Collie Puppy, Are they great family dogs?
If you plan to own a Collie puppy you it is important to know they are herders. Like most herding breeds, when given the chance they will try to herd anything in sight, this can include you and your other pets!
These great dogs have a reputation of being very gentle and they take very well to obedience training. If you have a family they are a great choice as they trustworthy, eager to please and lovable.
They won’t take as much time as you would think for grooming however they will need your time for attention and affection.
What size will a Collie puppy reach when fully grown?
Collies are large sized adorable dogs that grow to be between 60-66cm (24-26 inches) for males and 55- 60cm (22-24 inches) for the females. The head of your Collie will generally reach your high thigh area and their back will roughly sit at your mid thigh area.
How heavy will a Collie puppy grow to be?
Your male Collie puppy is heavier than your female due to their size and should grow up to weigh between 60-75 pounds (27-34kg). If you have a female they tend to range from 50-65 pounds (22-27kg).
What Colors do Collies tend to be?
The most common color you will find a Collie is the sable and white made famous by the one of the most well known dogs in the world “Lassie”! Was there anything that Lassie couldn’t do?
Collies do come in many different colors though. You can find both varieties of Collies (smooth and rough coats) come in sable and white, blue merle, tri color (black, tan & white) and white.
How long is the Coat of a Collie?
As mentioned earlier, the Collies come in two different varieties being the Smooth Collie and Rough Collie. It’s not hard for you to guess that these names are given to them due to the style coats.
Rough Coat: These are the Collies you may have seen with the long thick coats. The outer top layer is harsh and straight to touch whilst the undercoat has more of a soft fluffy feel. The coat will be at its fullest around the mane and tail with the face more of a smooth short appearance. Your Collie puppy will also grow up to have feathered areas of hair on the backs of their legs with the front being smoother.
Smooth Coat: These Collies have a short coat that is made up of a very thick and dense undercoat with a rougher course outer layer which is clearly very different to the rough variety.
How long will I need to spend grooming my Collie?
Both the Rough Collie and Smooth Collies will need your attention for grooming but of course a little more effort needs to go into the longer, thicker coat of the rough varieties. However this may not be as often as you think. Usually if you give a weekly brush it will do the job and some stages of the year you can get away with fortnightly brushing. Your Collie’s coat will tend to shed heavily once to twice a year, this is for both the Rough and Smooth Collies.
If you plan on owning a Collie puppy the great news for you is that these dogs are generally very clean animals. You won’t need to worry about that “doggy smell” around your home as they have little to no odor about them. Of course the occasional bath is a good idea as it will always help to keep them looking good. Remember how clean Lassie always looked?
Do Collies have a long lifespan?
Collie puppies live on average up to 12 years of age but with the right nutrition and care you can see these pups live longer, in some cases up to 14 years. If you put in the effort to provide quality care for your Collie, you can increase the time you will have with them.
Collies can be prone to a few problems with the main one being eye problems. The best way to ensure that your puppy will be as healthy as possible is to do your research and get your pup from a responsible breeder. Doing so will allow you to check the history of the pup including historical medical information of the parents. Knowing their parents have had no problems can usually lessen the chance of adopting a pooch that may develop hereditary problems in the future.
What sort of Temperament will a Collie have?
Collies are fantastic dogs that will show a lot of loyalty and love towards you and your family. These calm dogs are very intelligent and they do excel with their obedience, especially when you start them learning from a young age. It is good to know that Collies really are people dogs. They just love being around your family and are definitely unhappy dogs if they get a lack of attention. They will be great with your kids, as long as they have been socialized from a young age, and will adore playing with them. They tend to be very alert dogs that want to be protective of you and your family but in saying that they are not known to be aggressive. This can make them very good watch dogs.
Collie puppies are generally a friendly breed of dog and will enjoy the company of any other dogs you may already have. However you may find them trying to herd up your other dogs and animals due to their herding background.
How much Exercise will my Collie need?
These are active dogs that belong to the Herding Breed Group. Whilst indoors they can be fairly calm and inactive but when you give them the chance to be outdoors and exercising, they are really in their element.
These dogs are not a breed that you can just leave in the backyard. They will want to be around you and you will need to take them out for daily walks. If you don’t, you’ll end up with a very depressed pooch on your hands which will most likely be a noisy one too!
As the Collies are so naturally obedient, intelligent and athletic dogs, they love to be involved and excel at dogs sports. In particular, agility, herding and obedience competitions are excellent ways for you to keep your Collie active and mentally exercised. These dog sports are a great way to bond with your Collie and meet other people who love Collies as well.
Am I the Ideal owner for a Collie puppy?
With their friendly nature, willingness to please and loyalty, these dogs are suited to most people as long as you have enough space for them. Of course giving them plenty of affection and attention will need to be on the top of your list.
They love a family life and will adore you should you be willing to take them to dog sports competitions. They love to be involved with the competitions and it is where you can see your Collie puppy at their best!
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