Description of the Collie
and
The Collie as a family dog
The
creation of the Collie
The Collie breed is a very old breed which was created in Scotland with one purpose;
To work sheep. Since 1900 the look of the Collies has been changed into this
beautiful dog we know today.
The Scottish fields and nature was rough. Therefore the Collie should be a
hardy dog who was able to work under any conditions. The Shepard needed a dog
who was easy to train, stabil and reliable. And of cause the dog should have a
great desire to help its master and guard the Sheep (with no wish to hunt
and eat the sheep). As there was no larger predators or threats the
Collie did not have to be big and strong, aggressive, sharp or dominant. The
Collie was created through time to match the Shepards needs - it was created to
work sheep.
This is why the Collie is the dog it is. It has a moderat long and thick coat
to resist rain and wind. The dog is a relative light dog but still a tough dog
as it has to be able to move with ease and speed, and still be able to do a
hard days work. The Collie is very intelligent and pleased to work. Of cause a
working dog has to be that. Is has also a big wish to guard, take care,
and guide, and to be together with its herd. Of cause the hunting instincts is
almost zero, as this instincts is no good in a dog who has to take care of
another species. (They lack the last part of the hunting instincts that consist
of the final attact and killing of the prey. The first part of the hunting
instincts they needed to move the Sheep in the right direction).
The Collies perhaps in particular is known for it beautiful look which is seen
mostly in head and expression. Especially the eyes is important for the Collie
as a working tool, as this kind of Shepdog use very much its eyes to control
the Sheep.
Even if the last 80-100
years of changes of the Collie had no background in the working ability, but
mainly attributed to the shows, the Collie today still is a working
breed. As for example the Collie do not like to retrieve things (carry
things in the mouth), as this last part of the hunting instincts is gone. The
Collie stil is very easy to train and it has a huge desire to be with the herd
- today the herd is the human family. The coat has become longer, but still
consist of a close, warm under coat and a rough, waterproof upper coat thereby
protecting the dog against rain and wind. By first look the Collie seem big,
but if we take of its coat there is a little and light dog beneath. Still the
Collie is not dominant or sharp - it is not a dog who is meant to protect the
house - and so it do not enter fights without a reason, and very often it will
do much to avoid a fight.
The
personality
Families that values the fellowship with the dog and who consider the dogs as
an important part of the family can be a good choise for the dog !
But the familiy must understand and respect the need for and wish to work that
the Collies still process. And it deserves to be used. It can be any form of
obedience work, small task at home, or so. The dog wish even more to be
together with its herd; the family. The Collie is not a dog who will be happy
with a life outside or in the scullery.
On ordinary days the Collie is a easy and happy dog who loves to play, and who
often ask for a play itself. It bring you the ball as to say "I want to
play with you". The Collie is a very patient and gentle dog and therefore
a good choise for the family that have kids - but notice that it is only so if
the family understand that it must learn the children how to treat a dog. The
Collie will put up with a lot of things which other breeds will not. And this
means that the adults must be very attentive towards the children so they don't
"abuse" the dog.
As mentioned the Collies is
not aggressive neither dominant. It will guard its home, but only defend it if
strangers illegal ares trespassing the area. First the dog will try to
"bark" the stranger back to where he came from. This gentle behavior
is a part of the Collie and it gentle and soft temperament also means that you
will never have to be hard to the dog, and never-never will have to hit it. Of
cause it can make misschiefs, also twice, but its rare to se Collies who
repeats it. If you scold the dog it can take his head down or lay down. This do
not mean that the dog is nervous or easy to frighten. This is the way in which
the Collie tell you that it has understood, and it's sorry.
Of cause Collies are not happy
in families where they must spend a lot of time alone. A Collie stick together
very close to its herd/family and is most happy when everyone is together. You
will find that your Collie use to go to each family member to check out that
he/she is still there, and to check out where everybody are. And your Collie
will follow you. Walk out in the garden, and the Collie walk with out. Go into
the kitchen and it will go there too. The Collie's favorite place is in the
door opening. From here it can very often control many rooms at one time.
To close this chapter I only need to say that "home-alone-problems"
is so unheard in the Collie. They adjust very easily and can be alone home for
a long time with out problem.s
"Maintaining"
the Collie
Probably the coat is one major reason to many people not to chose the
Collie as their family dog. But actually the coat do not need as much care as
you should think - and which often is stated in books. The coat almost
takes care of itself. Of cause the coat need a cut as anyother long-haired
breed. About one time each month you will need to cut the coat between
and around the paws/ pads, as well as shorten the coat on hocks. You also
need to comb the hair behind the ears every 2 weeks. No matter which breed to
end up with the dog always need to has it nails cut and its ears and teeths
cleaned. The rest of the dog will be acceptable to look at when you use 1-2
hours at month on brushing. It will look very nice if you use 2 hours every 2.
week, and absolutely dazzled if it is 2 hour every week. In the seasons where
it drop coat you will find it usefull to comb it every day thereby prevent a
lot of coat from dropping on the carpet.
When and how often it drops
coat depend on the gender. Males drops coat once a year and females (bitches)
about 3 months after they have been in heat/season. How often they get in heat
depend on the bitch ifself, but every 7-10 months seems the normal. It
also depend on the dog itself, how much coat it drops - some drop a lot
(undercoat and uppercoat) and others only a little, and mainly undercoat. The
coat is very easy to remove from the carpet and from your clothes, as the long
hairs lay on top of the coat.
The coat can be used for making caps and plaids, and it is very warm. .
Dirt will always stick to
the coat. If it is much you can give your dog a shower. If you just leave the
dirt on the dog, it will fall of when the dirt and dog are dry. There will
always be a lot more dirt in your house when you have a Collie. If you hate
dirt, don't buy a Collie, and perhaps not even a dog.
The Collie also need
exercies. Not just to keep the muscles strong but they dog also need
experiences in the nature. If you gives your dog a good deal of exercies every
day thereby keeping its muscles strong you will have your dog for more years.
At least 1 hours of exercise each day....and letting it out in the garden do
not count as exercise.
But how IS it to live with a Collie ? Easy. It is a quiet dog, happy and
attentive towards you. Very easy to train and be with. A Collie do not bark
more than other breeds, and it is easy to learn her not to be quiet. And of
cause it is a wonderfull "feet-warmer" in the winther.
Do you chose a Collie you
have by the first minute the best chances of a happy life as a "dog-person".
Ulla
Trebricha Collies
Want to know more of Danish Collies; Buy the book about Collies in
Denmark through 50 years (covers actually 100 years) with lots of black/white
and colour photos of nearly ALL Danish Champions through time. Se it at
www.collieclub.dk and buy it through the treasurer in Dansk Collie Klub.