Faithful and smart Rough Collies (6 photos)

How true were all the stories and films about these furry dogs.





More than 25 films and series have been made about Lassie. You must have seen at least one of them!

Meet the same Lassie from TV! Rough Collie - a story about how with a light hand writer, the breed of dogs became known literally to the whole world.

Collies are a working breed of shepherd dogs. from Scotland and Wales. Yes, long before fame these watchdogs drove herds of sheep, goats and cows across the endless expanses of their homeland. And, I must say, quite successfully! Then they were little like modern long-haired beauties. farmers did not improve the appearance of improvised animals: cattle graze, bark at strangers - and excellent!



He left show business for farming. And I don't regret anything!

Few people know, but the first successful success came to animals not because of the movie. Everything for working dogs changed when, in the early 1860s, a collie noticed herself Queen Victoria, Ruler of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. So from shepherdesses they became a fashionable attribute. And off we go. To give a "noble" look, breeders of that time crossed collies with greyhounds and God knows with whom Also, beauty requires sacrifice!





The second wave of popularity came in the middle of the 20th century. Rough collie named Pal to the trainer brothers Rudd and Frank Weatherwax. All coincided so that it was at this time at the film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer set to film Eric Knight's novel about a boy and his devoted friend Lassie. Do training the future dog-actor was just the same Weatherwax.



Rather, the premiere of a new film with Sanya in the title role begins there!

Initially, a completely different person auditioned for the role of Lassie. dog, but the film crew soon realized that no one does not play this role better than Pal. That's how it was born dynasty - as many as 19 (!) Years in all films and TV shows the brave friend was filmed exclusively by the descendants of Pal. Actually, and so began the history of the world popularity of this breed. Movie showed us collies loyal, smart, fearless and very kind, but is it really so?



The novel itself, on the basis of which subsequent films were shot, wrote in 1940. And after 3 years, a film adaptation was released, which became cult.

Partly. These watchdogs undoubtedly have the makings of being such, but do not forget: with bobs on the screen were engaged in training for more than one year in order to achieve success in obedience. Therefore, do not think that any dog breed the collie will automatically become your friend like Lassie, - to make a dream dog, you need to invest a lot of effort and time.



And collies would be great for advertising some kind of shampoo!

Also, the screens did not show two important fact. The first is that dogs always remain so beautiful. and fluffy, thick hair will have to be well looked after. And this means regular combing and bathing, multiplied for the price of a jar of expensive shampoo and conditioner. Secondly, collies are prone to a number of hereditary diseases. More often malformations of eye development and retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia and cyclic neutropenia in dogs. Even watchdogs are sensitive to death to an antiparasitic drug.

Of course, Lassie left a huge mark on the screen. in history and instilled in many people a love for this wonderful breed. But you should not look when choosing a dog only on a beautiful picture - underneath it hides a very fluffy and beautiful, but still the same sheepdog.