Smooth Collie

In my own words

‘Are the children back from school? I like it when we’re a family.’

I’m a Smooth collie that will do okay living in your apartment as long as I am sufficiently exercised outdoors. Indoors, I am relatively inactive. I like nothing more than to snuggle up with my family inside our home. They have supplied me with an average sized yard that I can have the odd roam in if I feel like it. My owners also have children, which makes me happy. I love children. Thankfully, we all love in the cold climate, as I’m sensitive to the heat. When I am in the heat for too long I get agitated and need shade and lots and lots of fresh water. One more point: I’m a herding dog. So if you don’t want me to herd you better teach me early or I may just herd you!

Information essential about the Smooth Collie

Kennel Club Group: Pastoral & Herding

Category:

Smooth Collies belong to the pastoral group, originally used for sheepherding the majority are now family companions, they are also seen in the show-ring and increasing numbers are taking part in obedience and agility trials.

Size: Medium

Height: Dogs 24-26 inches (61-66cm.) Bitches 22-24 inches (56-61cm.)Weight: Dogs 60-75 pounds (27-34kg.) Bitches 50-65 pounds (23-29kg.)

Popularity:

Though not as glamorous as his rough collie cousin but the Smooth Collie does possess the typical collie intelligence that fuels its popularity. The Smooth Collie is very rare outside Britain.

Breed History:

The exact origin of the collie is unknown, but it was descended from generations of hard working herding dogs. For centuries the Rough Coated Collie was hardly known outside Scotland. Early Rough Collies were smaller, with broader heads and shorter muzzles. The dogs were used as water rescuers, herders, guiding cows and sheep to markets and for guarding the flock in Scotland and England. The breed's name probably comes from the Scottish black-faced sheep called the Colley. In the 1860’s Queen Victoria kept Collies at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, making the dogs very popular. J.P. Morgan along with other wealthy people owned Collies. In the late 1800's the Collie was mixed with the Borzoi. The working dogs separated, branched out and became the different breeds (with the Scotch Collie remaining) and the show type became what we see now, the large dogs with flatter faces. The Rough Collie is much more popular than the Smooth Collie. The Smooth Collie is more popular in Great Britain than it is in the United States, but is gaining some popularity in the States. The Smooth Collie is the same as the Rough Collie, but without the long coat. The AKC considers the Rough and Smooth Collies as varieties of the same breed and are judged by the same standard with the exception of the coat.  The first Collie was presented at a dog show in 1860. The Collie was recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1885. The Collie is well known for its role in the movie "Lassie", featuring a Rough Coated Collie as the main character. The Collies talents include herding, search and rescue, guide for the blind, agility, competitive obedience, acting in the movies, and as a guard and watchdog.

Character:

Smooth Collies are friendly, never nervous or aggressive. They develop close bonds with their families and make excellent companions. They are versatile, clever and will enjoy activities such as agility and fly ball. The smooth collie should always be treated with a positive manner avoiding physical abuse or harsh verbal treatment; this applies equally to any training.

Smooth Collies are friendly, active and intelligent dogs with no traces of nervousness or aggression. They make good housedogs that bond very closely with their families and will get on well with other dogs and household pets. Collies are good companions for children, always willing to play. They are quick to bark if a stranger is about but also quickly make friends with invited guests

Temperament:

They are natural herders and puppies may try and herd humans and need to be taught not to do this. They are faithful, playful, docile and protective of family members and good with children. Collies have an uncanny sense of direction. They are good-natured, friendly dogs. They are energetic outdoors. Socialize them well to prevent them from becoming wary of strangers. They are not aggressive, but they do tend to be suspicious of people they sense unstable vibes from. Daily pack walks are important. Without a firm, but calm, confident and consistent owner who set rules and stick to them, they can become wilful, stubborn and indolent. This breed should be trained gently but with an air of authority or he will refuse to cooperate. A clean breed, the Collie is relatively easy to housebreak. Some owners report that Rough Collies do not like the water due to how heavy their coat gets when wet. Though some Smooth Collies have become successful at water

Conformation:

They appear alert and active, stand with dignity and are always in proportion - with the appearance of working capability. The body should be slightly long with well sprung ribs, a deep chest and fairly broad behind the shoulders, the shoulders should be sloping and well angulated the forelegs straight and muscular. The hindquarters should be muscular at the thighs. The eyes have a sweet expression. The Collie is a large, lean, strong dog. The top of the skull is flat and the eyebrows are arched. The head is wedge-shaped and the muzzle is rounded tapering to the black nose, with a slight stop. The face is chiselled. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The medium sized eyes are almond shaped. Eye colour is dark brown accept for blue merles, where the eyes may be blue or have one of each colour. The small ears are 3/4 erect with the tips folding forward. They should not be to close together or too much on the side of the head but again in proportion The neck is fairly long. The body is slightly longer than it is tall. The legs are straight. The tail is moderately long with an upward twist or swirl at the end and is carried low.  The smooth coat variety has a short one-inch coat all over the body.

Colour:

Coat colours on both the rough and smooth variety include sable and white, tri colour of black, white and tan, blue merle or predominantly white with sable, tri-colour or blue merle markings.

Training:

Care:

The breeder will give you a diet sheet for your puppy, which should be followed. As adults, Collies are an easy breed to feed as they are not fussy eaters. Smooth Collies will easily adapt to family circumstances and enjoy as much exercise as you can give them. However, free running should be given, allowing them time to play. Obedience and agility are also ideal forms of exercise for these dogs.

 

The Smooth variety has a one-inch coat and should be brushed every one to two weeks. If the long coated variety has a BIG matt, and the dog is not being used for show, the matt may need to be cut out, as opposed to combed out, as to avoid pain to the dog. Bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. The rough Collie sheds heavily twice a year, and the Smooth Collie is an average shedder.

Health:

They are generally healthy however good nutrition is important. Some collies are affected by CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) but breeders are working to eradicate this and screen puppies and breeding stock. As with all breeds, ensure a good routine for dental hygiene is in place. Collies may need sun block on their nose as they are often sensitive to the sun. Some herding dogs carry a MDR1 gene, which makes them sensitive to certain drugs, that are otherwise okay to give another dog, but if tested positive for this gene can kill them

Smooth Collies will live from 12 to 14 years. Their litter sizes can vary from 2 to 8 puppies, but 5 is the average size.

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