The Collie Dog Breed

Growing up as a boy I always wanted to have a Collie dog.  Maybe I first noticed the Collie dog breed on television.  I always thought the Collie breed is a beautiful dog with a regal appearance.

Fortunately, as an adult I have had two Collies, one male and one female.  Our first, the male, has since passed on and our second Collie dog, the female, is alive and well.  The male was a good size dog, weighing almost 100 pounds.  He was kind and gentle and loved my kids.  The female weighs about 70 pounds and is also a great companion and friend.  I don’t think you can find a better dog breed than a Collie.

The Collie dog breed originated from Scotland many years ago.  Two types of collies came from Scotland, the rough-coated Collie, with a heavy coat.  Both of my Collies were rough-coated dogs.  The second type is a smooth-coated Collie.  Collies were known as sheep-herding dogs, a working dog.

I can tell you from experience, the rough-coat collies require some grooming.  Regular combing with a brush, and bathing, will go a long way in keeping them clean.  Because of the heavy coat on the rough-coated Collies, locating ticks and skin issues can be challenging.

Collies can be very timid, not likely to attempt too many risky adventures.  Yet, Collies are very loyal and love being around people.  Generally, Collies interact well with other animals and with most people.

Collies love the outdoors.  My two Collies loved being outside and loved the snow.  As such, Collies are not ideal for a small location.  Collies are good size dogs and need ample space to roam and exercise.  However, after exercise, once inside the house, they are easily relaxed and calm to have around. 

Collies are particular good with young children.  Both of my dogs were excellent around the younger children.  They were very patient and gentle.

Collies are very smart dogs and learn rather quickly.  While they do have a stubborn side, they rapidly process information.  Typically, housetraining a Collie can be done in a short amount of time.  Both of my dogs did this in no time at all.

Embracing change is something that Collies do not like.  Anytime something changes in their routine, they are not happy.  We have not had good success boarding our Collies when we went on vacation.  They did not enjoy the “vacation” they were on.  As a result, we normally have a dog sitter or relative come to the house 3 times a day to spend some time with the dog and feed them.

The Collie normally lives to 10, 12, or 14 years old.  They can develop eye issues.  When you purchase a Collie, do your research and make sure you buy from a reputable breeder.  Consulting a Veterinarian before selecting your Collie dog is a good idea.

Finally, if you are considering getting a Collie, remember the following items.  They need plenty of outside time, we use an electric dog fence with our dog and it works great.  The more land you have, they more fun they will have.  Also, don’t forget about their long hair, especially with the rough-coat Collie.  They are fun to hug and are very lovable, but they do get a lot of hair on your floors. 

And lastly, get ready for one of the best companions anyone could ever ask for.