Collies are medium-sized dogs, typically standing 22 to 26 inches tall and weighing 45 to 75 pounds.
They're part of the Herding breed group and are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and hardworking nature. They're also very active and require a lot of exercise.
Here are some key stats about the Black Rough Collie:
- Origin: Scotland and Northern England
- Size: 22-26 inches tall, 45-75 pounds
- Breed Group: Herding
- Lifespan: 10-14 years
Black Rough Collies are generally healthy dogs, but like all breeds, they can be prone to some health problems, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and Collie eye anomaly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Rough Collies good family dogs?
Rough Collies are excellent family dogs, forming strong bonds with all household members, not just their primary caregivers. They're known to learn and adapt to individual personalities, making them a great fit for families of all sizes.
Sources
- "Rough Collie" (canadasguidetodogs.com)
- the original (colliehealth.org)
- "Collie Colours" (archive.today)
- "NZKC Breed Standard" (nzkc.org.nz)
- Collie Dog Breed Information (akc.org)
- Sharp (rct.uk)
- The Collie Rescue Foundation (collierescuefoundation.org)
- Collie | Dog Breed Facts and Information - Wag! (wagwalking.com)
- Opens in a new window Facebook (facebook.com)
- Collie Health Foundation website (colliehealth.org)
- Collie Club of America (collieclubofamerica.org)
- In 1924, a Collie named “Bobbie” made headlines (roadsideamerica.com)
- responsible breeders should also be testing for PRA. (colliehealth.org)
- FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) (fci.be)
- (This goes for merle dogs of any breed, not just Collies.) (dogingtonpost.com)
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