Just like the faithful and courageous canine character Lassie, the noble Collie is intelligent, alert, and completely devoted to its family. Gentle and sweet, this majestic breed is a friend to all and is known for being an exceptional family dog.
The Collie comes in two coat varieties. The rough Collie (with a coat like Lassie) is more common and the most recognizable. The rough Collie’s double coat is its crowning glory. The outer coat consists of straight, harsh hair that forms an impressive mane and frills. The undercoat is soft and furry. The rough Collie’s face and the lower parts of the legs are smooth.
The Smooth Collie has a short double coat that is about the same length all over the body. Smooth Collies are exactly the same as rough Collies in every other way except coat length, so they are a great choice for people who love the breed but aren’t up for intensive grooming regimes.
Breed Overview
GROUP: Herding
WEIGHT: 50 to 75 pounds
HEIGHT: 22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder
COAT: Rough: The outercoat is straight, harsh, and abundant; the undercoat is soft and furry; smooth on the face and lower legs. Smooth: A short, hard, dense, flat outer coat, with an abundance of soft and furry undercoats.
COLOR: Sable and white, tri-color, blue merle, or white.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12 to 15 years
Characteristics of the Collie
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Kid-Friendly | High |
| Pet-Friendly | High |
| Exercise Needs | Medium |
| Playfulness | Medium |
| Energy Level | Medium |
| Trainability | High |
| Intelligence | High |
| Tendency to Bark | High |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
History of the Collie
Collies originated in the Highlands of Scotland, where they were largely used to herd sheep and as hardworking farm dogs. The ancestors of the Collie are thought to have come to Scotland by way of the Romans as far back as the 1st century. The Collie as we know it today, however, became standardized in the early 1800s.
This breed’s popularity exploded after Queen Victoria, a steadfast dog lover, became besotted with Collies after a visit to the Scottish Highlands in the 1860s. After seeing the queen’s love for these dogs, members of Queen Victoria’s court, as well as her British subjects, began to favor Collies as fashionable pets.
The Collie is instantly recognizable to almost everyone thanks to the beloved character of Lassie, faithful companion, and hero dog. The Lassie enterprise began in 1940 with the first book, Lassie Come-Home, which was written by English author Eric Knight. The Lassie book series inspired films in the 1940s and a long-running television series (1954 to 1973), as well as comic books, toys, animated series, and more. Although the character of Lassie was female, a male sable and white rough Collie named Pal played the part in the first movie, Lassie Come Home (1943).
Although Lassie was fictional, Collies do, in fact, possess many of the qualities that made her beloved by generations of dog lovers. They are intelligent, fast learners, calm yet alert to any signs of danger, and are wonderful companions for children.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-563936903-c81c297e100643cf85fcd892ea7cfe9f.jpg)
Collies have been beloved childhood companions for generations. Getty Images
Collie Care
The Collie’s coat requires no trimming. Although rough Collies need more brushing than smooth Collies, caring for the coat is not overwhelming. Collies are naturally clean and have very little doggie odor.
A thorough brushing out of the rough Collie coat once a week or even every other week will keep tangles and mats from forming. Brushing the smooth Collie at least weekly is also a good idea to cut down on shedding hair, but the process will be considerably quicker for the smooth.
Both the rough Collie and Smooth Collie shed. More frequent brushing can help remove hair so not as much ends up on your clothes and furniture.
Like most herding breeds, Collies are highly intelligent and exceedingly trainable. However, the right training approach is key. Collies are quite sensitive so harsh training methods will backfire, causing the dog to shut down. The good news is that Collie’s innately wants to please you. Positive techniques, like clicker training and using plenty of tasty treats and praise will give you the best results.
With enough daily exercise, Collies are happy to relax in the house. Provide daily walks, opportunities for off-leash running, and games of fetch in the yard. They will usually also enjoy activities like hiking or dog sports.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-905648314-cee3d720405c4dc2bebed4aca5001dad.jpg)
Collie puppies are quick learners. Getty Images
Common Health Problems
Like most purebred dogs, Collies are prone to developing certain inherited health disorders. Although they are generally considered a healthy and hardy breed, certain genetic health issues have been identified in the Collie. These include:
- Collie eye anomaly (CEA)
- Progressive retinal atrophy(PRAO): a degenerative eye disease
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus(GDV): also known as bloat
- MDR1 gene mutation: Causes sensitivity to certain drugs, including the heartworm medication ivermectin among others. Collies with the MDR1 mutation may have severe reactions, including death if exposed to certain medications.
Tests are available for Collie eye anomaly, progressive retinal atrophy, and the MDR1 gene mutation.
back to menu ↑Diet and Nutrition
Prevent your Collie from becoming overweight by feeding measured meals (twice daily) rather than leaving food out all the time (known as free feeding).
Keeping your Collie at a healthy weight may help prevent the development of joint disorders like hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as other health problems like diabetes.
Because Collies may be prone to bloat, avoid feeding too much in one meal or allowing your Collie to eat too quickly.
Check with your breeder or veterinarian for a recommendation of nutritious food for your Collie, as well as how much to feed.
- Intelligent and easy to train
- Devoted family companion
- Good with kids and pets
- Cannot be left alone for long periods
- Moderate amount of shedding
Where to Adopt or Buy a Collie
If you have your heart set on a Collie puppy, look for an ethical breeder. The Collie Club of America, which is the national parent club for the breed in the United States, is a good place to start.
Responsible Collie breeders mate selectively, so you will likely have to wait a bit for a puppy. If you like the idea of adopting, search out Collie-specific rescue groups or check your local animal shelter.
back to menu ↑More Dog Breeds and Further Research
If you like the Collie, you might also like these breeds:
- Australian Shepherd (Aussie)
- Border Collie
- Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)
Otherwise, check out all of our other dog breed articles to help you find the perfect dog for you and your family.
