There are two varieties of Collie that a newcomer to the Collie breed should be aware of.  First, there is the rough coated Collie, this dog will need to be brushed and combed each day due to its' long coat.  Secondly, there is the smooth coated Collie, which is a short haired variety, and it will need to be brushed and combed about once per week.  This is the only difference between the two types.  It is surmised that the rough coated variety was used in the field for herding and protecting flocks, usually sheep.  The heavy coat would protect the dog from the harsh weather (Scotland, Northern England), briars, thorns, and animal bites.  The smooth coated Collie would be used for driving the sheep to the markets.  The roads used would be muddy and the dog's short hair would tend to be less apt to show or hold the dirt.
     The common markings of a Collie are black, tan and white, black and white, tricolor, blue merle, and sable and white.
A litter of Collie pups can contain both rough and smooth coated varieties.
     Male Collies, on average, range in height to the withers 24 to 26 inches, and weigh 60 to 75 pounds. Females, on the other hand, average 22 to 24 inches at the withers, and weigh 50 to 65 pounds.
     Collies are very active, needing a lot of exercise.  Play time, training sessions, and more play time is very necessary to have a well mannered, mentally balanced, and physically fit dog.
     This dog is very intelligent, which can be a challenge to training.  The sessions need to be interesting to the dog, otherwise it will get bored.  Also severe disciplinary methods will not work with this dog.  He will become stubborn and intractable. Positive reinforcement and praise will work far better as training methods. The Collie that has been raised and trained by experienced owners have a reputation of being "mind readers".  The Collie is able to anticipate needs or desires of the owner, and appears to almost analyze certain situations.
     The Collie is a happy breed, very affectionate, loyal, and eager to please.  These dogs tend to be friendly with most strangers.  Collies can be trained as watchdogs, but do not expect them to be guard dogs.  The difference between these two jobs is that as a guard dog the Collie is too kind, it will not kill on command.
     Many people recall the T.V. series, "Lassie", and want to have a dog just like that one.  What most do not realize is the hours of commitment to training and grooming that the t.v. dog required to attain that level of obedience and looks.  It is possible to train a dog to be like Lassie, but Lassie is not available to those who will not make the commitment of many hours to training, grooming, and love.
     The average life span of the Collie ranges from 10 to 12 years.
     The Collie is classed in the Herding Group by the A.K.C.

Return to Collie Directory
Return to Bark Bytes Home