ALL ABOUT COLLIES
COLLIES
The Collie is believed to have ran with the Romans during their invasions through what is now Britain in 50BC, but gained popularity in the 18th Century when they were used heavily for herding and guarding of livestock. In 1860 they became popular show dogs due to Queen Victoria's adoration. Towards the end of the 19th century they were brought to the United States. The rest is history!
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The full-coated Rough Collie is the more familiar variety, but there is also a sleek Smooth Collie. The Collie is a large but lithe herder standing anywhere from 22 to 26 inches tall and weighing 50-75 pounds. The rough variety boasts one of the canine kingdom's most impressively showy coats. Coat colors in both varieties are sable and white, tricolor, blue merle, or white (and all kinds of combinations of these colors). Collie fanciers take pride in their breed's elegant wedge-shaped head, whose mobile ears and almond eyes convey a wide variety of expressions. Collies are famously fond of children and make wonderful family pets. These swift, athletic dogs thrive on companionship and regular exercise. With gentle training, they learn happily and rapidly. The Collie's loyalty, intelligence, and sterling character are the stuff of legend.*
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FAMILY LIFE
Collies are very affectionate dogs that love their people. They are excellent with children and generally do quite well with other pets. I have yet to meet a Collie that didn't do well in a mixed species home.
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Collies are extremely empathetic and highly sensitive to the emotions of others. They thrive in calmer environments. Negatively loud homes (arguing, yelling, etc) are not a good fit for a Collie. Normal family environments, and all the hustle and bustle that comes with it, are great. It all comes down to the emotion of the home.
PHYSICAL
Collies come in two types: rough and smooth. Rough Collies have longer fur while Smooth Collies have short fur. We breed Rough Collies exclusively. Therefore, grooming is a bit more demanding. They do shed during regular molting seasons, and they need consistent grooming (once a month) and brushing (once a week) to keep them from getting knots in their fur. They do not have an issue with drooling.
SOCIAL
Collies are very playful and have a high adaptability. They can be a little wary of new people, but a well socialized Collie will always adapt quickly and adjust to the presence of a new person. They are decent watchdogs, but will only alarm you about danger, not attack.
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Any training done with a Collie must be gentle, positive reinforcement training. Any negative training will create a Collie uncharacteristic for its breed.
PERSONALITY
Collies are highly trainable dogs. They are very receptive to commands and learn very quickly. They can be very vocal, but can be trained against being too reactive, which generally causes this behavior. They have average needs for mental stimulation and average energy levels. They do not require too much in either regard. Regular walks and exercise, along with interactive toys and some time with their people is enough to tide these guys over. Their energy levels will meet yours! Do you want to watch TV? They'll watch with you. Want to take a hike? So will they!
THEY'RE GOING EXTINCT!
They're going extinct. This is because of the introduction of designer breeds. Furthermore, the declining economy has forced people to rent their homes and this means their homes are not suitable for large dogs or large dogs are not allowed.
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According to one of the largest dog shows in the world, as of 2023 Rough Collies are going extinct! The breed has hit record lows, but we are here to help keep the breed alive and you can help. Just by educating others and spreading awareness about the greatness of this majestic and ancient breed. For more information go to Kennel Club say Rough Collie dog breed at risk of extinction | The Scotsman.