With the help of books and movies (especially the Lassie Come Home movie), we’ve all heard of the rough Collies with their lush coats, but did you know there was a smooth Collie as well? They’re equally hardworking, loyal, outgoing, and beautiful. And they’ve got the same origins as well. The Collie comes from Scotland, and it was one of the favorite dog breeds of Queen Victoria. She is also the reason for the breed’s popularity, way before the books and movies came out. So, what is it about the Collie that makes people, and especially children, love them?

Physical Traits

Collie is a big dog, active and strong. They can run effortlessly and show great stamina as well. Their original purpose was to herd sheep in the Scottish Highlands. This meant a lot of running around, jumping, and being able to spend all day out in the fields. 

Social Traits

Aside from the movie that made generations fall in love with the breed, Collies are great dogs. They have their strengths and weaknesses, as any other dog breed, but generally speaking, you won’t have a lot of issues with a Collie. What does that mean?

If you are looking for an affectionate and smart dog that will love to be a part of the family, love to play with the children, and a dog that gets along well with other animals, a Collie is the right choice. However, there are some sides of a Collie that people overlook. But hey, no one is perfect!

Every dog needs proper obedience training and socialization from an early age. That goes for Collies as well.

What’s very important to know is that a lot of Collies tend to bark a lot. Not every dog is like this, but we’re talking about general traits.

Collies are social dogs that love to play. This can come off as too much for families that do not have a lot of time or energy for a playful dog. Of course, all dogs have a “crazy teenage phase”, but Collies are pretty much playful and active after they reach adulthood as well. 

Starting ‌obedience training as soon as your dog comes to your home is very important! Don’t let them do something you don’t want just because they are cute.

Some owners say their Collies were very snuggly and affectionate, while others say they are not too affectionate. It all depends on a dog, but the general rule is that they express their love in a less snuggly way. For example, they will sleep wherever they want, not exclusively with you on the bed.

Activity Needs and Training

Collies, both rough and smooth, are majestic dogs. To keep them happy and healthy, you have to give them enough daily exercise and things to do. A bored dog of any breed easily gets destructive or misbehaves, but especially a dog that was bred to work all day long. 

Mental stimulation doesn’t mean you have to give your dog some sheep to work around. It means giving them ‌meaningful playtime where you play with your dog. Don’t just let them run a few laps around the park and then go back home. Play tug, fetch, explore the park with them, go on a hike, and so on.

The great thing about Collies is that they are very smart and highly trainable. Keep the training sessions fun, and they’ll learn very quickly. A treat or a playtime is a great way to reward their behavior. 

Don’t get frustrated if your dog becomes stubborn and doesn’t want to do something even though you know they can do it. Take a break, play a game with a dog, or take him for a walk and then try again.

Health and Nutrition

Generally speaking, an adult Collie needs from 2 to 3 cups of kibble a day. You should divide the amount into two meals. For example, if you feed your dog 2 cups a day, give him one cup in the morning and the other cup in the evening.

BCS is a good way to measure your dog’s weight quickly, but it’s more than just numbers. We have to take other factors into consideration when deciding on a dog’s diet. Health, age, type of food, and other factors influence our decision.

You can always ask a vet to give you a recommendation on what type of food to give to your Collie or how much. You can also ask the breeder you got your dog from. Whatever you do, the point is that the dog’s food has a low-percentage of carbohydrates.

While Collies are generally recognized as a healthy dog breed, they unfortunately can be predisposed to certain health problems, including the Canine Eye Anomaly (CEA), the MDR1 gene mutation, which has an impact on their sensitivity to specific medications, and dermatomyositis (DMS), a disorder that affects the skin and muscles, and is caused by an autoimmune response.

The best place to get all the information about possible health issues is the Collie Health Foundation official website. The Collie Health Foundation (CHF) has been dedicated to improving the health of Collies, and since 1986, it has invested close to $2 million in grants to facilitate research on health issues affecting the breed.

Grooming

Collies require more than just a quick brushing once ‌a month. Both rough and smooth Collies require weekly thorough brushing. This prevents matting, removes loose hair, and keeps the coat and skin healthy. Brushing is also a great way to further bond with your dog and check if there are any injuries or changes on the dog’s body.

Both males and spayed females shed once a year. However, intact females shed around three months after they finish their heat cycle. During this time, we have to spend more time brushing them, simply to remove all the loose hair. 

Even if you brush them regularly, dog hair will end up on your furniture. You could use a dog vacuum to get to the hairs and prevent too many of them falling all around, but there’ll always be some.

Summary

Originating from Scotland, collies, including both the rough and smooth varieties, are known for their intelligence and loyalty as canine companions. Daily exercise and proper training are essential for these animals, which are celebrated for their playful demeanor and their ability to thrive in family environments. Despite their overall good health, there are certain health problems that they may encounter. In order to keep their shedding under control and ensure a healthy coat, regular grooming is absolutely essential.