The Collie is a wonderful family dog. They come
in two varieties, smooth coated and rough coated. They are
generally good with kids and other animals and love their adopted
family. The most famous Collie is Lassie. They may not be suitable
for an apartment as they need room to exercise. A properly fenced
in yard would be ideal.Approximate
Adult Size
The approximate adult size (two years old or
older) of the male Collie is 24 to 26 inches to the withers
(highest point of the shoulder) and 60 to 75 pounds. The female
ranges from 22 to 24 inches to the withers and 50 to 65 pounds.
Special Health Considerations
Most dog breeds have certain inherited
health problems associated with that specific breed and the Collie
is no exception. Be on the look out for Progressive Retinal
Atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision
loss and blindness), canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness
in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness),
and they can be drug sensitive.
This disease list is an informative
guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats,
please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several
times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as
an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and
check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit
the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember;
avoid feeding your dog sweets.
Grooming
The Collie comes in two varieties, smooth
and rough. In general, the outer coat is harsh to touch and
straight. The inner coat is soft and dense. She is prone to shed
and should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a
clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye
on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a
week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing
removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause
cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease
can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious
disease.
Her toenails may need to be examined for
growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow
slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine
type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions
to accomplish this can be found on the net.
Life Span
The Collie can live between 12 and 14 years
with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living
conditions.
History
The Collie comes from the Scottish Lowlands
as a sheepdog. They were first registered by the American Kennel
Association in 1885.
Some Registries
- Collie Club of America
- UKC United Kennel Club
- NKC National Kennel Club
- CKC Continental Kennel Club
- APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
- AKC American Kennel Club
- FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
- NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
- KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
- ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
- ACR American Canine Registry
Litter Size6 to 10 Collie
puppies
Category
Herding.
Terms To Describe
Intelligent, noble, kind, sensitive, loyal,
trains easily, playful, gentle, friendly
SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
- Good watch dog.
- Easy to housebreak.
- Very obedient.
- Highly intelligent.
- Can be protective of children.
- A high desire to please.
- Easy to train.
SPECIAL BAD POINTS
- Poor guard dog.
- Tend to shed.
- May suffer in hot weather.
- Nose may sunburn.
- Puppies may nip at heels, going back to
herding instinct.
- Can be a barker.
- A heavy shedder.
- Do not have a strong fighting
disposition.
Other Names Known ByScottish
Collie, Lassie Dog, Scotch Collie
Every dog is an individual so not
everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This
information is meant as a good faith guideline only.
