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Collie breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the majestic Collie, thanks to a hundred years as a pop-culture star, one of the world's most recognizable and beloved breeds.
The full-coated rough Collie is the more familiar variety, but a sleek smooth Collie exists too.
Temperament
Collies are famously fond of children and make excellent family dogs. They are devoted, proud and graceful. They love training and learning, which builds a good relationship with the family.
A wedge-shaped head with mobile ears and almond eyes conveys a wide variety of expressions.
Lifespan
Collies live 12 to 14 years. The Collie Health Foundation has invested research dollars in the breed's health and the minimum requirement is an eye check by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist for Collie eye anomaly, an inherited eye disease.
Some Collies are sensitive to certain drugs because of the MDR1 mutation.
Care
Smooth Collies will not mat but have a double coat whose undercoat needs brushing out during shedding periods. Rough Collies need attention to avoid matting, especially behind the ears and at the elbows and to remove loose undercoat and a weekly brushing down to the skin helps.
Collies are quite active and need regular aerobic exercise and the chance to run and play. Teaching fetch, a fenced yard and daily walks all help.
History
Queen Victoria's deep love for Scotland left a lasting mark on the Collie. During extended stays at Balmoral Castle in the Highlands she popularized the local herding breed among courtiers and subjects in the second half of the 19th century and her enthusiasm began its ascent from humble shepherd dog to worldwide canine superstar.
The Collie's ancestors are supposed to have reached Scotland nearly 2,000 years before Victoria did, brought by the Romans during their conquest.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 3 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 4 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 5 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 5 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 3 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |