Dog Breeds :: Collie

Owning
The Collie is an alert watchdog, quick to sound alarm and very protective of his family, although he is not an aggressive dog. Both rough and smooth coats require thorough weekly brushings to keep the coat clean and free of mats. Renowned for his loyalty and his reliability, the Collie makes a great companion and friend.

Characteristics
Dogs are from 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 60 to 75 pounds. Bitches are from 22 to 24 inches at the shoulder, weighing from 50 to 65 pounds.

Did you know?
The Collie's parent club, The Collie Club of America, was organized in 1886, two years after the establishment of the American Kennel Club and was the second parent club to join the AKC. The Collie was first shown in the United States in May of 1877, at the second show of the Westminster Kennel Club in New York. The collie comes in two varieties, the longhaired Rough and the shorthaired Smooth.

AKC Recommends
The American Kennel Club recommends that anyone interested in a breed should take the time to thoroughly learn about that breed, talk to responsible and knowledgeable breeders and seek out the resources of the AKC national club formed by individuals devoted to preserving and protecting their breed for future generations. The AKC offers links to the official national Club of this breed - the club's officers, breeder referral, and breed rescue contact persons.