What defines the form of the Scotch Collie, which is considered a landrace dog?
Its form is dictated by function and environment rather than a strict, narrow standard.
The Scotch Collie is defined by enthusiasts as a landrace dog, which carries specific implications for its physical structure and conformation. Unlike breeds developed under rigid kennel club standards, a landrace dog's physical characteristics—its form—are primarily shaped by the environmental pressures and the functional requirements of its daily work. Therefore, the Scotch Collie's appearance evolved based on what was necessary for performing varied farm duties in the Scottish environment, leading breeders focused on preservation to maintain a dog that is rustic, athletic, and balanced, closer in appearance to breeds like the Border Collie than the highly refined modern show dog.
