Breeds of Collies Pictures: A Comprehensive Guide

If you're a dog lover, you're probably familiar with the beautiful Collie breed. The Rough Collie is one of the most recognizable breeds, thanks to its thick, rugged coat.

The Collie breed originated in Scotland, where they were used as herding dogs. Their intelligence and agility made them perfect for herding sheep and other livestock.

For another approach, see: Australian Herding Dog Breeds

Collies are a medium-sized breed, standing between 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder. They weigh in at around 50 to 70 pounds, despite their thin frames being covered in thick, long coats.

Their ears are a distinctive feature, standing erect but folding over slightly at the top. Collie eyes are almond-shaped and usually dark-colored, although dogs with merle coats may have blue or merle eyes.

Collies have a distinctive "Collie" face, with a pointed muzzle and a flat, wedge-shaped face. Their noses are black, and their long, fluffy tails are a joy to behold.

Here are the standard colors of the Collie breed:

Their double coats require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling. They shed year-round, with a major shedding season in the spring and fall.

Collies have a distinctive appearance that's hard to miss. Their upright ears fold over slightly at the top, and their almond-shaped eyes are usually dark-colored, but can be blue or merle in dogs with merle coats.

Collies come in a variety of colors, including black, white, and tan, as well as several merle patterns. They have a double coat, with a thick undercoat and a longer top coat that repels dirt and water.

Their noses are black, and their muzzles are tapering and somewhat long. Collies have a long, fluffy tail that adds to their elegant appearance.

Here are the standard colors of Collies:

Collies typically stand between 22 and 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. Their thin frames are often covered in a thick, long coat that makes them look heavier than they actually are.

Bearded Collies require a significant amount of grooming to keep their shaggy manes free of mats and dirt. Daily brushing is a must to prevent matting.

Their coats can get quite dirty, so regular brushing is essential. You should brush your Bearded Collie's coat daily.

Bearded Collies also need a lot of exercise to burn off their physical and mental energy. They require a long workout every day to stay happy and healthy.

If they don't get enough exercise, they might start getting into trouble around the house. They need to be active and engaged to prevent destructive behavior.

Here's a rough guide to the exercise needs of Bearded Collies:

As an active and outdoorsy person, you'll be well-matched with a Bearded Collie as a companion. They love to be around people and get into mischief if left bored or under-exercised.

Collies are naturally outgoing and love to be around people, but they can be a bit too friendly for some owners' taste, as they tend to spread their love to anyone they meet.

They're great with kids and babies, and their calm nature makes them a great choice for families. Collies are also big fans of play and love to run around and chase balls or Frisbees.

Their herding instincts mean they can be a bit bossy, but with proper socialization and training, this can be managed. In fact, Collies are known to be sensitive dogs and respond well to positive reinforcement training methods.

They're intelligent and love to learn, but they do require training that challenges their brains. A tired Collie is a quiet Collie, so regular exercise and playtime can help prevent excessive barking.

It's essential to socialize Collie puppies from an early age to help them become confident and calm in new situations. This can be done by introducing them to various environments, people, and experiences in a positive way.

Collies are natural extroverts who thrive on companionship and love being around people. They're great with kids and babies, but be warned: they'll happily shower attention on anyone they meet.

These dogs are not typically aggressive and have low biting tendencies. They're not a good fit for households with high prey drive or hunting needs.

Collies are big fans of play and love to run around in the yard chasing balls or Frisbees. A tired Collie is a quiet Collie, so make sure to give them plenty of exercise and playtime.

Herding behaviors like heel nipping or bossiness can be intimidating to children, but not all Collies display these traits. Socialization and training are key to helping your Collie become a well-behaved family dog.

Barking can be an issue with Collies, especially if they're lonely or bored. Take them on extra walks and play games with them to help release excess energy.

Collies are fast learners who need training that will challenge their impressive brains. They're herding dogs, after all, and those instincts are strong.

To train a Collie, it's essential to introduce new concepts and experiences in an upbeat, encouraging way. This helps them feel calm and relaxed, which is especially important since they can be fairly sensitive dogs.

Positive reinforcement is a great way to bond with your Collie, help them build new skills, and keep them comfortable in various situations. Rewarding their good behaviors with toys, treats, and praise is a winning strategy.

Socialization is also crucial for Collie puppies, especially since they can be timid. Introduce them to new experiences, like pet supply stores, the vet's office, and the park, in a positive way to help them become successful and versatile pets later in life.

To prevent your Collie from slipping out of their collar, consider using a martingale collar instead of a standard buckle collar. This two-loop design adjusts to the size of their neck, making it more difficult for them to escape when they're on-leash.

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The Siberian Husky has a wolf-like appearance, which can sometimes make them look like they're plotting something.

Their thick coats and piercing eyes are just a few characteristics that make them resemble their wild ancestors.

The Alaskan Malamute is another breed that looks like a wolf, with its muscular build and wolf-like howl.

Their independence and strong will can make them challenging to train, but with patience and consistency, they can learn to obey.

The Chow Chow has a bear-like appearance, with its fluffy coat and broad face.

Their loyalty and protective nature make them excellent watchdogs, but they can also be wary of strangers.

The Pomeranian is a small dog that looks like a bear, with its thick coat and small size.

Their friendly and outgoing personalities make them great companions, but they can also be stubborn at times.

The German Shepherd has a wolf-like appearance, with its muscular build and pointed ears.

Their intelligence and loyalty make them popular police and military dogs, but they require regular training and exercise.

The Akita has a bear-like appearance, with its broad face and thick coat.

Their loyalty and protective nature make them excellent family pets, but they can also be wary of strangers.

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The Shiba Inu has a fox-like appearance, with its curled tail and pointed ears.

Their independent and strong-willed nature can make them challenging to train, but with patience and consistency, they can learn to obey.

The Corgi has a bear-like appearance, with its short stature and broad face.

Their intelligence and loyalty make them popular family pets, but they can also be prone to obesity if not exercised regularly.

Collies are great companions for families, especially those with children, due to their gentle and patient nature.

They tolerate playtime antics and younger children, though it's still recommended to supervise interactions.

Collies are also highly affectionate and love to be around their human family members.

Their intelligence makes them easier to train, which is vital for teaching them how to behave around children and other pets.

However, their intelligence also means they can become bored easily, leading to destructive behaviors if not provided with proper mental stimulation.

If you're an active family with kids, you can take your Collie with you on outdoor strolls, which can help reduce herding instincts.

But, if you do have kids, it's essential to teach them how to react properly when interacting with a Collie, such as standing still and not running, to prevent nipping.

Collies can live with cats, but they may sometimes try to herd them, so proper training and socialization are crucial.

They do best with energetic pets, so it's essential to consider the energy level of any new pets you bring into your home.

Introductions are also essential when bringing a new dog into your home, so use a slow introduction plan to set everyone up for success.

Here's a quick rundown of Collie socialization tips:

Collies can thrive in homes with yards, but they can also live in apartments with frequent walks and proper exercise.

However, they do need regular grooming to cope with their excessive shedding, which can be a challenge for some families.

Rough and Smooth Collies share a common ancestry, but they have distinct characteristics.

Rough Collies have a double coat with a harsh outer coat and a soft undercoat, while Smooth Collies have a single-layer coat that's smooth to the touch.

Their intelligence and loyalty make them excellent family pets.

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Rough Collies are a favorite among many dog owners due to their elegant appearance and loving reputation. They're known for their devotion to children and are playful with kids without being overly aggressive.

Collies are relatively easy to train, and they thrive on attention from their family. They don't do well in empty homes for hours at a time, so it's essential to spend quality time with them daily.

Daily physical activity is a must for Rough Collies, but it doesn't have to be intense. They're happy to hang out on the couch with you, too.

Socialization is crucial for Rough Collies, as they can be very timid and develop bad habits if not exposed to new people and environments early on.

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Smooth collies are a type of collie with short hair. They were bred to help take animals to market and didn't need the extra-long fur to protect them from the weather in the mountains.

Their short hair is much easier to care for, although they still shed seasonally. They have a lower maintenance coat compared to rough collies.

The Rough Collie originated in the Scottish Highlands, where they were used for herding cattle and sheep.

They were developed in Scotland and Northern England centuries ago as herding dogs, with their name coming from the Scottish sheep (Colleys) they often watched.

The first Collies came to the United States in the 1870s, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1885.

Collies were initially working dogs without a set standard, but Queen Victoria's promotion of the breed sparked others' interest, leading to many new breeders.

The Collie Club of America was established in 1886 to help protect and promote the Collie dog breed.

Today's Collies are often confused with the Border Collie, another herding breed, but the two dogs are distinct, each originating in a different region of the United Kingdom and bred with an emphasis on working ability.

Collies are more laid-back and easy-going compared to the intense and intelligent Border Collies.

If you're looking for a reputable Rough Collie breeder, start by checking the Collie Club of America website and the AKC website's directory of breeders.

The current price of a well-bred rough Collie puppy is around $1,200 to about $1,500.

Be wary of breeders who offer puppies for cheap prices, as it's highly likely they're from a puppy mill.

Puppy mills are commercial enterprises that produce puppies quickly and cheaply, often neglecting health screenings and vaccinations.

Backstreet pet stores often get their puppies from puppy mills, so try to avoid them.

Local shelters and reputable breeders are a safer bet, but be sure to ask questions and request health records.

You can also consider backyard or home breeders, but make sure to ask about health screenings and treatment records.

For another approach, see: King Shepherd Puppies