Rough Collies on the Farm

The Rough Collie, when grown, is usually a medium to large size dog.  The females reach an average size of 60 lbs and the males reach an average weight of 70 -80 lbs. The Rough Collie originated in Scotland and was originally used to herd sheep, so with this natural ability, they are great for other farm animals as well as good with children because of their gentle nature.

The Rough Collie comes in a variety of colors with the most common are the Tri-Color (black, white, tan), the Sable & White and the Blue Merle.  As the Rough Collie has evolved, new colors have also evolved  like the Sable/Merle and the White Collie.

​Rough Collies have a double coat that protects them from both the heat and the cold.  When grown, your Collie will have a generous long beautiful coat.  Yes, they do shed, generally in the spring and fall, but it is not difficult to maintain a Collie’s coat.  Your Collie needs to be brushed once a week to maintain their coat and keep it from matting which also reduces the shedding.  If you can’t do it once a week, then try every other week.  If you are worried about allergens, please remember that allergens come from coat dander which can be kept under control by bathing on a regular basis.  The idea that you can’t bath your dog more than once a month is also a myth.  As long as you use a dog shampoo that is pH balanced for your dog, you can bathe them as often as you need too. 

In the summer, do not shave your Rough Collie!!!  People think that they will be cooler, but you must remember that dogs don’t cool themselves by sweating like humans.  They cool themselves by panting, and through their paw pads.  If you shave off their coat, you are exposing them to sunburn.  Remember that if your Rough Collie is line combed, this creates space between the two coats that acts as insulation.  It keeps them cool and it keeps them warm.   With all of that being said, when the weather is extreme, always bring your Collie inside and be sure to provide plenty of clean fresh water in any season.

If you’d like to find out more about our Rough Collies here at Briarwood Collies, comment below or send us a message. We’d love to hear from you.