Collie Guide: Rough and Smooth Collies for Adoption
Collie overview
AKC places the Collie in the Herding Group. The breed exists in a rough coat and a smooth coat, and these varieties are identical apart from the coat.
Where does the Collie come from?
UKC says the exact origins are unknown, though the highlands of Scotland are generally accepted as the original home, where dogs of this sort were used for centuries as sheepdogs. The AKC lists the origin as Scotland and Northern England. VCA describes both rough and smooth versions existing early on, with the smooth dogs driving sheep and the rough dogs staying out with the flocks. Queen Victoria added her first Collie to her kennel in 1860, which drew other dog fanciers to the breed. The smooth coat type has been far less popular than the rough one.
Collie size and rough Collie size
AKC lists the Collie as a medium-sized breed. Both AKC and UKC give males as 24 to 26 inches tall and 60 to 75 pounds. Both give females as 22 to 24 inches tall and 50 to 65 pounds. The rough and smooth varieties share these dimensions, so a small Collie in this sense is simply a smaller individual, not a separate variety.
Collie temperament
AKC describes the Collie's temperament with the words devoted, proud and graceful. UKC portrays the breed as friendly, showing no sign of nervousness or aggression, and as getting on well with children and other dogs. AKC rates vocalization at 5 of 5, and VCA notes that overly enthusiastic barking can be a problem.
Exercise and daily needs
VCA says the Collie needs a long walk, a good run or an energetic play session every day. Games and tricks provide needed mental exercise. Collies enjoy cold weather but cannot live outside in it.
Coat care: do Collies shed?
AKC rates shedding at 3 of 5 and grooming frequency at 3 of 5, so plan for regular coat care. The rough coat Collie has a long, thick, harsh coat that needs a good brushing session once or twice a week. The smooth coat Collie has a short, hard, flat coat that needs a brief brushing once a week. UKC accepts the coat colors sable, tri-color, blue merle and white, with no preference among them.
Training
AKC rates trainability at 4 of 5. VCA says the Collie does best with reward-based training involving games, food or praise.
Collie life expectancy and health screening
AKC gives a general life expectancy of 12-14 years for the Collie, which is also the answer for the rough Collie lifespan. Collies tend to stay in good weight, but you must feel under the coat to check the dog is neither too thin nor too fat. A veterinarian can advise on which health screenings suit an individual dog.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Collie as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Herding Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1885
- Height (AKC published)
- 24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 60-75 pounds (male), 50-65 pounds (female)
- General life expectancy
- 12-14 years
- AKC size category
- Medium
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 3 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 4 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 3 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 5 of 5
- Drooling: 2 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 3 of 5
- Affection toward family: 4 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 2 (PRA-rcd2) - DNA Test
- Multidrug Resistance 1 (MDR1) - DNA Test
- Dermatomyositis (DMS) - DNA Test
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA, CH) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 9, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Collie | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 8, 2026
- Collie | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 8, 2026
- Collie - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
