Smooth Collie
A Smooth Collie is a breed of dog that was created initially for herding purposes. They are a short-coated version of the Rough Collie of Lassie fame. There are a few breed organizations that consider smooth-coated and rough-coated dogs to be variations of the same breed.
Breed Profile
Height
22-26
Inches
Weight
50-60 pound
Pounds
Life Span
12-14
Years
Health
health
Dental Disease
What is it?
A dental disease usually begins with food residue, which hardens into tartar that accumulates on the teeth and can eventually infect the gums and tooth roots.
Clinical Signs
Decreased interest in eating dry food.
Decreased interest in hard treats.
Chewing more slowly than usual.
Dropping food from the mouth while chewing.
Excessive drooling.
Pawing at the mouth.
New or worsening resistance to having the face/mouth touched.
Treatment
The recommended treatment will depend on how severe your dog's case is and the underlying cause. You may have to clean your cat's teeth at home, give him/her antibiotics (a pill or an oral rinse) for the infection, have a vet remove inflammation-inducing plaque from your cat's teeth under anaesthesia, and sometimes take immunosuppressive medications. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove teeth that might cause inflammation in the future
Eligible vet bill
$400
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Friendly & Good Tempered
The Smooth Collie can make a good family dog because they are friendly, good-tempered, and active.
Playful
They are typically playful around their family.
Affectionate
Smooth Collies share very strong connections with their people.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Collie dogs have thick undercoats and short, flat topcoats.
Colors
The Smooth Collie comes in three colors: sable and white, tricolor (black with tan and white markings), and blue merle (silver-blue with black markings).
Hypoallergenic
No.
Grooming
As smooth collies have a double coat, the undercoat must be brushed out regularly during shedding season, though they shouldn’t mat.
Training
You can train a Smooth Collie to do nearly anything with kind, patient method
The majestic Collie breed ranks among the world's most famous and beloved dogs, thanks to a century of pop-culture fame. The full coated 'rough' Collie is the more common type, but there is also a sleek 'smooth' Collie. Standing between 22 and 26 inches tall, the Collie is a large but lithe herder. Their rough coat is impressively showy; the smooth coat's charms are subtler but no less satisfying. The coat colors of both varieties are sable and white, tricolor, blue merle, or white.
With their elegant wedge-shaped heads, mobile ears, and almond-shaped eyes, Collie breeders take pride in their breed. Children love Collies, and they make wonderful family pets. Regular exercise and companionship are essential for these swift, athletic dogs. When trained gently, they can learn quickly and happily. Legendaries are Collie's loyalty, intelligence, and sterling character.
In the 18th century, the Collie was bred as a herding dog in Scotland and England. The Rough Collie has long hair, while the Smooth Collie has shorter hair. In comparison to the Rough Collie, the Smooth Collie is said to retain more working instincts. Known for their clean coats and lack of doggie odor, Collies excel in obedience, agility, and herding competitions. Smooth Collies have devoted family dogs and have an average lifespan of 14-16 years.
Smooth Collie Dog: Introduction to the Breed
The decision to add a new pet to your family is undoubtedly a big one. It is important to spend the time and energy researching the variety of puppies available and determining which will be most beneficial to your family and lifestyle before you purchase another pup. The Smooth Collie breed has a few things you need to know.
Smooth Collie dogs are generally:
Highly intelligent, playful, and energetic
An excellent companion, family, or working dog
Good with children and other pets
Protective of family; good watch dog
Highly trainable and eager to please
Sweet, gentle, and sensitive
The Smooth Collie is friendly, good-tempered, alert, and active and requires a lot of mental stimulation and entertainment to be a good family pet. These dogs enjoy training and can reach very high standards in canine competition if that is what you enjoy, but if you enjoy working them in some capacity, they won't mind bringing home trophies! Due to their sensitive nature and tendency to bark excessively, they require gentle, calm handling and consistent training.
What are the Origins of the Smooth Collie?
Smooth Collies are, in essence, Rough Collies without the heavy and protective long coat. The Smooth Collie was developed to work sheep in the Scottish Lowlands, where the weather is milder, and the ground is less exposed than in the Highlands. Scottish sheepdogs of this type have existed almost if a man has kept sheep, but since they were bred to perform rather than to look good, their appearances have varied greatly over the years.
Although Smooth Collies have existed for over 200 years, they have been refined by outcrossing to Greyhounds and back to Rough Collies. During her visits to Balmoral in the early 1860s, Queen Victoria noticed these dogs. In fact, she took a few back to Windsor and they became wildly popular as pets and showed dogs as a result. Despite this, the breed remains rare, having lost popularity as a show dog to the more glamorous - and film star - Rough Collie.
By the time Victoria "discovered" the Collie later in the century, the breed's now familiar characteristics had already been established. During the 20th century, American author and dog breeder Albert Payson Terhune popularized the Sunnybank Collies for generations of eager young readers. His novel Lassie Come-Home launched one of the greatest pop-culture franchises of all time in 1940. As a result of Knight's books, spin-off movies, and a long-running TV show, Lassie made Collies the ideal canine companion for every child.
What are the Risks for the Smooth Collie Dog Breed?
According to canine genetic researchers and veterinarians, the conditions described here may have a significant incidence and/or impact on this breed of dog during their lifetime. This doesn't mean your dog will have these problems; it just means there is a risk of development with this breed. To give you an idea of what may happen in their future, we will describe the most common issues seen in Smooth Collies.
Smooth Collie health problems may include:
Epilepsy
Lucas
Collie Eye Anomaly
Degenerative Myelopathy
Hernia
Research dollars have been invested by the Collie Health Foundation in identifying and solving health problems, and their website offers great information. A board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist must examine puppies between 6-8 weeks old for Collie eye anomaly, an inherited eye disease. MDR1 mutations also cause some Collies to be sensitive to certain drugs. In general, Collies can live between 12 and 14 years and are generally healthy, but prospective buyers should ask questions of breeders and understand what health guarantees can be provided. Keep an eye on your dog’s diet, make sure they get plenty of exercises, brush their teeth and coat regularly, and consult a vet if you notice anything unusual.
Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise
You can help your Collie live a longer, healthier, and happier life by incorporating routine care into their daily routine. The importance of a healthy diet and exercise routine cannot be overstated.
You should supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Make sure doors are closed, clean up after yourself, and block off rooms as needed. This way, your dog will stay out of trouble and away from objects they shouldn't eat.
At least once a week, brush their coat.
You can help keep Smooth Collies' teeth healthy by brushing them at least twice a week.
Make sure they are fed a high-quality diet that is appropriate for their age.
Make sure your dog gets regular exercise, but don't overdo it at first.
Sadly, even if you do everything you can to keep your Smooth Collie healthy, they can still get sick. That’s why it’s crucial to be prepared for the things that you can’t prevent. At Spot Pet Insurance, our number one priority is helping you give your dog the long, happy, and healthy life they deserve. Reach out today and request a free pet insurance quote to learn more about our range of well-rounded plan options for your Smooth Collie.