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Understanding and Training a Rough Collie

Gentle, sensitive and mildly stubborn, the Collie will respond well to equally gentle and persuasive obedience training. Avoid using any aversives, rather play off the breed's loyal, affectionate and strong bonding nature as an integrated approach to ongoing reward and reinforcement-based behaviour shaping.

Some Collies are also known to be high-strung, favouring a playful chase. Regardless of the activity level, this is still a relatively aloof dog that can be reserved, shy or indifferent to other people and dogs - nurture the close bond the Collie develops with an empathetic owner and use it to keep the dog happily, comfortably and trustingly in your immediate company and under your control.

The Collie is known to be cautious of strangers and sometimes nervous, many with noise phobias and a general distrust in anything new. Therefore, it is important to socialise the breed early - introducing them to as many people and variety of sounds as possible under protective, yet positive circumstances.

Breed Profile

Breed Name: Rough Collie

Domestic Dog Group:

Brief Description:

General Size: 40 - 65 lbs (18 - 30 kg); 51 - 61 cm
General Temperament: Sensitive, Affectionate, Loyal & Responsive
General Description: The owner who nurtures a close bond with their Collie will appreciate the responsive and exclusive loyalty and affection in return.

Breed’s Key Traits

High Med-High Medium Med-Low Low

Requires Experience x

Good Family Dog x

Exercise Required x

Activity Indoors x

Ease of Training x

Sociability with Strangers x

Grooming Requirements x

Brief History

Originating in Scotland as a working sheep herding dog, Queen Victoria influenced changes to the physical qualities of the breed giving it a quite different look than its working ancestors. Although many Collies can still herd, they are better known and enjoyed as companion dogs. The Rough Collie and the Smooth Collie are essentially the same breed, both having derived from the same stock, with the coat and colouring differentiating the two.