Border Collies - Breed Introduction

The Collie is a highly energetic, extremely intelligent and loving dog that not only gets along well with other animals, but adores children as well.

If properly trained and exercised, the Collie makes an ideal family pet. Known for its intense loyalty, perhaps the most famous Collie of all time is Lassie.

Collies are typically a dog of medium size, reaching 22 to 26 inches high (56 to 66 centimeters) and weighing 50 to 75 pounds (23 to 34 kilograms).

History of Breed

A renowned herding dog, the Collie originated in Scotland and the upland areas of Britain. For many years the Collie was rarely seen outside of these areas. In 1860, Queen Victoria visited the Scottish Highlands and fell in love with them. Thereafter, she kept Collies at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, and the breed’s popularity skyrocketed.

There are a couple of theories on how the Collie received its name. One is that it was named after the Scottish black faced sheep called the Colley, which it guarded. The other is that it was derived from the early Scottish word col, meaning black or coal. Yet another theory is that collie was an ancient Celtic word meaning “something useful.”

Collies have been widely used as rescue dogs, and have received the Ken-L-Ration Hero Dog Award on five separate occasions.

Color and Coat

A Collie may have long or short hair, known as either rough or smooth coated. There are a wide variety of colors, but the normal base colors are black, black and tan, red and tan, or sable.

Often there will be white as well, usually in a collar around the shoulders but occasionally on the entire body. Merle coloring may also be present. The most commonly seen color types are tricolor (black, tan, and white), or black and white.

Personality and Temperament

Collies are extremely intelligent and highly protective of their families. They may be wary of strangers but are not aggressive by nature. The Collie adores children and makes an ideal family pet due to his love of people and his agreeable nature. Collies are very easy to housebreak and train, and love to please.

Because it has been a herding dog for over 100 years, the Collie is a very athletic, agile animal with an incredible amount of endurance. One Collie was said to have traveled 2000 miles to find his family.

They can run endlessly from morning until night. For this reason, the Collie requires a great deal of physical and mental exercise. If they are not being utilized to herd cattle or sheep, the Collie excels in flyball and agility competitions.

If the dog is left alone for long periods of time, or if he does not receive enough activity, the dog will become lonely or bored. This can lead to destructive behaviors and a sour personality. These dogs want nothing more than to be loved by their family.

Collies can be kept in apartments if they are exercised vigorously and regularly.

Show Characteristics

The Collie has a long, narrow head that is flat on top and blunted at the end of the muzzle. The overall appearance of the head gives the impression of lightness. Ears are perked or stand ¾ erect with the tips folded forward.

The eyes are dark and have an almond shape. The exception is the blue merle, which may have either blue or merle eyes.

The body is muscular, slightly longer that it is tall. The tail hangs down to the hocks and may be smooth, feathered, or bushy.

As with other working dogs, the Collie has typically been bred for performance, with appearance being secondary in importance. This accounts for the variety in both coat and color.

Typical Health Concerns

As a rule, Collies are hearty animals that are strong and healthy. They can inherit Collie Eye Anomaly at birth, and should have their eyes checked at 5 to 6 weeks of age. Buy only a puppy that comes with a certificate indicating good eye health.

As with most medium and large breeds, Collies that have been bred poorly may be susceptible to hip dysplasia.

The Collie’s nose may be sensitive to sunlight.

Some Collies have shown a sensitivity to certain medications, especially Ivermectin, which is most commonly used to treat or prevent heartworm. Do not use any medications that contain Ivermectin.

Grooming

The Collie is an average shedder. The extend of the shedding and the care required to maintain the coat depends upon many factors, such as whether the dog has a rough coat or a smooth coat, and where the dog is in its shedding cycle.

Spayed females and males will shed one time each year. Unaltered females will shed in conjunction with their heat cycle.

A Collie’s coat is designed to repel dirt naturally. Normally, a weekly brushing with a stiff bristled brush is sufficient to maintain the coat. Long coated Collies may be more prone to matting. If there is a large mat, it may need to be cut out if the dog is not showing.

Country of Origin

The Collie was originally a herding dog in Scotland and Northern England.

Average Life Span

The life expectancy of the Collie is 14 to 16 years.