Collie Dog Breed Information

What is the history & origin of the Collie?

The Collie originated from the Scottish Highland regions but was also bred in the Scottish Lowlands and Northern England.

They were mainly used as herding dogs and some historians seem to think that the name Collie stems from Colley, which is the name of black-faced sheep that the breed guarded in Scotland. Colley was derived from the word coal owing to the colour of the faces of the sheep.

The original Collies were closer to the size of the modern-day Border Collie and varied in appearance, as they were bred for herding ability and not their appearance originally.

The Collie was brought to the U.S. back in 1879 and the Collie Club of America was created in 1886, which means it is one of the oldest breed clubs around.

The breed then became massively popular in the region in the 1950s after the hit television series Lassie aired. The main character was a Collie called Lassie who regularly came to the rescue of other characters in the show.

What is a Collie Breed?

The Collie is a large to medium-sized herding dog that comes in two different coat types. The Rough Collie has a full coat with long hair, whereas the Smooth Collie has a smooth coat with short hair. The dog featured in Lassie was a Rough Collie, which is likely the reference for what a Collie looks like for many people.

Both types of the breed come in many different coat colours with blue merle being the most sought-after and tricolour (black with white markings) being quite common.

Who is a Collie Best For?

Well-bred Collies will generally have a kind, gentle and friendly nature. While they were originally bred for their herding and working ability, Collies have become excellent family dogs. Although, they would still be right at home accompanying a shepherd!

Collies do exceptionally well around children and other dogs. They can be excellent pets to have around children due to their soft and playful natures and are often protective of them around strangers.

The Collie is also an excellent watchdog like other herding breeds and will bark to alert their owners of any perceived danger but is not aggressive.

The breed is also an excellent choice for those interested in dog sports as they are extremely intelligent and respond well to training. They specifically excel in herding trials as a result of their breeding.

Collies are; however, not for people who are not active as they are an extremely long-running and active breed that requires daily exercise. It will also be beneficial to have a large space for them to run around during the day.

Collies tend to shed moderately year-round, which means you will be likely to find blue merle-coloured hair everywhere if you find one in this coat! This means that they are not dogs for those with allergies.

Collie Grooming & Shedding

The grooming needs of a Collie will depend on the type of coat that your dog has. A Rough Collie generally needs to be thoroughly brushed twice a week owing to their thick furry undercoat. You may initially require the help of a professional grooming service to learn how to groom your Collie properly.

A Smooth Collie has far fewer grooming requirements and generally only needs to be brushed once a week. They should usually be bathed every 6 to 8 weeks as they are normally clean dogs with little odour.

Collie’s nails should be trimmed once a month and their ears should be checked around once a week for any sign of redness, dirt, or odour as this is indicative of an infection.

Do Collies bark a lot?

Collies can be prone to barking excessively as this is how they would warn a shepherd that their flock was in danger!

The breed will generally only bark if something catches their attention or alerts them but can gain a habit of barking excessively if they are left alone for too long or become bored.

What is the average weight & height of a Collie dog?

Collies will generally not be suitable for those living in apartments as they are large to medium-sized dogs.

They grow to heights around 55 to 66cm and weigh between 22 and 31kg.

Are Collies easy to train?

Collies are some of the easiest dogs to train out there. They are extremely intelligent, which means that kennel and potty training will be a breeze!

Collies are dogs that can benefit from obedience training as they are high energy and can become unruly.

It is best to start socialising and training your Collie when it’s very young if you get the opportunity as this will make things much easier in the long run.

How do Collies behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Collies are intelligent, kind, and playful dogs that love spending time with their owners. They are frequently used as therapy dogs, as they are calm, gentle, and welcoming when trained well and are tall enough to be reached from a hospital bed.

Like most dogs, they may start displaying undesirable behaviour if they are left alone for too long or not stimulated enough. This can come in the form of unnecessary barking and digging.

Collies generally love children and are protective of them. They are also good with other dogs and pets and will sometimes even watch over other pets like rabbits or chickens!

Does the Collie have any common health issues?

Collies like other breeds are healthy for the most part but are specifically predisposed to certain health conditions such as:

• Dermatomyositis: An autoimmune condition that affects the skin and muscles, leading to lesions and muscle weakness.
• Collie Nose: A condition characterized by inflammation and depigmentation of the nose, which can be aggravated by sun exposure.
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA): A genetic eye condition that can lead to vision impairment and other eye problems.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A degenerative eye disease that leads to loss of vision over time.
• Nodular Granulomatous Episclerokeratitis: An inflammatory condition affecting the eyes that can cause discomfort and vision issues.
• Hip Dysplasia: A genetic condition where the hip joint doesn’t fit properly, leading to pain and mobility problems.
• Allergies: Collies may suffer from various allergies, including food and environmental allergies, leading to skin irritation and discomfort.
• Drug Sensitivity: Collies are known to be sensitive to certain medications, particularly those metabolized by the liver, so it’s important to inform your veterinarian about this when discussing treatment options.

What is the lifespan of a Collie?

Collies live relatively long lives for dogs and they are known to have a life span between 10 to 14 years.

How much does a Collie need to be fed?

Collies are larger dogs and therefore normally require 2 or 3 cups of dog food split between 2 meals daily. This will also vary based on the age and activity level of your dog.

How much can you expect to pay for a Collie in Australia?

If you choose to buy a puppy from a Collie breeder it will cost you around $1700 to $3500. Prospective owners should make sure that the breeder they choose is registered otherwise they may be receiving a dog from a puppy mill.

You will be able to save a lot of money by adopting from a rescue organisation; however, you will likely then end up with a full-grown dog instead of a puppy.

Collie FAQs

Do Collies suffer from separation anxiety?

The Collie does not do well when left alone for too long and many resort to barking excessively or misbehaving in other ways by destroying things or digging holes.

If you plan on choosing this breed it would be a good idea to either have other dogs to keep it company or take it to a dog daycare service if you are gone for most of the day.

Do Collies like to cuddle?

Collies are extremely loving and affectionate dogs and most will enjoy cuddling with their owners so long as they get rid of their excess energy first!

What’s the difference between a Collie and a Border Collie?

Border Collies are smaller than Collies and are even more full of energy. Border Collies are generally higher maintenance than Collies and require constant stimulation to discourage them from misbehaving.

Both breeds happen to originate from England and Scotland but can have very different natures with Border Collies being the more highly strung dog.

Do Collies get along with cats?

Collies are great with other pets, which means that most of them will get along well with cats. A Collie puppy introduced to cats early on will however fair better than a full-grown dog meeting one for the first time.