Collie dog. Collie dog breed: photo. dwarf collies

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The Collie (Scottish Sheepdog) is now considered the most fashionable breed of indoor dogs in the UK. There are rough and short-haired collies, border collies and bearded collies. But all these species are distinguished by a wide flat skull, long neck and muzzle, half-pointed ears, kind oval eyes and a straight back.

History of the breed

Different spellings of the word "collie" at different times have led to a divergence of opinion as to where the name of this breed came from. Some believe that the word referred to comes from the name of the black Scottish sheep - colleys, according to others, it is associated with the adjective col, meaning "dark". In the coloration of many Scottish Shepherds, a dark color is really present. Interestingly, the word col also means "circle" or "collar". As a result, according to others, the breed in question owes its name to the white collar and white coat on the chest, which are another distinguishing feature of these dogs.

The ancestors of the Rough Collie appeared in Scotland over 400 years ago, where they were brought from Iceland. The first descriptions of dogs similar to them were seen on the pages of one of the editions of 1790, dedicated to the dogs of the British Isles. The breed mentioned in the book belonged to the shepherd sheep dogs. They, most likely, served as, so to speak, the material for the further breeding of English breeds, such as the border collie, rough and short-haired collies.

Queen Victoria made a significant contribution to the development of these species. She adopted Scottish Sheepdogs, and professional dog breeders soon followed her example. It is likely that at first the royal dog breeders crossed Scottish Sheepdogs with representatives of other breeds. It is possible that they were setters and greyhounds. As a result of this, a breed appeared, which in the modern world is a symbol of beauty and intelligence - the Scottish Shepherd, or Collie.

Character of dogs

It is rare to find an animal with such wonderful characteristics! Collie dog breed is considered the most intelligent, beautiful, loyal and kind. You won't find a more ideal pet for a family with children. The character of the Scottish Shepherd shows a tendency to care for and patronize the weak, which makes it the best nanny for children. With kids, collies can frolic for hours, meekly allowing them petty pranks. The dog almost never snaps in response to attempts to pull his coat, ears or tail. But that doesn't mean children should be allowed to torture an animal.

Scottishshepherd dogs get along very easily with other representatives of the animal world, they show friendliness even towards poultry and cats. Their intelligence is also at a high level. Regular exercise with your pet can achieve very good results. They can understand dozens of words, not to mention execute certain commands. Easily trainable. The collie dog is very inquisitive. First of all, she tries to earn praise and approval from the owner, so she will try her best. But remember: only with the help of kind words and treats as a reward can high results be achieved. Punishment and rudeness make Scottish Shepherds insecure. And coercion will make them stubborn.

Over the past 100 years, the appearance (exterior) of modern collies has changed a lot, but the instincts and character that have been formed over the centuries have remained the same. Therefore, even today one can notice the shepherd's habits in the behavior of the Scottish Shepherd Dogs, in the genetic code of which a strong attachment to people, unpretentiousness and good he alth are clearly recorded.

Long-haired shepherd dogs are considered more aristocratic than short-haired ones. However, in critical situations, the agile smooth-coated collie behaves more courageously, it becomes a more formidable and dangerous opponent for strangers. It should be noted that despite its meekness, this breed is not considered "quiet". These are shepherd dogs bred to control the flock with their voice. Therefore, Scottish Sheepdogs bark willingly, although they never do this.for no reason.

Education

The collie breed is highly intelligent and easy to train. These dogs have well-developed sense organs, therefore, it is not necessary to raise your voice unnecessarily, and this should not be done too often. They do not like violence and rough treatment, from such an attitude a collie can withdraw into itself forever. From the very first days, you need to communicate calmly and evenly with the puppy. The best results will be achieved if the voice when issuing commands differs in intonation and timbre. The training of the Scottish Shepherd must begin from the very moment it appears in the house. Collie dog will become what his owner wants to see. Therefore, the owner must clearly define for himself what he wants from his pet, what will be allowed to him and what is not. Then you need to persistently and calmly stop your pet every time he oversteps the boundaries of what is permitted.

The Scottish Sheepdog loves to be pleased, and often seeks to anticipate the desires of his beloved owner. Moreover, it adapts to the lifestyle of the family in which it lives. From the first month, collie puppies (long-haired or short-haired breed - it doesn’t matter) should get used to the diet, place to rest and sleep, they need to be taught their own name, washing, leash, as well as walking and elementary commands.

It is desirable to start the socialization of a collie from birth, you need to take it outside, introduce it to other animals and people. This will turn her into a pet capable of living in society. collie dognature temperamental and very energetic. This character trait remains with her until the end of her life. The animals in question are constantly in need of new experiences and movement. Keeping these dogs on a chain is unacceptable! Constant communication with a person and a sense of their need is vital for them.

Grooming

Rough Collies have a very dense coat, which consists of a straight, stiff guard hair and a dense thick undercoat that protects them from heat and cold. The pet needs to be combed once or twice a week, and during periods of molting - daily. This will avoid the formation of tangles. This procedure can be carried out using a standard brush for combing wool and a comb with fine teeth. The undercoat requires more care. Nails should be trimmed short.

Should collies be bathed or not?

It is strictly forbidden to bathe a collie puppy, as he can catch a cold. Yes, this is not necessary. It is enough to wipe the pet with a damp cloth, and then clean it with a brush. An adult also does not need to be washed: in the summer it has the opportunity to swim in the reservoirs, and in the winter you can clean the wool with snow. Washing degreases the coat, as a result of which it loses its luster. Collies have very delicate skin. Careless rinsing of soap residue can cause irritation and scratching.

Tooth care

It is advisable to brush your pet's teeth once a week, using a soft brush and children's tooth powder or paste. Can also be used to clean enamellemon juice. These preventive measures will help prevent the appearance of plaque, which contributes to the appearance of caries, gum disease and other troubles. In no case do not forcibly take away objects that the dog has squeezed between the teeth - there is a risk of spoiling the bite.

Ear care

Typically, collie puppies start having ear problems at 3-7 months of age, which coincides with the teething period. This is quite normal. The level of calcium in the body of a dog fluctuates. It affects the bones and cartilage in the pinnae. If the pet's ears are straightened, it is urgent to prepare a mixture of technical glycerin or anhydrous lanolin with talc (baby powder), bringing it to the consistency of thick sour cream. Then you need to generously lubricate the ears (upper half on the inside) from the line of the desired fold to the tip, which should fall. This procedure must be repeated until the ears, after removing the mixture, take the correct position. It may be advisable to reduce the dose of calcium in food. To resolve this issue, it is recommended to consult a specialist. If the method mentioned above does not give the desired effect, then you can carefully fold the ear in half and stick the upper tip to the inside of the ear with adhesive tape. Hanging a load to the ears in order to correct them is not allowed. In over-nourished and passive dogs, the ears may be lowered by more than half. To solve this problem, it is necessary, first of all, to take measures to reduce the weight of the pet, to increase the amountcalcium on the menu, as well as walking with it in unfamiliar areas, which will give the dog the opportunity to be alert and raise his ears.

Walk

Scottish Sheepdogs need physical activity. It is advisable to organize regular long walks for them. The collie loves to play with the ball, just loves to run off the leash and follow the commands of the owner.

Collie breed: features of molting

Shedding is a periodic change of coat. There are several forms of this process:

• age shedding - junior coat is replaced by adult;
• seasonal shedding - thick winter coat is replaced by a rare and short summer coat;
• shetting associated with he alth problems;
• molting females after childbirth and estrus.

Age molting is observed at about one year of age. It must be remembered that the terms depend on the conditions of detention, heredity, nutrition, season, etc.

Seasonal molting strongly depends on the conditions of detention. A collie dog living in the yard, on the street, sheds 2 times a year: in spring and autumn. With room content, the molting process can continue almost all year round. Everything is explained by the fact that a constant temperature is maintained indoors, which leads to a violation of the biological rhythms of natural "dressing" and "undressing". And often because of this, the process of changing coat flows sluggishly and drags on for many months, until the next seasonal molt. However, this problem can be easily solved if one takesclose to her.

In bitches, shedding can also be related to hormonal fluctuations and estrus periods. Dogs shed a lot after giving birth. There is no need to panic - this is a natural process. Soon they will grow a new coat, more lush and thick than before giving birth.

Feeding

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

Scottish Sheepdog He althy Food List:

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

Unhe althy foods:

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

Collie Puppy Guidelines

Description of the Scottish Sheepdog breed can be found in the official standard, which you must read before buying a puppy. You can buy a mentally and physically he althy dog in kennels, specialized clubs or from a professional breeder. You should also carefully study all available offers, read reviews about sellers. This will reduce the risk of acquiring sick animals or those that do not meet breed standards. Many are interested in, at what age can I buy a puppy? The best option is from one and a half to two months. At this time, they have fairly even and strong paws, a long, well-set neck. You should pay attention to the exterior of the dog. According to the standard, the height at the withers and the length of the body should be approximately equal. The back of the dog should be flat, without a hump or deflection.

Some clarifications

Another frequently asked question: "Is the Miniature Collie different from the Shetland Sheepdog?" Beginners should be aware that there is no such breed. Yes, there are dogs that are very similar to the "Scots". We are talking about the Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie. The dwarf collie is, so to speak, the popular name of a separate breed, albeit with an admixture of the blood of long-haired counterparts. It is possible that once breeders tried to breed a miniature copy of the Scottish Shepherd. Be that as it may, the Sheltie is very popular today, especially with apartment owners.

In closing

Summarizing, we note thatScottish Shepherds can become not only favorite pets, but also real family members. After all, they are smart, he althy, unpretentious, very sociable, born nannies who know how and love to take care of children.