Rough collies are double coated with a smooth undercoat and rough topcoat, which give their fur a coarser feel. It’s also longer than that of a smooth collie and mats more easily.
Their fur is short and softer than that of a rough collie. Since the fur is short, it won’t mat, but smooth collies should still be brushed regularly to remove dead fur, promote skin and coat health, and reduce the amount of shed fur you find around the house.
Border collies are slightly smaller than regular collies, standing 18-22 inches at the shoulder and weighing 30-55 pounds. Like standard collies, they can have either a rough or smooth coat. The rough coat is mid-length, while the smooth coat is short.
Bearded collies have a very traditional “sheepdog” look, with long, soft fur in the colors black, blue, brown, or fawn. They may have either white or tan markings. They stand 20-22 inches tall and weigh 45-55 pounds.
Shetland sheepdogs, or shelties, are essentially miniature collies! They stand 13-16 inches at the shoulder and weigh just 15-25 pounds.
These pups tend to be affectionate, family-loving, and good with children. Of course, dogs and children should always be supervised when together!
A koolie, or Australian koolie, is actually a mixed breed dog that comes from Australia. The breed isn’t recognized by any major kennel clubs.
Welsh sheepdogs are descendants of the many sheepdogs that used to exist in Wales, and overtime became just a few breeds. Like koolies, they’re bred for working rather than aesthetics, so they can range in appearance.
One fault with this breed, which is fairly common in herding dogs, is that they tend to use their teeth while herding. This should be discouraged when they’re young to avoid problems later in life.