The Rough Collie Mix is a unique and lovable breed that's perfect for active families. They're often a cross between a Rough Collie and another breed, such as a Golden Retriever or a Corgi.
Their intelligence is one of their most notable traits, inherited from their Rough Collie parent. They're highly trainable and can learn a wide range of commands and behaviors.
Rough Collie mixes are generally medium-sized dogs, weighing between 30-60 pounds. Their coats can vary in length and texture, but they often inherit the distinctive rough coat of their parent breed.
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Exercise and Living Needs
A rough collie mix needs a home with a fenced-in yard to keep them safe and happy. They also require regular exercise to prevent boredom and separation anxiety.
These dogs love to run and enjoy morning and afternoon exercise to keep them active. They'll keep up with you on hikes, beach trips, and other outdoor adventures.
A rough collie mix can tolerate cold weather, but in hot weather, it's essential to provide shade, fresh water, and air conditioning to keep them cool. Don't shave their heavy coat, as it protects them from the heat.
Your rough collie mix will be content with a more relaxed pace, unlike some working dogs that need constant activity. They'll often lie down and watch you do everyday tasks, like doing the dishes.
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Overview and History
The Rough Collie is a beloved breed with a rich history. Originally bred for herding livestock in Scotland hundreds of years ago, they've evolved into popular family pets and excellent therapy dogs.
Their ancestors, thought to have arrived with the Romans around 2000 years ago, were shorter in both leg and nose. The Rough Collie's elongated, chiseled head is likely influenced by the Borzoi breed.
Queen Victoria popularized the Collie, but it was the Smooth variant she kept herself. Later, Queen Alexandra kept Rough Collies, which contributed to the breed's popularity in the show ring and its glamorous appearance.
Here are some key facts about the Rough Collie breed:
Overview
The Collie breed has a rich history that spans hundreds of years, originating in Scotland as a herding dog. They're known for their intelligence, sensitivity, and strong herding instincts.
Collies are a medium-sized breed, weighing between 50 to 75 pounds and standing between 22 to 26 inches tall. They come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, fawn, gray, and white.
One of the most iconic Collies is Lassie, the beloved dog from the 1940s silver screen. She's an ambassador for the breed, showcasing their elegant and loyal nature.
Collies are active dogs, requiring medium exercise and being social creatures who are eager to please. They're also known for their friendly, gentle, and playful temperament, making them an excellent choice for families.
Here are some key characteristics of the Collie breed:
Collies are adaptable to various home environments, as long as they receive plenty of daily exercise and attention. They're also known for their strong loyalty tendencies, making them excellent companions for families.
History and Origins
The Collie breed has a rich history that spans centuries. The early ancestors of the Rough Collie are thought to have arrived with the Romans, around 2000 years ago.
Collies were originally bred for herding livestock in Scotland, and were later divided into two types: the Rough Collie and the Smooth Collie. The Rough Collie has a long, sweeping coat, while the Smooth Collie has a much shorter coat.
Queen Victoria was instrumental in popularizing the Collie breed, but she kept Smooth Collies herself. Later, Queen Alexandra kept Rough Collies, and it is likely she who is responsible for the popularity of the breed in the show ring and the development of the more glamorous appearance of the breed today.
Collies are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strong herding instinct. They are highly trainable and thrive on mental and physical stimulation.
Here's a brief overview of the two main varieties of Collies:
Temperament and Personality
Rough Collies are known for their gentle, playful, and loyal temperament. They're wonderful dogs for families, bred to be caretakers and eager to please.
Their focus is on people - they love their people and give you eye contact, wanting to bond and please you. They're super easy to train, fantastic with children and other pets.
Rough Collies can feel the need to watch after the home and will alert you to anything they think is out of the ordinary. They bark to communicate with you, but with the right training and activity level, the barking can be mitigated.
A bored Collie can be a nuisance barker, so it's essential to keep their bodies and minds exercised and entertained. They're quick learners and will thrive when both their physical and mental needs are met.
Collie Poodle mixes, also known as Cadoodles, share similar traits with their Collie parents. They're affectionate, intelligent, and active, requiring regular exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
Despite their active nature, Cadoodles are also known for their affectionate and loyal personalities. They form strong bonds with their owners and enjoy spending time with them.
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Health
Rough Collie Mixes are generally healthy dogs, but like any breed, they can be prone to certain health issues. Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) is a genetic disorder that affects the development of the eye, leading to vision impairment or blindness. Most pups with CEA do not experience any vision problems, but it can lead to blindness in other cases.
Collies can also experience hip dysplasia, a condition where the hip ball and socket don't fit together properly, resulting in a deteriorating joint over time. This condition is most common in large dogs, though collies experience it far less than other large breeds.
Regular wellness visits with your vet are crucial to monitor for any potential health issues. Schedule regular check-ups to keep your Rough Collie Mix healthy and happy.
Here are some common health issues that can affect Rough Collie Mixes:
By being aware of these potential health issues, you can take steps to prevent or manage them, ensuring your Rough Collie Mix lives a long and happy life.
Coat and Grooming
The Rough Collie Mix has two coat types: Rough and Smooth. The Rough variety has a long, full coat that needs thorough brushing twice a week.
Both coat types shed moderately, but daily brushings are key to keeping the coat in healthy condition, especially for the Rough variety.
The Rough Collie Mix comes in four colors: sable, tricolor, blue merle, and white. The Smooth Collie has a short, dense, flat outer coat with a thick undercoat.
Bathe your Rough Collie Mix as needed, usually every six to eight weeks, and consider paying a professional groomer to brush and bathe them, especially the Rough variety.
Trim the nails once a month, and check the ears once a week for dirt, redness, or a bad odor that can indicate an infection.
Consider reading: Smooth Collie Breeders
Family and Pets
The Collie is a natural with kids, and they're highly protective of their little family members. They'll keep a watchful eye on them at all times, just like Lassie did for Timmy.
You should always supervise interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling. Teach your child how to approach and touch dogs gently, and never to approach a dog while it's eating or sleeping.
The Collie is also a gentle and affectionate companion to other pets in the family, and they'll watch over them with care. They're willing to tend to baby rabbits, chicks, or even goats with the same tender love they give to their human family.
Children and Pets
The Collie is a wonderful breed for families with kids, but it's essential to teach children how to approach and touch dogs gently to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling. Always supervise interactions between dogs and young children.
Collies are highly protective of children, watching over them and keeping them safe from danger, just like Lassie did for Timmy. They're also gentle with other pets in the family, making them a great addition to households with multiple animals.
However, Collies can be sensitive to noise and family chaos, so they're better suited for families with older, more sensible children. It's also crucial to remember that dogs and young children should never be left alone together.
As a responsible pet owner, it's your job to teach your child how to interact with dogs safely and respectfully. This includes never approaching a dog while it's eating or sleeping, and never trying to take a dog's food away. By following these simple rules, you can create a harmonious and happy household for both your children and your furry friends.
Gollie Rescue Groups
Finding a Gollie rescue group can be a challenge, but it's worth the search. Gollies are a mixed breed, so you may not find a breed-specific rescue just for them. However, you can try contacting Golden Retriever or Collie breed-specific rescues, as they often care for mixes as well.
Some Gollie rescue groups you can try are those that help Golden Retriever or Collie mixes. These groups may have the resources and knowledge to help you find your new furry friend.
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Size and Growth
The size of a Rough Collie mix can vary depending on its parent breeds. A mini Cadoodle, which is a type of Rough Collie mix, can weigh between 20 to 40 pounds.
These dogs are relatively small, standing about 12 to 15 inches tall. This makes them a great option for families with smaller living spaces.
Their weight and height can also affect their growth rate, with some mini Cadoodles reaching their full size by 12 to 18 months old. This is a significant consideration for any potential owner, as it will impact their exercise and nutrition needs.
Standard Cadoodles, on the other hand, can weigh between 40 to 75 pounds and stand about 18 to 24 inches tall.
On a similar theme: Sable and White Rough Collie
Training
Training a rough collie mix requires a gentle approach. They're not overly demanding as long as the basics are taught and maintained.
Positive reinforcement methods are key to successful training. This means rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior.
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The rough collie mix is happy to follow their owner's lead, as long as they're engaged in an activity they enjoy. They're not high maintenance when it comes to training.
With patience and consistency, a rough collie mix can learn to work well with their owner. They thrive on interaction and attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are collie mixes good dogs?
Collie mixes are excellent family pets, known for their friendly, loyal, and intelligent nature. They make great companions for families due to their easy trainability and affectionate personalities.
Sources
- The Collie Rescue Foundation (collierescuefoundation.org)
- Collie Club of America (collieclubofamerica.org)
- collie breeder (facebook.com)
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) (colliehealth.org)
- Hip dysplasia screening scheme (thekennelclub.org.uk)
- Collie Rescue League of New England (collierescueleague.org)
- Tri-State Collie Rescue (tristatecollierescue.org)
- Freedom Collie Rescue (freedomcollierescue.org)
- Collie Rescue Foundation (collierescuefoundation.org)
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