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There is no doult that, although the Collie in the British Isles was first recorded in Ireland, it was developed in Scotland as a sheepdog, first as the Original Rough- coated farm type, & then as the special "eye" dog.
From a brief glimpse into its early Scottish history the reason for this will be obvious.
The lush pasture of Ireland were suited to the breeding & rearing of Horses & cattle, but sheep are domestic animals that can exist & even show profit , from the sparsest of grazing on the most inaccessible places & inhospitable weather conditions.
The oldest breeds of sheep in Scotland are found on the Scottish islands & the dogs that manage them are descended from those brought there by the monks from Ireland, long before the Viking invasions.
The Scots did not develop their resourses until the fighting & the feuding among the clans in the glens ceased. The environment, particularly in the highlands did not lend to itself to agriculture, but sheep farming seemed an ideal occupation. However, in such conditions, this could not have been undertaken without the help of dogs to gather, drive & guard the flocks. We do not know the origin of the true Highland Collie or, indeed, of the Lowland Collie, but we do know that the modern sheepdog, which works with the power of its "eye of control", was developed by shepherds of the Border country between Scotland & England. Later this type became known as the Border Collie.
Dogs designated for specific purposes by the ancients herdsman were selected by colour. Those kept for guarding the flocks from wild animals or human predators were usually white, or maily white, being brought up from puppyhood with the flock, sheep had no fear of them but they proved efficient guards when the occasion arose. It is interesting that modern shepherds do not like white, or mainly white sheepdogs- they say sheep do not respect them- but, as the saying goes, no good dogs was ever the wrong colour! The droving or general stock were usually black, black & tan, or brindle, while the blue merles or pert- coloured were selected to blend in with the environment on crags, moutains sides & cliff tops where this natural camourflage assisted when a cautious approach in dangerous conditions was required
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