Official ICCF breed description
Brief historical background
The Collie was formed in Scotland and northern England as a working herding breed used to manage large flocks of sheep in hilly terrain. Thanks to its endurance, sensitivity, and ability to work at a distance without constant commands, the Collie quickly became indispensable to farmers. In the 19th century, the breed attracted the attention of the British aristocracy, which led to the standardization of type and the development of both the rough- and smooth-coated varieties. Its spread beyond the United Kingdom increased after becoming popular at dog shows and in culture, establishing its reputation as an intelligent and devoted dog. Today, the Collie retains its herding origins, combining working qualities with the role of a family companion and participant in various disciplines.
General appearance
The Collie is an elegant, harmoniously built medium-sized dog with an expressive head, smooth body lines, and light but confident movement. The format is slightly elongated, with a strong body free from coarseness or looseness. The topline is straight and stable, the chest deep but not excessively broad. Limbs are straight and well-proportioned, providing ease of stride and endurance. The head is wedge-shaped, with a soft expression and characteristic refinement. The coat is dense, forming a “ruff” and decorative furnishings that emphasize the outline without adding heaviness. The overall impression is that of a noble dog combining grace, restraint, and working type without excessive ornamentation.
Important proportions
The Collie is slightly longer than tall: the body length from shoulder to point of buttock slightly exceeds the height at the withers, maintaining balance and smooth lines. Chest depth reaches the elbow, providing sufficient capacity for prolonged work. The head is wedge-shaped, with skull and muzzle approximately equal in length, without abrupt transitions. The neck is long and smoothly arched, helping create the characteristic head carriage. Limbs have correct angulation — the front with moderately sloping shoulder blades, the rear with well-defined stifle and hock joints. All proportions aim to ensure lightness, endurance, and stability in movement, without heaviness or excessive length.
Behavior and character
The Collie has a balanced, friendly, and sensitive temperament, without aggression or nervousness. The breed is owner-oriented, easy to train, and highly receptive to commands. In the home, it is devoted to its family, kind with children, yet not intrusive. With strangers it is usually reserved but not fearful. At work it demonstrates independence, attentiveness, and the ability to control livestock at a distance while remaining calm and responsive. Its high intelligence makes the Collie suitable for various disciplines — from herding to sports and obedience. Excessive shyness, hysteria, or aggression are considered serious deviations from the breed type.
Head
The head is wedge-shaped, elongated, without coarseness or heaviness, with smooth lines and a soft expression. The skull is flat, of moderate width, tapering slightly toward the muzzle. The stop is gradual, without sharp definition. The muzzle is long and straight, well filled under the eyes, not pointed. Cheeks are smooth and not prominent. Lips are thin and tight, with dark pigmentation. Nose is black with wide nostrils. Scissor bite, with strong, complete dentition. The correct head should reflect the softness, attentiveness, and intelligence characteristic of the breed. Incorrect proportions, coarseness, or a pointed muzzle spoil the type.
Facial part
The muzzle is straight and wedge-shaped, narrowing evenly toward the nose while maintaining good fill. The nasal bridge is straight, without a bump or depression. The nose is large, black, with well-opened nostrils. Lips are thin and dry, with no pronounced corners. The chin is moderate and not protruding, creating a smooth end to the profile. The area under the eyes is well filled without hollowness. The skin fits tightly without folds. Cheeks are smooth and not heavy. Facial lines must remain clean and refined, preserving the typical expression. An overly narrow, dry, or heavy muzzle is considered a fault.
Eyes
Eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized, set slightly obliquely, giving an expression of softness, attentiveness, and intelligence. The color is dark brown, harmonizing with the coat. In merle dogs, one or both eyes may be blue. Eyelids are tight, without drooping, with full dark pigmentation. The whites should not be visible. The expression is direct and confident, without anxiety or aggression. Round eyes, too light a color, or a harsh expression are undesirable, as they break the breed’s character. The eyes are a key breed feature and must reflect calmness, kindness, and high intelligence.
Ears
Ears are small and set high, lying back when relaxed. When alert, they are directed forward and carried in a semi-erect position: the lower third upright, the upper two-thirds folded forward. Tips are slightly rounded. Ears must not be too large, wide-set, or fully erect. Excessive softness, low set, or hanging ears are faults. Coat coverage is moderate and should not create heaviness. Correct ears highlight the typical expression — intelligent, attentive, and gentle — without coarseness or ornamentation.
Neck
The neck is long, muscular, and gracefully arched, creating the characteristic head carriage and emphasizing the elegance of the topline. The transition to the shoulders is smooth, without abrupt connections. The skin fits tightly without dewlap. The neck must allow free movement and balance of the body. A neck that is too short, thick, or overly long disrupts proportions. The correct neck emphasizes the aristocratic silhouette and functional ability of the breed, maintaining lightness and endurance.
Body
The body is slightly elongated, strong, and harmonious, without coarseness or looseness. The topline is straight and stable; the back is firm, of medium length, neither sagging nor arched. The withers are moderately defined, smoothly joining the neck and back. The chest is deep, reaching the elbow, sufficiently long and capacious but not broad; ribs are moderately sprung, not barrel-shaped. The loin is short, muscular, and slightly arched. The croup is smooth and slightly sloping, providing powerful thrust from the rear. The abdomen is slightly tucked up, emphasizing the light outline. The body should give the impression of elegant strength and endurance, retaining working type without heaviness or excessive mass.
Tail
The tail is long, reaching at least the hock but not lower. It is set low and carried down when at rest, with a slight upward curve at the tip. In motion it may be raised but must not rise above the topline or curl. The coat on the tail is dense, forming a smooth decoration without excessive furnishings. A high carriage, curled tail, or short tail are faults. The correct tail completes the smooth body lines and maintains overall balance of the silhouette.
Forequarters
Forelegs are straight, parallel, and strong, with oval bones and well-developed musculature. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, and close-fitting, forming the correct angle with the upper arm to allow good reach. Elbows are directed backward, not turned in or out. Forearms are straight; pasterns are slightly sloping, resilient but not weak. Feet are oval with thick pads and well-arched toes; nails are strong. Out-turning, in-turning, narrow front, or weak pasterns interfere with correct movement and are considered serious faults.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are strong, broad, and well-angled, providing powerful drive and smooth motion. Thighs are long and muscular; stifle joints well-defined and straight. Hocks are low-set, firm, not over-extended. Rear pasterns are straight and parallel when viewed from behind. Feet are compact, oval, with thick pads. Insufficient angulation, cow-hocked stance, sickle hocks, or weakness in the rear reduce balance and endurance.
Gait and movement
Movement is light, smooth, and effortless, with good reach in front and powerful but not abrupt drive from the rear. The topline remains stable without rolling. As speed increases, limbs tend to converge slightly toward the center while maintaining parallel movement. Short steps, stiffness, pacing, crossing, or lack of coordination are unacceptable. Correct gait highlights the endurance and functionality of the breed, allowing long-distance work without fatigue.
Coat
The Rough Collie has a dense, straight coat with harsh outer hair and a soft, thick undercoat. It forms a ruff on the neck, feathering on the back of the thighs, and a full tail plume. Hair on the face and ears is shorter. Curly, silky, or overly soft coat is not permitted. The Smooth Collie has a short, dense, and close-lying coat with a soft undercoat. Open, sparse coat or lack of undercoat is considered a fault.
Acceptable colors
Acceptable colors include sable (from light to dark), tricolor (black with tan and white), and blue merle (blue-gray with black patches). White markings appear on the ruff, chest, legs, tail tip, and muzzle. Fully white, chocolate, liver, brindle, and non-standard combinations are not allowed. Excessive whiteness disrupts type and is considered a serious deviation.
Size
The Collie is a medium-sized dog with harmonious proportions. Height at the withers for males and females conforms to the standard; females are lighter and slightly smaller, maintaining femininity without weakness. The emphasis is not on absolute height but on balance between body length, chest depth, and limb strength. Dogs that are excessively large or too light lose breed type and endurance.
Faults
Faults include deviations that do not critically affect health but disrupt breed type: coarseness or dryness of body, weak musculature, insufficient chest depth, narrow front, weak pasterns, round eyes, light iris color, low ear set, sparse coat, lack of muzzle fill, excessive shyness or irritability. Evaluation is based on overall impression.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious violations of the standard: unprovoked aggression or pronounced shyness, lack of pigmentation on nose, lips, or eyelids, pink skin, severe bite defects, significant tooth loss, severe entropion or ectropion, excessive conjunctival exposure, non-standard colors, large dominant patches, merle patterns where prohibited, black or brindle. Lameness, severe movement disorders, absence of undercoat, tail docking in countries where prohibited, and any artificial alteration of appearance are grounds for disqualification.
Important notes
When evaluating the Collie, priority is given to expression, stability of temperament, correct movement, and body harmony. Minor cosmetic deviations should not outweigh functionality. Seasonal shedding is acceptable. Females after whelping are judged with consideration. The main criteria are intelligence, trainability, working background, and preservation of the classic breed type.
Conclusion
The Collie is a harmonious, intelligent, and balanced herding breed combining elegance, functionality, and devotion. A correct representative should have a stable temperament, a distinctive wedge-shaped head, correct proportions, and smooth movement. Preservation of the breed requires responsible breeding with priority on health, vision, and character. With proper care, the Collie becomes a reliable family companion and a fully capable working dog.
