Herding Dog Group - Smooth Collie

The ancestors of both Rough and Smooth Collies were brought over from Iceland to Scotland over 400 years ago, where they were used as sheepdogs-the word "colley" is a Scottish term for a sheep with a black face and legs.

Coat: Short, harsh, and smooth, with a dense undercoat.

Color: Sable and white, tricolor, blue merle (the latter not in the UK).

Features: Head should appear light in proportion to body; almond-shape eyes; ears small, and not too close together; body slightly long in relation to height; long tail usually carried low.

Size: Height at shoulders: dogs 22 - 26 in, bitches 20 - 24 in. Weight: dogs 45 - 75 lb, bitches 40 - 65 lb.

Care: Needs plenty of space and exercise. The coat is easier to groom than that of the Rough Collie.

Character: Loyal, affectionate, easy to train; reliable with children; naturally suspicious of strangers and makes an excellent guard dog.