The Rough Collie is the same as the Smooth Collie with the exception of coat length. The breed is thought to have evolved from dogs brought originally to Scotland by the Romans that then mated with native types. Purists may point to subtle differences that have appeared as individual breeders selected stock for future breeding, but the fact remains that the two breeds derived very recently from the same stock and, in truth, share lines that can be found in common to this day. The Rough Collie is, of course, the somewhat refined version of the original working collie of the Scottish shepherd, from which it has been selected over at least 100 years. As a result, we now see a glamorous show dog that draws applause because of his aesthetic appearance, in the same way that his working cousin thrills audiences with his skill in the competitive obedience ring.

This is not to suggest that the pedigree breeder has concentrated only on the physical appearance of the breed to the detriment of its natural working instinct. Far from it; many of the breed remain "fit for function" and will perform instinctively, given the opportunity to work at the job for which it was originally bred. Many owners can vouch for their quiet pets suddenly pricking their ears at the sight of a grazing herd and the instinct to herd comes into play. The basic message is that, for all its beauty, the Collie is a worker and must never be dismissed as "just a pretty face".

The coat must not be neglected; grooming is hard work, but that work yields rewards. Surprisingly enough, the Rough Collie does not seem to demand vast amounts of exercise, but care must be taken to stop him from putting on too much weight.