• Size

The female Rough Collie typically stands between 51 and 56 centimeters tall, while the male Rough Collie usually reaches a height of 56 to 61 centimeters. As for other physical data, the length of a female Rough Collie typically ranges from 74 to 81 centimeters, while for a male Rough Collie, it extends to 79 to 86 centimeters.

• Weight 

Individual cases of Rough Collie weight vary according to genetics, diet, and health. Nevertheless, an adult male Rough Collie generally weighs between 20 and 29 kilograms, while a female typically weighs slightly less, ranging from 18 to 25 kilograms.

• Lifespan

The life expectancy of a Rough Collie ranges from 14 to 16 years and is equivalent to about 88-99 years of human life. But still, remember, these figures are only conditional, and the life expectancy of our important family members depends on their healthy lifestyle and harmonious living environment.

• Fur

The Rough Collie is adorned with a double coat consisting of a long, straight outer coat and a soft, thick undercoat. The upper part protects from the harmful effects of the environment, and the woolen lower layer is responsible for keeping warm. The color combination of fur, as usual, includes golden, yellow, brown, white, black, and bluish-gray. 

Shedding, as usual, is observed throughout the year. However, the intensity increases especially during seasonal changes. Due to their abundant fur, the Rough Collie needs regular grooming to avoid the discomfort associated with excessive shedding. These important family members should be brushed daily to keep them clean. In this process, special attention should be paid to the elbow, chest, ears, legs, and neck areas.

Friendly and affectionate Collie is a faithful companion. It thrives best with an owner who will wholeheartedly embrace and care for this new family member, offering affection and committing to long, enjoyable walks. Ideally, a Rough Collie would benefit from living in a peaceful suburban area with access to a large, secure yard. 

These important family members respond best to consistent, reward-based training. Because of their inner peace and loving nature, representatives of the breed are excellent therapy dogs. Despite its gentle nature, the Collie is an attentive companion, which without excessive aggression makes it a reliable shield. To indicate potential danger, the Rough Collie is often prone to barking. 

Collie is inclined toward playing with all the little members. Nevertheless, due to its intolerance of noise and chaos, it prefers interacting with older children. When outdoors, it’s incredibly active and energetic. However, as soon as returns home, it becomes a calm companion who wishes to snuggle up close to the rest of the family and spend time comfortably.

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia refers to partial or complete loss of the hip joint. Hip dysplasia can cause bone wear and tear and pain associated with this process. If hip dysplasia is diagnosed at an early stage, you can easily correct the problem. In other cases, surgery may be needed to reposition the bones. Although genetics play an important role in the development of this disease, maintaining a healthy weight is especially important to reduce stress on the joints.

Progressive retinal atrophy

Progressive atrophy leads to gradual degeneration of the retina and loss of vision. The mentioned disease is passed on to companion animals by inheritance. Regular eye exams and a diet rich in antioxidants can help maintain retinal health. Before purchasing an important family member, carefully research their genetics and make sure that your future companion does not have a genetic predisposition to vision problems.

Retinal dystrophy

Dystrophy causes retinal degeneration and vision loss. The cause of the disease may be a hereditary factor, aging, or diabetes. Consultation with a veterinarian is crucial for diagnosing the disease. In case of timely and correct treatment, you will be able to effectively avoid the dangers.

Collie Eye Anomaly

Collie eye anomaly is a congenital, inherited disease that causes vision impairment. There is no cure for the disease, however, the condition can be managed to improve the dog’s quality of life. Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms, and the symptoms themselves depend on the degree of malformation in the eye structures. Collie’s eye anomaly can be diagnosed by an eye examination conducted by a veterinary ophthalmologist.

Rough Collies require a diet rich in proteins and healthy fats to maintain their health. High-quality, breed-specific food designed for large breeds provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support their overall well-being. A vitamin-mineral complex of high-quality adult dog food can help prevent joint problems in addition to improving cognitive health and vision. 

As for the early stage of development, to promote healthy growth and prevent health problems, we should feed our furry friends with puppy food for large breeds. For proper joint development, this food is formulated with the perfect ratio of calories, protein, calcium, and phosphorus.

As usual, the amount of food offered to our companion animal is determined by a nutritionist according to weight, activity level, age, and health condition. However, before visiting a professional, you will receive information related to the frequency and amount of feeding directly from the product packaging.

Sheepdogs, the ancestors of the Collie, arrived in Scotland around 2,000 years ago, mated with local dogs, and became faithful companions to shepherds native to the Scottish Highlands. It’s assumed that, later on, the appearance of the Rough Collie was influenced by the participation of the Borzoi in the selection process, although exactly when this happened is unclear. 

For a long time, little was known about the breed. These important family members became known to the general public only in the 1860s thanks to Queen Victoria. The Queen witnessed Collie during a trip to Balmoral Castle and was immediately captivated by its looks.  Later, Queen Alexandra took care of the even wider promotion of the breed.  As a result, like the Border Collie, the Rough Collie soon became a favorite companion of high society. The Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885.