Collie

Description: The Collie presents a picture of true balance, each part being in harmonious proportion to every other part and to the whole. Collies are considered one of the most beautiful breeds because of their elegant appearance. They come in two coat varieties, Smooth Coated Collies and the Rough Coated Collie with the only difference being the length of their coat. The Smooth Coated Collie looks like they have a crew cut. Forever immortalized by “Lassie”, they are a true family dog that enjoys human companionship. Sometimes refer to as the Scottish Collie because of their heritage.

Other Names: Scottish Collie

Type: Herding Dog

Height: 22 – 26 inches Weight: 51- 75 lbs.

Colors: Sable and white, tri colored and blue merle (not permissible in the UK). Coat (Smooth): Very dense, straight outer coat with soft, furry undercoat Coat (Rough): Short, harsh and smooth with a dense undercoat.

Temperament: Rough and Smooth Collies are intelligent, gentile, social With Children: Yes, excellent. With Pets: Yes, usually very good. Special Skills: Sheepdog and family pet

Watch-dog: High Guard-dog: Medium – Low, they will make friends rather than attack.

Care and Exercise: Rough Coated Collies: Coat sheds dirt easily, but a weekly brushing will keep them in good condition. Collies shed a lot, take extra care during shedding to remove mats and tangles. Smooth Coated Collies: Minimal grooming is necessary. Regular walks or free exercise is necessary to keep a well balanced dog.  Training: Basic obedience training should be taught at an early age. Collies are a quick learner who will give their best results by you using the tone of your voice. Housebreaking is relatively easy for this breed. Learning Rate: High, Obedience – Very High, Problem Solving – High

Activity: Indoors – Low, Outdoors – High Living Environment: A home with a fenced yard is best.

Health Issues: Eye problems, hip dysplasia and skin infections.

Life Span: 12 years Litter Size: 6 – 10

Country of Origin: Scotland History: All varieties of Collies come from Scotland where they were used in the Scottish Lowlands as a hard working sheepdog. The word “colley” is a Scottish term for a sheep with a black face and legs. Claims have been made that the Rough Collie was crossed with the Borzoi. The Collie remained a working sheepdog until the 1860’s when Queen Victoria encountered the breed and was so impressed that she took some back to the royal kennels in Windsor. This stimulated great interest in the breed overnight.

First Registered by the AKC: 1885 AKC Group: Herding Class: Herding Registries: AKC, CKC, FCI (Group 1), KC (GB)