Collie

Size: Large
Other Names:
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Herding
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Herding
United Kennel Club (UKC): Herding Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Working Dogs
The Kennel Club (KC): Pastoral
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Herding
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Working Dogs

Height:

Male: 24-26 inches; Female: 22-24 inches

Weight:

Male: 60-75 pounds; Female: 50-65 pounds

Color(s):

Black, black and tan, red, red and tan, or sable; many types have white, along with the main color, usually under the belly and chest, over the shoulders, and on parts of the face and legs

Coat:

Smooth variety: short, hard, dense, flat outer coat of good texture, with an abundant undercoat; Rough variety: dense, straight, harsh outer coat, with a soft and furry undercoat, with the mane and frill very abundant

Description:

Originating in Britain, the Collie is a distinctive type of herding dog.  Spread throughout many parts of the world, especially Australia and North America, some Collies have remained working dogs, used for herding cattle, sheep, and other livestock, while others are kept as pets and show dogs.  Working Collies are extremely energetic and agile dogs with great stamina, well able to run all day without tiring, even over very rough or steep ground.  They are intelligent, and instinctively highly motivated to work.  The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) differentiates between the Rough Collie and the Smooth Collie, but elsewhere these are considered varieties of the same breed.

Temperament:

Collies are always alert and are active and agile.  They are gentle, intensely loyal, and well suited as pets.  Their gentleness and devotion make them good with children, but not generally good watchdogs.

Training:

Collies have proved to be easily trainable.

Care & Grooming:

As with all dogs, Collies need regular exercise.  They thrive on active sports, such as sheepdog trials, flyball, disc dog, and dog agility.

Shedding:

Moderate to heavy; rough Collies shed more than the Smooth variety.

Health:

Collies may inherit collie eye anomaly, the MDR1 drug-sensitivity mutation, and bloat.  Have the eyes examined and tell your veterinarian about MDR1 before certain medications.

Lifespan:

12–14 years

Litter Size:

5–8 puppies