Collie

Is a Collie right for you?

The Collie is the Scottish herding dog known for its flowing mane, elegant face and gentle nature. Thanks to "Lassie" it is instantly recognisable, and it really is devoted to its family and kind to children. But it is a herding dog: clever, in need of a job, vocal and a heavy shedder. It also carries a drug sensitivity every owner must know about.

Before you adopt

The breed has two coat varieties: the familiar Rough Collie and the less common Smooth Collie. Temperament is the same; grooming differs.

If buying from a breeder, ask for:

• MDR1 genetic test: Results for the parents and ideally the puppy (normal/normal, carrier, or mutant/mutant).
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) screening: Puppies can be examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist at 6-8 weeks; a genetic test also exists.
• PRA genetic testing and parental eye exams.

Treat any Collie with unknown MDR1 status (including rescues) as if it carries the mutation, and tell your vet at the first visit.

Temperament

The Collie is affectionate, intelligent and deeply attached to its family. It is sensitive, reads your tone and responds poorly to harsh handling.

Its herding instinct is strong. It may circle running children, try to gather them and occasionally nudge at heels; redirect this early.

It is usually reserved with strangers but not aggressive, and it barks to announce anything unusual.

It dislikes long periods alone and inactivity; a bored Collie barks excessively and becomes destructive.

Health issues and lifespan

Sources generally give a lifespan of 10-14 years.

• MDR1 (multidrug sensitivity): An inherited mutation that disables the P-glycoprotein pump protecting the brain from certain drugs. PetMD reports about 70% of tested Collies are affected. In these dogs, high doses of ivermectin (such as mange treatment doses), loperamide (an anti-diarrhoeal), some sedatives (acepromazine, butorphanol) and some chemotherapy drugs can cause severe neurological toxicity: tremors, wobbliness, blindness, coma. Approved low heartworm-prevention doses are considered safe. Never give human anti-diarrhoea medicine, and never use livestock ivermectin products. Wobbliness, dilated pupils, drooling or dullness after a medication is an emergency.
• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA): An inherited developmental disorder of the back of the eye. Many dogs keep normal vision; severe cases can have retinal detachment and blindness. See a veterinary ophthalmologist for bumping into things, abnormal pupils or sudden vision loss.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): Night vision fails first, then all vision.
• Dermatomyositis: Skin and muscle inflammation usually starting before 6 months; crusts and hair loss on the face, ear tips and tail. See your vet if a puppy develops such sores.
• Heatstroke: The thick coat heats up fast. Rapid panting, dark red tongue or staggering: move to shade, wet with cool (not ice-cold) water and go to the vet immediately.

Feeding

An adult Collie (23-34 kg) typically eats roughly 300-430 g of good-quality dry food a day depending on activity and the food's energy content.

• Puppy (2-15 months): Medium-to-large breed puppy food, 3-4 meals; avoid rapid weight gain.
• Adult: Two meals a day. As a general precaution for deep-chested dogs, avoid hard exercise right before and after meals.
• Senior (8+ years): Fewer calories, regular weight checks.

The thick coat hides weight gain; check the ribs with your hands.

Grooming and coat

The Rough Collie has a long, harsh outer coat over a dense, soft undercoat; the Smooth Collie has a short but still double coat.

• Rough Collies need brushing down to the skin at least 2-3 times a week. Behind the ears, elbows and hind-leg feathering mat easily.
• The undercoat blows twice a year; brush daily with an undercoat rake then.
• Do not shave. A double coat traps air between the undercoat and guard hairs, insulating against both cold and heat, while the guard hairs shield the skin from the sun. Shaving breaks this system, exposes the skin to sunburn and can cause patchy, sometimes permanently altered regrowth. For summer comfort, brush out the undercoat instead.
• Bathe every 1-2 months and dry thoroughly to the skin to avoid skin problems.
• Trim nails monthly and the hair between the pads.

Training and exercise

Daily need: at least an hour outdoors plus mental work. Walking alone won't tire this clever dog; it needs games that make it think.

Priorities:

1. Socialisation (8-16 weeks): To prevent shyness in a sensitive, reserved breed.
2. Redirecting herding: Teach play with balls and toys instead of chasing children.
3. Bark control: Teach an "enough" or "quiet" cue early.
4. Reward-based training: Collies work for praise and rewards, not pressure.
5. Dog sports: Agility, obedience, rally and herding use its brain.

In hot weather, a heavily coated dog is prone to heatstroke; exercise in cool hours with shade and water.

History

The Collie descends from sheep-herding dogs of the Scottish and northern English uplands; the origin of the name is debated. In the 19th century Queen Victoria's interest in these dogs at her Scottish estate helped popularise them, and the Collie moved from shepherd's dog to show and family dog.

In the 20th century "Lassie" novels, films and TV series made the breed famous worldwide. Related breeds such as the Border Collie and Shetland Sheepdog are recognised separately, and some inherited problems like MDR1 and CEA also occur in them.