Collie
So You Want a Collie?
Many people would love to own Lassie, the wonder Collie.
Unfortunately, if a person really expects one dog to be that
amazing, a Collie puppy could be a disappointment.
This breed was introduced to herd sheep and still holds a very
strong protective instinct making it an excellent choice for
families. Not all Collies are intelligent, diligent protectors
however. Some members of this breed are nervous and high
strung, but most are wonderful with children. The AKC
classifies the Collie in the Herding Group. This breed will
grow to 55 to 80 pounds and stand 22 to 26 inches high.
The Collie is a strong, graceful dog with plenty of endurance.
The dog's eyes can be either brown or blue in color and
sparkle with intelligence. The Collie's prick ears give it an
alert appearance. This breed can have a rough or smooth coat.
The rough is longer and fuller than the smooth. Colors of this
breed are sable, white, tricolor and blue merle.
Collie's enjoy active families and is not a good choice for
apartments. This breed enjoys spending time outside and
thrives best in a home with a large yard.
Collies are generally friendly and outgoing however they are
quite protective and serve well as watchdogs. This breed will
bark at anything it considers an intruder which can range from
something such as a piece of trash blowing around to other
animals or people.
This breed is headstrong and is known to get into mischief
especially while still puppies. Puppy obedience classes should
be considered because the animal has not yet developed bad
habits. Those that prefer to not have animal hair on the
furniture need to be quite firm in training the animal to stay
on the floor. Once this dog is allowed on the furniture it
will feel it has a right to be on the furniture whenever it
chooses.
This breed suffers from few health problems. Eye diseases and
PRA are among the most common diseases these dogs face.
Injuries from exploration are more common than illness with
this breed.
These animals have a tendency to overeat. It is best to feed
them small servings three times daily. If the dog becomes
overweight consult a veterinarian to discuss diet food.
The Collie doesn't generally require extensive grooming. The
dog's coat should be brushed a few times a week to avoid mats.
Close attention should be paid to the hair around the face,
ears and legs.
Anyone searching for a dog that will protect and play with
their children should consider a Collie.
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