Collies are loved worldwide for their beautiful coats and charming personalities.
If you're thinking about becoming a collie parent, there are a few things to keep in mind so you can look after your dog properly.
Here's what you need to know about this beloved dog breed.
History of collies
The exact origin of collies is unclear, but many people believe they came from Scotland, where they were trained to be sheepdogs.
It's also unclear where the breed's name comes from. Some people think that the name refers to their coats, which can sometimes have a color similar to coal. Others think the name comes from a sheep breed known for their black-colored faces, called Colley sheep. The name could also come from similar-sounding words in the Gaelic/Irish or Anglo-Saxon languages.
Collies became popular in England, especially as show dogs, when Queen Victoria took a liking to them while she was at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She brought back a few collies to her own kennel in 1860.
The first English rough collie was brought to the U.S. in 1879, and collies are now a well-known and much-loved breed in America. Movies that featured a rough collie named Lassie, as well as a TV show of the same name in the 40s and 50s, made the breed a household name.
Types of Collies
Rough collies
The rough collie is a type of collie with a long double coat. Because of their long hair, rough collies are also called "long-haired" collies. They were originally used for herding sheep in Scotland. Their coats require frequent attention, and collies tend to shed more during the fall and spring.
“Rough collies should be brushed and combed at least one to two times a week, with daily brushing during seasonal shedding,” says Jerry Klein, DVM, chief veterinarian for the American Kennel Club.
Rough collies weigh between 50 and 75 pounds and stand 22 to 26 inches tall. Their coats come in patterns that blend a variety of colors, including black, white, tan, and sable (dark brown).
Smooth collies
The smooth collie also has a double coat and was raised for herding. Unlike rough collies, smooth collies have short hair and require less maintenance. Klein recommends weekly brushing and grooming most of the year but daily brushing in the shedding season for smooth collies.
Like rough collies, smooth collies weigh between 50 and 75 pounds and stand 22 to 26 inches tall. Their coats come in patterns that feature a mix of colors, including black, white, tan, and sable.
Bearded collies
Bearded collies are also herding dogs that were used by shepherds in Scotland. Today, most bearded collies are pets. Compared to rough and smooth collies, bearded collies have coats that are more tangly and curled, according to Nancy Kay, DVM, a specialist in veterinarian small animal medicine and author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy Healthy Longer Life.
Expect to brush your bearded collie daily and give it plenty of exercise.
Bearded collies typically weigh about 45-55 pounds, with a height of 20-22 inches.
Border collies
This type of collie traces its origins to the region around the border of Scotland and England. Bred to be intelligent and obedient herding dogs, border collies mostly tended sheep but herded other livestock as well.
“Border collies are exceptionally high-energy dogs that require a ton of exercise every day,” says Kay.
They have a double coat that can be short, medium, or long, and either coarse or smooth. Their coats also vary from wavy to curly to straight. Most have black and white coats, though there are variations, such as border collie coats with reddish-brown fur mixed with white fur.
Border collies tend to be smaller than the other types of collies, weighing about 30-55 pounds and standing 18-22 inches tall.
Characteristics of Collies
Personality
Collies are known for their natural intelligence, friendliness, loving nature, and affection toward people. They're fast, athletic, and energetic dogs, so you will want to make sure that your collie has plenty of playtime and exercise to avoid boredom. Collies are good with kids and are loyal to their families, so they make excellent companions.
There are, however, some personality differences between the types of collies.
“Bearded collies tend to be more active and independent,” says Kay. Border collies are high-strung compared with smooth and rough collies, she says.
However, if you do have a laid-back collie, don’t think it’s lazy. “While they can be couch potatoes, they do require daily exercise,” Kay says.
Physical traits
Collies are known for their beautiful coats, making them great show dogs. The coats are usually seen in colors such as sable and white, tricolor, blue merle (part black and part bluish-grey), and white. The breed is also noted for its beautifully formed eyes, head shape, and regal-looking features.
How big collies get can vary depending on the gender and type of collie. Male collies can grow to about 24-26 inches in height and weigh 65-75 pounds. Female collies grow to between 22 and 24 inches in height and weigh about 50-65 pounds.
The size of collies can also depend on the type. Border collies, for example, are smaller than other types of collies, weighing about 30-55 pounds with a height of 18-22 inches.
Caring for Collies
Grooming
Groom your collie regularly to keep their coat healthy and beautiful. Border collies should be brushed daily. With both smooth and rough collies, you can aim to brush their coats at least once a week. They have double coats, and you will want to remove dirt and stray hairs from the undercoat. Pay special attention to the area behind a rough collie's ears and elbows. You will also want to spend more time grooming during the seasons when they shed more, including the spring and fall.
You may need to bathe your collie anywhere from weekly to once every three to four weeks. The longer their coat, the more often you may need to bathe them. The frequency can also depend on how active your dog is, how much time they spend outdoors, how dirty they get, and how well you maintain their coats.
Feeding
Feed your dog high-quality meals, whether commercially available dog food or a recipe approved by a veterinary nutritionist. Try to offer a complete and balanced diet at home, while also making sure the food is right for their age. Avoid human food, as that can cause problems for your dog's health. Make sure your collie has water available to drink at all times.
Training and exercise
Collies are smart and active dogs. They need regular exercise and plenty of playtime. If they don't get enough activity, they may get bored and start barking more often. Games like fetch can be enjoyable for both you and your collie.
Start training collies when they are puppies to help them socialize and adapt well to family life. Use positive reinforcement during training to get the best results, as they don't respond well to harsh treatment.
Dental care
Brush your dog's teeth daily. You can also use dental chews and toys that can prevent dental problems. Ask your vet for the best dental care options for your collie.
Ear cleaning and nail trimming
You will want to clean your collie's ears and trim their nails at least once a month.
Flea, heartworm, and tick management
Talk to your vet for the best flea and tick prevention products for your collie. A type of parasite called heartworm can also be deadly for your dog. It is advised to give them heartworm medication all year long and to check regularly for ticks and remove them as early as you can to prevent infection. Look for fleas and ticks behind your dog's ears, under their feet, around their ears and eyes, near their anus, and under their tail.
Vaccinations
Speak to your vet about the vaccinations your collie needs and make sure to follow the schedule they provide.
There are core vaccines and noncore vaccines.
Core vaccines. Core vaccines are recommended for all dogs and include:
- Distemper
- Adenovirus
- Parvovirus
- +/− Parainfluenza
- Leptospira
- Rabies
DAP(+/− P) vaccines (distemper, adenovirus, parvo, +/− parainfluenza) are given every one to three years.
Leptospira should be given once a year after the initial booster series.
The CDC recommends rabies shots be given to all dogs, and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) considers it to be a core vaccine.
Noncore vaccines. Noncore vaccines should be discussed with your vet, who will recommend them based on your dog's lifestyle. These include:
- Lyme disease
- Bordetella
- Canine influenza
- Rattlesnake toxoid
Also, do get your dog checked annually by your vet. If your collie is a puppy or a senior dog, they will need to be seen more often. These checkups can help your vet spot problems early on and offer effective treatment for your collie.
Health Problems to Watch Out For in Collies
The collie breed is at a higher risk of developing certain genetic conditions that can affect their health.
Collie eye anomaly
Collies can develop Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), a collection of different eye problems that commonly affect the collie breed. For example, your collie can have blind spots, issues with the blood vessels of the eye, or problems with the retina. Sometimes, CEA can cause blindness.
“Collies can have some or all of [these abnormalities ] and to varying degrees,” says Kay. “Puppies can be examined as early as 6-8 weeks of age.”
According to Klein, “puppies should have an eye examination by a certified veterinary ophthalmologist prior to going to new homes.”
Your vet will be able to tell you whether your dog has CEA and needs more specialized medical care. DNA testing can confirm a CEA diagnosis.
Collies with a mild form of the condition can live a completely normal life.
Progressive retinal atrophy
Progressive retinal atrophy is another eye condition that affects collies. If your collie has this condition, their retinas will grow weaker with time. The retina is the layer of tissue behind the eye that helps your dog see. This condition can lead to blindness.
Progressive retinal atrophy is not as common as CEA, but it can be harder to detect because it shows up in the latter part of your dog's life. Your vet can find out if your dog has this condition by conducting a DNA test.
According to Klein, the test will tell you if your dog’s status is:
- Normal, meaning it doesn’t have this condition
- A carrier, meaning it could pass the condition on to its offspring
- Affected, meaning the condition will cause the dog to go blind at a young age
Multidrug sensitivity
If your collie has this condition, they can have a potentially deadly reaction to certain drugs. According to Kay, 50%-75% of collies have this genetic condition.
Doing a DNA test will help your vet see if your dog has the gene that causes this sensitivity. In the future, they may suggest different medications.
“When selecting a Collie puppy, it is recommended to see the paperwork on the dam (the female parent) and sire (the male parent) documenting results of their genetic testing for these abnormalities,” says Kay.
Dermatomyotosis
This autoimmune disease causes inflammation that affects the muscles or skin or, in extreme cases, both, says Klein. It often starts with hair loss, redness, and scaling of the dog’s skin. In severe cases, scars, ulcers, and erosion may form on the skin.
Other signs of severe disease include muscle wasting, trouble eating and swallowing, and an abnormal gait.
If your dog has a mild form of the condition, it may not cause muscle loss.
Other general conditions
Your collie can sometimes develop a condition commonly known as gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV). As a result of this condition, the stomach can get twisted, which can lead to death.
Try to prevent GDV by feeding your dog smaller meals and avoiding exercising your dog soon after eating. Get to a vet immediately if you suspect GDV.
Your collie may also develop:
- Seizures (epilepsy)
- Allergies
- Thyroid conditions
Rough collies can also develop specific medical conditions:
Canine cyclic neutropenia or gray collie syndrome. This is a blood disorder that can lead to death in puppies. When puppies have this condition, their skin color can turn gray, pinkish-gray, or beige. Even if the puppies survive, they rarely live for more than three years because their ability to fight illness and disease will be weak.
Hip dysplasia. It's rare in collies. When your dog has hip dysplasia, the ball and socket parts of the hip joint don't fit well together. Sometimes, they don't grow properly. The joint can become weaker and stop working over time.
How long do collies live?
“Collies are generally a healthy breed and typically hardy, with a life span between 10 and 14 years, or an average of about 12 years,” says Klein.
Special Considerations for Collies
Some breeders are working to better manage genetic conditions in collies by carefully selecting dogs for breeding.
If you're getting your collie from a breeder, remember to openly talk about what types of health conditions you can expect in your collie.
It is recommended to have your collie's eyes screened before they turn 6-8 weeks of age. In some places that provide accreditations, breeders are required to conduct these eye tests. Accreditation is a system that helps pet owners know whether the breeders meet quality standards.
Takeaways
Collies are loved worldwide for their beautiful coats and charming personalities. If you're thinking about becoming a collie parent, there are a few things to keep in mind, including their activity level and medical conditions that are specific to the collie breed.
Collies FAQs
Is a collie a good breed of dog to own?
Collies are a good breed to own because they like people. “Collies are generally calm and sensitive and relatively easy to housetrain,” says Klein.
They do, however, require daily exercise. Border collies have even higher demands for physical activity. Make sure their needs match your lifestyle and level of exercise.
Is a collie a good family dog?
Yes. According to Nancy Kay, DVM, a specialist in veterinarian small animal medicine, “They make loyal, affectionate family pets.”
Are collies high-maintenance?
They do require frequent brushing and combing. Rough collies, for example, should be brushed and combed once or twice a week. Smooth collies, on the other hand, may only need grooming once a week. Bearded collies should be brushed daily. Expect to brush your collie — whatever the type — every day during the shedding season, which occurs in the spring and fall.
Are collies calm dogs?
How calm a collie can be depends on the type. Rough and smooth collies are typically calm dogs, while border collies are quite high-strung, says Kay. Bearded collies, she says, fall somewhere in between.
Do collies get aggressive?
“Aggressiveness would be uncharacteristic,” says Kay. “Most collies are quiet and calm by nature.”
Do collies bark a lot?
Collies don’t typically bark a lot, according to Kay. They sometimes do. If they’re bored, for example, they tend to bark more.
