Collie
Some Advantages
- Intelligent and independent
- Beautiful, active and agile
- Loving and good-natured
- Gets along well with other dogs
- Great family dog
- Devoted and protective
- One of the easiest breeds to housebreak
Some Challenges
- Needs lots of exercise
- Poorly bred dogs can be high-strung or unhealthy
- Tends to bark a lot
- Sheds its undercoat twice a year
- Can be rambunctious and willful
Size
Medium 22-26 inches
Weight
50-90 pounds
Coat
Smooth Collie has a short smooth coat; Rough Collie has a longer, coarser coat
Colors
Sable and white (pale gold to dark mahogany); tricolor (black, white and tan); blue merle (pale blue to darker gray); and white (with either sable, tri or blue markings usually on the head)
Life Expectancy
10-12 years
Thanks to the legendary Lassie of book, movie and TV fame, the Collie is an especially well-loved breed; this sensitive and elegant dog is the 36th most popular breed registered with the AKC in the United States. A wonderful family pet, the Collie is very people-oriented and often displays near-human intelligence, (“What’s that, girl? You say Timmy’s fallen in the well?”) as generations of faithful TV watchers can attest.
History and Origin: For centuries the Collie has been used as an all-purpose farm dog in Scotland; the breed's name most likely derives from its charge, the Scottish sheep called the Colley. Descended from generations of hard-working herding dogs, the Collie is a tremendously able and intelligent worker. Easy to train and capable of solving problems on its own, this is the ideal farm dog.
In 1860, Queen Victoriachanged the breed’s fate. When she visited Scotland, she fell in love with the Collie’s beauty and gentle personality. The queen brought several home with her, sparking a craze that helped make the dog the popular pet it is today.
General Information: This sweetly loyal dog is highly protective of its loved ones, particularly small kids. When socialized early and raised with them from puppyhood, this breed is exceptionally patient and loving towards children. Some Collies have demonstrated amazing heroic qualities over the years; the Collie is often used as a water rescue dog, guide for the blind, movie star, guard dog and of course in its original function as sheep herding dog.
The Collie responds well to obedience training but likes to be challenged mentally, quickly growing bored with repetition. Short, fun training sessions are more effective than harsh commands, which can cause the independent-minded Collie to rebel. Generally, this breed is quickly housebroken. Make sure this dog feels like an indispensable part of the family; when left alone or neglected emotionally for any length of time, the Collie can develop destructive habits.
The magnificent Rough coat sheds dirt readily, and a thorough weekly brushing will keep it healthy and looking good. The Smooth variety has a shorter coat that only requires a brushing every 1-2 weeks. This breed sheds heavily twice a year. Never shave your Rough Collie, as the long-haired coat insulates against cold and heat.
Health Ailments: A generally healthy dog, the Collie can be susceptible to bloat, skin infections and eye diseases. Make sure your Collie puppy is tested for eye diseases before buying it.The Collie is a very popular breed, unfortunately resulting in the sale of many inferior animals with poor health and/or temperament. Be sure to buy from a reputable breeder or pet store.
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