What is it like having a collie?

Question

How is their activity level? How is their trainability level? Are they reserved with strangers?

Answer 1

Some of what you ask depends on the kind of collie you are asking about - rough coated, smooth coated, sheltie, border etc
In general though they are very smart and easily trainable because they learn quickly. They need a lot of exercise and have a lot of energy. They are extremely loyal to one person, but are still generally friendly to everyone.

Answer 2

Collies have very high energy levels that require much activity or work. They were orginally cattle dogs who herd, so they like to stay busy. I read in a magaziene they'd work 20 hours a day if they had enough work to do. THey are the smartest breed of dog with the brain of a 4th grader. Collies are usually great with strangers, but because of their energy level they can be very excited to see new people...They aren't the best with children because children move fast and make high noises which make the collies want to herd them, but with training and socialization at a young age a collie is a very potential pet if you have time to give them the care they need. Good Luck!!!!

Answer 3

What kind of collies? Lassie is very different from a Aussie collie.

A dog with that amount of hair needs to be regularly groomed or they are a mess within days. Dogs with heavy coats like this require special grooming, a fair bit of it.

It is best you do your research. Call some local breeders and ask a few basic questions. These are an animal that demands time and effort beyond the norm. A gentle and devoted friend and companion, the collie is an intelligent dog that is generally willing to please. It is a wonderful dog for a family with children, and it usually gets along with other dogs and pets in the family.

http://puppydogweb.com/profiles.htm

The collie can be reserved and wary with strangers, making it a good watch dog, but its friendliness prevents it from being a very good guard dog. The puppy is quite easy to house train. Sometimes this dog can be a little stubborn, and at times may bark a lot.

The smooth-coated variety of collie needs very little coat care: occasional brushing is all that is needed. The rough-coated variety takes more time to keep the coat looking its best. This coat should be brushed at least two to three times per week and more often during shedding seasons, which is normally twice a year.If not the fur puddles in corners.

An active dog, the collie should be provided with a long walk or jog, on a leash, every day. It also enjoys energetic play sessions in the yard. The collie does best with an average fenced-in yard, and it is not recommended for apartment dwelling because of its tendency to bark. This breed is sensitive to heat, so shade and plenty of water need to be provided on warm days.Obedience training should begin early. The collie is quick to learn, and it responds to the tone of your voice.

Oh my this is interesting very specific data if you are looking to buy a quality pet: These are things the parents of any collie put should be tested for since they are genetic weaknesses of the breed:

Congenital and Genetic Conditions found with greater than average frequency in the Collie:
Bladder Cancer
Canine Microphthalmia
Cataract Cerebellar cortical abiotrophy
Collie eye anomaly (CEA)
Corneal dystrophy Cyclic neutropenia
Deafness
Demodicosis
Dermatomyositis
Discoid lupus erythematosus
Distichiasis
Dwarfism
Entropion Epilepsy
Fibrous
Histiocytoma
Hemophilia A -
Classic Hemophilia
Hip Dysplasia
Optic Nerve
Hypoplasia
Osteochondritis
Dissecans
Osteochondrosis Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Pemphigus
Persistent Pupillary Membrane
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Retinal Dysplasia
Sebaceous Adenitis
Umbilical Hernia
von Willebrands Disease

Following are health screenings often performed on breeding Collie adults; choosing a puppy from a breeder who tests parents for health can help avoid future health problems in your puppy:

# Collie Eye Anomaly (genetic test)
# CERF Screening (Canine Eye Research Foundation)
# Hip Dysplasia (OFA or PennHIP)
# Canine Cyclic Neutropenia (genetic test)

Answer 4

As other posters have mentioned, it kind of depends on exactly what you mean by "Collie" - here in the US, "Collie" by itself often refers to Rough Collies (i.e. Lassie) while in the UK it usually means what we in the US would call a "Border Collie". I have two Rough Collies so I can only speak from personal experience for that particular breed.

They can certainly be "high energy" although I've found that mine have calmed down a bit as they have gotten older. I have a year old male who litererally has worn a track in the backyard where he runs - he can be like the Energizer Bunny and just never stops at times. My 5 1/2 year old female is definitely more of a couch potato and is currently sacked out at my feet. Both love to be whever we are - and that includes on the bed at night and in the front seat of the car (if they could).

I can honestly say that I've never had smarter dogs that were easier to train. I swear, my female is smarter than my 10 year old cousin. I can tell her to go get a particular toy by name and she will go find it and bring it back. They are both trained to hand signals for things like sit, stay, down, come etc... My female can pick up a new trick in anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. I taught her to speak on command in less than 5 actually. Sometimes its downright scary how smart they are.

Both of the dogs can be a bit reserved with strangers, but I've usually found that it often depends on how comfortable that stranger is around dogs. They seem to pick up more on how the person is feeling. If the person is unsure, the dogs are more reserved. If the person is comfortable around dogs, they can be more relaxed and with some strangers, I've seen them come close to knocking them down in their friendliness. At the same time, I've seen them corner someone they didn't know (a friend of the family they hadn't met yet) in the corner of our kitchen when he came in through the back door while we were in the other room. They didn't do anything other than bark but they sure as heck made sure we knew that someone was in the house.

My Collies are a joy to live with and they just have wonderful personalities. They are loyal, loving and smart. In fact, I just took them to a new vet yesterday and he was saying that its a shame that you don't see more of the breed these days. I wholeheartedly reccomend them.

Answer 5

Highly trainable and HIGHLY active (especially border collies). They are a bit reserved with strangers, but aren't generally considered guarding dogs usually.

Answer 6

Collies are very active they are mostly used as sheep dogs in the old days, they are easy 2 train and is very loyal 2 their masters.Well i dunno if they are reserved with strangers or not cos it depends on their own personality.

Answer 7

My first dog ever was a collie, when I was a child back in the 50's. She was just like Lassie and I named her Lassie. We lived in the country and she followed me everywhere and loved to run thru the fields. She was very smart, very protective, mostly good with strangers, if she didn't like them, she would let you know. Someone killed her, slit her throat and hung her in one of our outdoor buildings. It broke my heart.

Answer 8

They are nice dogs if owned by someone else. They are often considered skitty and are blond dogs by nature. They shed something woeful and here in Australia are a pain to groom due to the grass seeds and Bindi's that get tangled in the fur. Better off in Scotland or the Moors regions I would say. Better loved and admired from afar.

Answer 9

alot of hard work, but very rewarding. They are easy to train,wonderful family dogs. They need alot of time and space though- they are working dogs and have boundless energy!

Collies are great with people in general- but remember that you always need to do training on this too so that you dog knows what is and isn't acceptable

Answer 10

2 words- unconditional love.

they're so loyal and intelligent! a bit unsure around strangers, but once they warm up to someone they're fine. love to cuddle or play anytime, anywhere!