Collie Dog Breed Information and Pictures - All About Dogs

Collie

Collie

Description

The Collie is easily recognized by his characteristic elongated face and distinctive coat color. This is a hard-working breed that was used primarily for the purpose of herding. The Collie can be trusted with children of any age, provided that he has been properly socialized.

Height: 22-26 inches  Weight: 50-75 pounds  Lifespan: 12-14 years

Characteristics

Collies are naturally very friendly, which makes them wonderful companions. The Collie is a docile dog but can be a little stubborn. He is always sure of himself, very kind and infinitely affectionate. Comparable Breed: Border Collie.

Character

This breed has very nice character and pleasant manners. Collies are very calm, hardly ever aggressive, and they are great with children, dogs and other pets. This is why they are very popular as family companions. Because the Collie was initially bred to be a herding dog, he has a strong prey drive and will try to herd people. The dog breed is always ready to please his master, he is very devoted and will do anything to protect him.

Coat / Care

The Collie has a coat that can vary in length and texture. With regard to the coat type, there are two varieties of this breed: The Rough Collie, with long hair; and the Smooth Collie with short hair. Collies come in four colors: sable, white, blue merle and tricolor. Rough Collies require much more care than Smooth Collies since their hair is longer and more abundant. Daily, thoroughly cleaning is recommended to prevent the hair from tangling. Also, if you have a Collie with a long coat, be sure to bathe the dog at least once a month, because he’s long and luxurious hair quickly gets dirty. This breed shed a lot.

Health Problems

The Collie is generally healthy dog breed, but like all breeds, they can be prone to Progressive Retinal atrophy (PRA), Dermatomyositis, Collie Eye Anomaly, Collie Nose, Nodular Granulomatous Episclerokeratitis (NGE), Hip Dysplasia, Drug Sensitivity and Allergies. The Collie has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.

Weight / Height

The male Collie dog breed’s height is around 24 – 26 inches and weighs around 60 and 75 pounds. Female Collie dogs can reach a size from 22 – 24 inches and weighs between 50 and 65 pounds.

Training

This is a very intelligent breed which learns with ease. Since the Collie is a very sensitive dog, he needs a soft and gentle owner. Otherwise, the Collie can be too timid and even lose interest in learning. This breed is very wise, and they have a great desire to win the favor of the owner.

Activity

Since this is a rather large breed, it thrives in a medium-sized yard. Although, if you give the Collie work to do, he can be quite happy with apartment living. It is not recommended to leave your pet alone for long, as he can become destructive. Also, make sure not to walk the dog if it’s too hot outside.

Photo credit: Marco Verch/Flickr

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