Collie dog. Description, features, types, price and care of the collie breed

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Collie is the personification of canine beauty and charm. Animals act as a symbol of friendship between four-legged animals and humans. Fame came to the breed after the release of the TV series “Lassie”. Many owners of these dogs were able to appreciate not only their elegant appearance, but also their excellent working qualities.

Tips for choosing a puppy

Before buying a puppy, you need to choose a kennel or breeder. You can visit the exhibitions and the kennel itself and look at the living conditions of the dogs. A passionate breeder will be happy to give you full advice about the breed. The nursery must have an RKF license, and the puppies, accordingly, must have a puppy card, which after six months is changed to the RKF pedigree.

Pedigree collie puppies have a veterinary passport with their first vaccinations and a kennel stamp, which is reflected in the documents.

Find a breed forum on the Internet where Scottish Shepherd owners communicate. Usually there are nurseries, a message board for the sale of puppies, and blacklists of unscrupulous breeders and puppy dealers.

If you have decided on kennels, it’s time to decide on the gender of the puppy. The choice depends on your personal preferences, and both females and males have their pros and cons. If gender is not important to you, just take the puppy you like!

It is better to pick up a puppy from its mother at 1.5-2.5 months. Be sure to look at the mother - the bitch must be healthy and strong, only from a healthy animal can you get healthy puppies.

The puppies themselves are playful and active, they should not have parasites, skin diseases, and especially diarrhea or vomiting. Ears, eyes and nose should be clean. Males have a full set of testes.

Don't buy a low price - you may end up with a dirty or sick puppy. Such a child may even be provided with documents, but most likely they will be fake.

History of the origin of the collie

The second name for collie is Scottish Sheepdog. The first representatives of the breed appeared in Scotland. They were called "coels" or "collis". Some researchers believe that the name comes from the Scottish black-headed sheep of the same name. Breeders sought to make herding dogs out of animals.

Nomadic tribes brought dogs to England. The creatures guarded herds of goats, sheep, and pigs. In their homeland, four-legged animals perform this function to this day. Some experts believe that animals appeared in Britain more than 2 thousand years ago along with Roman colonists and legionnaires. At that time, the dogs had a larger build, like the border collies of today.

Later, the breed began to be crossed with other dogs. With a Gordon Setter to achieve a darker color, with a Greyhound to lengthen the muzzle. All these mixtures led to unfavorable consequences. Although these crossings took place more than 100 years ago, there are indisputable facts indicating the admixture of blood from these breeds.

Interesting fact: The creatures' fur used to be predominantly black. In 1860, Queen Victoria became seriously concerned about popularizing the breed. Having visited her own Scottish estate, she became imbued with a love for good-natured and quick-witted creatures. Since then, animals began to be bred not for grazing, but for the “soul.”

The first exhibition to which Scottish Shepherds were allowed was held in 1860 in England. In 1879, the first individual was transported to the USA, where 7 years later the Collie Club of America was founded. Nowadays, it is considered the oldest kennel club in the whole world.

Pet Personality

The collie's character is all about cheerfulness. Kind and obedient dogs can become children's and adults' best friends. The Scottish Collie is always energetic, he prefers walks and active games. Suitable for living in your own home, because this way the pet can often go for a walk. An animal feels free and calm in its home. It is optimal to bring a dog into a large family so that both the children and the dog do not get bored.

The collie, like the French shepherd, was intended to guard the herd.

Breeds such as the French, Australian Shepherd or Collie will become a person’s best friend. For this to happen, you should constantly talk to your pet, tell him how valuable and loved he is.

Collie has a reserved and balanced character. It is difficult to make the breed emotional or aggressive. It is suitable for keeping in the same house with other pets. The pet will be friends with other dogs and cats, even of the opposite sex.

The collie also has some protective traits in its character. Pets can protect their owner, but most likely they will not rush into a fight. Collies will simply stay at a distance and control the situation.

When protecting the owner, dogs prefer not to get into a fight first. If a collie lives with a large family, then all its members are friends for the dog, and she will be happy with everyone without exception. The breed also has vulnerable sides: it is pathological attachment. Animals choose one owner and cannot be alone for long.

Pets suffer from lack of communication and games. They imitate people. This breed is so smart and quick-witted that its representatives remember the actions of the owner and can knock dust out of the rug, bring a floor rag or a garbage bag. They treat strangers neutrally, feel normal in the company of strangers, show interest and activity.

Collie training

Pet training should begin from birth so that the dog understands and follows various commands. You can train a collie yourself, as representatives of this breed are good, smart and quick-witted dogs. You can teach them to take obstacles, give paw, sit, stay, lie down and many other dog commands. Kids will love helping train the pet.

Animals are considered the standard species in obedience and speed of learning. A tailed friend will easily master an introductory training course or dog sport. Modern representatives of the breed have the same herding instincts and skills as the old Russian animals.

Collie - description of the breed

These animals are considered one of the most beautiful among all canines. When assessing, the proportionality of the skull and muzzle, the correctness of their size, eye color, and ear shape are taken into account. There should be no signs of clumsiness or rudeness. In general, dogs are strong and agile.

The general appearance gives the impression of a well-built dog with a keen mind and graceful and graceful movements. Long, thick fur and a prominent mane give the creatures a majestic appearance.

Adults grow to the following sizes:

• The height of males is 60-65 centimeters;
• The height of females is 55-60 centimeters;
• Male weight: 20-30 kilograms;
• The weight of females is 19-27 kilograms.

The size of the head is in harmony with the size of the body. The skull is flat, widening between the ears and tapering towards the eyes. Smooth transition from forehead to muzzle. The slightly lowered muzzle should not be sharp. The nose is always black, regardless of color.

Thanks to their penetrating gaze, the creatures look attentive and smart. The eyes are medium-sized, oval-shaped, dark brown in color, with a slightly slanted eyelid. The exception is blue collies: one or both eyes may be light blue or a China porcelain shade.

The ears are set high and wide. When at rest, folded back. If the dog is alert, he raises his ears and points them forward. The teeth are big. The lower incisors fit tightly to the upper ones. Even a thin gap is considered a major drawback.

The neck is powerful, muscular, the back of the head is curved. The forelimbs are muscular. The shoulder blades are located obliquely, the elbows look back. The body is long, the chest is wide and deep. Powerful hips, oval-shaped paws. The hind legs are smaller than the front legs. Fingers are gathered into a ball.

The tail in a calm state is lowered, its end is slightly curved. In a state of excitement, the tail is raised to the level of the back. The coat is thick and rough to the touch. The undercoat is softer and lies tightly to the skin. On the mane and collar the hair is long and fluffy. There are puffy pants on the hips. On the tail the coat is long and shaggy, on the muzzle it is short.

Australian Kelpie

This species was bred in Australia as a result of selection of the dingo dog and the British shepherd dog (late 19th century), hence the characteristic name. Kelpies have an excellent genetic makeup that allows them to be reliable guards - well-developed muscles, strong and flexible limbs, agility, tirelessness, concentration on a moving target and rapid acceleration. All these skills allow this breed to be actively used in livestock farms.

Kelpie has the following characteristics:

• character and type of behavior - mobile, active, energetic, devoted. Has an innate guardian instinct - it protects well herds of sheep both in pens and in open spaces;
• appearance - strong body, developed chest, strong limbs. The head is proportional, the skull is slightly rounded. Eyes are medium size, brown. The ears are sharp, directed upward, the teeth are sharp, strong, the upper ones overlap the lower incisors. The tail is of medium length, slightly curved;
• coat and color - the kelpie's coat grows in 2 rows - hence the density, waterproofness and rigidity of the coat. A properly developed dog has a medium-length coat—hair that is too long or short is considered a fault. Color of noble tones - black, reddish, dark chocolate, smoky gray;
• size and weight - adult males reach 50 cm at the withers, females - up to 47 cm. Males weigh up to 20 kg, females - up to 18 kg;
• life length - up to 15 years.

Despite all the listed advantages, there are sometimes problems with training Kelpies - these breeds are quite capricious and prone to dominance and leadership. However, they are distinguished by great devotion and love for their owner, and get along well with children and other animals. Important! Kelpies do not do well in urban areas and in confined spaces (for example, a city apartment), so it is advisable to have these freedom-loving animals in rural areas.
Kelpie is a fairly rare breed; the price for 1 individual on the zoological market varies from $200 to $1000 .

These dogs are unpretentious in their care, but this breed requires regular walking 2-3 times a day. You also need to regularly clean the ear canals and eyes, and trim the nails. Food should be varied, high in protein and minimal in grains - boiled lean meat, fish, specialized food, and sometimes raw beef bones are good for this purpose (chicken tube bones should not be given). It is also better to exclude sweets and flour from the kelpie’s diet.

The Tibetan Mastiff is also classified as a herding dog.

Popular collie colors

The current FCI Standard allows only 3 colors: tricolor, sable and white, blue merle. Tricolor - the main tone is black, with rich tan marks on the legs and head. A rusty tint is a defect. Sable is any color from golden to bright red or dark. Light yellow or cream shades are undesirable.

Blue merle (blue merle) is a predominant silver-blue color, with small black spots, also called marbling. Preference is given to rich, bright red tan, but the absence is not considered a defect. Large black spots, a rusty tint or a slate color are not acceptable as standard.

All color types must have white markings in any quantity. It is desirable that they be located on the collar, shirt front, paws and limbs. White tufted tail. The predominance of white on the head is considered a fault. The mark can be on the skull or muzzle, or both at the same time.

The white color is non-standard and can have two types of origin. One of them does not affect the dog’s condition, while the other indicates health problems. In the first, the markings grew to such an extent that they began to predominate over most of the body.

Genetically, such individuals have a normal color, but they look like white or piebald. The head, ears and base of the tail are colored. This color scheme is officially recognized in the USA and some other countries, but not by the FCI. Ideally, the body should be completely white, and the head and tail should be painted.

The color of white individuals descended from two merle parents is called white merle. Such dogs often suffer from blindness, deafness and a number of other congenital diseases. At the moment, marble+marble matings are prohibited in most countries precisely because of the possibility of such puppies appearing.

Appearance

There are two types of collies: short-haired and long-haired. In appearance, they differ only in the length of their fur.

There are three types of color recognized:

1. Ginger. All shades are considered acceptable, from golden to brown. Straw and cream colors are undesirable.
2. Marble. Suggests a bluish coat, shimmering with silver, with black spots or a marbled pattern. It’s good if there are yellow marks, but if there are none, this is not considered a defect. But extensive spots of black color, gray or brown color of the undercoat are undesirable.
3. Tri-colored dogs have a predominantly black coat with yellow or brownish markings on the paws and head. Fiery ebb is not welcome.

Common characteristics of the breed are white patches on the collars, paws, legs, tip of the tail and head.

There is another breed very similar to the miniature collie. But this is a different breed - Sheltie, a shepherd dog from the Scottish islands located north of Scotland. This much smaller dog was bred to survive in the harsh conditions of this region with less food.

Scottish collies generally give the external impression of a large, well-proportioned dog. Other external characteristics of the breed are worth noting:

• triangular ears, tips pointing slightly forward;
• the head is wedge-shaped, gradually tapering towards the tip of the nose;
• medium-sized almond-shaped eyes;
• scissor bite, with the upper teeth fitting tightly to the lower teeth;
• jaws are well developed;
• Long neck;
• the tail is slightly lowered, and its tip is raised up;
• paws are long and lean;
• the body is elongated with well-developed muscles.

The permissible height at the withers for males is from 56 to 61 cm, for females - from 51 to 56 cm. The height of collies of American origin is slightly larger. In general, these dogs appear larger and have more colorful colors, but are quite rare. All collies share common character traits. This is one of the most affectionate and friendly breeds.

Collie character and habits

Animals are distinguished by their responsiveness and kindness. They are smart, loyal and will be the best friend for children or a great companion for adults. Despite their past, these creatures do not cope well with security functions. In the old days, people simply had no other options. Although they perform remarkably well as shepherds.

Interesting fact: Nowadays, dogs' help goes far beyond herding livestock. Four-legged animals perfectly sense human mood, skillfully provide psychological assistance, and are ready to support their owner in difficult times. Although these dogs do not have fighting qualities, they will no less selflessly rush to protect the owner.

Pets create a deep inner connection with their family and have a hard time being separated from their owners. Developed intelligence makes animals excellent guides, nannies for children and simply man’s best friends, including for the elderly. They listen well, love to play with children, and protect them from danger.

Other qualities of a collie's character are determined by heredity, the owner's upbringing, and the level of socialization. The creatures imitate their owners in everything. If these are athletes, they will happily run in the morning and do exercises. For families leading a measured lifestyle, dogs will be happy to support a quiet walk.

The creatures have a good memory and quickly learn commands. If you don’t introduce them to cats in childhood, when they are older they will not miss the opportunity to chase cats. When excited, four-legged animals can bark a lot and loudly. They do not like loud sounds and may behave inappropriately when separated from their owner for a long time.

How to choose a herding dog

When choosing a herding puppy, there are several factors to consider:

1. In what climate will the dog grow? If it is cold, then choose a breed with a good undercoat. In warm weather - smooth-haired.
2. What is a dog for? If you herd a flock of sheep and follow strictly specified commands, then you need one breed. If independent decisions are required from the dog, another one will be required.
3. Which breed does the owner like? Maybe the color of an individual puppy caught my eye, or maybe there is a good and familiar shepherd breeder from whom it is better to adopt a dog.

Experienced dog handlers advise buying a puppy only after meeting the dog’s parents in person. It is advisable to look at the father and mother in action, to find out what working qualities they possess. It is better if the puppy has not outgrown 8-10 weeks of age. Already at this time, the “shepherd” can demonstrate his instincts, which it is also better to ask the breeder about.

A separate point needs to be mentioned is the dog’s health. The puppy should not be lethargic. They look carefully at the coat (it should be shiny), eyes (clean), navel and other features. Any talk about bad weather, allergies or overeating should go to another breeder.

The same should be done if animals are spoken of only in superlatives: the smartest, eats everything, understands everything, etc. Each breed and individual, like a person, is individual. This also needs to be taken into account when choosing a dog. After all, a mischievous and active dog is unlikely to suit a calm owner with a measured lifestyle. The owner's temperament is one of the main factors when choosing a breed.

Interesting facts about collies

Today the existence of the breed is known in all corners of the earth. This is largely due to the world-famous series “Lassie,” which was released in 1950. However, not everyone is in a hurry to have such a pet. Their elegant appearance also has another side - grooming. Because of this, many are afraid to get such a dog.

Scottish Shepherds are very sensitive to the sun. They are saved from overheating by their long fur, which acts as a reliable shelter. On average, creatures live 10-14 years. However, a British collie named Taffy broke the record for longevity, living for almost 28 years.

Four-legged dogs are among the top smartest dogs in the world. Sensitive hearing allows them to hear the call of the owner at a distance of up to one and a half kilometers. Thanks to their beauty and charisma, creatures are often invited to appear in films, TV series, and commercials. By the way, in the famous film the female role was played by male dogs.

Creatures often act as guides. During the war, they were assigned the duties of orderlies, sappers, and signalmen. During the Russian-Japanese War, animals found the wounded and carried medicine. During the Great Patriotic War, a representative of this breed discovered explosives planted in St. Isaac's Cathedral in the Leningrad region.

The lack of aggression in the breed is explained by the fact that in the British Isles the shepherd dogs had no enemies in the form of wolves or other predators. They didn't have to fight for the sheep, just organize the flock. Pet fur has unique properties - it warms and relieves pain. Therefore, it is often used in knitting hats, socks, and belts.

Price

Collie puppies are very playful and cheerful. You can buy them in Russia in any region. There are 2 methods of buying a dog: from a kennel or from a breeder. Each of them has both advantages and disadvantages. When you go to a nursery to pick up an animal, you automatically receive a guarantee that it meets international breed standards.

However, the cost of the dog will be higher. The price of a collie with a pedigree is from 20 to 25 thousand rubles. If you want to save money, you can go to a private breeder for a dog. But don't rush to buy! First you need to understand whether you are dealing with an honest person or someone who will try to sell you a fluffy mongrel, passing it off as a purebred collie.

The “correct” puppy of this breed has beautiful long hair covering a thin body. The limbs of the animal are slender and thin, the body is wide, and the muzzle is elongated. Remember that the breed has 3 colors: sable, harlequin or tricolor.

There are no other options. There are no brown, pure white or spotted collies. If you see such a puppy in the litter, you know that they are trying to fool you. You can purchase a puppy of this breed from a breeder, without a pedigree, for 5-10 thousand rubles.

Pros and cons of collies

At first glance, it seems that this breed is created only from positive qualities. To understand the advantages and disadvantages of four-legged animals, you should have a good understanding of the characteristics of the breed. Positive qualities include good health - animals do not have a predisposition to severe genetic diseases.

Their good-natured, easy-going nature makes dogs excellent pets. The creatures' patience with children's pranks makes it possible to keep the animal in families with small children. If there is no one to meet you from work, collies will rejoice at your arrival every day as the best event in their life.

Fun fact: Creatures get along well with other pets. They easily get along with parrots, rabbits, hamsters and even cats. They easily learn commands thanks to their curiosity and sharp mind. They are unpretentious in care and not susceptible to weather changes.

Long, thick hair can remain on furniture and clothing. To prevent your pet from shedding heavily and its hair from becoming tangled, it must be combed frequently. The breed requires a lot of free space. Four-legged animals will feel uncomfortable in the apartment. Lack of fresh air can negatively affect their well-being.

Scottish Shepherds require walks outside in any weather. A cheerful disposition and activity can be a disservice to couch potato owners. If you don't provide enough entertainment and open space for your animals, they may develop health problems. Without proper training, dogs can become uncontrollable: they do not obey, they run away during walks.

Attitude towards children and others

This breed is considered a kind of friendly emblem between dog and man. The Scottish Shepherd easily gets along with other pets. The dog is indifferent to hamsters, parrots, fish and cats.

Important! The Scottish Collie is a good-natured and gentle animal. But at the same time she still remains a dog. It is impossible to completely trust children’s animals as a nanny, leaving the little ones unattended alone with the dog.

Collie is a representative of the group of herding breeds, so the highly intelligent dog will constantly look after the owner, and will also happily “herd” both him and his children on walks. The pet often gets nervous if one of the family members goes somewhere for a long time.

Collie Breeding

If the pet does not have a pedigree or suffers from serious illnesses, it is better not to allow it to be mated. If you are still puzzled by this matter, weigh the costs of the upcoming process: mating with a breeding individual, providing high-quality food and vitamins to a pregnant female, raising puppies.

Puberty in females occurs at the age of 6-8 months. In this case, the formation of the organism occurs even later. In males, puberty occurs at 12-16 months. The female, especially during estrus, should be closely monitored to avoid mating too early. The physical development of females is completed at 18-24 months, for males at exactly 2 years.

The best time for bitches to start breeding is their third heat. They can mate until they are 8-9 years old, males - from 2 to 10 years old. Mating is usually carried out 12-14 days after the start of estrus. Both partners should be checked by a veterinarian for diseases before mating. Mating is best done in the morning, on an empty stomach, after walking the pets.

Mating can be carried out in two ways: free and manual. In the first option, the partners are left alone for a while. This method is suitable for couples when the female is interested in the male, and the second has already had mating experience. Hand knitting requires human assistance. The procedure should be carried out 2 days in a row or every other day.

Pregnancy lasts 55-66 days. In the first month, signs of its onset may not appear. By week 5, the nipples swell and milk may be released from them. Mucus discharge comes from the vagina. At 7-8 weeks, the offspring can be felt moving.

On the eve of childbirth, the pet may refuse to eat, be lethargic, or, conversely, restless. During the normal course of the process, the woman in labor will not need help. Place the born puppies in a separate box so that the mother does not crush them. At the same time, the female should see the babies so as not to worry about them.

Mating

Collies are medium-sized dogs, but mating should take place in a free room with the participation of a specialist. Both pets are checked for pathologies and diseases, and treated for worms and external parasites.

Shepherd dogs reach puberty at 8-10 months, but they can be bred starting at 18 months. During this period, the bitch should already be in her third heat and show signs: swelling of the loop, light discharge, playful behavior.

1. The girl is brought to the male dog’s territory, where the animals are given time to get acquainted and sniff (15-20 minutes).
2. When the female is ready, she will allow the male to mount.
3. At this time, the owner must support the bitch under the belly so that she does not sit down.
4. The boy is sent to the noose.
5. During the lock, pets should be in a comfortable position.
6. Mating is repeated after 2 days.

Collie care

The animal's luxurious hair requires daily care to prevent tangles from appearing on it. In addition to combing, taking care of your hair means getting a haircut at the groomer twice a year. Crumpled clumps should be treated with creams and oils with a softening effect. Choose tougher combs. Combing should last at least 15 minutes.

It is recommended to bathe your pet once or twice a month. During the procedure, you should use special shampoos, and then wipe the dog with a soft towel. Shampoos make the coat softer, which is why the breed mark is lost. During the rainy season, it is better to wear raincoats on four-legged animals. In hot weather, you can let your pet swim in the nearest pond.

Puppies should be taught to have their nails trimmed from infancy. Starting from the 10th day of their life, it is necessary to use a nail clipper. If children are not taught this from childhood, in adulthood they will not allow this procedure to be performed. Do not hurt the animal, otherwise it will be afraid of cutting its claws all its life.

Important fact: When ears and eyes become dirty, wipe them with cotton swabs or pads. Sometimes they can be moistened with chamomile tea or tea leaves. Timely vaccination will save your pet from infectious diseases. The first vaccination is given at 2 months. Then once a year.

For teeth use a brush and a special powder. Large bones or crackers help remove plaque from the enamel. The animal must be shown to the veterinarian twice a year. If you want your pet to be healthy, you should not ignore this procedure. You can’t shout at your pet, much less hit him. He may withdraw into himself and not respond to commands.

How much do border collie puppies cost?

The cost of puppies is determined by:

• title of parents;
• litter size;
• compliance of the animal with the accepted standard;
• purchasing power of people in a particular region.

How much does a border collie puppy cost:

• the cost of a pet class pet is 30-40 thousand rubles;
• price of a breed-class puppy – from 50 thousand rubles;
• for a show-class animal you will have to pay from 70 thousand rubles.

Private individuals sell puppies much cheaper - for 12-20 thousand rubles. However, an undocumented pet may have hereditary diseases or be a mixed breed.

Collie diet

Scottish Shepherds cannot be called gourmets. They treat both natural food and dry food equally well. Dogs are not allergic, so problems with nutrition are rare. Babies must receive more food than their adult counterparts in order to have enough energy for full development.

The easiest option for the owner is to give the pet ready-made food. You can buy several packages at once and provide your dog with a good supply. Store-bought food should contain at least 20% protein and 15% protein. Premium food contains the daily requirement of all necessary vitamins and microelements.

Please note that if you choose the dry food option, it will be extremely difficult to retrain your pet to eat homemade food. When choosing natural feeding, the owner will have to spend time preparing fresh food every day. Adults will need at least 400 grams of meat.

It is better to give preference to beef, rabbit and chicken. Sometimes they can be replaced with offal or boiled fish. Vegetables and cereals are added to the dish. The volume of porridge should be up to 600 grams per day. It is acceptable to introduce non-tubular bones into the diet. Creation calcium is obtained from cottage cheese, boiled eggs (one per week).

Puppies should not be offered:

• Unprocessed fruits and vegetables;
• Raw eggs;
• Fish;
• Bones;
• Boiled potatoes;
• Bread products.

From cereals you can give buckwheat, rice, oatmeal. Instead of sweets, it is better to make do with biscuits. It is advisable to exclude fried and smoked foods. Legumes are prohibited. Products should always be fresh and expiration dates in order. Pregnant females and puppies are given additional vitamins.

Feeding

The collie dog breed is not picky. Animals can eat both special dry and wet food from the store, and home-cooked meals. Before choosing one of the feeding methods, you need to carefully consider all the points. The first option is suitable for busy owners. Those who want to give preference to home-cooked food, believing that this is the most economical option, need to take into account one nuance: waste from their own table is not suitable for dogs. It is necessary to think over a full menu for your pet, using only high-quality products for cooking.

List of healthy foods for Scottish Shepherds:

• boiled beef;
• liver;
• eggs;
• boiled fish without bones, preferably sea fish;
• dairy products;
• grain crops;
• cheese;
• seaweed;
• vegetables;
• yeast;
• medicinal plants in the form of herbal supplements;
• vitamins.

Harmful products:

• raw pork, river fish and lard;
• tubular bones;
• peas;
• fried potatoes;
• pearl barley;
• flour products;
• sweets.

Diseases and health problems

The dog's body is characterized by good immunity and good health. Four-legged animals can easily endure a two-hour walk in cold weather.

Despite this, there are a number of diseases to which the breed is prone:

1. Dermatomyoside is a skin disease that causes muscle problems. According to researchers, about 70% of individuals are susceptible to this disease;
2. Mental disorders, epilepsy - convulsions with salivation, involuntary bowel movements;
3. Nasal solar dermatitis is peeling of the skin of the nose, sometimes its color changes. If not treated promptly, the disease can develop into cancer. Deterioration of the condition will be prevented by limiting exposure to sunlight, using sunscreen, and tattooing with black ink;
4. Dysplasia - problems with joints;
5. Deafness - individuals with marbled color are susceptible to the disease;
6. Collie Eye Syndrome is a disease that develops into blindness. Leads to retinal atrophy, cataracts, and choroidal hypoplasia.

The brains of herding dogs may undergo changes in the cerebellum. Brain damage is difficult to treat and leads to neurological disorders. Occasionally, allergic reactions to dry food or certain products occur due to individual intolerance.

The average life expectancy of a pet directly depends on the living conditions, quality of food, and duration of walks. The absence of congenital diseases shifts all responsibility for the dog’s immunity to its owner. With proper care, the dog will feel good and have good health.

Care and maintenance

The collie is a long-haired breed that sheds frequently and profusely, so it requires constant brushing. In general, caring for Scottish Shepherds is no different from caring for any long-haired breed.

The fur of these dogs has healing properties. Products knitted or rolled from it can cure various diseases. In addition, they come out very soft and warm.

You need to keep such a dog near your family. Otherwise there are no regulations. This is not a very large dog, so a city apartment will be enough for her. Of course, a shepherd dog will feel best in the countryside in a private house with free access to a shady yard.

Nutrition

Collies can be fed both dry food and natural food. The first option attracts breeders due to its ease of use. But in this case, you need to select only premium class products for active breeds with long hair. The best option would be holistic food (grain-free food). Dry foods still need to be diluted a little with water or broth for better absorption.

• With natural feeding, 50% of the diet should be lean raw or boiled chicken, lamb, veal or rabbit.
• Another 30-40% belongs to cereals.
• The rest of the menu can be divided between fermented milk products, boiled eggs, sea fish and plant foods.

The diet NOT include the following foods:

1. Potatoes, melon, grapes (high levels of starch);
2. White bread and flour products;
3. Sweet;
4. Boiled tubular bones;
5. Pork;
6. Butter;
7. Citrus;
8. Onion garlic.

The frequency of feeding depends on the age of the dog. Puppies are fed 5-6 times, adult pets - 2 times a day (morning and evening). Food should be warm and soft. On average, an adult Collie eats 500 grams of dry or natural food per day.

Health

Collies are original dogs; there was practically no human participation in the selection process, so the principle of “survival of the fittest” worked. The breed is in good health and has a strong immune system. There are not very many hereditary diseases. On average, pets live 12-15 years.

Of course, a dog’s life expectancy depends on care, nutrition, timely vaccinations and examinations at a veterinary clinic.

Vaccinations

Puppies begin to be vaccinated at 1.5-2 months , when maternal immunity ceases to function. As a rule, the first vaccinations are carried out by nurseries. The owner who bought the pet must follow the vaccination calendar:

1. Complex vaccination is carried out at 1.5, 2, 6, 12 months and annually;
2. Anti-rabies treatment is carried out at 7 months and is repeated annually.

Certain vaccination rules should be followed to avoid possible problems. Dogs must be absolutely healthy; Pregnant and lactating females and hypothermic pets are not allowed.

2 weeks before vaccination, the pet undergoes a deworming procedure . If you observe long-term negative side effects, you should contact a veterinary clinic.

The cost of vaccination depends on the status of the veterinary clinic. Most often, vaccination costs 400-1000 rubles.

Diseases

• There is a risk of several congenital diseases: blindness, deafness and eye deformities. To avoid such problems, you need to talk with the breeder and ask him about the defects of the parents.
• Due to their long hair, Collies are susceptible to skin diseases: allergic reactions to food and hygiene products, dermatitis and irritation, skin infection (staphylococcus).
• Various dislocations and sprains may occur . There is a risk of developing hip dysplasia. This disease is characterized by acute pain when walking, eversion of paws, and lameness. Unfortunately, at the moment it is incurable, but you can alleviate your pet’s suffering with medication or surgery. To avoid such problems, you need to avoid excessive stress on the hind legs.

Healthy Collies are cheerful and active. In case of refusal to eat, bad mood, unpleasant symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, change in urine color), you should consult a doctor to immediately prescribe a course of treatment.

Walk

Collies are very active dogs and need to burn off their energy. Thus, if a pet lives in an apartment or indoors, then he needs to walk 3 times a day for 1-1.5 hours with jogging and games. If the shepherd has free access to the yard, then 1 hour of training a day is enough.

These dogs love to swim. A trip to a pond on a hot day will be a real joy for them. Ball games are one of the most popular pastimes for pets, and Collie is no exception.

You can walk the puppy after the second vaccination. Small shepherd dogs are not heavily loaded - they are walked 3-4 times a day for 20-30 minutes . It is necessary to accustom your pet to walks on a leash and without it. Collies are not prone to running away.

Photo: Larisa Kadina

Grooming

There are several basic points for caring for a long-haired Collie:

• The coat must be combed 3-4 times a week during the period of active shedding (spring and autumn). Comb daily using a furminator;
• are bathed 2-3 times every six months and when soiled; shampoos are purchased for long-haired dogs;
• After walks , wipe the dog with a damp towel and wash its paws under warm water;
• Eyes should be wiped with chamomile solution daily;
• Ears are examined every day; treated 2-3 times a week with antiseptic solutions, excess hair is cut out (in the auricle);
• Nails are trimmed once a month;
• Teeth are brushed once every 2 weeks;
• Worms are removed every 2-3 months;
• During the summer, it is important to treat the fur against fleas and ticks.

The dog actively sheds almost always. The owner must come to terms with the fact that cleaning will have to be done every day.

History of name and types

The history of the name of the collie breed is a little confusing and not precise. There is no clear information anywhere.

The breed is divided into 2 types:

• long-haired appearance;
• smooth-haired appearance;
• Bearded Collie or Birdie.
• Border Collie;
• Sheltie.