What makes the Smooth Collie Unique?
These intelligent dogs started off as sheep herders but are now more commonly found as pets. After all, Smooth Collies make great companion for children and they do well in households that contain other dogs.
Breed Groups
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| Size: | Males – 61 to 66 cm (24 to 26 inches) Females – 56 to 61 cm (22 to 24 inches) |
| Weight: | Males – 23 to 34 kg (50.6 to 74.8 lb) Females – 23 to 34 kg (50.6 to 74.8 lb) |
| Origin: | Scotland |
| Life Span: | 12 – 14 Years |
| Colour: | Sable & White, Sable Merle, Tri-color, Sable, Blue Merle, White |
| Litter Size: | 4 to 8 puppies |
Is the Smooth Collie Right For You?
Smooth Collies are intelligent and learn quickly. They are also reasonably obedient and respond well to gentle instruction. Housebreaking these dogs is a relatively simple task. Yet, owners should take care to avoid harsh methods when training their pets because otherwise these sensitive dogs can easily become depressed.
Collies are incredibly intelligent and can be trained to perform any number of tricks. These friendly, lovable dogs also make wonderful family pets because they get along well with family members, strangers, and other pets. Smooth Collies greatly enjoy human company and will bond with all the members of their human family.
In 5 Words
- Alert
- Responsive
- Active
- Trainable
- Intelligent
Characteristics
Learn About the Smooth Collie
Description
General Description
Smooth Collies have a proportionate body that is somewhat longer than it is tall. They have wide backs, deep chests, long necks, and flat skulls. Members of this breed possess a long, tapered muzzle and a triangular head. These dogs should additionally have teeth that meet in a scissors bite. Their almond shaped eyes are either blue or dark brown in color and often contain an expression that is both friendly and intelligent. These dogs also have black noses. Smooth Collies have erect ears with forward folded tips. This breed also has long tails that are curled at the end. These appendages are carried at a downwards angle. Smooth Collies should move in a speedy, graceful fashion.
Size
Females of this breed stand between 22 and 24 inches (56 and 61 centimeters) in height, with their male contemporaries being somewhat taller at 24 to 26 inches (61 to 66 centimeters) tall. Male Smooth Collies generally weigh between 60 and 75 pounds (27 and 34 kilograms), while females of this breed weigh between 50 and 65 pounds (22 and 29 kilograms).
Coat
Smooth Collies have a thick double coat. Their fur has a coarse outer layer that forms a ruff on the back of their necks and on their legs. They also have a thick, soft undercoat. Smooth Collies have coats that come in blue merle, white, white and sable, or tricolor varieties. The American Kennel Club standards state that none of these colorations is preferred over the others. However, blue merle dogs are more commonly found in Smooth coated dogs than in Rough coated ones.
Short History of Smooth Collie
Native to Scotland and northern England, the Smooth Collie was originally developed as a herding dog. The earliest records of the breed began appearing around the 1800s, but these animals had been in existence for some time at that point. Black and white coats were common at first but new varieties were eventually introduced. Queen Victoria was an early admirer of the breed and she brought them to national attention in the 1860s. The Collie Club of America was in existence by 1886 and these dogs made their first appearance at the Westminster Kennel Club Show the following year. Some of the Collies that were exported to Australia even became the basis for the Australian Cattle Dog breed that later emerged. In 1993, the United Kennel Club stopped allowing Rough and Smooth Collies to be crossbred but both varieties are still considered to be the same type of dog in the United States.
Temperament
Collies are incredibly intelligent and can be trained to perform any number of tricks. These friendly, lovable dogs also make wonderful family pets because they get along well with family members, strangers, and other pets. Smooth Collies greatly enjoy human company and will bond with all the members of their human family. Although they love kids and other animals, some members of this breed may nip at heels in effort to herd their associates. However, this habit can be easily corrected with proper obedience training. Due to their protective instincts and herding history, Smooth Collies breed are well suited for farm life. Members of this breed are indeed happiest in rural settings and these dogs are not recommended for apartment life due to their high energy levels.
Caring for Your Smooth Collie
General Health
Smooth Collies are a generally healthy breed, as these dogs live 14 or more years on average. There are nonetheless some conditions that can occur in Smooth Collies from time to time. Members of this breed are especially prone to eye ailments such as Collie eye anomaly and progressive retinal atrophy. While either disease can lead to blindness, many of the dogs get along quite well in spite of their health problems. However, such animals should not be bred in order to prevent them from passing along their genetic defects to subsequent generations. Occasionally, Collies are allergic to common drugs such as ivermectin, which may be included among the ingredients in various heartworm medications. Owners may want to have a blood test done to check for allergies. Bloat, epilepsy, arthritis, and hip dysplasia are also known to occasionally occur in members of this breed.
Care
Daily
Collies need an hour’s worth of exercise on a daily basis. These excursions can take place all at once or be broken up into two shorter sessions, depending on the owner’s preference. Smooth Collies will benefit from long walks as well as playtime in a safely fenced-in area.
Weekly
Members of this breed will need to be combed at least once a week. However, these dogs go through a period of heavy shedding twice a year and will need more extensive grooming at such times. It is also a good idea to cleanse a pet’s teeth on a regular basis to prevent both bad breath and periodontal disease.
Monthly
Parasite prevention medication is a must for all dogs and these products are normally used once a month.
Grooming & Bathing
Collies only require baths when they get dirty and their owners should not bathe them more often than once per month. It is further recommended that owners keep their dog’s toenails trimmed in order to prevent injuries from occurring.
Exercise & Training
Smooth Collies are intelligent and learn quickly. They are also reasonably obedient and respond well to gentle instruction. Housebreaking these dogs is a relatively simple task. Yet, owners should take care to avoid harsh methods when training their pets because otherwise these sensitive dogs can easily become depressed. When properly trained, Smooth Collies make good watchdogs because they are typically alert and nonaggressive. Members of this breed likewise excel at various dog sports. Some of these dogs have even gone on to become therapy or service animals.. However, if Smooth Collies aren’t properly trained or they are left alone for too long, their loud barking can become problematic. Dogs that aren’t well socialized from a young age may also become wary of strangers.
Smooth Collie Picture Gallery
