Collie

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 14-16 years
Thanks to television programs like Lassie, Collie pups were once the highlight of the purebred world. These purebreds are healthy, but they can develop a few serious and minor health conditions that affect their overall quality of life. Some of their health conditions are breed-specific, while others are health issues that any pup of any breed could develop. Heartworms, heart disease, and bone cancer are a few health issues that any dog could encounter, regardless of breed.

Two breed-specific health complications that your Collie could encounter include:

Grey Collie Syndrome

This condition is a birth defect that affects the runt of the litter (commonly). The pup is grey-colored and less active than the other pups because their immunities are lackluster. This results in lethargy, quick sickness, poor appetite, and excessive urination. This condition is incurable, and most puppies won’t make it past their first few weeks of life. However, there have been some cases of affected Collies living for 2-3 years with this condition.

Collie Eye Anomaly

This condition is a genetic defect that causes degeneration in the retina, sclera, and choroid of both eyes. Incurable, this condition can go either way in severity with mild vision loss, or total blindness.

Other general health issues that your Collie might develop in their lifetime includes epilepsy, bloat, progressive retinal atrophy, and skin allergies. On average, the Collie lives a lengthy, healthy life between 14 to 16 years. This is 2-3 years longer than the average pup of most breeds

Temperament & Train-ability

Known for their herding instincts and resemblance to the famed pup Lassie, the Collie is a naturally affectionate, kind pup with a fierce independence that can be both an upside and a downside. These purebreds are headstrong and voracious, with vivid personalities and innate obedience to their loved ones.

Training can be difficult when these pups are young and stubborn. They allow their strong-willed nature to get in the way of their obedience, which means training as a pup can take longer than usual. Collies need to be shown consistency, patience, and determination so that they can mirror those traits back to their master.

Use rewards, love, and praise to reward your Collie for compliance. But never, ever hit or yell at your Collie. He might be moving slower with his training than you would like, especially as a stubborn puppy. But remember, patience and love are the surefire methods to instilling good behavior in your purebred.

For Collies, socialization and exercise can go hand-in-hand. These purebreds are excellent with most children. But they may try to herd them across the yard because of their feelings of affection and protection towards their loved ones. Train your pup to play and romp with your kids, minus nipping at their heels to get them moving in the right direction.

Fenced-in backyards and dog parks are great places for a Collie. When these pups let loose, they run free to release all of their pent-up energy. On rainy days, you need to invest in several toys, especially chew toys or puzzle toys for dogs, to occupy the mind and energy of your Collie. Bored pups often morph into destructive pups. Also, make it a priority to walk with your Collie a few times a day. It gives him a little extra exercise, but it mainly strengthens the bond you two share.

Grooming

There are two kinds of Collies. Ones with rough, shaggy coats and ones with smooth, soft coats. The former require brushing 2-3 times per week because they are moderate shedders. Whereas, smooth-coated Collies need brushing 1-2 times a week because they are more geared towards low sheds. Either way, brushing loosens and removes the excess hair from their coats, ensuring a knot-free, healthy, gorgeous coat.

Other basic care tips to note for your Collie include clipping his toenails every 2-3 weeks, brushing his teeth daily, and bathing him once every 6-8 weeks, or take him to a professional groomer to get this done.

Always check your Collie for ear infections, at least once a week. Use a cotton ball and warm water to wipe around the outer edges of the ear gently. Avoid the ear canal, but check for signs of pus, bad smells, and redness.

Diet

Collies are high-energy dogs, so they require a healthy, nutrient-rich diet of dry, high-quality kibble. And the occasional indulgence, such as meaty, bite-sized rewards for obedience. As for regular dog food, feed your Collie on a schedule—once in the a.m. and once in the p.m. Divide 2-3 cups of kibble into those two meals to fill his belly and keep him satisfied throughout the day.
 

Find A Collie Breeder

Collie Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Collie

Cost

Collies are in moderate demand, but their boom in popularity over the decades left several of these purebreds abandoned. If you have your heart set on a new companion, check your local animal shelter first. Adoption fees range from $75 to $250. But there are extra services that most shelters offer for additional fees, such as vaccination updates, initial health checks, and spay or neuter operations. Add-on fees could drive the overall adoption price to between $400 to $550.

Finding a reliable, trustworthy breeder should be one of the most significant priorities before you invest in a Collie. Reputable breeders will honestly, wholeheartedly disclose testimonials, bloodline documentations, AKC guarantees and registrations, and health histories. On average, the costs of a Collie from a breeder will vary from $800 to $1,200. Collies with show qualities might price a bit higher, around $1,600.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. Collies score a 2 on the integration scale. These pups are overall awesome family companions, but they need lots of socialization and training from an early age. These purebreds are hard-headed and stubborn, especially in the puppy phase, so be patient, consistent, and determined in your bid for a well-behaved Collie. Eventually, your training and socialization will pay off in a well-trained, friendly family pet.

 

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