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Collie
The Collie is an active and loving herding breed. A long time favorite family pet, this breed requires regular exercise and grooming.
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Breed Facts
Finding a Collie
Physical Characteristics
- Trim but muscular body
- Comes in two varieties: rough and smooth coat
- The rough variety has an abundant double coat
- The smooth variety has a short coat that requires little grooming
- Height: 22-26 inches
- Weight: 60-75 pounds
Temperament
- Very smart, good-natured, friendly, playful, gentle, agile, sensitive
- Interaction with people: Excellent with children; wary of strangers
- Interaction with animals: Usually good with dogs and noncanine pets
- Training: Must be trained gently; easily housetrained
- Protection: Very protective of human family
Medical Conditions
- Bloat
- Epilepsy
- Ophthalmic disorders (including Collie eye anomaly and progressive retinal atrophy)
- Hip dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Reaction to certain heartworm medicines
While the listed ailments may be common in this breed, not all members of the breed suffer from these conditions. Responsible breeders screen for orthopedic and genetic diseases.
At Home
- OK for apartments with sufficient exercise
- Not recommended for warm climates
- Energetic outdoors
Grooming
- Small ears are carried erect when alert
- Eyes are almond-shaped and dark
- Average lifespan: 14-16 years
- Sheds heavily twice a year
- Needs thorough weekly brushing
- Take extra care when the undercoat is shedding
- The smooth variety has a 1-inch coat and should be brushed every one to two weeks
Other Facts
- Made famous in the 20th century by the show "Lassie"
- Legend has it that one collie traveled 2,000 miles to find his family after he became lost
- The smooth-coated collie is a more popular companion dog in England than the United States
- For centuries, the rough-coated collie was hardly known outside Scotland; today it’s one of the world's most popular breeds
Breed History
- Originated in the 1800s in Scotland
- Descended from generations of hard-working herding dogs
- Queen Victoria discovered the breed in the 1860s and enthusiastically began to sponsor them, causing a marked surge in popularity
- Brought to the U.S. as shepherding grew in importance
- The breed's name probably comes from its charge - the Scottish black-faced sheep called the Colley
For more information about this breed and breeder referral contacts, please visit the Collie Club of America For breed rescue opportunities, visit Tri-State Collie Rescue.
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