Rough Collie
The Rough Collie is the herding dog of the Scottish lowlands made famous by Lassie, and the breed's public image of gentleness is largely true. It was refined in the Victorian…
About the Rough Collie
The Rough Collie is the herding dog of the Scottish lowlands made famous by Lassie, and the breed's public image of gentleness is largely true. It was refined in the Victorian show ring from working stock, and today it is far more often a companion than a herder, though the instinct is still there.
Dogs stand about 56 to 61 cm, with an abundant straight coat that needs weekly attention, in sable and white, tricolour or blue merle. The same merle warning applies here as in every merle breed: two merles should not be mated together. A Collie stud should have the breed's typical soft expression and an easy, unflappable temperament, because nervousness is a fault the breed must keep breeding away from.
Eye health is the central question. Ask for a current eye certificate and for DNA results for collie eye anomaly and rcd2-PRA, both of which are established tests in the breed. The MDR1 gene affects Collies more than most, and a stud owner should know the dog's status, because it changes which drugs a vet can safely use. Ask about hip scores and about degenerative myelopathy testing as well.
Health & breeding
We check every hip, elbow, eye and DNA result you give us against the Royal Kennel Club’s public records by hand, and we record who checked it and when. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Breed Right’s summary — under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard
Health tests for the Rough Collie
This panel is Breed Right’s summary of the testing that matters for the breed under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard. The Health Standard is the Royal Kennel Club’s guidance for breeders, not a registration rule. It describes tests to ask about — it is not a report on any individual dog. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Good Practice — the Royal Kennel Club’s minimum before breeding
The tests the Royal Kennel Club says breeders should, at a minimum, complete before breeding.
| Test | Type | Scheme | What’s involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hip score (BVA/KC) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC | Total of both hips, 0–106. Lower is better. |
| Eye testing (BVA/KC/ISDS) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC/ISDS | Result printed on the eye certificate. |
Best Practice — further tests it recommends
Completing these as well as the Good Practice tests is what the Royal Kennel Club calls Best Practice.
| Test | Type | Scheme | What’s involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA test — CEA/CH (Collie Eye Anomaly / Choroidal Hypoplasia) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
| DNA test — DM (Degenerative Myelopathy, SOD1 risk test) | DNA test | Laboratory | SOD1 risk test: clear, carrier or at risk (affected). |
| DNA test — MDR1 (Multi-Drug Resistance) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
| DNA test — rcd2-PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 2) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
Breed hip median
Breed median 8 (BVA Hip Dysplasia Scheme breed statistics 2025 — 5 years, 145 dogs scored). Lower is better. Source · How hip scores work
At stud now
Rough Collie stud dogs
No Rough Collie studs are listed right now
When a Rough Collie on the Royal Kennel Club Breed Register is listed at stud, it will appear here.
Also available
Rough Collie litters
No Rough Collie litters are listed right now
Litters appear here as breeders list them. Check back soon, or browse other breeds.
