The Collie is a lithe, strong, responsive,
active dog, carrying no useless timber, standing naturally straight and firm. (From the
Standard)While many canine historians believe that the Collie can
be traced back to the Romans who brought the sheep dogs to Scotland, much of the specifics
of the evolution of the breed has been lost.
The Collie was bred as a working dog, and it is believed that the common
sheepdog of the eastern lowlands of Scotland is its ancestors. Several other breeds have
contributed to the Collie of today. Two contributors were the Irish Setter and the
"Ban" dog that is now extinct. At one time the dog was called the
"coally" dog because of its predominate black color.
This ideal sheepdog of the early 1800's caught the devotion and love of
the young Queen Victoria of England and was catapulted into popularity around the world.
Once Queen Victoria became a patron of the breed, the Collie quickly gained notice in the
show ring.
Both the smooth and rough-coated Collies share the same even temperament
and ability to learn. His nature is affectionate and loving. Few dogs can be trained as
easily as the Collie. While the Collie's skill in shepherding is well known, his
combination of strength, intelligence, and affection only service to compliment his
majestic appearance.
