Collies are one of the most beloved dog breeds- and it’s not hard to see why! Their intelligence, loyalty, and striking appearance have made them a favorite of dog owners worldwide. I myself have had three Collies in my life. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through everything you need to know about the Collie breed, from its fascinating history to grooming tips and fun facts.

The Collie breed has its roots in Scotland and Northern England, where they were developed for herding sheep. In the early 19th century, Collies were brought to America, where they gained immense popularity- thanks in part to their depiction in popular culture, with the most famous example being the beloved “Lassie.” With their popularity on the rise, Collies were soon recognized and registered with the American Kennel Club in 1885.

Appearance:

Collies are medium to large-sized dogs that come in two variations: Rough and Smooth Collie. Rough Collies have a long, fluffy coat that requires regular grooming while Smooth Collies have a short, dense coat that sheds comparatively less. Collies come in a variety of colors including sable, tricolor, blue merle, and white. With their long, elegant necks and tapered snouts, they are a sight to behold.

Temperament and Personality:

Collies are widely regarded as intelligent and easy to train, making them perfect for households with kids. They form strong bonds with their owners and are loyal and affectionate. Collies have a natural protective instinct and are always alert, making them excellent watchdogs.

One common misconception about Collies is that they are hypoallergenic. Collies are not hypoallergenic and therefore aren’t suitable for allergy sufferers. These dogs not only have a double coat but are also usually long-haired, meaning they shed more than the average breed. It’s important to keep this in mind if you or a family member have allergies.

The Collie breed is known for being good with children and other dogs when raised with proper socialization and training methods. 

They are gentle and patient, making them ideal family dogs. When introducing your Collie to other dogs and people, it’s important to supervise and ensure that the interactions are positive.

Funny side note. We had two rough Collies for the kids growing up. The first was a Tri-Color we named max. He was a rather large Collie who was about 85 lbs. We got him as a puppy so it was neat to see him grow up. 

When my daughter was old enough to care for a dog we let her pick the second Collie which was a sable Rough Collie that looked similar to Lassie. I asked her what she wanted to name the dog and she said “Patricia." I said are you sure that's a funny name for a dog you might as well call her Lassie. “That's a great idea Daddy”, so Lassie it was. 

Exercise and Training:

Collies have high energy levels and exercise needs—but you don’t need to be a marathon runner to keep up with them. Their needs are generally manageable for most families. While many Collies are athletic enough to keep up with a jogger, most are content with daily walks, playing ball in the backyard and mental activities such as training, sports or jobs around the house. (Collies are great at putting away their toys and “go get” or “find” things to bring to you, like a purse or pair of shoes.) Collies party hard, but they’ll also happily snuggle in for a Netflix binge with you when playtime is over. Ever attuned to their humans, they know you need to recharge before the next adventure!

Collies need at least an hour of exercise per day, and, ideally, it is active exercise that you participate in, rather than just turning them loose and alone in a fenced-in yard. Some Collies enjoy dog sports like agility and lure coursing (where dogs chase a mechanical lure around a track), and some ambitious pet parents may even try taking their Collie to a dog show or herding events.

Collies are herding dogs, and while their herding instincts are perhaps not as strong as those found in Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs, it’s something to keep in mind while you go about basic obedience training. Why? Because those instincts have made Collies fast learners who need training that will challenge their impressive brains.

Another factor to remember is that Collies tend to be fairly sensitive dogs. So, while they are famously easy to train and love to learn, it’s essential to introduce new training concepts and experiences in an upbeat, encouraging way and to reward calm, relaxed interactions. Your Collie puppy will respond well to toys, treats and praise for a job well done. Positive reinforcement (aka rewarding their good behaviors) is also a great way to bond with your pup, help build your Collie’s new skills and keep them comfortable in a variety of situations.

If the Collie has any behavior problems at all (other than barking), it’s timidity. Hard to believe, but hey, lots of celebs are actually pretty shy in real life. That just makes socialization extra important with Collie puppies. Aim to introduce them to experiences in a positive way and to environments they will encounter on a regular basis throughout life, like pet supply stores, the vet’s office and the park. Early encounters like these are critical to helping puppies become successful and versatile pets later in life.

Even so, barking can always be an issue with the Collie dog breed. If that’s a deal-breaker for you, you could choose a different breed (boo!) or adopt an adult rescue Collie who’s been fostered and you know is quiet (yeah!).

Grooming Tips:

When it comes to their coats, the Smooth Collie and the Rough Collie have different brushing needs because of their uniquely characteristic coats, but their overall routine is basically the same.

Rough Collies—especially adult males—have long hair and coat. While beautiful to behold, it does come with a lot of extra grooming work. Using a slicker brush, pin brush and comb, you should brush your Collie a few times a week to make sure the occasional tangle doesn’t turn into a matted mess. First, brush against the fur growth with the slicker brush to remove the dead hair, then brush in the direction of hair growth with the pin brush to smooth it out. Follow up with a comb to ensure you’ve removed all the tangles. Pay particular attention to problem areas: behind the ears and the front legs, under the belly, and the back of the rear legs. Rough Collies will blow their coat in the spring and fall as the seasons change. (A dog who blows their coat will shed their coat in chunks instead of a lot of hairs at once.)

Many people fall in love with the “Lassie look” of the Rough Collies—it’s easy to do; they’re basically movie stars—and perhaps don’t stop to consider the advantages of Smooth Collies. The smooth coat is low-maintenance and elegant. If you’re looking for an easy-to-groom dog who won’t require a lot of work, then you’d probably be happiest with the smooth-coated Collie. Brush a Smooth Collie with a rubber curry brush or a slicker brush about once a week.

For either type, buzz cuts are out of the question. Never, ever shave your Collie. If you do, you could irreparably change the way the hairs grow back and damage the way the inner coat insulates and protects your furry friend from the sun. And that would make your best buddy so sad. You should, however, bathe your pup approximately every three months, but not more. Overdoing it can damage the natural oils in their coats.

The Collie is a beloved dog breed that has been an iconic figure in popular culture for generations. In addition to being the star of films like Lassie Come Home, television shows such as The Littlest Hobo, and books like Lassie Come-Home, the Collie has many fun facts that are worth knowing. The Collie is a beloved dog breed that has been an iconic figure in popular culture for generations. In addition to being the star of films like The Adventures of Lassie (1943), Greyfriars Bobby (1961), Lassie Come Home (1994), Bedtime Stories (2008), A Dog's Purpose (2017) and A Dog's Way Home (2019). This breed has cemented itself into a beloved part of pop culture ever since!, the Collie has many fun facts that are worth knowing.

Another fun fact about the Collie is its remarkable sense of smell. This canine's olfactory system is much more sensitive than ours, allowing them to sniff out prey from far distances and track trails over long periods of time without getting lost.

The name "Collie" comes from a Scottish dialect word meaning 'useful', since it was so often used by farmers and shepherds for herding and tending livestock. The popularity of this breed spread quickly throughout Britain, Europe, and eventually to America during the 19th century.

In 1879, Queen Victoria took a liking to this breed after seeing one on holiday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland - which kickstarted its popularity in England and beyond! The Queen went on to own several of these dogs over her lifetime.

here's some fun facts about Lassie:

Lassie is one of the most beloved and iconic dogs in all of pop culture. The long-running Lassie franchise began with a book written by Eric Knight about a brave collie who saves the day time and time again. Since then, Lassie has appeared in movies, television shows, comic books, video games, and more. Here are some fun facts about this heroic canine:

The original name for the character was actually "Shep," but it was changed to "Lassie" because Eric Knight thought that the name had a nicer ring to it.

The very first film appearance of Lassie was in 1943's Lassie Come Home, starring Roddy McDowall and Elizabeth Taylor. The movie was such a success that it spawned seven sequels over the next 25 years!

Lassie became such an iconic figure that she even got her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1996. Her star rests alongside those of other famous celebs like Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart.

Even though there have been several different dogs playing Lassie over the years, only one dog remained with the franchise for its entire run – Pal Jr., the son of Pal (the original Lassie).

Pal Jr., also known as “the Chieftain” or “the King of Collies”, starred as Lassie from 1954 to 1973!

Not only was Pal Jr.'s portrayal of Lassie popular in America, but he also became quite popular overseas; he even appeared on several Japanese TV shows!

Finally, while most people think that Lassie is female, all 11 official dogs who played her were actually males — they just had their hair clipped short to make them look more feminine!Lassie, the beloved collie-dog character, is more than just a classic film and TV star. Lassie has inspired generations of fans and continues to be an iconic symbol for courage, loyalty, and strength. 

In conclusion, Collies are a wonderful breed that brings joy and companionship to countless households worldwide. With their striking appearance, gentle temperament, and intelligence, it’s no wonder they are so loved. By following proper training, grooming, and socialization techniques, Collies can become loyal and affectionate pets that will enrich your life in countless ways. We hope this guide has given you a glimpse into the fascinating world of the Collie breed and has left you appreciating them even more!

We have over 90 different breeds to choose from now and growing. I just added more Collie items such as mugs and notebooks and have more items on the way. The collection will continue to grow in other categories as well suchs as backpacks, laptop sleeves and tote bags. Join the email list to be notified of new styles. Here is an example of some of the Collie items we have live: