Are Collies a Common Pet Anymore.?

Question

I live in Calif. I had a dog called Buffie and he was a sweet Collie. Had him in the 70s. However, I hardly see any pet owners with this breed. Why?

Answer 1

My dtr just moved to Camp Pendelton in California-she has two collies. One is a tri-headed white rough and the other a blue smooth. People stop to ask her all the time what breed they are, they love the personalities and temperament, but had no idea what they where. I think it is sometimes a matter of educating people. Our breed has so many colors and the difference of smooth to rough. I also get asked frequently if my smooth are mixed collies. As for apt. I know several people who live in apts and have collies as long as they are exercised-walked daily they are very content. I have three pups that I whelped that are service dogs-one is working on being a therapy dog for troubled children w/his owner a child psychologist, one is a assistance dog for an autistic boy, and one that does nursing home visits. The breed is very versatile and one of the most willing to please breeds I can think of, if someone doesn't want all the grooming the smooths are a wonderful alternative.

Answer 2

You're right. I'm also in California. You don't see them as often anymore. The Lassie craze is over, many people are into smaller breeds now and the coat is hard to maintain (at least on rough collies) so people have moved on to other breeds. I like the breed a lot though.

Answer 3

Pretty much all breeds seem to go in cycles as far as popularity goes. Collies are one of the breeds that aren't "in fashion" right now - and that's a good thing for the breed. It means they're not in the hands of back yard breeders and anyone who finds a breeder, has a better chance of it being a reputable breeder with good dogs.

If there's a remake of the movie Lassie, you'll see an upsurge in popularity!

Answer 4

we are now living in a lazy culture, as people are getting more lazy, people are finding they generally don't want a dog with that much energy that requires that much excercise, so collies are not as common a pet anymore as they used to be, although they are still around. (i have just gotten a puppy myself) most people tend to keep them and use them as working dogs on farms rather than as pets. but yes they are still out there, just not in teh same numbers that they were

Answer 5

Shelties are the craze now. Everyone seems to want their dogs, but in a smaller package. I've even seen ''mini australian shepherds'', and even a ''mini Chow chow''. It's a bit sad that people don't just accept the natural size, but rather go out of their way to downsize the breeds.

Answer 6

Collies are sweet! I miss mine- Her name was Charlie.

They are so big, and require a lot of space. Since they are herding dogs by nature, they get high strung if they don't have room to play. And since they nip (in order to get everyone in line) parents don't seem to prefer them.

I see them one the farms in my area (especially border collies, but still some "lassies" as well). Not so much in the suburbs...

Answer 7

Collies are common enough that we always have at least three or four in rescue at any given time. Ofter more. If you ever would like to adopt one, I'll be glad to point you to your nearest collie rescue. :-)

Answer 8

Well there not common in California. Collie's are usually the kind to live on farms, or in the country.

Answer 9

Our family are big rough collie fans that when we see one we get all excited & nearly crash our car!!! Theres hardly anywhere we live and never any for sale within 200miles.

Answer 10

i love collies and they are very common pets, it might be your area. if you live close or in an apartment, colllies are not apartment dogs so no one would have one there.