Gollie Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Gollie?

Designer dog breeds are essentially mixed-breed dogs that were purposefully created.

The Gollie is a mixed-breed dog created b grossing a Golden Retriever with a Collie. There is not much known about the origin of this loveable designer pup, but we can take a look at the history of its parent breeds.

Collie breed

Collies were originally bred for herding sheep in Scotland. When Queen Victoria paid a visit to Scotland in 1860, she discovered the Collie and was instantly in love. Because of the approval of the Queen, the popularity of the Collies soared over the next few years.

This breed eventually crossed the ocean to the United States and from there spread across the world.

Colies are much-loved companion animals, working dogs, and service dogs. They work with police across the world, are still used to herd sheep, and are also used as therapy dogs.

Golden Retriever breed

The Golden Retriever originated in Scotland and was used as a hunting dog. They have water-proof coats and webbed toes, which help them to swim powerfully to hunt and retrieve water birds.

Today Golden Retrievers are some of the most popular companion dogs and family pets around the world.

Gollie Dogs

Gollie dogs are not purebred, and as such, they are not recognised by the American Kennel Club.

These hybrid dogs are recognised by the following clubs and registries:

• American Canine Hybrid Club

• Designer Dogs Kennel Club

• Dog Registry of America, Inc.

• International Designer Canine Registry

• Designer Breed Registry

Who are Gollie dogs best for?

These dogs get along well with almost everyone. They make excellent service dogs, they are brilliant with children, and they are devoted to their people.

They bond very closely with their families and often sense the emotions of whoever is closest to them, which makes them great therapy dogs.

They are social animals and do not enjoy being left home alone for long. They will do best in a family where someone is at home with them during the day, or they are able to join their person at the office for the day (they make brilliant office dogs!).

Because of their active nature, they do not cope well in apartments. They require a yard to run in and are also well-suited to life on a farm. Keeping your Gollie cooped up indoors will result in destructive behaviour and can also give your dog anxiety.

Gollies are not only great with kids, but they are also great with other dogs. They are averagely friendly towards cats and other non-dog pets, but their herding instinct might kick in and result in a chase of smaller animals if not properly introduced and socialised.

How much grooming does a Gollie need?

Since they are a Golden Retriever-Collie mix, you can expect a lot of intensive grooming to manage the shedding of your Gollie.

Their long hair tends to shed a lot, especially during shedding season. Your Gollie will require frequent brushing to get rid of loose hairs and to manage knots and tangles.

Although they are relatively clean, they will require a bath every 2 to three months to moisturise their skin and get rid of any trapped debris.

You should monitor the length of your Gollie's nails and trim them as required. Also, check their floppy ears frequently for infection and clean any wax or dirt you notice in the ears.

Do Gollie bark much?

Gollies have a low to average tendency to bark. They very rarely bark unless they have a good reason for it. They will bark when they are frightened, or bored, or when greeting you when you get home. They may also bark when they first see a stranger, but once introduced, they will be very friendly.

Do Gollie bite?

Gollies have a very low tendency for biting and are not good guard dogs. They will only bite out of necessity, for example, if they are provoked, in pain, or when their herding instinct kicks in.

Gollie puppies are also not extremely mouthy and are unlikely to rip up your furniture and shoes. They may nip when they are excited, but these play bites are not intended to hurt you.

If your dog is very nippy, you can train away this behaviour by providing plenty of chew toys and diverting their attention when they start biting.

What is the temperament & personality of a Gollie?

Gollies are extremely friendly dogs. They are loving and devoted animals and absolutely adore their families. These affectionate animals express their love by licking, cuddling, and wanting to be near their humans at all times. There are very patient with small children tugging on their fur or climbing all over them.

Your Gollie might not be a great guard dog, but it will still be protective of you. Although not aggressive, it will warn you about the arrival of a stranger with a single knock. It might initially be wary of a stranger, but after a quick sniff, it will immediately welcome the stranger like it would a best friend.

These active dogs are also surprisingly good service and therapy animals. They are easily trained, meaning they can learn commands to help disabled people.

What is the weight & size of a Gollie?

Gollies are one of the large dog breeds.

Weight:

• 22.6 - 34 kgs

Height:

• Up to 61

How much training does a Gollie need?

Gollies thrive with obedience training. They are very eager to please and respond extremely well to positive reinforcement training methods.

They are highly intelligent and will quickly pick up new commands and tricks.

These high-energy dogs also do well in dog sports like hunting, herding, and agility training. These types of sports will get rid of some of your dog's energy and is also a great bonding experience.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Gollie?

Gollies are healthy dogs. These breeds benefit from "hybrid vigour", which is a situation where hybrid dogs and a designer dog breed do not suffer from the same ailments as their purebred parent breeds.

However, your Gollie might still inherit some genetic health problems from its parents.

Common Golden Retriever health conditions include:

• Cataracts

• Skin allergies

• Elbow dysplasia

• Heart problems

• Epilepsy

Common Collie health conditions include:

• Gastric torsion (bloat)

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy

• Arthritis

• Dermatomyositis

• Neutropenia

Both the Collie and the Retriever suffer from hip dysplasia.

If you suspect any of the conditions, contact your vet, who will provide veterinary advice.

What is the lifespan of a Gollie?

The average life span of a Gollie is 12 to 15 years.

How much should you feed a Gollie?

Gollies have plenty of energy, so they require high-quality food that will provide them with all the nutrients they require to live a healthy, happy, and active life.

On average, a Gollie will require 2 1/2 to 3 cups of good quality dry food, split over two meals. Gollies love their food and can easily become obese if their diets are not carefully monitored. Always give treats sparingly, and do not overfeed your Gollie.

Always make sure your Gollie has access to fresh water.

What is the price of a Gollie in Australia?

Gollies can cost anywhere between $410 and $975. The price of the Gollie will depend on the parents' bloodlines, the breeder, and the age of the puppy.