Fun Collie Facts For Kids

Before knowing any other Collie dog facts, it is important to understand, the Collie breed of dogs included in the Collie ancestry are abundant. They include the two varieties of the Scotch Collie (rough and smooth Collie), Border Collie, Bearded Collie, Blue Lacy, English Collie, Smithfield, Welsh sheepdog, Australian cattle dog, Shetland sheepdog. They were mainly bred and raised as herding dogs.

Collies are medium sized dogs. A Collie dog’s temperament depends on its breed. The rough and smooth collies are gentler and quieter compared to the Border Collies. Collie dogs have a high energy level, are fiercely loyal, and take training easily. They make good working dogs as well as pets and are friendly with children. Rough Collies are considered standard Collies if not specified otherwise. The fluffy double coat of the Rough Collie makes them a chosen pet, and a herding dog. They are very sensitive, agile, well-behaved, and extremely graceful. Rough Collies make good pets as they enjoy human company, exercise, and play. The good part about the standard or Rough Collie is that, a Collie puppy, as well as the adult Collie dogs, can get by with less exercise compared to Border Collies. Due to their herding instincts, the rough and smooth collies and also the other Collie breeds are still preferred to herding dogs in different parts of the world. Collies are quick learners and need attention and love from their owners to be on their best behavior.

If you find this article fascinating, do check out our other animal facts on Japanese chin and Australian terrier.

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What type of animal is a Collie?

Collie is a dog breed that originated in the United Kingdom, mainly as local herding dogs in Northern England and Scotland. There is a rough Collie variety and a Smooth Collie variety. The Rough Collie has a fuller coat and the Smooth Collie a shorter, sleeker one. Other than the coat, both varieties of Collies are the same. Collie colors may vary between a mix of white, brown, tan, black, sable and mahogany.

What class of animal does a Collie belong to?

Collies are mammals.

How many Collies are there in the world?

There are different varieties of Collie dogs found in the world. Rough Collie, Smooth Collie, Scottish Collie, English Collie, Long-Haired Collie.

Where does a Collie live?

Collie dogs live in a house.

What is a Collie's habitat?

The Collie dog breed is native to Scotland. Collies enjoy the cold weather but don’t like to stay out much in the snow. They adapt well to warmer climates more many other similar dog breeds, but they are not particularly fond of heat. The length of the coat of the rough and smooth Collie varieties also determines their adjustability to hot weather. Owing to their thick coat, Collies are susceptible to heatstroke. It is important not to expose them to excessive heat.

Who do Collies live with?

Collies were initially bred as sheep herding dogs, but due to their elegant look, friendly demeanor, they are now one of the most admired pets and enjoy the company of people.

How long does a Collie live?

The Collie lifespan may be anywhere between 14-16 years.

How do they reproduce?

Like most mammals, Collies reproduce sexually. Female Collies give birth to Collie puppies after a pregnancy period of approximately 63 days. A female Collie dog usually has a litter of 8-12 to puppies.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of Rough Collie is of the Least Concern.

What do Collies look like?

Rough Collies are hugely popular for their extraordinary beauty and long, flowing, silky fur. They have a narrow snout that makes them look different than other dog breeds. They have an elegant, rather an aristocratic gait. This breed was one of the favorites of Queen Victoria and other members of the British Royal Family. Collies come in different colors. Their fur can be a combination of black, white, brown, and tan. Most Collies have white markings on their head, feet, chest, and are rarely single-colored. These herding dogs have medium to long double coat. Collies need their coats to be groomed regularly.

A fun fact about this herding dog breed is that there is no solid black Collie. What people mistake as black Collie is a similar-looking breed of dog with semi-erect ears and a long face! A pure white Collie is the rarest to find and is the least preferred rough variety. One of the reasons for people not preferring the white Collies is that they were labeled as ‘defective’ by early breeders due to the washed-out coat.

How cute are they?

So what if collies are herding dogs, they are incredibly cute! They are fluffy with silky hair, adorable to look at, and extremely friendly and playful with adults as well as children. Collies are among those breeds of dogs that make perfect family dogs. These medium sized dogs are not lap dogs but make a wonderful cuddly pet.

How do they communicate?

Like all other dogs, Collies also communicate by barking, whining, growling. They also communicate with their eyes. Collies are known to herd sheep with their stare! If the owner pays attention, Collie dogs attempt to converse through their unique ways. Noises and gestures are the most common way that a collie expresses his emotion through. Collies like company and are known to bark excessively when left alone.

A happy Collie dog will wag its tail. A dog that trusts you will show you its belly. Snarling and showing teeth indicates irritation or aggression of the dog. Signaling with its paw may be meant for grabbing attention of the owner. Yawning, or licking its face may mean a Collie dog is nervous or is about to do something he is not too sure about. The tail tucked in between the legs suggests the dog is nervous.

How big is a Collie?

A Collie is more than four times bigger than a small dog like the Chihuahua. A Chihuahua is often six to nine inches tall and Collie’s average height is up to twenty-seven inches. The funny thing is, there is actually a breed of dog that’s a Collie mix with Chihuahua. It goes by different names like Collie Chi, Collier Chider, or Chihuahua Collie.

How fast can a Collie run?

Rough Collies have a low energy level compared to Border Collies. The average speed of Rough Collie is twenty to thirty miles per hour.

How much does a Collie weigh?

The average weight of a Rough Collie is 50–70 lb. However, it also differs according to a male and a female, and between Rough Collies and Smooth Collies.

What are their male and female names of the species?

A male Collie is called a dog and a female Collie is called a bitch.

What would you call a baby Collie?

A baby Collie is a puppy.

What do they eat?

Collies primarily eat meat based food. Collies need nutrition rich dog food with fewer grains. The energetic medium-breed dogs need a protein rich diet.

Are they slobbery?

Collies typically do not drool. If they drool excessively, it may be a sign of some health condition.

Would they make a good pet?

Rough Collies make adorable pets. This is one of the highly trainable dog breeds known for their intelligence and affectionate behavior. Not only that, but Collies are also well-known show dog breeds. Border Collies do extremely well in various competitions like flyball, agility, obedience, and flying disc for the canine.

They are loving, caring, obedient, but will keep their owners on their toes because they require their daily dose of exercise. Collies also do not like spending their time in solidarity. They need people to be around them. If not, they may bark excessively.  Collies connect well with children and are usually not aggressive.

Did you know...

There are several stunning facts about this amazing dog breed! Among all the Collie colors, blue merle is one of the rarest coat colors. The dog breed known as miniature Collies or Shelties really isn’t Collies at all! A mini Collie puppy is a similar looking dog from a smaller breed. They are descendants of the Shetland Sheepdog. The famous Rough Collie from the American TV show Lassie (1954) was a Rough Collie. The smart, handsome, fearless dog brought the Rough Collie breed into the limelight!

Initially, like other herding dog breeds, Rough Collies only worked with sheepherders in the fields but Queen Victoria’s admiration for this dog brought the breed to public attention. Since then it started enjoying the patronage of the rich and the famous. However, the Smooth Collie has never shared the same amount of popularity as the rough collie.

Having your own Collie

There are few things to be kept in mind when choosing a Collie puppy. It is always important to check out what kind of environment the breeder keeps the dogs in. To be healthy, every dog or puppy needs a healthy, clean, parasite-free, environment. The most appropriate age for a Collie puppy to find a home is within eight to ten weeks from its birth.

Look at their coat, eyes, smell, energy level, before you bring one home. The coat should not be matted or smelly, eyes should not look dull, and their body should be free of dog flies and flea. The average price for a Rough Collie puppy can be anywhere between $800-$1200. A champion lineage will be way costlier, up to $4500. However, that may vary depending on the bloodline, health, and place. Food, grooming, training, toys, vet, the yearly cost of maintaining a Collie can go up to $3000. Training and grooming are two important things Collie’s owner cannot do without. If you are a dog lover who feels all dogs need a respectable life, you can also opt to adopt a rescue Collie.

Collies are excellent pets but they need good food, enough exercise, and human company. If left alone, they may bark excessively. Border Collies need more exercise than Rough and Smooth Collies. Collies love children naturally and that’s a big advantage! These herding dogs are surprisingly family-oriented, charming, loyal, protective, nurturing, and agile.

Another good thing about this dog is, even though it’s a herding dog, provided it gets its regular exercise, it can adjust well in urban homes and apartments. Collies grow around 26 inches tall and are considered medium sized dogs and should be kept in spacious homes, big enough to house them comfortably. These intelligent dogs observe things closely and learn how to behave with each individual in the family differently. That’s a reason to give proper training to a Collie dog at the right time and at continuous intervals. They train well with the help of rewards, treats, games, and praise. Collies are eager learners and thus easy to train. Collies are mostly tolerant towards other pets in the house. Not only dogs, but they adjust to other species too.

Caring for your Collie

Since Collies have a double coat with longer hair on the outer coat, they need brushing at least once or twice a week. The outer coat of the rough variety is thicker and coarser and they shed more than the Smooth Collie. Professional grooming is recommended for these heavy-coated dogs to save their beautiful coat from matting. The rough coat accumulates dirt quickly when the dog goes to the park or outdoors. A Rough Collie does not need a bath frequently but the brushing routine should be regular.

Collies age usually not prone to health problems. Some of the health problems that affect these dogs are Collie Eye Anomaly, Collie nose, seizures, hip dysplasia, and Grey Collie Syndrome.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including Drever, or Brazilian terrier.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Collie coloring pages.

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