Collie - Rough & Smooth
- Gentle
- Loyal
- Intellige
- Agile
- Elegant
Collie - Rough & Smooth History
Rough & Smooth Coated Collies are thought to be descendants of the canines that Roman invaders brought to Scotland in 50 B.C.
They then became the native herding dogs and were named after the black-faced sheep of Scotland that were known as ‘Colleys’.
The most famous Rough Coated Collie is ‘Lassie’ a dog that stared in the film in the 1940’s.
The breed was officially recognised by the British Kennel Club in 1886.
Collie - Rough & Smooth Characteristics
There are two variations within the breed defined by coat length, long haired and short haired.
They can be found in three colours including tricolour, sable and white and blue merle. This is a high maintenance coat and requires regular grooming.
Blue merles should never be cross bred as the dominant merle gene will cause birth defects or even death.
They are friendly, loyal dogs and are protective of their families. They also socialise well with other pets.
Collie - Rough & Smooth Health Issues
Average lifespan is 12-14 years.
Common Illnesses include;
- Epilepsy – Recurrent seizures.
- Bloat (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, GDV) – Twisting of the stomach resulting in rapid swelling of the abdomen causing pain and eventual death if not treated.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – Progressive degeneration of the retina eventually causing blindness.
- Collie Eye Anomaly – A congenital, inherited condition involving both eyes, caused by a recessive gene defect. It can cause mild disease or blindness in a small percentage of causes. There is a DNA test available to ensure breeders are not producing puppies with this defect.
- Hypothyroidism – Underactive thyroid gland causing obesity, lethargy, ear infections and skin problems.
- Drug Sensitivity (MDR 1 gene) – Collies are hypersensitive to certain drugs and can have serious adverse reactions. Always check with your veterinarian before using medication.
- Degenerative Myelopathy – Spinal cord degeneration in older dogs beginning with hind limb weakness and progressing to paralysis.