Grooming
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.)
Smooth Collies, on the other hand, have a coat that’s 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.
Here are more grooming tips, for either type of Collie:
Shaving: 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.
Bathing: You should, however, bathe your pup approximately every three months, but not more. Overdoing it can damage the natural oils in their coats.
Nail trimming: Other important parts of grooming include giving your Collie a good nail trimming about once a month or whenever necessary to avoid the “clickety-clack” noises on the kitchen tile
Dental care: Brush your Collie’s teeth daily, and schedule yearly professional dental cleanings.
Ear cleaning: To help prevent ear infections, check your Collie’s ears for debris and any redness or swelling. If you notice anything, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean dog ears.
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Training
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!).
One more pro-tip: When you’re getting together all the gear you need for training, you may want to opt for a martingale collar rather than a standard buckle collar. Due to the shape of their head and neck, Collies are at risk of accidentally slipping out of standard collars. Martingale collars, on the other hand, have a two-loop design that adjusts to the size of the dog’s neck wherever it sits, making it more difficult for your pup to pull a Houdini and escape when they’re on-leash.
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Diet
Collies typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to look for a statement on the food’s packaging that says it meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and that you choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). You can ask your veterinarian for advice on choosing the appropriate formula for your Collie.
Collies are susceptible to a condition called bloat, which can be life-threatening. To help reduce the risk for bloat, feed your pup smaller meals more frequently during the day and use a slow feeder.
It’s important to keep your dog at a healthy weight; even an extra pound or two can make a big impact on their overall health. So, be sure to include the treats you give (for training or just because) in their daily caloric count. Opt for a lower-calorie treat or mix up rewards with extra playtime or a massage. If you notice your pup is gaining a little chub, contact your vet. They’re in the best position to help you set a meal and exercise plan to help your pup shed the extra weight.
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Exercise
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.
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Environment
Collies typically adore children, and they’re also a super companion breed to all family members. They’re even good with cats and other pets in the household. They’re also well-mannered around guests and are open to meeting new people. Essentially, Collies are just friendly dogs.
However, because Collies tend to bark, they may not be the best option for apartment/condo life or for dense neighborhoods. In those scenarios, even Mr. Rogers might not want to be their neighbor.
However, Collies make excellent farm dogs, as they typically exhibit a low prey drive and can generally live safely with livestock or poultry. The Collie’s herding instincts are lower than some other herding dogs, so if you’re hoping to have your Collie help you herd livestock on the farm, be sure to choose individual breeding lines that are known for having intense working drives.
Whether on the farm or in your home, one thing is certain: Collies are indoor pets. While they may enjoy cold weather, they cannot live outside in it, and they don’t love especially hot weather, either. Besides, this breed wants to be where you are, and for most people, most of the time, that’s inside.
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