Rough Collie

The Rough Collie descends from Scottish herding dogs. In the 19th century Queen Victoria helped make it popular, and breeding for shows refined its outline and coat.

The 'Lassie' films and series made it one of the most famous dogs in the world.

Gentle, sensitive and very attached to its family, the Collie is patient with children and rarely aggressive. It can be a little reserved with strangers and readily barks to alert.

It learns easily with gentle training; harshness makes it shut down.

The breed is affected by an inherited eye condition (Collie eye anomaly) and a genetic sensitivity to certain drugs (the MDR1 mutation). Genetic tests can detect both.

Always tell your veterinarian its breed before any treatment.

Good-quality food matched to its usually moderate activity suits it. Its thick coat can hide weight gain, so feel its ribs regularly.

Two meals a day are recommended.

It needs about an hour of daily activity: walks, games, obedience or gentle agility.

Above all, it likes to take part in family activities.

Walk it during the cool hours, keep it shaded and somewhere ventilated, and offer water at all times. In an apartment, expect a lot of hair and pay close attention to heat.

Its long, dense coat needs thorough brushing at least twice a week, daily during the moult. Focus behind the ears, under the armpits and on the 'trousers'.

Do not clip it: the undercoat protects it from both heat and cold.