Collies

Appearance:

Body: Long, moderately boned, well-sprung ribs, firm back and deep chest. A dignified and graceful appearance.

Coat: Harsh, long, and straight outer coat with a soft, dense, and fury undercoat. Capable of tolerating the cold and rainy climates but not as capable of withstanding hot humid temperatures.

Color: Sable and white, white, tricolor, blue merle. All have a white chest.

Ears: Medium size, almond-shaped and somewhat oblique (outer corners higher than inner corners).

Eyes: Slightly almond-shaped with round eyeballs and a soft, alert, and intelligent expression.

Feet: Oval, and well-padded with tight, arched toes.

Head: Wedge-shaped, flat, smooth, well-defined stop and well-rounded muzzle with a black nose and powerful jowls.

Legs: Forelegs are straight and well-muscled. Hind legs are well-muscled with lean thighs.

Neck: Well-muscled, powerful, and well-arched.

Size:
Weight: 35 - 75 pounds (16 - 34kg)
Height: 20 - 26 inches (51 - 66cm)

Tail: Long and bushy, reaching the hocks, carried low.

Behavior

Recommended for novice dog handlers
Good with children and with other animals

The Rough Collie is a friendly, non-aggressive dog who is easily trained, safe with children, and excellent companion. He is an active, intelligent, and very proud dog. While quiet and well-mannered indoors, he becomes quite excited outdoors in anticipation of playing, hiking, herding, chasing balls or any other activities with his master.

Most people are familiar with the Rough Collie from the television shows and films of Lassie. The characteristics of a perfect dog are not far from the truth in this well bred family-loving breed. He requires a great deal of attention from his owner and is not a dog who should be left alone for long stretches of time or he will become bored and possibly destructive.

He is a quick learner and easy to obedience train. However, with his intense homing instinct, it's best to keep a newly acquired adult Collie tied or confined until he is completely adjusted to it's new home. Otherwise, he will likely disappear in an attempt to find his way back to his prior home.

Positive, gentle, and reward-type training is best with this breed and any breed of dog. He won't like being treated harshly and won't respond well to it. Herding is his heritage so don't be surprised if you find him trying to herd people and other animals by nudging and possibly nipping at their heels.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Herding Group

Originally bred for herding sheep and moving livestock to market. A unique herding technique used by the Collie is to crawl along the ground, approaching the sheep quietly and carefully, in order not to startle or frighten him.

There are two breeds of Collie: The long-coated Rough Collie, and the short-coated Smooth Collie; the more athletic of the two.

Accoring to AKC standards "The Smooth Variety of Collie is judged by the same Standard as the Rough Variety, except that the references to the quantity and distribution of the coat are not applicable to the Smooth Variety, which has a short, hard, dense, flat coat of good texture, with an abundance of undercoat."

Care and Grooming

Exercise: Moderate exercise with daily walks and play time is sufficient.

Grooming: Brush one to two times weekly. Brush daily during shedding season.

Health

Life Expectancy: 12 - 14 Years

Possible Problems:
Allergies
Bloat
Eye disease - should be checked by an AVCO-certified Ophthalmologist around six weeks old
Hip Dysplasia
Low Thyroid
Seizures
Skin problems

Country of Origin

Great Britain - 1900s