Collie Dog

Collie Average life span

9 – 15 years

Collie Appearance

There are two types of Collie, the short straight haired one and the long rough haired one. The difference originates in the past when the rough-coated Collie was bred to cope with the harsher climate in the Scottish highlands, while the smooth-coated Collie was bred in the Scottish lowlands. The Rough Collie has a long and thick coat, well textured, being thick and flowing all over the body except for the head and legs, the outside is straight and hard, however, the inside is soft and furry. The Smooth Collie has a short, hard and dense coat. Collie’s coat colors can range from sable, tricolor, and blackbird blue.

Collie Temperament

He is kind, active, intelligent, cheerful, very loving, loyal and obedient. They are good house dogs as they bond very closely with their families, being good companions for children: they are always willing to play. They get along well with other dogs and other non-canine pets making them an exceptional dog for the family. Collies can be trained as watchdogs, but they are very kind and friendly to use for this task.

Collie Training

They learn very quickly so they can be easily trained. They are sensitive in nature so training should be gentle and positive.

Collie Grooming

With its medium-long coat, weekly brushing is a must to prevent knots and tangles. When she is shedding her coat, daily brushing is highly recommended. In addition, the hair on the front and rear legs should be trimmed occasionally to keep them in good condition.

Collie Exercise

They need long walks daily and plenty of outdoor exercise to keep them healthy and happy.

Collie Health

Gastric torsion

Although it is not a hereditary condition, it frequently affects many dogs, including this breed. This is a very serious condition. When a dog has it, the stomach can twist and become blocked, causing a build-up of gas. If not treated quickly it can be fatal. Useless attempts to vomit and salivate also appear with this disease. Also, it can lead to cardiovascular collapse, which usually occurs when you exercise after eating. The incidence of gastric torsion in adult dogs can be controlled by eating healthy twice a day and, of course, by allowing time for digestion before taking him for a run in the park.

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)

The disorder occurs commonly in Collie breeds. This disorder causes blind spots in the eyes of the dog but it is not a life-threatening disease, being able to have a normal and full life. It is only through screening and selective breeding that this problem will be eliminated. The best way to avoid this problem is to buy a puppy from parents who have been registered in the Canine Eyes Foundation (CERF) Registry and have never produced affected pups.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Is a hereditary disease of the eye that has been identified in the Collie. PRA is a general term for various types of retinal diseases, which result in blindness. All animals, regardless of their age, should be examined annually by an ophthalmologist veterinarian.

Hip dysplasia

Results in a poor fit between the head of the femur bone and the acetabulum of the hip. This condition can be alleviated through surgery. Dogs with dysplasia often produce puppies with the same condition. Buyers should ask if both the sire and dam of the puppy they are interested in have been recently tested and are free of hip dysplasia. You shouldn’t take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate and checking with a trusted vet.

Collie Nose

Is a discoloration of the pigment of the nose diagnosed as discoid lupus erythematosus. Originally thought to be an allergic reaction to sunlight, the condition is only aggravated by prolonged exposure to the sun. Although it is not painful, the lighter colored areas are very sensitive to sunlight and can be sunburned. The dog should be kept out of sunlight as much as possible or the affected area should be protected with a sunscreen lotion.

Dermatomyositis

Is another common Collie problem. This is an autoimmune skin disorder that begins with lesions and ulcers on the face and can progress to muscle atrophy that makes chewing or swallowing difficult.

Collie History

In the 18th century, the Collie’s natural home was the Scottish highlands, deep in the hills and mountains, where it had been used for centuries as a sheepdog. It is possible that the Romans brought sheepdogs with them when they invaded Britain and that these dogs later interbred with local dogs and thus are the ancestors of the Collies we know today. Eventually, two types of Collies arose from these common ancestors: the Rough Collie, the long-haired variety that worked directly with herds, and the Smooth Collie, the short-haired variety that is used primarily as a herding dog to drive the won. Raised for centuries for his ability to work rather than to maintain and refine his lineage, his exact origins have been lost. The farmers who developed them were totally dependent on their pastoral activities and raised them for their strength, endurance, intelligence, devotion, and loyalty; characteristics that made them ideal shepherds. The origin of the word “Collie” is open to speculation, it has been written in different ways: Coll, Colley, Coally and Coaly. Coll is the Anglo-Saxon word for black and one theory holds that “Collie” comes from the name of certain black-faced sheep; Colley sheep and therefore the dogs responsible for their herding became known as “Colley dogs.” Another theory suggests that the original working dog was black, which is why it was named “Coallies.” Whatever its origin, around 1875, it was firmly named Collie.