 The Short Answer is: |
Originally bred to work on farms, the Scotch Collie is also known as the Scottish shepherd dog. Originally from a mix of Roman Cattle dogs, Native Celtic dogs, and Viking Herding Spitzers, this breed has its roots thousands of years ago. Typically, ‘collie’ refers to dogs that were bred for controlling sheep, which the Scottish shepherd dog excels at. |
In this article you will know the answer to the query “What Is a Scotch Shepherd Dog?“.
The dog has always been mans closest animal companion and natures greatest gift to man.
Scotch shepherds however are more outstanding due to their brilliance which makes them a great choice for helping herders herd sheep.
As an animal that can keep sheep in line play games and also serve as a pet the Scottish shepherd excels over many others.
The Scottish shepherd dog has a shorter coat than other collies.
Consequently when they run on the farm it is less likely that their fur will get tangled in sticky shrubs and filled with grass seeds or nasty burrs.
Although they have a few strings to their bow Scotch shepherds are mostly farm dogs who enjoy working on a farm with a farmer or shepherd.
History of the Scotch Shepherd
Originally bred to work on farms the Scotch Collie is also known as the Scottish shepherd dog.
Originally from a mix of Roman Cattle dogs Native Celtic dogs and Viking Herding Spitzers this breed has its roots thousands of years ago.
Typically ‘collie’ refers to dogs that were bred for controlling sheep which the Scottish shepherd dog excels at.
Having the ability to do this makes them a valuable asset on a farm.
But this breed is also capable of multitasking.
Herding sheep and hunting mice and rats in barns and sheds are other ways they protect the grain.
Several artists painted Scotch shepherd dogs as a popular breed in the early 1800s and 1900s.
Despite the fact that this wasnot their niche the Scottish shepherd dogs are quite intelligent enough to handle this job quite well.
Since the mid-1800s the Scottish shepherd dog has been a farm dog. Originally bred for herding they became household pets.
The Scotch Shepherd’s Physical Traits
Scotch shepherds can grow up to 19 to 24 inches at shoulder level and weigh 40 to 70 pounds when mature.
It is important to brush their long coats frequently to prevent matting. They have almond-shaped eyes slightly pricked ears and their ears are tipped with the upper third folded.
Scotch shepherds are highly energetic dogs. Because it is not lazy it enjoys having space to run around which is another reason it is ideal for farms.
What makes the Scotch Shepherd attractive
The athletic build hard work brilliance and independence of this breed make it an ideal herding dog.
Furthermore they can be very vocal scaring predators away.
Additionally their natural hunting instincts and ability to hunt and eliminate vermin that are quite common in farmyards make them indispensable to a farm.
Since they are cheerful and sensitive dogs they are gentle and friendly to children as long as they are introduced to them at an early age usually when they are puppies.
Despite being left alone by their owners they are affectionate to them and attentive to their needs.
Scottish shepherds are typically playful and curious when they are young. Collie breeds tend to be loyal and adorable as well. When dogs are exposed to people they tend to get used to people and become fond of them over time.
For those who might find a purebred Scotch Collie too boring they are available in a variety of “flavors”.
These are the flavors we will explore in the next section where I (briefly) highlight some of the best Scotch Shepherd mix breeds.
The common mixes of the Scotch Shepherd dogs
There are over twenty different combinations of Shepherd breeds that I have found if you would like to have a bit of a mix.
I will only illustrate ten breeds in this section.
Borgi: A breed that has the body shape of a Corgi with the coloring of a Collie and large ears that give it a cheeky smile. Borgis can grow up to 10 to 21 inches tall and weigh about 30 to 40 pounds.
Border Jack: Border Jacks are energetic dogs that require a lot of attention unlike dominant Scotch shepherd dogs that need little attention. It has a lot of energy since it derives its traits from the Jack Russell parent.
Border Springer: With its sweet face and large round eyes a feature of the breed derived from the springer this breed can melt even an assassins heart. Border springers will most likely inherit Collies coat but with the sparse thickness of a springer. However this mix will captivate peoples attention which indicates that it should not be averse to exposure.
Borador: This mix is the result of crossing a Border Collie with a Labrador Retriever. They weigh between 40 and 70 pounds and measure 20 to 23 inches tall. Due to its thick and dense medium-length coat it can shed a lot.
Border Point: Border points are mixed breeds that require intensive exercise to make them less grumpy during the day. A Border Point weighs 60 pounds and measures up to 24 inches. It is affectionate towards its owner and it is always up for a cuddle.
Bordoodle: Border Collies and Standard Poodles are bred together to create this regular mix. Bordoodles are curly-haired dogs whose coats take the black and white colors of Collie dogs. In most cases it stands between 16 and 22 inches tall and weighs between 65 and 80 pounds. You will be rewarded with doggy doodle kisses and love if you treat them with kindness and affection; they are incredibly affectionate.
Border staff: if you’re looking for a collie who has a sickly-sweet loving side go for the Border staff. Borderstaffs measure 16 to 20 inches tall and have muscular bodies. The dog might have a short or medium coat and its coat could be any color of the Staffy parent.
Border Schnollie: This cross breed combines Border Collies and Schnauzers. A Border Schnollie is an ideal ranch assistant. This can be attributed to this breeds enhanced ability to learn and work. Schnauzers are also ideal watchdogs because of their high-spirited nature.
Great border: I think this mix is the tallest. With its warmth and friendliness towards families it is probably protective of the estate and may be aloof with strangers.
Despite its easy-going nature its strength intelligence and energy will require firm training. A daily workout of 60 minutes is recommended.
Occasionally this mixs coat is long if its Collie parent has a long coat but it usually has a short and tight coat. Its weight ranges from 55 to 110 pounds and its height ranges from 23 to 27 inches.
A Collieweiler: A breed of dog which combines a Collie and Rottweiler. The result should be a mix of ruthless characteristics.
In addition to its height it has complete energy stamina and power genes as a result of its mix. It has an advantage over other mixes due to its parent mix of herding.
Conclusion
Theres a fun fact about the Collie that I find fascinating and thats how they do not require a whip or reprimand to get in line.
This surprised me but I was corrected by a professor who said all you had to do to reprimand a collie was to get a morsel of food.
Right now there are a lot of different types of dogs. Still the Scottish shepherd remains the most charming and lovable dog that will outlast mans need for companionship.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
