Clipping rough collie

Question
Hello, This is the first summer we've had our rough collie, Leon, who's about 18 months old. He was bought from a breeder last April. We've had one in the family a couple of decades ago and I know people who have them too...and they've never clipped their coats short for summer (I live in Perth, WA). I just want to check this is still ok, not to clip them. I've been told, and my gut feeling agrees, that their coats aren't meant to grow back all at once and the top layer is an insulator against the heat, is this correct?

Answer
G'day and Happy New Year!
I am in total agreement with you- too many people shave these dogs down and the coat is ruined and the protection of the dog's skin is compromised. The top coat - or guard hair - has several functions, the main one being water repellant. The soft undercoat is the insulator for the cold and the heat. Shaving that off is what does the most damage. The guard hair takes the longest to grow back causing the undercoat to absorb all the misture and dirt which is normally repelled by it.
The best thing to do when it gets really hot is to keep them shaded and brushed out. If your's is not a working dog and just a pet then ice packs can be administered  by placing them between the front legs where the heart can pump the cooler blood to the extreminities if the heat seems too extreme. Alot of people here utilize small kiddie pools that the dogs can step in and out of at will if you have a yard. Dogs will cool themselves off naturally that way.
Rough collies are beautiful animals and the large part of the beauty is the coat itself. Regular brushing and combing keeps the skin stimulated and the oils distributed. I believe in regular bathing as well but it must be done in concert with regular brushing sessions so as not have the undercoat become so matted that it cuts off circulation.
good luck with your new pup in the coming year!