Rough, smooth, border, and bearded - if you’re trying to figure out what all of these words have in common like in the Connections game from the New York Times, you’d be right if you picked types of Collies! However, just because they have the name “Collie” in the breed name does not mean they are all the same. Collies can have significant differences in energy levels, grooming, and training, so it’s important to get to know each Collie breed to see if a particular type of Collie is the right fit for you and your family.
To honor World Collie Day on July 21, let’s celebrate the four types of Collies, notable Collies, and learn what makes each Collie breed special.
Where Are Collies From?
The word “Collie” is thought to have come from a form of Gaelic meaning “useful,” a trait that perfectly describes these hard-working herding dogs. Another source states “Collie” came from a Scottish black-faced sheep called a “Colley.”
Different breeds of Collies share a common background, with all modern versions of the dog breeds hailing from Scotland. The Bearded Collie is the oldest among the Collie breeds thought to have descended from Polish Lowland Sheepdogs left in Scotland in the 1500s, serving as herding dogs across the British Isles. While herding dogs have been around since Ancient Roman times, the Border Collie breed is thought to be a mix of Scotch and Bearded Collies bred with various Spaniels. The breed became perfected in the 1700s in lowland and border counties between England and Scotland. The rough and smooth Collies from the Scottish Highlands and Northern England were “discovered” by Queen Victoria, who took them back to her royal court in the 1860s where they gained public recognition.
Get to Know Famous Collies
Several Collies have stood out in American lore, ranging in feats like placing their paws on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and learning to “talk.” Let’s meet some famous Collies.
Lassie the Rough Collie
Lassie is by far the most famous Collie in American culture. Played by several Rough Collies throughout the years, the character Lassie captured hearts with epic rescue efforts helping people in need and her unwavering loyalty to her people.
The original Lassie was played by Pal, a Rough Collie who lived an extraordinarily long life till age 18. Pal, actually a male dog, was sent to Rudd Weatherwax’s Studio Dog Training School facility in 1941 to break his love of chasing motorcycles. Pal quickly caught on to more advanced tricks beyond simple recall, and Weatherwax knew he had a special dog. After experiencing wild success with at least 7 film and television projects, Weatherwax noticed Pal was getting old and needed to produce a line for future Lassies. He then began a 9-generation lineage of Collies bred specifically with the classic Lassie look for continuity: All-white paws, a sable-mahogany coat with a full white ruff, and a facial blaze. Careful attention to training and conformation means generations can experience the “Lassie forever” look.
Reveille the Collie
While Bulldogs may be one of the most popular canine mascots, a Rough Collie named Reveille has served as the mascot of Texas A&M University since 1966. While the name “Aggies” makes one assume a farm animal would make sense, Reveille was chosen to stand for school spirit, camaraderie, and loyalty. The Corps of Cadets are Reveille’s handlers led by an exceptional freshman cadet. In addition to representing the university during sporting events, Reveille enjoys photoshoots, visiting classes, and attending public appearances.
Chaser the Border Collie
Border Collies thrive when they have a job to do and are capable of learning a remarkable amount of commands and words, making training a rewarding experience. John Pilley, a retired Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Wofford College, and his research team taught Chaser the Border Collie to recognize over 1,000 words and simple sentences over his career. In comparison, a human toddler knows just a few hundred! Chaser paved the way for further research experiments in animal behavior.
Rough Collie
Cool Collies: Discover 4 Types of Collies
Despite similar origins and herding backgrounds, the 4 types of Collies – Rough, Smooth, Border, and Bearded – all feature unique characteristics that make them each shine. Here’s what to know about the 4 types of Collies.
Smooth Collie
Rough and Smooth Collies
The Rough and Smooth Collies are actually the same breed with one exception: their haircoats. A Rough Collie has a long, harsh outer coat while a Smooth Collie has a flat, dense, short outer coat. They are identical in every other aspect, only differentiated by their coat types. A Rough Collie’s impressive mane frames its face, and their triangular muzzles create an elegant appearance. Collies can stand 22-26 inches tall and weigh 50-75 pounds.
Collies have a loyal, hardworking personality and are fond of kids as playmates. They are excellent family dogs for those who are up to the task of making sure their Collie has enough purposeful exercise and attention daily. Collies catch on quickly to training due to their intelligence and eagerness to learn, making them a breeze to train. Owners note their inquisitive expressions can show a range of emotions, making them almost human-like sometimes.
The Border Collie
Border Collies are the most common type of Collie you will encounter regularly when out and about. Their intelligence, determination, and unwavering work ethic make them popular choices for active families that understand this breed’s need to have purpose and please their owners.
As medium-sized dogs, Border Collies stand 18-22 inches tall and weigh 30-55 pounds. Their wavy, double coats come in a variety of colors beyond the traditional black-and-white coloring, including saddleback sable, brindle, blue merle, or gold with several possible markings. Under their double coat is an athletic, balanced body ready to spring into action.
Border Collies are the smartest dogs in the world according to several lists, and it’s easy to see why when you examine their feats. Their minds are always churning, seeking out the next activity or situation to monitor. Coupled with their incredible athleticism, it’s a recipe for a highly active, alert canine companion ready to move at your command. Border Collies excel in various dog sports, including herding, agility, flyball, disc, and even dog dancing competitions, recalling their training while moving at incredibly high speeds.
It must be emphasized that Border Collies need a certain type of committed family that can match their Border Collie’s intense mental and physical needs to have a happy dog. They make excellent family dogs and are fantastic playmates for energetic children. However, due to their instinct to herd, Border Collies may try to round up small children, but they are never aggressive about it.
The Bearded Collie
Bearded Collies are not as popular as other types of Collies, coming in at #154 out of 200 on the AKC’s list of the most popular dog breeds of 2023, but their owners know having a Bearded Collie is like living with a rambunctious clown sometimes! These affectionate, energetic dogs stand 20-22 inches tall, weigh 45-55 pounds, and are expected to live 12-14 years.
Thanks to their impressive shaggy double coat covering them from nose to tail, you may see a Bearded Collie and assume it is an Old English Sheepdog. While they do appear similar at first glance, there are differences between the two breeds that make them distinct. A Bearded Collie is leaner and more angular than an Old English Sheepdog under all that hair which grows shorter and flatter than an OES’s coat. Bearded Collies also come in a wide variety of colors compared to the traditional gray and white of the Old English Sheepdog, such as black, blue, brown, and fawn with or without white or tan markings.
Also called “Beardies,” Bearded Collies have hearts of gold even though they can be a boisterous handful during the puppy years. They make fantastic pets for an active family that enjoys being outdoors year-round. Bearded Collie owners know to expect their Beardies to do something to make them laugh daily, as they have amusing, comical personalities. They can be funny and stubborn during training but are always friendly when telling you “No way!” Bearded Collies require lots of attention, whether through maintaining their impressive, flowing locks or giving them the exercise and stimulation they need due to their grooming needs and high energy.
We Offer Cool Collies at Pawrade
When it’s time to select a Lassie, Chase, Reveille, or a shaggy Bearded Collie as your own, Pawrade is the best choice to find what you’re looking for. We offer happy, healthy puppies from pre-screened, vetted breeders who are looking to unite customers with their furever friends. Check out our puppies for sale so you can say, “Lassie, Come Home!”
