GROUP 5 - WORKING DOGS

Brief History
The Collie was originally bred to herd sheep in the rugged areas of Scotland. The Collie’s popularity owes much to Queen Victoria, who added Collies and other Scottish breeds to her kennels at Balmoral. Today’s beautiful Collie evolved from an old-fashioned working dog to the aristocrat we see today.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 12 to 14 years.

Temperament
The Collie is affectionate, friendly, intelligent and loyal.

General Breed Description
The Collie is a medium size dog, and comes in two varieties, they may be Rough Coated or Smooth Coated. There are three accepted colours: Sable and White, Tricolour and Blue Merle. A moderate amount of exercise is required, ideally consisting of a backyard with room to play and a regular walk.

Coat and Care Requirements
With his luxurious double coat, the Rough Coated Collie requires regular, diligent grooming. Thorough grooming once or twice a week will keep the coat in good condition. The Smooth Collie still has a double coat, but the outer coat is short, and requires considerably less attention than the Rough. More attention is required when coat is shedding/moulting – usually once a year.

Size
Height: Males 56 to 61cms (22 to 24ins), Females 51 to 56cms (20 to 22ins).
Weight: Males 20.5 to 30kgs, Females 18 to 25kgs.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Collie is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and other hereditary problems.

Suitability
If you are prepared to spend time grooming, the Collie is an ideal pet for all owners, and they are loyal and kind with families. As with all dogs, young children and pets should always be supervised when together. They are usually compatible with other dogs and cats, once acquainted and if introduced and socialised well as a puppy. Collies perform well in Obedience, and Agility.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/156