Dog breed profile
Collie
A detailed profile covering characteristics, everyday care and linked health conditions.
Quick facts
Typical guide only; individual needs vary.
Profile description
The Collie is a medium-to-large herding breed developed in Scotland and northern England to manage sheep and other livestock. The name may refer to either the Rough Collie, with its long abundant coat, or the Smooth Collie, with a short dense coat. Most adults stand around 51 to 61 centimetres tall and weigh approximately 18 to 34 kilograms.
Collies have a long refined head, semi-erect ears and an athletic but graceful build. Common colours include sable and white, tricolour, blue merle and white. Collies are usually intelligent, gentle, sensitive and strongly attached to their families. They often live well with children and other animals and may be naturally watchful without being aggressive. Their herding background can lead them to chase, circle or bark at moving people, animals or vehicles.
Collies are generally responsive to training but may become anxious under harsh handling or chaotic conditions. They enjoy regular activity and mental engagement but are often less intense than some other herding breeds. This breed generally suits owners who can provide companionship, positive training, moderate exercise and appropriate coat care. The Collie's typical athletic, gentle, intelligent qualities are most constructive when household rules are predictable and desirable behaviour receives regular reinforcement.
Before choosing a Collie, prospective owners should consider adult temperament, activity and handling needs as well as appearance. Any interaction between a Collie and children should be actively supervised, with the dog given an undisturbed resting place and the children taught respectful handling. A prospective Collie owner should plan for a moderate activity commitment and routine maintenance, while allowing for the breed's athletic and gentle manner.
First-time dog owner tips
Practical preparation for welcoming this breed into your home.
Care requirements
The Collie benefits from daily walks, mental stimulation and gentle, consistent training. Obedience, scent work, herding, trick training and controlled play provide useful outlets for the breed’s intelligence. Training a sensitive Collie should preserve trust: lower the difficulty when the dog disengages and reward small correct responses instead of escalating pressure. Give the Collie structured outlets for controlling movement while separately rewarding calm responses to runners, bicycles, children and other fast-moving triggers. Reward quiet alternative behaviour before the Collie's alert barking becomes habitual, and reduce repeated exposure to triggers that cannot yet be handled calmly. For the Collie, fencing and lead equipment are part of welfare: gates should close reliably, boundary gaps should be checked and identification details kept current.
Socialisation should include people, children, dogs, vehicles, household sounds and grooming procedures. Herding and chasing behaviour should be redirected calmly. Rough Collies require brushing several times a week and more frequently during seasonal shedding. Use each grooming session to examine the Collie's skin, feet, ears and body outline, making the process cooperative enough that subtle changes are noticed early. Introduce brushing, foot handling, mouth examination and quiet restraint to the Collie in brief rewarded steps before any of those procedures becomes urgent.
Smooth Collies generally need weekly brushing. Particular attention should be given behind the ears, under the legs and around the tail where long hair may mat. Teeth should be brushed regularly, nails trimmed and ears checked for debris or irritation.
Food portions should maintain a lean body condition. Regular veterinary examinations should monitor eyes, hips, thyroid function, skin and neurological health. Some Collies carry a medication-sensitivity mutation, so owners should inform veterinarians of the breed before medications are prescribed. Responsible breeders should complete appropriate eye and genetic screening. Secure fencing and daily companionship are recommended.
Conditions linked to this breed
Atopy, Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases
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Cataract [Cloudiness of the Lens of the Eye]
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Cerebellar Abiotrophy [Cerebellar Ataxia]
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Collie Eye Anomaly [Choroidal Hypoplasia]
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Copper Hepatopathy
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Corneal Dystrophy
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Degenerative Myelopathy
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Demodectic Mange
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Dermatomyositis
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Ectropion and Entropion
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Epilepsy (Idiopathic, Primary or Inherited Seizures)
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Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
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Focal Multifocal Acquired Retinopathy
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Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV, or “Bloat”)
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Haemophilia A (Factor VIII Deficiency)
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Hip Dysplasia
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Inherited Deafness
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Merle Associated Diseases Merle Ocular Dysgenesis and Pigment Associated Deafness
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Osteochondrosis
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Persistent Pupillary Membrane & Persistent Hyaloid Remnants
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy Generalised
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Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA)
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General dog health conditions
These conditions can affect dogs generally and are not presented as conditions specifically associated with this breed.
Diabetes Mellitus
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Hypothyroidism
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Otitis Externa (Ear Infections)
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Pancreatitis
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