Scottish Sheepdog: collie in advanced training courses

Breed traits

Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)

This breed is often compared to the following dog breeds: Sheltie (Shetland Sheepdog), Border Collie, Great Dane, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever.

The photo shows what representatives of the collie breed look like:

Appearance

Photo of what a collie looks like

A long nose

Marble or blue merle color

General characteristics of collie dogs

Longhaired Collies are an ancient herding breed developed in Scotland. Also called the Scottish Shepherd. This is one of the most peaceful and kind dogs, easy to train. She is smart, smart, understands words and strives to help people.

Nowadays, Scottish Shepherds no longer work as shepherds, but are often used as service dogs. They are suitable for guard duty, search for prohibited substances, and rescue work. Their charm, sensitivity and good nature make them ideal guide dogs and companions.

Pros of the breed

Collies are shepherd dogs bred to help shepherds. They have a genetic desire to help people. Therefore, now it is the best companion, easy to train, suitable for both single people and families with children. The popularity of this dog is explained by the following advantages:

• suitable for living in an apartment;
• adapts to any features of the owner’s lifestyle;
• has an attractive appearance;
• balanced, soft, flexible character;
• friendly, non-aggressive, loyal;
• sensitive to changes in a person’s mood, tries to support him and calm him down;
• gets along easily with other pets;
• unpretentious, tolerates cold well;
• loves children, is patient with any of their tricks, an excellent nanny;
• very smart, quick-witted, easily learns different tricks;
• clean, does not smell like dog;
• has good health.

Cons of the breed

But collies have more than just advantages. People who will not be able to pay enough attention to the pet, walk it, and exercise it, should not get it. These dogs are very sensitive, sociable, and often noisy. Without training and physical activity, they can become sad and sick. Scottish Shepherds have a few more disadvantages:

• sheds heavily, not suitable for allergy sufferers;
• this dog is active and needs long walks;
• loves to bark, whine, squeal;
• with insufficient socialization, she can be cowardly - afraid of loud sounds, cars;
• can run away while walking.

Interesting facts about the breed

Collie is one of the TOP smartest dogs; many consider it one of the kindest and most beautiful. But the popularity of long-haired representatives of the breed has declined in recent years. Nowadays these are rare pets; shelties and border collies are more popular. But there are still many lovers of this breed. There are several interesting facts about her:

• The breed gained wide popularity in the world after the film “Lassie” about a dog that overcame many difficulties to find its owner;
• in this film, Lassie is a bitch, but her role was played by males;
• Thanks to their beautiful appearance and intelligence, collies are often featured in films and commercials;
• a thick, dense undercoat allows these dogs to easily endure not only frost, but also heat;
• the wool of Scottish Shepherds has medicinal properties - it helps with rheumatism and joint pain;
• these dogs are sensitive, able to sense a person’s mood, therefore they are often used in canistherapy;
• The lifespan of collies is the same as that of most dogs, but some individuals live longer, and one dog lived 28 years.

The video complements the characteristics of the collie:

Video: Collie dogs

Video: Collie dog pros and cons of the breed

Video: Collie dog - all characteristics of the breed

Scottish Sheepdog (Collie) - reviews

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Aneeshko

https://irecommend.ru/content/kolli-byvayut-raznye

This is my second collie, the first one lived for 15 years, the second one for 6 years. So I am quite savvy in this matter and with a lot of experience I will now pour tar on the honey of other reviews. The collie is a very beautiful dog. Its wonderful coat is especially good. Especially good in tea, on dark things, children's toys, etc. The dog is long-haired, and in addition to this, it also has a thick undercoat, in which the burdock is so comfortable. The collie is a very kind dog. You rewatched Lassie. Collies can bite, not allow strangers into the area, bite a child if they are too much bothered, chase cats quite well, and so on. What I mean is that you still need to educate her, not relying on the fact that “she’s kind.” First of all, she is a dog. Collie is very smart. Yes. And therefore very cunning and sometimes arrogant. My first dog, at the age of three months, pinched her paw and limped for a week in pain, and for 15 years when she was punished. Collie is a well-mannered dog. I especially remember how good my upbringing was when Lorochka was up to her ears in a garbage can in the yard. She ate herring very aesthetically and waved her tail at me. And no matter what we did with her, she was still a helper. The second one surprised us with its complete rejection of this, it won’t even take a tasty treat from the ground. The collie is a rare dog. But this is a reason not only for the owner’s pride, but also for concern. Because artificial narrow breeding often produces very hothouse dogs. But a glamorous, capricious terrier weighing 25 kg is not fun at all, and they have a lot of ailments. The second dog after the cheesecakes was on a drip. We have suffered such passions. And they live shorter, 8 years. And one more nice nuance. Collies love to run for whatever reason they know best, and they can run up to 40 km a day. Ours ran away, they searched for 10 days. In general, dogs are good, but you need to think hard when purchasing, so as not to torture either the dog or yourself.

Enes

https://irecommend.ru/content/vy-uvereny-chto-khotite-sherst

I now have little experience with collies, I had one as a child, and now I am alone in the apartment and alone with my parents. So, I am amazed at these puppyish delights that are written here. But still in order. First, she’s beautiful, yes, of course, but they also want to steal her and pet her, so you always have to keep an eye on her, second, she’s a very playful dog, and if you took her as a bedside mat and walked her just to pee, then soon you’ll see the most miserable eyes in the world . The third and MOST IMPORTANT thing is MOLTING. This is something when shedding starts, hair and fluff will be absolutely everywhere, despite daily vacuuming and wet cleaning, combing twice a day, and no matter what. you will eat, drink, put on your hair, walk on it and go to bed with it, because it is very thin and soft, like a little girl’s, it will fly in the air and sometimes I don’t even understand how it ends up there ???, where in principle it is impossible for them to be. But that's not all. when there comes a moment in every family, as we have now, and a baby is born, and the family already has a beloved dog and the thought of throwing it out doesn’t even appear. And here you pray that the child does not have an allergy to wool, then periodically washing the child and if there is total control, you will find hair in the feces, and you will be very sorry for your little child, but nothing can be changed. Oh, and how can we not mention walking the dog at night in dirty, rainy weather, then showing up at home and there is no hot water, it’s just super. By the way, collies are also different, ours is very long-haired, the hair on the belly just doesn’t touch the ground, and on the paws we cut it, well, in principle, that’s probably what everyone does before the show. And one more thing, for those who have just decided to buy a collie, they often develop a disease, I don’t remember what it’s called, but it happens from a mosquito bite and a worm grows in the heart, it eats through the heart and the dog dies, so that this does not happen they need to put Advocate drops on their withers, others are not suitable for them, there is some kind of intolerance, drops for 1 dog for the entire warm period will cost 500 rubles * 6 months and other vitamins are still needed, it is also better to buy premium food, we ordered it from Germany (counterfeits are common here) vitamins for 2500, and annual vaccinations. After all, you want your dog to live a long and healthy life. But still, all this pales in front of her beauty and affection, we have an orange-colored dog, she is wonderful and everyone simply adore her, well, here’s a drop of honey: when our baby stumbles and falls next to her, she licks him so tenderly and gives him over makes fun of himself and never growls at him

Kanifol

https://irecommend.ru/content/dikolli

I will share my experience of keeping a Scottish Sheepdog (Collie) dog. I had many different dogs, all mongrels, but none was as memorable as my collie named Dick. Friends gave away a 9 month old puppy as unnecessary. That grandfather already had a dog, and this one was brought from the city by the children and abandoned, it seems like it’s hard to keep in the apartment. And grandfather doesn’t need a second one either, so we got Dick. Just to say that this dog is beautiful in appearance is to say nothing. This is a stunningly beautiful dog! A neat and proportional exterior, a thin muzzle, like a fox, soft fur... And what small, smart eyes! But in addition to its natural beauty, it is also the smartest dog. I remember how my mother resisted, how she was against getting another dog, but I still remember Dick with a kind word.

Briefly about the breed from my own observations. Of course, the breed is an aristocrat. So much grace in every movement. He is picky about food. He eats little and won’t cram too much into himself out of greed. Loves attention and company. Easy to train. He listens to your every word and looks into your eyes, which read: “I will do everything, then you say. I will try to understand every word you say.” He just melts from praise. Undoubtedly, he chooses for himself, I can’t even say what the owner is, but the favorite in your family and will go everywhere with him, obey him. But because of his boundless love for society and people, after playing too much, he may become carried away by someone else. This dog is not suitable for guarding either you or the premises. He may bark at someone, but only if you demand it. He is friendly and too playful. He will run after a toy until he falls off his feet. Collies need frequent brushing and combing of the undercoat, which is abundant all year round. Their fur is very soft, which is why it tends to mat. Therefore, she needs careful care. The smell from them is not strong, but it is there, so sometimes the collie needs to be bathed with shampoo. Dick sometimes had the opportunity to graze cows. This is where his breed qualities are revealed in all their glory. Just a few times (not even taught) to simply show where to run and what to do. Further your tips will not be needed. This is just the perfect shepherd! Honest, brave and responsible.

In conclusion, I want to say: the collie is an excellent and wonderful breed. This is not just a dog, it is a person and a member of your family. I think it’s possible to keep it in an apartment, but such a dog needs space, fresh air, physical activity and the opportunity to express its breed purpose. After all, being a shepherd is in their blood.

NIKE

https://otzovik.com/review_213789.html

As a child, I had a collie dog, or rather the owner of the dog was my grandfather, but my first acquaintance was with this breed. The dog is basically friendly, but when I got her out, she tolerated it condescendingly, sometimes she would actually bite, hold it for a minute and let go.

The dog is friendly to family members, especially children, and is wary of strangers. A characteristic feature: he will let a stranger through if the owner doesn’t mind (determined externally by the owner’s behavior, intonation, etc.), but he won’t let a stranger out, and if you clap your hands, it was a front command for him. The dog lived for 15 years, could not come to terms with the loss of its owner for a long time, ran to the cage every day... and spent several hours there at his grave. The dog served faithfully, even when he became blind, although later his paws still ached, he still crawled, moving his front legs to the place of his combat post. It was a pity to put him to sleep and everyone decided to let him live out until the end. Sometimes I had to feed him, because he no longer had an appetite, brush him (a collie is a woolly dog), take him outside so that he would not crawl, because this was difficult for him. After that, we didn’t get dogs at all for about a year, because I had a faithful friend in my memory. In general, I have only good memories of this breed. If you decide to get this breed, then get it with confidence, because it will be a wonderful and faithful friend to you and your children.

mariya030419822

https://otzovik.com/review_187475.html

The Collie breed is a very kind and intelligent dog. I had this breed as a child. I have only positive emotions associated with this dog! She doesn’t bite, she’s not spoiled, she’s kind, very friendly to everyone around her. An excellent option for a gift for your child, this dog will never cause him any harm!!! I assure you this is the kindest and most loyal dog I know! This will be a real, truly royal gift. They are perfectly trainable, their memory is a hundred times better developed than that of humans! They are used as guides; they have very good instinct and intuition. In addition, they have very beautiful, long and royal fur.

uyrailyin

https://otzovik.com/review_98032.html

About a year ago, my family and I decided to get a dog. They spent a long time choosing and asking for advice. In the end, we settled on collie and did not regret it. This dog is beautiful, kind, smart and loyal. We named her Lada. She loves to play, so children simply adore her. The dog eats everything, from cereals (rice, buckwheat) to special dog food - “pedigree”. Once, just for fun, they poured Whiskas into her bowl - and she devoured it with gusto.

Before buying the puppy, we were afraid that we wouldn’t be able to train him, excuse me, to crap in a special box with sand - but the fears turned out to be in vain, Lada turned out to be a very clean dog. We were also afraid that the dog might bite the children; I have a 6-year-old son and a 2.5-year-old daughter. But our Ladushka turned out to be a kind and affectionate dog. It’s a pleasure for her to play with Sveta for hours, run after the ball, and then lie on her back and allow her belly to be stroked. The dog quickly found a common language with the cat Nyurka; as a puppy, she often ate from her bowl. And when the children play with another of our pets, the hamster Chrysler (the son came up with the name), the dog does not touch him. The only drawback: when shedding, the dog can stain the carpet and furniture with hair, but these are disadvantages of almost every dog.

Anna Shakhova

https://sobaka.lv/index.php?m=Poroda&page=Poroda/Otzyvy&id=coll

We got a collie when my daughter was 14 years old, raised her, took her for long walks, didn’t take her from her hands, and as a result, at first she began to rush at the dogs, and then she severely chewed her daughter’s hand, although she was not harmed. As we later found out, our case is not an isolated one in the city, do not give this breed to your child!

Tatiana

https://sobaka.lv/index.php?m=Poroda&page=Poroda/Otzyvy&id=coll

I can talk about Collie endlessly, because this breed has been admiring me for 18 years now. My first puppy (a three-colored male) was given to me by my parents when I was 8 years old. Unfortunately, he had serious congenital defects and did not live very long, it was a terrible tragedy, but I begged for a second one and that’s where I met my first and only love - piebald male Green. He lived for 12 years and was my best friend. Green was not a person or a dog, but something more. The smartest, the most devoted, the most affectionate, the bravest and the most beloved, Green remained in my heart forever.

Years passed and I didn’t dare to get a dog after Green, but my daughter grew up and at the age of 8 she really asked for a dog, of course a Collie breed. For 2 years now my daughter has had a real friend named Success! I must say that the qualities of this breed are unchanged, they are loyal, affectionate but at the same time very brave, and although this breed is not in fashion now, I will never change it, because it simply has no equal!!! Collie is a breed for those who want a devoted and faithful friend for themselves and their children, and not a fashionable “brand” or a killing machine.

Matvey Veryaskin

https://sobaka.lv/index.php?m=Poroda&page=Poroda/Otzyvy&id=coll

This is a wonderful breed. I lived with an adult male collie for some time. You could say he was my best friend. The dog is very kind, cheerful, affectionate. He loves to play and understands teams very well. And, of course, very beautiful. When I walked down the street with him, many people paid attention to us. This collie has not been with us for many years. But since then, only this breed has been in my heart. What a pity that this breed is not in Blagoveshchensk...

ellaris

https://www.nn.ru/community/dog/main/?do=read&thread=2645905&topic_id=61189434

Well, what is this, my male collie lives great in the yard, he really has a big insulated booth, so you can’t drive him into the house, he really likes it in the yard! So a collie is quite suitable for a private home! And they guard, well, not as much, of course, as the Germans or the Caucasians, but barking at strangers and making noise, if necessary, is welcome, they fully fulfill the mission of the guard. Of course, they won’t bite, but they can scare and warn the owners about the danger, and this is often quite enough!

Oksana

https://kutyata.rf/Reviews-of-the-breed/Collie

A lively mind, innate intelligence, easy learning, flexibility, the ability to adapt to any situation, curiosity and love of life, love for all living things, the desire to take care of the little and weak, the ability to make decisions independently and quickly, love of active games, easy care of a magnificent coat, soft, non-prickly undercoat, from which mittens, socks, scarves, hats and sweaters are knitted for the whole family.

Svetlana Estatova

https://kutyata.rf/Reviews-of-the-breed/Collie

A dog of outstanding beauty, with a sense of self-esteem, has an amazing intelligence and calmness, is unobtrusive, but loves to be the center of attention. Friendly to children and other animals. She can be a nanny for children. “An intelligent dog” - this is what they say about a collie; it understands human speech without much effort, is easy to train and obedient. The appearance of a collie in your home will completely change your life!

Lerika

https://www.kp.ru/putevoditel/sobaki/porody-sobak/kolli-sobaka/

I love collie, it’s a friend, it’s a family member, it’s a nanny, it also doesn’t let strangers near the child. The dog is very smart and kind, playful, there are many epithets and only good things can be said about this breed. One minus is that there is a lot of wool in the spring).

Shalkina

https://citykey.net/review/poroda-dlya-semi-s-rebenkom

My first acquaintance with the breed came from a story from my husband. When he was still little, a wonderful creature appeared in their family in the form of a puppy of this breed. This is what he told me: my brother and I really wanted a dog, and one day my mother, after much convincing and persuasion, agreed and brought a puppy into the house. She was a wonderful dog, she didn’t need to be trained, she understood everything from the word go, and repeated commands after a single show. The only time she didn’t fulfill them was when she was offended by something, but she had only to apologize once and she did everything again. We had a great time with her, played, walked, she was a dog - her best friend! She also got along well with the cat, which was very important for us, since the cat appeared much earlier in the family. The dog looked after her, just like he looked after his sister) Mom constantly combed the dog and collected the wool in a bag, and later knitted very warm socks for my brother and me from wool!

My husband told me a lot about this breed, how excellent, beautiful and friendly it is, but due to my lack of trust in animals in general, I didn’t really believe in his stories. He said that after many years, this breed disappeared, in the sense that it was no longer the same as before, Sheltie and something like a purebred collie appeared.

A few years after the story, we had a son, and it always seemed to us that he was bored. He is a very hyperactive child. And we decided that maybe if we get some kind of animal, then everything will change. My husband tried to persuade me to get a dog for a very long time, but in my primary relationship, I thought it was too much, a small child and a dog grow up together! But he persuaded me. My husband looked for it for a very long time, that old Collie breed... And he found it, we have a nursery near Kiev that breeds this particular breed. Of course, we got a puppy not cheap, but with a pedigree and documents. She belonged to the club and had vaccinations, which was of great importance to me.

After the dog came into our family, everything changed dramatically. The child simply had a lot of delight, he constantly plays with her, they do everything together! ) When he was still very small and climbed somewhere, she always protected him, if the little one pulled her ears, she would always endure it, would not bark... would not offend the child. They are always together. And indeed, there is no need to train this breed anywhere; it understands all commands remarkably well, and learns them simply instantly. Also, this breed has a so-called pack behavior, always when we go somewhere with the whole family, we must return with the same group that we left, if not, then she was very worried, and was always looking for the one who was missing! He always greets you, it’s simply amazing, even if you just went out to throw out the trash! And of course, not without this - an excellent defender, even if someone just slightly thinks badly in our direction, she is the first in the row to protect our family!

If you have such a dog, do not offend it for anything! Look for the reason within yourself!

Lorien

https://3otveta.ru/kolli-otzyvy/

In the 80s, our family lived with a magnificent collie. Truly a protector! He worked in the ZKS (protective guard service) without losing a point to the shepherds! I still remember this dog with aspiration and with tears in my eyes. I know that I will never have another collie... Selection led the breed to the point where the dog became simply decorative. Collies can now really only play the role of a couch dog. They have become significantly smaller in size (my Caucasian Shepherd is now wearing my collie’s old harness. This is just to give you an idea of ​​the size). Now collies are a little taller than spaniels (shelties used to be that way. I’m exaggerating about spaniels, of course, but the dogs were VERY shredded). Wool has also been added, which requires complex care. Well, of course, we haven’t been talking about working qualities (protection, shepherding service) for a long time. Therefore, having a collie for protection is absurd.

Origin story

The birthplace of the breed is Great Britain. Researchers believe that the ancestors of the collie were brought to the island by the Romans. There they mixed with the herding aboriginal shepherd dogs. They became most popular in Scotland, where there were many farmers who raised sheep. According to one version, the name “collie” came from the word colleys, which meant black sheep. They also began to call the dogs that herded these animals. The name was established already in the 17th century.

For many years, collie dogs helped shepherds. There were almost no predators in Scotland, so the shepherd did not need ferocity and great strength. She only had to make sure that the sheep did not fall behind. Therefore, the collie turned out to be not aggressive, responsible, but hardy and agile. Thick fur protected it from bad weather, and large muscular paws made it easy to move in mountainous areas. Then these dogs were more squat, the main color was black and white.

By the end of the 19th century, the breed became popular among ordinary dog ​​breeders. Not only the working qualities of the collies were appreciated, but also their calm, peaceful character. They began to be bred as companions. Representatives of the breed began to be crossed with greyhounds and setters. A red color appeared, the height became taller, the muzzle became elongated. In 1885, collies similar to modern ones were exhibited at an exhibition. Long-haired and smooth-haired varieties of the breed were distinguished separately.

At the beginning of the 20th century, Scottish Shepherds came to America and quickly gained popularity there. The oldest collie kennels are now located in the United States. They appeared in Russia during the reign of Nicholas II. In these countries, larger collies were bred than Scottish ones.

In Russia, these dogs were used mainly for service purposes, they served in the army, in the police, and therefore had a more aggressive character. The RKF standard was slightly different from the international one. Only in the 90s, thanks to the import of breeding specimens from abroad, more good-natured and shorter representatives of the breed began to appear.

Owner reviews

Based on numerous reviews about this breed, you can get the following idea about the Collie:

• these are good-natured, affectionate and loving pets;
• By purchasing a Scottish breed puppy, the owner receives a devoted friend who will always be there;
• Collie does not tolerate loneliness well, so there should always be one of the family members next to him - in this respect, the dog is very similar to a small child, constantly demanding attention to his person.

And yet, if a dog owner wants to acquire an affectionate and cheerful four-legged friend, then he cannot find a better breed than a collie. Just remember that such a dog will never become a zealous watchman at a summer cottage, and will not take an active part in hunting or fishing with its owner. But as a companion or qualified guide for a blind person, the Scottish Shepherd is perfect.

Description of appearance

The breed standard introduced by the RKF in the mid-20th century classified the Scottish Shepherd as a large dog. The height of males then reached 69 cm, and females - up to 64 cm. Almost the same standards are still in force in the USA: the height at the withers for a male is 61-66 cm, for a female - 56-61 cm. But according to the ICF collie standard belongs to medium-sized breeds. Its variety, the Sheltie, is also popular. The height of these dogs does not exceed 41 cm, and their weight is about 10 kg.

The Scottish Shepherd is a beautiful dog with a graceful build, but stately and hardy, with a proud bearing. She is proportionally built, moves gracefully and easily. With a fairly large stature, the weight of a male should be no more than 34 kg, and that of a female – up to 26 kg. The appearance features also include a narrow fox muzzle, expressive intelligent eyes and lush long hair.

The pictures illustrate the appearance features:

Head

The head is medium in size, proportional to the body. Elongated, wedge-shaped. The cheekbones are flat, the stop is weakly expressed. The jaws are strong, with a scissor bite. The lips are dry, black, and do not sag. The bridge of the nose is slightly rounded, the lobe is large and black.

The eyes are almond-shaped and set obliquely. This gives the muzzle a slightly sly expression. Eye color is usually dark, but blue coloring and even heterochromia are acceptable for marbled collies. The ears are small, triangular, set high. Usually the collie will hold them back against her head, but if she is excited, the ears will stand up and the tips will droop.

Body type

The neck is muscular, long, beautifully arched. The physique is harmonious, the body is elongated. The lower back is raised, the chest is deep, the stomach is tucked. The tail is long and hangs down when at rest. The tip may be slightly raised. Never throws itself onto its back or bends into a ring.

Limbs

The forelimbs are smooth, thin, and placed close to each other. Elbows point back. The hind legs are muscular, the hock joints are well defined. Paws are oval, toes arched. The dog moves easily and springily.

Photos complement the description of the collie:

Wool

The fur is thick and completely covers the entire body. The guard hair is hard, long, straight. Forms a lush mane and collar on the neck, feathering on the paws and tail. The hair on the head is short. The undercoat is dense, dense and soft.

Colors

The standard allows only three collie colors:

• sable - from golden to dark red;
• tricolor or tricolor - a combination of black, white and red, the main color of such dogs should be black, red tan on the legs and head;
• marbled or blue merle - silver-blue color with dark spots, large black spots are unacceptable.

Regardless of color, the dog should have a white collar, shirt front, white spots on the paws and the tip of the tail. They can also be on the face. In some countries, white collies are found. Only their head and tail are colored. Such individuals are obtained from crossing two marbled parents. This is not officially permitted by the standard, and such coloring is not recognized. White puppies are often born with genetic defects.

Varieties

Previously, Scottish collies were only long-haired. Since the 20th century, short-haired representatives of the breed have also been distinguished. There are several other varieties of collies:

• bearded or birdie - a very rare breed, with long hair on the head, characteristic eyebrows, beard and mustache;
• Border Collies are the smartest representatives of the breed, their hair is of medium length;
• Sheltie is a miniature copy of the long-haired representatives of the breed, their weight does not exceed 10 kg.

Sometimes Australian Shepherds and Australian Kelpies are also classified as collies.

The photographs show how long-haired representatives of the breed differ from other varieties:

Border Collie

Sheltie

Bearded Collie

Description of the breed, characteristics

This breed of large dogs has a proud posture, extraordinary endurance and activity. There are several types of Scottish Sheepdogs:

• smooth-haired;
• long-haired.

Representatives are characterized by a correct and proportional body build, and the length of their body is slightly greater than the height of the dog at the withers.

The calm and affectionate disposition of these individuals, friendliness and devotion to the owner - these are the main features of Collies, for which they are loved by tens of hundreds of dog breeders all over the world.

• The head is medium in size, wedge-shaped, with a flat skull. The structure of the head is characterized by a shallow depth of the skull from the level of the eyebrows to the lower jaw.
• The color of the nose is black. The bite is regular, scissor-shaped. The jaws are powerful, completely covered by the lips.
• The eyes are medium shaped, almond-shaped, dark in color, with a lively look.
• The back is slightly arched, of medium size, smoothly blending into the lumbar part, which has a characteristic rise. The chest is deep, the curve of the ribs is clearly visible.
• The tail is larger than average in size, usually drooping downwards, and the end is slightly curved upward.
• The limbs are correctly placed, strong and muscular.
• This breed is characterized by a very thick coat, the hair is hard and straight, and the thick undercoat is softer.

Character

At the genetic level, the collie's character retains herding instincts. Therefore, when walking, these dogs “herd” everyone. They get very nervous when one of the family members goes far away. Collies are especially good at looking after children, which is why they are considered the best nannies. This pet will never offend a child, will tolerate his tricks, and will allow him to pull his ears and fur. But for this it is necessary that the dog begins to communicate with the child from an early age.

Collies have a calm, balanced temperament. She easily finds a common language with any person and other animals. She has no extremes in her character. This is a sociable, sociable pet, ready to accompany its owner everywhere, but will never be intrusive or annoying. The dog is active, playful, but will never cause chaos in the apartment.

The following character traits can be noted in dogs of this breed:

• good nature;
• peacefulness;
• responsibility;
• loyalty;
• sociability;
• curiosity;
• patience;
• obedience;
• performance.

Education and training

Collies are very easy to train. They are among the most intelligent and intelligent dogs. But for this, education must begin in the first days of the puppy’s appearance in the house. The owner must be patient, calm and consistent. The Scottish Shepherd does not tolerate an authoritarian style of communication; you need to behave kindly and calmly with it.

These pets are not prone to dominance, so they are suitable even for inexperienced dog owners. They try to please the owner. Therefore, during the training process, praise and affection are enough; treats can be used for encouragement. It is unacceptable to shout, let alone hit these dogs; they are very sensitive and touchy. Collies cannot even tolerate conversations between people in a raised voice.

But for the Scottish Shepherd, timely socialization is important so that the dog does not grow into a timid and nervous animal. The puppy needs to be accustomed to the sounds of the street, cars, and strangers. Up to six months, a collie is able to learn all the basic commands:

• to me;
• place;
• it is forbidden;
• ugh;
• sit;
• stand;
• near;
• lie;
• take a walk.

From six months you can start learning more complex commands and tricks. Collies are well trained in agility, freestyle, and Frisbee. They easily pass all the standards for basic training courses. But this dog should not be trained as a ZKS, it lacks aggressiveness, and it will not be able to become a bodyguard or security guard.

Interesting pictures complement the description of the collie’s character:

Advantages and disadvantages of Collie

The main advantages of this breed include:

• friendliness;
• loyalty and devotion to the owners;
• sufficient intelligence;
• complete lack of aggressiveness.

This breed has no serious disadvantages, but there are some minor disadvantages:

• The long hair of these individuals should be regularly groomed to maintain a beautiful appearance;
• during the molting period, the wool will “fly” throughout the apartment, so it is better not to keep it in the apartment;
• if family members have an allergic reaction to wool, then the idea of ​​having a collie in the house will have to be abandoned;
• This dog cannot stand loneliness and separation from its owners.

Maintenance and care

The Scottish Shepherd is suitable for any dog ​​owner who is willing to pay attention to it and walk it at least 2-3 hours a day. Collies can be kept in an apartment or in a private house, but not on a chain. Thanks to its thick coat, it can withstand any weather conditions. But these dogs become very attached to their owner, they require communication, so it is not recommended to leave them in an enclosure for a long time.

With proper maintenance and care, collies can live at least 12-13 years. This dog requires normal hygiene procedures. Clean the ears of wax and dirt weekly, trim the nails every month, and periodically brush the teeth. You should check your pet's eyes every day. You can wash them with chamomile decoction, tea or a special lotion. You should regularly give your pet anthelmintic medications and treat the fur for external parasites.

Collie coat care

The main problem with caring for this dog is its thick coat. She collects all the garbage and dirt. Dry dust does not linger on it, and in rainy weather it is better to put a blanket on the dog that will cover the stomach. For the same purpose, it is recommended to trim the hair between the toes. After a walk, the paws should be washed and the pads should be lubricated with oil if necessary. This shepherd should be bathed no more than once a month with a special shampoo for long-haired dogs.

Kohls shed heavily twice a year. But dogs that live in an apartment can shed all year round without shedding as much hair. Therefore, you will have to brush this pet several times a week. This helps avoid the formation of tangles and protects furniture and carpets in the house from wool.

For combing, it is convenient to use metal combs with sparse long teeth, hard brushes, and a slicker brush. It is recommended to spray the wool with a special conditioner, which will help to quickly untangle tangled hair.

The photo shows the features of collie fur:

Nutrition

Veterinarians recommend feeding collies dry food. It should contain natural meat, vitamins, and fiber. Therefore, it is worth choosing super-premium or holistic class options. These foods contain all the necessary nutrients for the dog’s health and activity and good coat condition.

If you feed your pet natural food, you need to choose fresh foods. Nutrition should be balanced. The main part of the diet is lean meat; an adult dog will need at least 400 g per day. It is also useful to give offal, sea fish, cereals, vegetables, and dairy products.

You need to add unrefined vegetable oil to your food and give your dog fish oil. This is a wool log. Additionally, on the recommendation of a veterinarian, you can choose vitamin supplements for your pet. Show dogs should not be given seaweed or iodine supplements, as it can stain the white areas of the coat.

Health

The Scottish Sheepdog is an ancient working breed and therefore has few genetic diseases. These can be eye pathologies: entropion and CEA, this disease is also called “collie eye” syndrome. Marbled dogs have congenital deafness. Diseases such as dermatitis and joint dysplasia are rare in collies.

If you eat improperly, you may develop allergies and accumulate excess weight. It must also be remembered that Scottish Shepherds have a congenital intolerance to certain medications.

The video shows how to properly care for dogs of this breed:

Video: Regular care for dogs with double coat type

Video: Grooming the Collie

Puppies

Before buying a puppy of this breed, you should decide for what purpose you are purchasing it. If the owner needs a good friend, then he should pay attention to the puppy’s health and character.

When purchasing a pet for further participation in exhibitions, you should select it based on its exterior from parents with excellent exhibition data and a good pedigree.

Choosing a puppy

It is better to buy a puppy from a specialized nursery, where they will provide a pedigree, a certificate of health and vaccinations.

When choosing a dog, you first need to pay attention to its health and compliance with the breed standard.

It is advisable to first observe the behavior of the puppy where it is kept, pay attention to the behavior of the mother, how the puppy communicates with other individuals from the litter, and its activity.

A healthy puppy moves well, without falling on its paws, there is no discharge from the eyes and nose, its nose is moist, and its eyes are shiny.

The conditions for keeping the puppies must be appropriate - the enclosure must be clean and dry, and not crowded. But it will not be possible to raise a healthy litter in dirt and cramped conditions.

Price

The cost of the puppy will depend on what the Collie is purchased for. Usually, a puppy “for yourself” can be purchased on the Internet, but without a pedigree. In this case, its price will be low - about 6,000 - 8,000 rubles. But with such a puppy you cannot take part in exhibitions, or use the individual for further breeding.

• The price for a pet with all the necessary documents is from 14 to 34 thousand rubles.
• But the price of the future show-class champion exceeds 85,000 rubles.

These prices are for the beginning of 2022.

How to buy a puppy

Thanks to the popularity of the breed in the 20th century, there are now many kennels breeding these dogs. Therefore, buying a purebred collie puppy is not a problem. In Moscow, the price of a dog with a pedigree starts from 15-20 thousand rubles. Exhibition dogs are more expensive - 40-50 thousand, and for a show-class puppy you will have to pay from 80 thousand rubles. It is better to contact a kennel to purchase a dog. The breeder must provide all the necessary documents, a veterinary passport.

Before purchasing, you need to study the conditions in which the dogs are kept. It should be dry and clean there. It is important to observe your mother and her behavior. Puppies are purchased at the age of 2-2.5 months. They should have smooth shiny fur, a narrow muzzle, thin legs, and a wide body. The puppy should be active, curious, playful.

When choosing a sex, you need to take into account that females are more affectionate, obedient, and easier to train. They make the best nannies. Males are more suitable as a companion for a young man or teenager, they are active.

The pictures show what Scottish Shepherd puppies look like:

Before getting a dog of this breed, you need to watch a video about its advantages and disadvantages:

Video: Longhaired Collie - description of the Scottish Sheepdog breed

Video: All about the breed: Longhaired Collie

Video: “Business and Intelligent Dog” or “Long-haired Collies”

Video: This breed. Collie

Collie is a shepherd dog that will become a devoted and affectionate friend. This is a very beautiful, loyal and smart dog. With proper upbringing and care, its maintenance will not cause any trouble. The Scottish Shepherd is suitable for any owner who is willing to give it enough attention.

Breed standard

The standard requirements for long-haired Collies are as follows:

• correct physique - harmonious, with proud posture;
• type of construction – dry and strong;
• movements are not heavy;
• head shape – long and narrow;
• bite – scissor-shaped;
• eyes – almond-shaped;
• The ears are triangular, the ends are slightly curled forward.

The height of a male at the withers is up to 06 m, that of a female is up to 56 cm. The weight of an adult male is 21-28 kg, and that of an adult female is 20-25 kg.

American Collies are larger in size than their European counterparts and have a wider muzzle shape.

The main standard colors of this breed are as follows:

• tricolor;
• from light red to sable;
• marble.

For any color the following must be present:

• white collar";
• white “socks” or “knee socks” on the paws;
• the tip of the tail is also white;
• there is a white “mark” on the muzzle.