The Scotch Collie
 
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The Scotch Collie is often called the old farm collie. It was not a breed in the modern sense of having an organized breed club and registry. It was a North American landrace descended primarily from the old working collie landrace of Great Britain. Photo evidence from the 1800s and early 1900s indicates that the North American old farm collie was quite variable in type, probably showing the whole phenotypic range from Roman cattle dog type to herding Spitz type. Some individuals may have shown the influence of other types as well, such as setter, retriever or greyhound. Individual family lines may have been quite uniform in type, and perhaps in many geographical areas certain types became fixed due to popularity of certain family lines, or simply due to the population being somewhat isolated by distance or other geographical barriers.
The decline of the old farm collie land race apparently began with the rise of formal kennel club registries and the subsequent creation of the modern idea of pure breeds. By the early 1900s, some people were worried about the future of the old farm collie. Other breeds such as the trial-bred Border Collie and show-bred Rough Collie were popular and seemed to be replacing the old farm collie. In addition, farmers may have used individuals from these and other registered breeds to grade-up existing old farm collie stock, as was commonly practiced in livestock breeding.
At least two pure breeds were developed from the old North American farm collie land race during the early decades of the 20th century: the English Shepherd and the Australian Shepherd. After World War II agriculture in North America began changing rapidly. The old farm collie as the common stock dog across North America seems to have disappeared between the 1940s and 1960s
Scotch Collies are very multipurpose. There is one line that is being bred towards a "Squirrel Dog" type, though it still has the traditional look and temperament of the Scotch Collie. Most Scotch Collies can be used as hunting dogs, however there primary focus is as a herding dog, and is nowadays kept as a house pet by some. They are excellent with children. Scotch Collies generally get along with other dogs and are usually good with non-canine pets. Depending on the individual dog, they are friendly to reserved and or aloof with strangers.
Scotch Collies have lived very successfully in Apartments, though they do need daily exercise. There is no need to crate the Scotch Collie as it is seldom destructive and enjoys free roam of the house/yard. Kenneling is also not suggested, unless you have a large run. The Scotch Collie does wonderfully on Farms and enjoys having room to roam.
The ears of the Swedish Vallhund are stiff and pricked and lined with fine hair. The muzzle is long and parallel to the top of the skull. A fox-like expression is paramount. A well-defined mask is highly desirable, with lighter hair around the eyes, muzzle, and under the throat. The coat is harsh, tight and medium in length with a soft undercoat. The neck is long and muscular. The legs are powerful with short oval feet and round pads. Coat colors include gray, red-yellow, red-brown and gray-brown. A fractional amount of white markings are tolerated.
The Scotch Collie needs plenty of exercise, though they are not hyper and are usually content to watch over the house while you are gone. They are not nearly as active as Border Collies, but are not couch potato's and will NOT be okay with just access to the yard. They do need physical exercise like a jog or a game of Frisbee in the park, etc.
If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in herding, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Scotch Collies were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors (chasing, nipping, poking, barking) are inappropriate in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult.
Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Scotch Collies need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become suspiciousness or fearfulness, which are difficult to live with.
If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Scotch Collies puppies. Young Scotch Collies (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. The temptation to play roughly and nip at moving people is simply too strong in many young Scotch Collies .
The best Scotch Collies are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they can be manipulative. Some Scotch Collies are stubborn and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
