The Collie is a lithe, strong, responsive, active dog, carrying no useless timber,
standing naturally straight and firm. (From the Standard)
While many canine historians believe that the Collie can be traced back to the Romans
who brought the sheep dogs to Scotland, much of the specifics of the evolution of the
breed has been lost.

The Collie was bred as a working dog, and it is believed that the common sheepdog of
the eastern lowlands of Scotland is its ancestors. Several other breeds have contributed
to the Collie of today. Two contributors were the Irish Setter and the "Ban" dog that is
now extinct. At one time the dog was called the "coally" dog because of its predominate
black color.

This ideal sheepdog of the early 1800's caught the devotion and love of the young Queen
Victoria of England and was catapulted into popularity around the world. Once Queen
Victoria became a patron of the breed, the Collie quickly gained notice in the show ring.

Both the smooth and rough-coated Collies share the same even temperament and ability
to learn. His nature is affectionate and loving. Few dogs can be trained as easily as
the Collie. While the Collie's skill in shepherding is well known, his combination of
strength, intelligence, and affection only service to compliment his majestic appearance.