| Rough and Smooth Collies: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Collie personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Collie, including these excerpts:
"Proud and animated, sensitive and gentle, the Collie needs moderate exercise and a great deal more personal attention.
In general, the Smooth Collie tends to be more active and athletic than his Rough brother and retains more working instincts.
Collies are sociable and can become unhappy, noisy, and destructive if left for long periods of time without the companionship of people or other pets.
Most are polite with strangers -- they say hello, then go lie down. They make sensible watchdogs, but as with most sweet-natured breeds, there is potential for timidity. Young Collies need to be thoroughly socialized in order to build a confident temperament.
Thriving on praise and extremely sensitive to correction, a Collie should be trained with positive methods: praise and food rewards. Roughness only make him confused and skittish.
Collies are more reactive to loud noises than some other breeds and do not do well in an environment with frequent tension or loud voices.
Some are barky, and some may try to herd people and other animals by circling, poking, and nipping."
History
The Collie originated in Scotland and was used for herding and for driving livestock to market. Today, with his long, refined head, he looks very different from his working ancestor.
Size
22-26 inches and 50-75 lbs |
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Rough and Smooth Collies
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large, but elegant and graceful rather than powerful
- Comes in two coat lengths and many striking colors
- Is sensitive and sweet-natured
- Makes a good watchdog, but is not aggressive
- Is polite with strangers and other pets
- Needs only moderate exercise
A Rough or Smooth Collie may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Shyness or fearfulness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
- Emotional sensitivity to stress, loud voices, and sudden sounds
- Stubbornness
- Chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars
- Barking
- Lots of brushing and combing (Rough coat)
- Heavy shedding (both coats)
- Serious health problems
A Smooth or Rough Collie may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Collie... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Though they don't need miles of running exercise, Collies MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in herding, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed.
Collies were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors (chasing, nipping, poking, barking) are inappropriate in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Rough and Smooth Collies need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They become anxious, which they express by chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Timidity. Standoffish by nature, Collies need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, or fearfulness, which are difficult to live with and can lead to defensive biting.
- Emotional sensitivity. Be honest...is there tension in your home? Are people loud or angry or emotional? Are there arguments or fights? Collies are extremely sensitive to stress and may behave neurotically if the people in their home are having family problems. Collies are peaceful dogs who need a harmonious home.
| If you have small children, I do not recommend Collie puppies. The temptation to play too roughly and nip at moving children is simply too strong in many young Collies. And the temptation to play too roughly with sensitive Collie puppies is simply too strong in small children. The Collie may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness may be the result. |
- Stubbornness. Collies are not Golden Retrievers. They are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they can be stubborn and manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. But you also need a light hand on the leash, because if you correct them too harshly, they may "shut down" or become even more resistant.
| To teach your Collie to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Collie Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Barking. Some Collies, especially those who are highstrung or bored, are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. For the same reason, Collies should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised.
- Heavy shedding. Rough and Smooth Collies shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur is deposited all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you are REALLY up for this.
- Lots of brushing. Without frequent brushing, Rough Collies will become a matted mess. Even Smooth Collies need frequent brushing because of all the shedding. Hairs that end up in the brush do not end up on your clothes, furniture, and floor.
- Serious health problems. Eye diseases that can lead to blindness are virtually an epidemic in Collies today.
| To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Collie Health Page. |
| Not all Collies are alike! |
- There are energetic Collies, and placid Collies.
- Hard-headed Collies, and sweet-natured Collies.
- Serious Collies, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Collies, and Collies who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Collie puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Rough or Smooth Collie... |
There are plenty of adult Collies who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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