Colley

Of British origin, this breed was established in Scotland towards the end of the 19th century. Initially, the breed was very close to the Border Collie. The Universal Geographic Dictionary (1826 edition) describes the colley (page 545) as the 'true shepherd dog'. It was Queen Victoria who brought this dog out of anonymity in 1860, for which she had a true passion. It was during her reign, in 1881, that the Collie Club Committee (the first colley club to be created) established the first breed standard 'Breed Standard' for rough-coated collies (Rough Collie) and smooth-coated collies (Smooth Collie). The breeds were born. The colley originally had a shorter and much coarser coat. It is believed to be the result of a cross between a Borzoi (Russian greyhound), from which it derives its fineness and bearing — the resemblance is striking in the smooth-coated colley — and an Irish Setter. In France, the first colley registered in the French Stud Book was on April 25, 1889. It was a dog imported from Ireland. The French Collie Club was founded in 1909. The standard (criteria used to evaluate a breed at an exhibition) of the American colley is quite different from the European one, it is larger and heavier, the stop is less pronounced, but it is much more robust. There are also more coats than the European colley, such as the entirely white body with sable head.

It is an intelligent, gentle, affectionate, patient and protective dog towards children, extremely attached to its masters, which makes it a very good companion. Its education requires firmness but gentleness, because it cannot tolerate injustice or brutality. It is quite wary of strangers and is also a good guard dog. This dog is very active, loves to run and has excellent aptitude for agility.

The characteristics of the head are of great importance and must be considered in relation to the size of the dog. Viewed from the front or in profile, the head has the shape of a well-drawn wedge, clearly truncated, with a smooth outline. The skull is flat. The sides of the head gradually and smoothly diminish from the ears to the tip of the black nose, without prominence of the cheekbones and without a pointed muzzle. The eyes are of medium size, positioned somewhat obliquely. They are almond-shaped and dark brown in color, except in blue merles where the eyes (one eye or both eyes or part of one or both eyes) are frequently blue or spotted with blue. The tail is long and the caudal vertebrae reach at least the hock joint. It is carried low when the dog is calm, but the tip rises slightly in a curve. When the dog is in action, the tail can be carried gaily but never over the back.