Collie
The elegant and friendly Collie is unequivocally one of the biggest sweethearts among dog breeds. While the Rough Collie, with its long and flowing coat is instantly recognisable, you might have to take a second look to identify the less common variety, the short-coated Smooth Collie.
But no matter if Rough or Smooth, the Collie’s world revolves around its family and this dog loves nothing more than to be included in whatever activity you have planned. Collies adore their family and can be good playmates, but also vigilant protectors and guardians; in principle, however, they are friendly and neutral towards strangers.
Unlike their namesake, the Border Collie, Collies have a more laid-back approach to exercise. While both physical and mental training are key in keeping them from becoming bored or restless – a guarantee for incessant barking – they appreciate relaxing with their people just as much.
As the Smooth Collie never became a fashion dog, but has always remained a working dog, it places higher demands on its owners in terms of exercise and training. But in principle, Collies have a healthy understanding of work-life balance.
Collie characteristics
history
Before the Collie enchanted Queen Victoria and gained fame as the loyal and brave Lassie, this breed humbly herded sheep in the Scottish Highlands. The Collie’s ancestors are assumed to be dogs that the Romans brought to the country following the conquest of Britain in 43 CE. Though there are no written records to prove it, these dogs were most likely bred with local ones, until over time, dogs with a similar appearance to today’s Collie emerged.
There are quite a few theories on how the Collie got its name. Given the fact that many breeds used to be named after their type of job or the animals they were working with, it’s seen as the most plausible theory that the name derives from a black-faced breed of sheep the Collie used to guard – the Colleys.
Breed facts
FCI: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs - Group 1
KC: Pastoral Group AKC: Herding Group
Agility, Herding, Obedience
The Collie is also a skillful participant in Rally Obedience and Nosework.
Great Britain
Medium to large
Rough or smooth
health
The Collie can be affected by eye diseases, such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), as well as Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), which is specific to the Collie and other Sheepdog breeds. There is also the Grey Collie syndrome, a stem cell disorder solely found in grey-coated Collies. The breed can also suffer from Dermatomyositis and Degenerative Myelopathy.
In addition, the Collie may be affected by the MDR1 gene defect, which prevents the body from producing a protein responsible for filtering toxins. As a result, certain medications (such as the heartworm drug Ivermectin) as well as flea and tick repellents and anaesthetics can cause mild to severe symptoms of poisoning.
