WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FARM DOG, OLD TIME SCOTCH COLLIE AND THE SCOTTISH COLLIE?

Updated: Jan 27
Quick explanation....
The farm dog can be any breed of herding dog or a combination of breeds. Farm dogs are assessed primarily on their ability to work the farm, herd and protect the livestock. Performance defines their role as a farm dog.
The Old Time Scotch Collie has it's written focus as follows... "Instead of mandating narrow conformation ranges as demanded by the American Kennel Club for their breeds, the Old-Time Scotch Collie Association has written a breed standard that allows for the range of appearances found in a landrace breed. We recognize that the Old-Time Scotch Collie has always had a diversity of types and we want to maintain that genetic diversity by not trying to shove everybody into the same box." The Scotch collie has a written breed description to allow for a wide range of variations into their breed to include a blend of collies, English Shepherds, Australian Shepherds..etc.
The Scottish Collie is a little more defined. The Scottish Collie Preservation Society is focused on preserving the classic farm collie, (Lassie Type Collie) as set by the standards from the late 1800's - early 1900's and were known for their intelligence and natural herding instincts . Through locating existing collies who still exhibit the traits of the classic farm collie and breeding back to the standards as established in the late 1800's early 1900's, they are restoring the breed as it once was. The Scottish Collie Preservation Society is an open registry to allow for genetic diversity and accepts purebred collies worldwide as well as unregistered collies who may have had outcrossing but are still primarily collies (atleast 75%). Once accepted into the registry collies must bred toward the breed standard with a focus on health, low COI, temperament and working ability. SCPS is an International movement accepting collies worldwide who fit the breed standard.
Of course it is possible that some of the kennel club collies, Old Time Scotch Collies and Scottish Collies will meet the requirements of each registry and may be double registered. Each registry has similar missions, just different goals.
(Courtesy photo Jessica Hennings / Gracehaven Collies)

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