Collie (Smooth)

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Moderate
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Ms JEAN DALLY (Jedford)

jed_2807@yahoo.com
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History

The Collie was originally bred to work sheep on the rugged fells of Scotland, but has since undergone many subtle changes. In the past, the Smooth Collie was adept at driving cattle in the North of England, while the thick coat of the Rough Collie offered the necessary protection for working sheep on the wild Scottish hill farms and mountains.

Today’s Collie has evolved from the old fashioned working dog into a truly magnificent specimen: a dog of great beauty, standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of proportion to the whole.

In 1881 the first breed standard was drawn up and in 1895 the Rough and Smooth Collies entered the Kennel Club’s register as fixed, registered breeds.

Over the ensuing years, breeders fixed certain characteristics, such as the coat and size; perhaps the most obvious and important changes were those made to the head shape. The Collie’s head became more elongated, lending the breed the aristocratic appearance which, along with her fascination with all things Scottish, prompted Queen Victoria’s admiration. Upon the purchase of Balmoral Castle, Queen Victoria added Collies and several other Scottish breeds to the royal kennels. Collies continued to be favoured by royalty for some time both in the UK and Russia.

Early 20th century kennels were generally owned by the very wealthy, those who were able to keep large numbers of dogs, as well as buy and sell them at very high prices. Many of these owners were also businessmen, and before long the export potential of the show Collie was recognised.

Many Collies were exported to the United States, where the breed’s best attributes were reflected in Lassie. The loyalty and adventurousness of Lassie has endeared Collies to the world; they are internationally recognised as a true family dog and ideal companion.

Appearance

The opening line of the breed standard for the Collie (Rough) sums up the breed: “The Collie should instantly appeal as a dog of great beauty, standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of proportion to the whole.”

Marked characteristics include its beautiful coat, which should fit the outline of the dog and the clean wedge-shaped head.

The breed standard for the Collie (Smooth) states: “The Collie should instantly appeal as gifted with intelligence, alertness and activity. He should stand with dignity, and his movements governed by perfect anatomical formation, with no part out of proportion, should be smooth and graceful. He should give the appearance of a dog capable of working.”

These words should portray to both breeder and judge a mental picture of the Collie. The three recognised colours are sable and white, tricolour and blue merle. All the above may carry the typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree; however the following markings are favourable: white collar, full or part white shirt, legs and feet; white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on the muzzle, or skull, or both.

Health

The Collie is generally a very healthy breed. Responsible breeders are striving to eradicate Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), which affects the breed and now that several genetically clear-eyed dogs have been identified, slow progress is being made. It should be said the majority of affected dogs live healthy lives with little or no impairment.

Hip Dysplasia is a problem to a lesser degree. Puppy buyers are advised to discuss health issues with breeders and seek out those who test their breeding stock and screen litters for CEA.

Always purchase a Collie through a registered breeder - someone who hip scores breeding dogs and eye checks puppies by a vet ophamologist.

Temperament

The Collie makes an ideal family pet and likes to be regarded as a member of the family. It is affectionate, responding to love rather than harsh discipline. It is not a dog to be left in the yard with very little human contact. The breed performs well in obedience training as it is intelligent and relishes the chance to work with its master. However, it is a sensitive dog and must be treated accordingly when training.

Maintenance

Both Rough and Smooth Collies are double-coated. The Smooth Collie is increasing in popularity and may be better suited to those who want the Collie temperament without the grooming that is required of the Rough. But, despite what many people think, the coat of the Rough is surprisingly easy to maintain; a good brush once or twice a week will keep the pet Collie looking neat and tidy.

A rub-down with a wet flannel will help keep the breed fresh and remove surface grime, and a sprinkling of talcum powder, brushed into the coat, will act as a dry cleaning agent in between baths. However, if the Collie is to be shown, a little more coat maintenance will be required.

Despite being a medium to large breed, the Collie does not require a lot of exercise, a backyard with room for it to play in and a regular walk is all that is needed.

Suitability

Collies thrive on human company, so are well suited to families. They are easily trained in obedience and agility without harsh discipline, to which they do not respond well. They require regular exercise, enjoying a balance between romping around outdoors and lounging around on the sofa at home.

Article supplied by Pauline Worthington
Image: dogbreedatlas.com

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Collie (Smooth) you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Collie (Smooth) and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 05 Aug 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The Collie should instantly appeal as gifted with intelligence, alertness and activity. He should stand with dignity, and his movements, governed by perfect anatomical formation, with no part out of proportion, should be smooth and graceful. He should give the appearance of a dog capable of working.

Characteristics

To enable the Collie to fulfil a natural bent for Sheepdog work, its physical structure should be on the lines of strength and activity, free from cloddiness and without any trace of coarseness. Expression, one of the most important points in considering relative values, is obtained by the perfect balance and combination of skull and foreface, size, shape, colour and placement of eye, correct position and carriage of ears.

Temperament

Should be gay and friendly, never nervous nor aggressive.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	The head properties are of great importance and must be considered in proportion to the size of the dog. When viewed from the front or the side the head should bear a general resemblance to a well-blunted, clean wedge, being smooth in outline. The skull should be flat. The sides should taper gradually and smoothly from the ears to the end of the black nose, without prominent cheek bones or pinched muzzle. Viewed in profile, the top of the skull and the top of the muzzle should lie in two parallel straight planes of equal length, divided by a slight but perceptible "stop" or break. A mid-point between the inside corners of the eyes (which is the centre of a correctly placed "stop") should be the centre of balance in length of head. The end of the smooth, well rounded muzzle should be blunt, but not square. The underjaw should be strong, clean cut and the depth of the skull from the brow to the underpart of the jaw, should never be excessive (deep through). Whatever the colour of the dog, the nose must be black.
Eyes	Are a very important feature and should give a sweet expression to the dog. They should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of dark brown colour, except in the case of blue merles when one or both eyes may be wall or jewelled. Expression full of intelligence, with a quick, alert look when listening.
Ears	These should be relatively large, wider at the base, and placed not too close together nor too much on the side of the head. When in repose they should be carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, that is, with approximately two-thirds of the ear standing erect, the top third tipping forward naturally, below the horizontal.
Mouth	The teeth should be of good size, with the lower incisors fitting closely behind the upper incisors; a very slight space not to be regarded as a serious fault.
Neck	Should be muscular, powerful, of fair length and well arched.
Forequarters	The shoulders should be sloped and well-angulated. The forelegs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a moderate amount of bone. The forearm somewhat fleshy with pasterns showing flexibility without weakness.
Body	Should be a trifle long compared to the height, back level and firm with a slight rise over the loins; ribs well sprung; chest deep and fairly broad behind the shoulders.
Hindquarters	The hind legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below, with well bent stifles. Hocks well let-down and powerful.
Feet	Should be oval with soles well padded. Toes arched and close together. The hind feet slightly less arched.
Tail	Should be long with the bone reaching at least to the hock joint. To be carried low when the dog is quiet, but with a slight upward swirl at the tip. It may be carried gaily when the dog is excited, but not over the back.
Gait/Movement	Movement is a distinct characteristic of the breed. A sound dog is never out at elbow, yet it moves with its front feet comparatively close together. Plaiting, crossing or rolling are highly undesirable. The hind legs, from the hock joint to the ground, when viewed from the rear, should be parallel, powerful and full of drive. Viewed from the side the action should be smooth. A reasonably long stride is desirable and this should be light and appear quite effortless.
Coat	A very important feature of the Smooth Collie is his short, flat top coat of harsh texture, with a very dense undercoat.
Colour	The three recognised colours are Sable and White, Tricolour and Blue Merle.Sable: Any shade from light gold to rich mahogany or shaded sable. Light straw or cream colour is highly undesirable.Tricolour: Predominantly black with rich tan markings about the legs and head. A rusty tinge in the top coat is highly undesirable.Blue Merle: Predominantly clear, silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black. Rich tan markings to be preferred, but their absence should not be counted as a fault. Large black markings, slate colour, or a rusty tinge either on the top or undercoat are highly undesirable.White Markings: All the above may carry the typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. The following markings are favourable: White collar, full or part; white shirt, legs and feet; white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on muzzle or skull or both. All white or predominantly white is most undesirable.
Size	HeightDogs: 56-61 cms (22-24 ins) at shoulder.Bitches: 51-56 cms (20-22 ins).WeightDogs: 20.5-29.5 kgs (45-65 lbs),Bitches 18-25 kgs (40-55 lbs).

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.