The Collie – a loyal companion with an exciting history
The Collie, a dog with charm and character, has not only conquered the hearts of many people as a movie and television star, but also impresses with its versatility and lovable nature.
The history of the Collie
The origins of the Collie go back more than 70 years, when the famous dog “Lassie” first conquered the screens. Originally used as a herding dog on the moors of Scotland and northern England, the Collie goes back to the Colleys, sheep with a black head and black legs. Targeted breeding resulted in two variants: the British and the American type. The breed quickly became famous through Queen Victoria and later through films.
Nature and character
The Collie is characterized by its friendly and intelligent nature. As a herding dog with a strong protective instinct, it is easy to train and always wants to please its people. Its history as a working collie on the Scottish moors shapes its dutiful and adaptable nature. The Collie is not only an extremely loyal companion, but also versatile – whether as a rescue and ambulance dog or in various dog sports.
Variety of colors and grooming
With its long, thick coat, the Collie is an impressive sight. They come in three colors: Sable, Tri-Color and Blue Merle. Despite the impressive coat, the grooming effort is moderate and is limited to the time outside the shedding season. The characteristic coat pattern not only serves aesthetic purposes, but also makes it easier to recognize the herding dog in the field.
The Collie as a family dog
The Collie is an ideal companion for experienced dog owners, but also for families and people with physical disabilities. Its adaptability and friendliness make it a popular family member. Collies are sociable and generally show no signs of aggression. Their natural protective instinct makes them vigilant guardians who protect family and home.
There are different types of Collies:
- Longhaired Collie (Rough Collie): Known for its long, dense coat and elegant appearance. This breed is loyal, family-friendly and makes a good herding dog.
- Short-haired Collie (Smooth Collie): In contrast to the Long-haired Collie, the Smooth Collie has a short, dense coat. This breed is also loyal, family-friendly and well suited as a herding dog.
- Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie): Also known as the Shetland Collie, this breed is smaller than other Collies and is characterized by its herding qualities.
- Bearded Collie: This breed was bred for special herding work and is characterized by intelligence and learning ability. They are cheerful, even-tempered and make good family dogs.
- Border Collie are known for their working qualities, are highly intelligent and are excellent for activities such as agility and mantrailing.
Each type of Collie has its own specific characteristics that make it suitable for a variety of tasks and lifestyles.
Are Collies aggressive?
Aggressiveness in Collies is rare, but can sometimes occur when the dog is frightened. They may exhibit behaviors such as growling or snarling, especially when strangers are near the house, or putting themselves between their owner and a stranger.
New dog breed descriptions in a quick overview