Orlovia
The voluminous fur and the elegant head make the Rough Collie absolutely unmistakable. The breed is one of the most well-known in the world, and not only because of the famous dog Lassie – the main character of books, films, and television series. Here you can find out what distinguishes the popular dogs and makes them so unique.
History of the Collie
The Collie is a Scottish breed of dog that was already known in the 13th century. The dogs are believed to be a mix of local herding dogs and the animals brought by the Romans in the 5th century BC. The Scottish farmers used the nimble dogs mainly to herd the sheep in the high moors. The term “Collie” comes from the Scottish sheep breed of the same name, whose name means “cabbage sheep”. Since the breeders in the 19th century wanted to improve the herding qualities of their dogs, they crossed their dogs with the borzoi. His figure grew taller and slimmer, and his head narrowed.
The first club was founded in 1840 and the breed was officially recognized in 1858. The dog quickly became known worldwide and is considered in Australia to be the ancestor of the Australian Cattle Dog and the Kelpie. The breed gave up its original task of herding a long time ago and can now be found as a companion and show dog. Several lineages have emerged throughout history. However, the term collie usually refers to the British long-haired collie, which is also called Scottish Shepherd Dog in Germany.
Traits and Character Traits
The Rough Collie is a loyal and bright dog that is very family-friendly. He wants to be actively integrated into the family and is never aggressive towards strangers. When dealing with conspecifics and other pets, he is just as unproblematic. Even children are no problem for the cheerful dog, as he is very good-natured. The intelligent dogs enjoy learning new commands and are happy to obey their masters. As long as he has a reliable reference person, the uncomplicated dog feels comfortable everywhere and adapts quickly. Their affectionate nature makes the dogs great companions in everyday life.
Getting a Collie
What do I need to pay attention to when purchasing?
A Rough Collie is by nature an uncomplicated dog and therefore also suitable for beginners. The only challenge is to provide the dog with enough exercise and mental exercise. You should be willing to go for walks several times a day and also do dog sports or similar activities. The Collie is best suited to an athletic family that is willing to bond with the dog for the next 12 to 14 years. Nurtured in the right way, you’ll get a loyal companion dog that gives its heart to its family.
If you have finally decided to buy a collie puppy, it is best to get it from a local breeder. It would be good if he is affiliated with the VDH and values the health of his puppies. For a purebred puppy, you can calculate around 1000€. You will find cheaper offers on the internet – but don’t fall for them! The puppies usually come from poor backgrounds and are ill or have behavioral problems. Instead, look around the animal shelter and give a poor collie or mongrel in need a chance. Treated with love, these dogs will become loyal companions and will always be grateful to you.
Puppy development and education
In order to positively influence the development of the collie puppy, you should get him used to his environment as early as possible. Other dogs should not be a problem for the dog, nor should traffic noise or children playing. Without getting used to it, the sensitive dog can quickly become too stressed and react anxiously. When raising a puppy, the most important thing is to deal with it sensitively and consistently. The dogs are very intelligent by nature and, with the right motivation, will happily learn new commands. The Rough Collie should feel safe doing this and you shouldn’t put pressure on him. Most collies also don’t like being alone, so you’ll need to be patient to teach them. Of course, you should never leave your four-legged friend alone for too long.
How Do I Keep a Collie?
Activities with the collie
The Scottish Shepherd is a sporty and active dog that requires a lot of exercises. Daily walks in any weather are the least your collie needs in terms of exercise. You can let the dear herding dogs run free without any problems since the breed has hardly any hunting instinct and does not like to stray far from its master or mistress. With the appropriate training, it is therefore also suitable as a companion for jogging, hiking, horseback riding, or cycling. If the daily walks are too monotonous for you, there is nothing wrong with training him to be a rescue dog. The agile herding dogs are just as enthusiastic about sports such as obedience, agility, or dog dance. Although collies are very active dogs, they are of course also happy to have a day or two of rest in between.