The Collie
Far too often I cringe when someone sees a Hollywood dog & assumes they can buy a Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, Bear (Person of Interest) or Eddie Crane (Frazier). People tend to forget or are unaware of the hours of training involved to produce what you see on film. Not to burst too many bubbles but there are sometimes multiple dogs playing a single role. These dogs have had hundreds of hours in training whereas the family pet is lucky to get one hundred hours over the course of many years. This does not make for a happy situation for many dogs and far too many owners.
The Collie is one of the most iconic and easily recognized breeds of dog. They come in two coat varieties (Rough & Smooth). I have zero experience with the Smooth coat. In my interviews with breeders of Smooth coats, I am told they are more aggressive & perhaps intense on livestock work than the Roughs. This may not be the case of all Smooth coats. As I have been seeking a member of this breed to work with my tiny Chihuahuas again, I have been told time & again that the Rough variety of this breed is the better choice for that job. (Always seek a breeder's advice based on the job you intend to have the dog do). They come in some lovely coat colors: Sable, Tri-color, Blue Merle, Sable Merle, White with markings of the previous colors. But it is perhaps the stable temperament, the thinking mind and the tremendous heart of the Collie that has put this breed on the top shelf. I have no problem seeing a Collie manage such tender stock as lambs, kids, baby chicks or ducklings. I can also see a Collie standing up to a bull or a bad human. As loving and gentle as this breed can be, they also possess a fierce side that is rarely seen without provocation.
The Collie is one of the most iconic and easily recognized breeds of dog. They come in two coat varieties (Rough & Smooth). I have zero experience with the Smooth coat. In my interviews with breeders of Smooth coats, I am told they are more aggressive & perhaps intense on livestock work than the Roughs. This may not be the case of all Smooth coats. As I have been seeking a member of this breed to work with my tiny Chihuahuas again, I have been told time & again that the Rough variety of this breed is the better choice for that job. (Always seek a breeder's advice based on the job you intend to have the dog do). They come in some lovely coat colors: Sable, Tri-color, Blue Merle, Sable Merle, White with markings of the previous colors. But it is perhaps the stable temperament, the thinking mind and the tremendous heart of the Collie that has put this breed on the top shelf. I have no problem seeing a Collie manage such tender stock as lambs, kids, baby chicks or ducklings. I can also see a Collie standing up to a bull or a bad human. As loving and gentle as this breed can be, they also possess a fierce side that is rarely seen without provocation.
Early teens with a Dobe pup Twelve years of age Late teen phase with our old Shih Tzu
I always assumed my Collie was exceptional. How could I not think this considering I seldom had to do anything to formally train her? As a professional trainer, I often times handled multiple dogs. My young dogs are allowed to watch the training and participate in short sessions. No one was more pleasantly surprised when I called my dogs, gave the sit command & all of them sat including my very young Collie pup! Heel, sit, down, recall, stay were taught to this dog so easily that I might begin to think I'm an exceptional trainer except I had Dobermans, German Shepherds to keep my feet firmly on the ground. For the thirteen years of her life the collar and lead were little more than a formality. I would never assume all Collies train so easily. I believe a common trait among the Collie breed is they do not need heavy handed training tactics. A correction to my Collie was the simple lift of a finger on the lead with no more force than just a wiggle of the lead on the collar. If she started to drive off an animal on the farm I had to be very careful with the use of my voice. My Collie did not require being told something multiple times therefore if I corrected her harshly with my voice, she might never again attempt that task. Fortunate for me she was a forgiving dog & if I read in her expression & body language that I used my voice incorrectly, I had only to encourage her & then be silent except to praise her. In my opinion, the Collie is a breed of dog who can be the right hand of a handler who is thoughtful, who reads their dogs quickly & accurately. Around the farm or in the home, the Collie can be your helpmate. If something does not look right, she will point it out. A funny story that relates the intelligent of this breed. My girl was an adult when we had clients come to pick up their dog from training. They brought their young son who was not interested in dog training & very interested in exploring our farm. The cattle & horses were in the low pastures so he could wander around needing an eye kept on her. At one point the child got on a mission to climb the barbed wire fence. Our dogs were not raised with children so I am always mindful of this. It is not fair to dog or child to throw them together and expect magic. The parents had corrected their son to keep him off the fence. At one point the parents became engrossed in the training. I let my husband take over so I could watch. She worked the boy like a good herding dog should. For a good bit of time she could prevent him from getting close enough to the fence to grab it. She never touched him but she got between him & danger. Because of her size the boy did not press the issue. But there came a point that he got beyond her unless she charged him. So she began clicking her teeth and making this sound that only she made, part distress part aggravation. That was her warning: Human take care of this or I will. The parents too charge of their son, both wondering if they should have gotten a Collie rather than a Lab for their son.
Collies are not for everyone. They are not suitable for people who have an aversion to shedding, long hair. They are not a good match for someone who is heavy handed or think they have to 'show a dog who's boss'. If the human is prone to yelling, demanding I would advise another breed. The Collie needs a human who shows leadership but is not harsh. You lose the chance to have a good dog if you jerk a Collie around. There is a grooming requirement for the Rough coated Collies to keep them free of mats, tangles & debris in the coat. If it annoys someone to find shed Collie hair on their clothes or furniture, pass on this breed. With proper grooming, the shedding is much less however still present. It is highly advised that anyone considering this breed do some online research concerning the potential eye problems, drug sensitivities & other health issues occurring in the breed before you get a Collie puppy. As with any breed, educate yourself on what a good member of the breed looks like, what the proper temperament is prior to selecting a companion. The Collie should be neither hyper or nervous. Even as a pup they can be busy but not exhausting.
The Collie breed should be comprised of thinkers & unique problem solvers. As a member of the herding class, they should possess a herding dog's mind. When a dog walks into a herd & is going to help the handler sort or move the livestock, this dog must be able to read the livestock, to adjust according to his/her charges. Knowing when to push harder and when to back off to gain the livestock's respect. The herding dog must keep and eye - and ear - out for the handler's commands and directions, praise & corrections all the while staying out of harm's way while keeping the livestock in place. That is a lot of irons in the fire for anyone at one time.
Collies are not for everyone. They are not suitable for people who have an aversion to shedding, long hair. They are not a good match for someone who is heavy handed or think they have to 'show a dog who's boss'. If the human is prone to yelling, demanding I would advise another breed. The Collie needs a human who shows leadership but is not harsh. You lose the chance to have a good dog if you jerk a Collie around. There is a grooming requirement for the Rough coated Collies to keep them free of mats, tangles & debris in the coat. If it annoys someone to find shed Collie hair on their clothes or furniture, pass on this breed. With proper grooming, the shedding is much less however still present. It is highly advised that anyone considering this breed do some online research concerning the potential eye problems, drug sensitivities & other health issues occurring in the breed before you get a Collie puppy. As with any breed, educate yourself on what a good member of the breed looks like, what the proper temperament is prior to selecting a companion. The Collie should be neither hyper or nervous. Even as a pup they can be busy but not exhausting.
The Collie breed should be comprised of thinkers & unique problem solvers. As a member of the herding class, they should possess a herding dog's mind. When a dog walks into a herd & is going to help the handler sort or move the livestock, this dog must be able to read the livestock, to adjust according to his/her charges. Knowing when to push harder and when to back off to gain the livestock's respect. The herding dog must keep and eye - and ear - out for the handler's commands and directions, praise & corrections all the while staying out of harm's way while keeping the livestock in place. That is a lot of irons in the fire for anyone at one time.
There are few breeds of dog that are as dear to my heart as the Collie. Fiercely loyal who honors the rules of the house, the farm, and the family. Gentle enough to do no harm. Strong enough to do damage to man or beast perceived as a threat. My Collie played little games with our 2-3/4 pound Chihuahua, which mostly involved the little dog putting her paws on the Collie's face. The Collie snuffled her belly & would lick the little dog's face. It was a safe game to play with a dog who weighs so little. Yet she could drive out coyotes, raccoons, opossums, snakes & even contending with snapping turtles. My Collie had a brilliant mind, gentle nature & was so loving. If you select well, have a gentle hand and consistent training, and do not mind the grooming, a Collie can be an asset to the farm and home. I loved & trusted mine for all the thirteen years of her life. I often time recommend this breed to families with gentle children, elderly or people with mobility complications. With a Collie on duty I always knew she would be my ears, my eyes, & that I could trust her judgment. To anyone considering adding a Collie to your family, I wish you years & years of smiles!