The Scottish Shepherd Collie is a herding dog with a centuries-old history. The breed reached its peak of popularity after the release of the film Lassie Comes Home. Since then, many films have been made continuing the adventures of the dog, but in all of them the Scottish Shepherd demonstrated courage and amazing loyalty to people. Collie has become a real symbol of love and friendship between man and dog. Let's figure out why the directors chose this particular breed.
Brief history of the breed
Most dog experts are inclined to believe that collies are descended from dogs brought to Scotland by the Romans by crossing with local breeds. For a long time they were assistants to shepherds. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria noticed them - she was delighted by the beauty and good nature of these animals. In fact, she became the first line - the most beautiful individuals were used in breeding.
In 1860, the dogs were first presented at an exhibition in Birmingham, and 21 years later the Collie Club adopted a standard of appearance and developed a system for assessing the work of a dog as a service dog. At the beginning of the 20th century, representatives of this breed spread throughout the world - representatives of the breed appeared in the USA, USSR, Australia and New Zealand.
This is interesting. It is believed that the name "collie" comes from the word "colley". It means a breed of black-headed sheep, which these dogs were herding.
Central Asian Shepherd - description
Another name for this breed is Alabai. These are one of the largest dogs with excellent watchdog qualities. In terms of their physical characteristics, they are not inferior to the greyhound. Experts believe that the age of this breed ranges from 3 to 6 thousand years.
Alabais are one of the few whose exterior has retained almost its original appearance. Sometimes they are abbreviated as CAO. Decoding the abbreviation - Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
The appearance of subspecies of Asian dog breeds is due to the fact that its formation took place over a large territory.
Initially, they were bred as assistant shepherds and watchmen. Nomads needed pets with endurance, fearlessness and intelligence. Alabai has all of the above qualities. For reference! The Central Asian Shepherd became widespread only after the 30s in the USSR.
SAO became especially popular in the Urals and Siberia. And professional breeding began even later. Appearance standards have emerged. Thanks to this, the exterior of the breed remained unchanged. Therefore, the Central Asian Shepherd continues to be used as a guard dog.
Interesting Facts
Some interesting facts will help you get to know your long-haired friends better:
- During the Great Patriotic War, a shepherd named Dick helped defuse more than 12,000 mines. The most valuable achievement for our country is that Dick discovered a landmine weighing 2.5 tons in the foundation of the Pavlovsk Palace an hour before the explosion.
- In the Lassie series, the dog heroine was female. However, her role was played by boys - they are more resilient. In total, 9 different dogs starred in the film.
- The world's most famous producer of Scotch whiskey, William Grant&Sons, has released a whiskey called Scottish Collie. The label depicts a Scottish Sheepdog against a background of wooden barrels and high mountains.
Expert opinion
Leonid Rodin
Experienced dog breeder
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The long-haired Scottish Sheepdog is as recognizable an attribute of the region as the famous whiskey brands, the national men's skirt or the bagpipes. However, the breed has fans all over the world. A collie in a luxurious coat of signature red and white colors can compete in the number of star owners with any other, most exotic, breed. Such legendary singers as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Rod Stewart willingly posed with them. Kevin Costner often appeared in public with long-haired Leila. Well, and a whole galaxy of beautiful, rich and famous - from Marilyn Monroe to Natalie Wood. American presidents also did not disdain the collie’s herding past and periodically introduced them into the White House. John Calvin Coolidge, called “the laziest president of the United States,” doted on white collies and kept a couple of them. His baton was picked up by the 36th head of the States, Lyndon Johnson, and then Ronald Reagan. The short-haired variety of the breed has not achieved much popularity. Among celebrities, perhaps only Freddie Mercury preferred the short-haired collie.
Breed description, standards and appearance
The Scottish Collie is a medium-sized dog, closer to large, the embodiment of elegance and grace. The animal looks very beautiful - not a single animal stands out from the overall harmony. The animal has a strong and agile body, perfectly adapted to high physical activity.
Ideal parameters:
- height – boys 56–61 cm, girls 51–56 cm;
- weight – 20.5–29.5 kg and 18–25 kg, respectively.
Externally, the Collie is very similar to the Sheltie Sheepdog. Upon quick inspection, it seems that the second is a smaller copy of the first. However, these are two independent breeds, the differences between which are:
- Origin - despite the external similarity, the Sheltie descended from the Border Collie, and not from the Scottish Sheepdog.
- Size is the main difference between Collie and Sheltie that is immediately noticeable. The height of the Scottish Shepherd is only 35–37 cm.
- Color is another difference between Collie and Sheltie. The first breed has only three permitted colors, the second has five (sable, blue merle, tricolor, black and white, black and tan).
Also, Sheltie and Collie have different temperaments. The former are very active and energetic, the latter are reasonable and self-sufficient. But both breeds are equally intelligent, friendly and loyal to their owner.
Official description of the Scottish Sheepdog breed (ICF standard):
- The head is shaped like a blunt wedge.
- The eyes are medium-sized, slightly slanted, almond-shaped, dark brown or blue in the bluemerle color.
- The ears are quite large and triangular. They are planted not far away, but not close either.
- The nose is always black.
- The teeth are large and located perpendicular to the jaw. Scissor bite.
- The neck is strong, with developed muscles, well arched.
- The body is slightly stretched. The chest is deep, the back is strong, the loin is slightly raised above the topline.
- The tail is long. When relaxed, it reaches the hock joints.
- The limbs are straight and muscular, set fairly close.
Color and coat type
The collie is covered with thick hair with a dense undercoat. The fur on the head and tips of the ears is short, and a chic collar forms on the neck - a distinctive feature of the breed.
The limbs are well feathered, but on the hind legs below the hock the hair is not so long. The tail is very fluffy.
Depending on the type of wool, there are 2 types of breed:
- Short-haired – the body is covered with short and coarse fur.
- Long-haired – has an abundant coat. The guard hair is long and hard. The undercoat is so thick that it completely hides the skin.
Otherwise, the long-haired and smooth-haired shepherds look the same.
The breed standard recognizes three colors:
- Sable – any shades of golden from light to dark are acceptable.
- Tricolor - black and white. There is red tan on the head and limbs. A rusty tint is highly undesirable.
- Blumerle (marbled) - silvery-blue background dotted with black markings.
White markings are acceptable in all colors. Their presence is welcome on the frill, chest, limbs, and tip of the tail. There may be a white mark on the head of a Scottish Sheepdog. However, an excess of this color and its predominance over other shades are undesirable.
Breed varieties
Many countries have their own types of collies. The most famous:
- Australian Collie (Aussie);
- Border Collie;
- bearded collie;
- American Collie;
- Smithfield Collie;
- New Zealand Sheepdog.
Most representatives of the breed are medium-sized dogs weighing from 22 to 32 kg. All varieties of the breed are intelligent, friendly, balanced, and have an innate herding instinct.
On a note. According to the ICF classification, all varieties of collies belong to the group of shepherd dogs.
Character and behavior
The dog is smart, sociable, active and intelligent. The character of the breed is characterized by a complete lack of aggression, but the dog is still wary of strangers. At the same time, she becomes strongly attached to her owner and does not tolerate loneliness very well.
People whose family has adopted a Scottish Shepherd call it the most intelligent, loyal, kind and affectionate in the world. She perfectly senses the owner’s mood and knows how to deeply empathize with him. It is not surprising that dog breeders remain faithful to the breed all their lives. It was these qualities that made it possible to make the collie the main character of the famous films about the adventures of Lassie.
The characteristics of the breed have their own characteristics. The Scottish Shepherd is a herding dog, so it needs to move a lot and realize its natural potential. Without work, the collie gets bored and starts acting up - carrying things, chewing furniture and wires.
Scottish Sheepdog and children
Collie loves children. The dog is ready to babysit babies for days, protect them and protect them from danger. She is always affectionate and calm, and can find a common language with any ward. A dog of this breed is lenient towards children's pranks and is not offended if its ears or tail are pulled.
Collie training and education
Collies are smart, so training them is not at all difficult. Sometimes, having noticed a weakness in the owner, the pet can be stubborn, cheat and pretend that he does not understand the trainer’s requirements. Such tricks need to be stopped, but not with rudeness and physical punishment, but with calm persistence, consistency and rewards for excellent academic results.
From the age of two months we begin to teach the collie puppy the simplest commands. Having mastered the basic, basic requirements, the dog is ready for a more complex training course. Including agility. Dog handlers recommend spending one week studying one command. Of course, each dog is individual; when choosing a sequence, you must be guided by the abilities of your pet.
How to choose the right puppy?
Features of choosing a Scottish Shepherd puppy depend on the purposes for which a person gets a dog. To participate in exhibitions, it is necessary to find a baby born from champion parents and not having a single defect in appearance. In this case, it is recommended to buy grown-up juniors.
At 6-8 months it is already possible to accurately assess the exterior, and the slightest defects of the breed will be visible by this time.
A collie with minor flaws but a wonderful character is suitable as a pet. The main thing is that the puppy is healthy and grows in normal conditions. From responsible breeders, Scottish Shepherds are willing to make contact, do not show aggression, and are not afraid of strangers.
Feeding
The Central Asian Shepherd is not whimsical; home-cooked food suits it. The basis of the diet is cereals, vegetables, lean meat and offal; You can add fermented milk products and eggs.
You can use industrial, preferably high-quality feed.
Do not feed sweet, salty or flour foods. The dog should have constant access to clean water.
Puppies
For the first month of life, the puppies are in the full care of their mother: she feeds them, licks them and cleans up after them. From the 5th week, the breeder begins to introduce complementary foods and carefully accustoms them to combing and other hygiene procedures. At 2 months the baby usually moves to a new home.
Now the owner’s task is to properly socialize the puppy, teach him the rules of behavior in the human “pack,” and clearly define the boundaries of what is permitted. A small Scottish Shepherd can be fed natural food or commercial food. New products are introduced gradually, observing the body's reaction in order to avoid allergies.
Puppy feeding frequency:
- up to 2 months – 6 times a day;
- 2–4 months – 5 times a day;
- 4–6 months – 4 times a day;
- 6–9 months – 3 times a day.
From 9 months the pet is transferred to two meals a day. But if the dog is actively moving and works a lot, it is advisable to give it an additional portion.
Collie care
As you might guess, the biggest differences between variations are in care. To care for a collie, it is enough to brush long hair a couple of times a week, preferably every day, which takes time.
Rarely, but even trims are often for a dog that could withstand the summer heat. However, this greatly affects the hair and does not grow back to its previous state. In castrated males, the hair becomes softer but more prone to tangling. They shed a lot as variations. Wool can cover floors, furniture and carpets, but it is more noticeable in longhairs.
Care and maintenance
Grooming your dog is necessary to avoid health problems and keep its luxurious coat neat and tidy.
Representatives of the breed successfully live in apartments if provided with a long walk. But for an active dog, a private house with a spacious area is more suitable.
On a note. A short-haired Collie is easier to care for than a long-haired Collie.
The right diet
You can choose ready-made food for your collie, or feed it natural food. High-end industrial products fully cover the dog’s needs for vitamins and minerals, which is why many dog breeders choose this option.
With a natural diet, the diet includes:
- boiled beef, rabbit, chicken, turkey;
- offal;
- sea fish;
- porridge – rice, buckwheat;
- fermented milk products;
- vegetables and fruits.
- fresh herbs;
The Scottish Shepherd is fed twice a day - morning and evening. Food is not given if the dog has to work hard.
Walking and physical activity
A collie cannot play the role of a sofa dog - it vitally needs movement. Scottish Shepherds are walked at least twice a day for 1-1.5 hours.
They will never turn down a game of fetch or a trip to nature. The pet will be happy to accompany its owner on a jog, bike ride or ski trip.
Training and education
Collie dogs are easy to train. However, to achieve results, a person must act gently but persistently. The shepherd is always happy to please its owner, so it should be generously praised for every correct action. Hitting or shouting at a pet is prohibited - this is a serious psychological trauma for him.
It is important to socialize the puppy as early as possible, otherwise the dog will grow up timid. To do this, from a very early age, the Scottish Shepherd is introduced to the outside world - the noise of a big city, new smells and people, and other representatives of the animal world. To develop obedience, it is advisable to undergo OKD.
On a note. The characteristics of the breed make it possible to use collies as guide dogs for the blind.
Hygiene
A short-haired Scottish Shepherd is brushed twice a week, a long-haired one every other day. During shedding, the fur coat is treated with a slicker to remove fallen undercoat.
The pet is bathed once every 3 months. Eyes and ears are examined regularly, and dirt is wiped off once every 7 days. Nails are trimmed as they grow, unless the dog grinds them down while walking. Dental health is maintained with a brush and veterinary paste or dental treats.
Vaccinations and susceptibility to disease
At 8-10 weeks, Scottish Sheepdog puppies are vaccinated against the most common diseases:
- plague;
- parainfluenza;
- leptospirosis;
- parvovirus enteritis;
- infectious hepatitis.
After 3-4 weeks, revaccination is carried out to strengthen immunity, with the addition of rabies vaccine. Adult dogs are vaccinated annually and treated against worms and blood-sucking parasites every 3 months.
Typical diseases of the collie breed:
- collie eye anomaly;
- hip dysplasia;
- heart disease;
- retinal atrophy;
- inversion and inversion of the eyelid;
- epilepsy.
On a note. The Marbled Shetland Sheepdog may be born deaf and have impaired vision.
Average life expectancy is 12-13 years. But this period can be extended if you provide the Scottish Shepherd with sufficient physical activity and careful care.
Collie Health and Diseases
Collie health and illnesses
The life expectancy of a Scottish Shepherd is from 12 to 15 years - for the most part, these dogs are in good health, but there are a number of diseases that are inherent in this breed. Most often she is worried about:
- skin diseases caused by allergies;
- problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- predisposition to dislocations;
- hip dysplasia.
Collies are also susceptible to eye problems - this is an infection and an anomaly in their structure. Most often, veterinarians diagnose hearing problems in the merle variety of collie, the so-called “double merle,” in which the animal’s color becomes almost white and problems with hearing and vision are accompanied by a malfunction of one or another internal organ or system.
How much does it cost and where to buy?
The cost of a puppy depends on the pedigree, exterior, title of the parents, and the reputation of the kennel:
- pet class – 15–20 thousand rubles;
- breed class – 30–50 thousand rubles;
- show class - about 80 thousand rubles.
You can buy a puppy secondhand for 5–10 thousand rubles. But in this case there are no guarantees of his breed and health.
Scottish Shepherd kennels operate in many large cities:
- Moscow - “Alhenium” https://alheniul.narod.ru;
- St. Petersburg - “Jetstone” https://jetstone-spb.ru;
- Novosibirsk - “Aleander” https://aleandr.com;
- Samara - “Irline of beauty” https://irlain.narod.ru.
Pros and cons of the Scottish Sheepdog
| pros | Minuses |
| Sharp mind | High activity |
| Cheerfulness | Intolerance of loneliness |
| Equilibrium | The need for careful grooming |
| Devotion | |
| Love for children | |
| Innate herding instinct | |
| Spectacular appearance |
The personification of canine beauty, loyalty and goodwill - this is what you can call a collie.
The Scottish Shepherd is ideal for families with children - it will become an excellent nanny for kids. And when the baby grows up a little, he will teach him devotion and love.
Price
There are several ways to buy a Central Asian Shepherd. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Internet
This method is convenient because you can choose a puppy by looking at it in a photo without leaving home. But, as a rule, the networks sell animals without pedigree documents, as well as without medical documents confirming their health. Therefore, the price here fluctuates up to 10,000 rubles.
Bird Market
In this case, the advantage is that the dog can be examined from all sides and its mobility, character and health can be determined. The disadvantages include a higher price than in the first option, it ranges from 15,000 to 17,000 rubles. But despite this, sellers rarely provide the relevant documents.
Nurseries
According to the recommendations of experts, this is the best option for purchasing an elite pet. Here it will not only be possible to visually assess the condition of the puppy, but also the sellers will provide all the necessary certificates and pedigree documents that can be presented at exhibitions.
They will also talk about proper nutrition, maintenance and care of the animal. The only thing you need to be prepared for is the high price of the Central Asian Shepherd . In the nursery it will be at least 25,000 rubles.
When choosing an adult, trained individual, with all the certificates, you will have to spend at least 40,000 rubles. Having considered all the features, characteristics and habits, Alabai can be confidently called a real Asian handsome man. With the right approach to training and care, qualities such as a grandiose appearance, a meaningful look and logical thinking will help you take first place at exhibitions.
