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Collies
were initially bred to herd sheep. The
AKC classifies the Collie among the
Herding Group. This breed is graceful
and has plenty of endurance. They weigh
between 55 to 80 pounds and stand from
22 to 26 inches tall. Whether brown or
blue in color, their almond shaped eyes
appear to gleam with intelligence. The
prick ears of the Collie give it the
appearance of always being alert. They
can be smooth or rough coated. the rough
coat of a Collie is fuller and longer
than a smooth coated Collie. The Collie
comes in white, sable, tricolor or blue
merle colors.
They are very active and have a
protective instinct which makes this
breed an excellent family dog. The
Collie takes its duties as a watchdog
very seriously. He barks at all
intruders, whether people, animals or
pieces of trash that is blowing around
in the yard. Not all Collies are
diligent protectors. Some of these dogs
can be nervous and very high strung.
Most of them are wonderful with
children, however. A Collie loves to
spend time outside and therefore would
not be a good choice for apartment
living.
The Collie can be headstrong and can get
into a lot of mischief while a puppy. It
is recommended that you attend obedience
training with your Collie. It is easier
to train a puppy that hasn’t developed
bad habits than an older dog. It is
important to be firm with your Collie if
you don’t want him on your furniture. If
allowed on your furniture he will feel
he has the right to be there.
The Collie has minimal health problems.
PRA and eye diseases are the most common
problems for these dogs. Your Collie is
much more likely to be taken to the
veterinarian because he has injured
himself while jumping around and
exploring his surroundings than for a
health problem.
Collies have a tendency to overeat and
can pack away a lot of food. It is
recommended that they be given three
small meals each day. If he develops a
bulging middle, speak with your
veterinarian about possible dog foods
that promote weight loss.
Collies do not require extensive
grooming, but you want to brush through
their coats several times a week to
avoid matting. Pay attention to the hair
around his face, around his legs and
behind the ears.
If you’re looking for an intelligent
family dog, one that will protect your
family and play with your kids, then the
Collie is the perfect pet for you.
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