Rough Collie
The classic 'Lassie' collie, an elegant Scottish herding dog with a luxurious coat. Gentle, devoted and highly trainable, wonderful with families, but the heavy coat needs regular grooming and it can be vocal.
Overview
The classic 'Lassie' collie, an elegant Scottish herding dog with a luxurious coat. Gentle, devoted and highly trainable, wonderful with families, but the heavy coat needs regular grooming and it can be vocal.
Good to know — a Rough Collie is best with a garden and good for first-time owners. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Rough Collie is excellent with children of all ages and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a vocal / alert barker, and as a guide they are good for first-time owners. Early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
- Families with children of all ages
- Committed first-time owners
- Homes with a secure garden
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Rough Collie typically needs around an hour a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is high upkeep and shedding is high. Plan on frequent brushing — often several times a week — plus regular trips to a professional groomer to keep the coat free of mats.
- Brush several times a week
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Rough Collie should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food suited to its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a large breed will eat a fair amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
The good bits
- Gentle, loyal and excellent with children
- Highly intelligent and trainable
Things to consider
- Profuse coat needs regular grooming and sheds
- Sensitive and can be a persistent barker
Similar breeds
Labrador Retriever
The UK’s most popular family dog — friendly, biddable and brilliant with children, but needs proper exercise.
View breed guide →
Golden Retriever
Gentle, eager-to-please and devoted — a classic family companion that thrives on company and exercise.
View breed guide →
German Shepherd
A loyal, courageous and highly trainable working dog that needs experienced handling and plenty to do.
View breed guide →
Greyhound
The ultimate couch potato — despite their racing reputation, retired greyhounds need surprisingly little exercise.
View breed guide →Frequently asked questions
Are Rough Collies good with children?
Excellent with children of all ages. As a general guide, Rough Collies tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Rough Collie need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Rough Collie needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Rough Collies shed a lot?
High shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Rough Collies easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Good for first-time owners. Rough Collies are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Rough Collies bark a lot?
Vocal / alert barker. They can be quite vocal, so early training and enough exercise and stimulation help keep barking in check.
Are Rough Collies good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Rough Collies suit flats or smaller homes?
Best with a garden. A Rough Collie is happiest with access to a secure garden and regular outdoor exercise.
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.