A collie dog. Breed of collie dogs: photo. Dwarf Collies

The Collie (Scottish Shepherd) is currently considered the most fashionable breed of lap dogs in the UK. There are long-haired and short-haired collies, border collies and bearded collies. But all these species are distinguished by a wide flat skull, long neck and muzzle, semi-pointed ears, kind oval eyes and a straight back.

Breed history

Different spellings of the word "collie" at different times led to a divergence of opinion about where the name of this breed came from. Some believe that the mentioned word comes from the name of black Scottish sheep — colleys, according to others, it is associated with the adjective col, meaning "dark". In the coloring of many Scottish Shepherds, the dark color is really present. Interestingly, the word col also means "circle" or "collar". As a result, according to third parties, the breed in question owes its name to the white collar and the white coat on the chest, which are another distinctive feature of these dogs.

The ancestors of the long-haired collie appeared in Scotland more than 400 years ago, where they were imported from Iceland. The first descriptions of dogs similar to them were seen on the pages of one of the publications of 1790, dedicated to the dogs of the British Isles. The breed mentioned in the book belonged to shepherd shepherds. They most likely served, so to speak, as the material for the further breeding of English breeds, such as Border Collies, long-haired and short-haired collies.

Queen Victoria made a significant contribution to the development of these species. She started Scottish shepherds, her example was soon followed by professional dog breeders. It is likely that at first the royal dog breeders crossed Scottish shepherds with representatives of other breeds. It is possible that they were setters and greyhounds. As a result, there was a breed that in the modern world is a symbol of beauty and intelligence — the Scottish Shepherd, or collie.

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Dog character

Rarely seen anywhere an animal with such wonderful characteristics! The breed of collie dogs is considered the most intelligent, beautiful, loyal and kind. There is no more ideal pet for a family with children. The character of the Scottish Shepherd shows a tendency to take care and take care of the weak, which makes her the best babysitter for children. With babies, collies can frolic for hours, meekly allowing them small pranks. The dog almost never snaps in response to attempts to pull its fur, ears or tail. But this does not mean that children can be allowed to torment an animal.

Scottish Shepherds get along very easily with other representatives of the animal world, they are friendly even towards poultry and cats. Their intelligence is also at a high level. Regular classes with a pet allow you to achieve very good results. They can understand dozens of words, not to mention executing certain commands. They are easy to train. The collie dog is very inquisitive. First of all, she is trying to earn praise and approval from the owner, so she will try her best. But remember: only with the help of affectionate words and goodies as a reward, you can achieve high results. Punishment and rudeness make Scottish Shepherds insecure. And coercion will make them stubborn.

Over the past 100 years, the appearance (exterior) of modern collies has changed a lot, but the instincts and character formed over the centuries have remained the same. Therefore, even today it is possible to notice shepherd habits in the behavior of Scottish shepherds, in whose genetic code a strong attachment to people, unpretentiousness and good health are clearly recorded.

Long-haired sheepdogs are considered more aristocratic than short-haired ones. However, in critical situations, the agile smooth-haired collie behaves more bravely, he becomes a more formidable and dangerous opponent for outsiders. It should be noted that despite its meekness, this breed is not considered "quiet". These are shepherd dogs bred in order to control the flock with their voice. Therefore, Scottish Shepherds willingly bark, although they never do it for no reason.

Education

The collie breed is highly intelligent and easy to educate. These dogs have well-developed sensory organs, therefore, you do not need to raise your voice unnecessarily, and you should not do it too often. They do not like violence and rough treatment, from such an attitude a collie can lock itself in forever. From the very first days with the puppy you need to communicate calmly and evenly. The best results will be achieved if the voice when giving commands differs in intonation and timbre. The training of the Scottish Shepherd must begin from the very moment of its appearance in the house. The collie dog will become what its owner wants to see. Therefore, the owner must clearly define for himself what he wants from his pet, what will be allowed to him and what will not. Then you need to persistently and calmly stop the pet every time he crosses the boundaries of what is allowed.

The Scottish Shepherd loves to be satisfied with her, and often seeks to anticipate the desires of her beloved owner. Moreover, she adapts to the lifestyle of the family in which she lives. From the first month, collie puppies (long-haired or short-haired breed - it does not matter) should get used to the diet, a place to rest and sleep, they need to be accustomed to their own name, washing, leash, as well as to walks and elementary commands.

It is desirable to start socializing a collie from birth, you need to take her outside, introduce her to other animals and people. This will turn her into a pet capable of living in society. The collie dog is temperamental by nature and very energetic. This character trait persists in her until the end of her life. The animals in question are constantly in need of new impressions and movement. Keeping these dogs on a chain is unacceptable! Constant communication with a person and a sense of their need is vital for them.

Hair care

Long-haired collies have a very thick coat, which consists of a straight, stiff outer hair and a dense, thick undercoat that protects them from heat and cold. The pet needs to be combed once or twice a week, and during molting periods — daily. This is to avoid the formation of tangles. This procedure can be carried out using a standard brush for combing wool and a comb with small teeth. The undercoat requires more careful care. The claws must be cut short.

Do I need to bathe a collie or not?

Bathing a collie puppy is strictly prohibited, as it can catch a cold. Yes, it is not necessary. It is enough to wipe the pet with a damp cloth, then brush it. An adult does not need washing either: in summer it has the opportunity to swim in reservoirs, and in winter it is possible to clean the wool with snow. Washing degreases the wool, as a result of which it loses its shine. Collie dogs have very delicate skin. Careless washing of soap sludge can cause irritation and scratching.

Dental care

It is advisable to brush your pet's teeth once a week using a soft brush and baby tooth powder or paste. Lemon juice can also be used to cleanse the enamel. These preventive measures will help prevent the appearance of plaque, which contributes to the appearance of caries, gum inflammation and other troubles. In no case do not forcibly take away objects that the dog has clamped between his teeth – there is a risk of spoiling the bite.

Ear care

As a rule, problems with ear placement in collie puppies begin at 3-7 months, which coincides with the period of tooth change. This is quite a normal phenomenon. The level of calcium in the dog's body fluctuates. This affects the bones and cartilage in the auricles. If the pet's ears have straightened, it is urgently necessary to prepare a mixture of technical glycerin or anhydrous lanolin with talc (baby powder), bringing it to the consistency of thick sour cream. Then you need to lubricate the ears abundantly (the upper half from the inside) from the line of the desired bend to the tip, which should descend. This procedure must be repeated until the ears, after removing the mixture, take the correct position. It may be advisable to reduce the dose of calcium in food. To resolve this issue, it is recommended to consult with a specialist. If the above method does not give the desired effect, then you can carefully fold the ear in half and glue the upper tip to the inside of the ear with a Band-Aid. It is impossible to hang a load to the ears in order to correct them. In overfed and passive dogs, the ears may be lowered by more than half. To solve this problem, it is necessary, first of all, to take measures to reduce the pet's weight, increase the amount of calcium in the menu, as well as walk with him in an unfamiliar area, which will give the dog the opportunity to be alert and raise his ears.

Walking

Scottish Shepherds need physical activity. It is advisable to organize regular long walks for them. The collie dog enjoys playing with a ball, just loves to run without a leash and follow the commands of the owner.

Collie breed: molting features

Molting is a periodic change of the coat. There are several forms of this process:

• Age molt - junior wool is replaced by adult;
• Seasonal molt — thick winter wool is replaced by rare and short summer;
• Molt associated with health problems;
• Molting of bitches after childbirth and heat.

Age-related molting is observed at about one year of age. It must be remembered that the terms depend on the conditions of maintenance, heredity, nutrition, time of year, etc. D.

Seasonal molting strongly depends on the conditions of detention. A collie dog living in the yard, on the street, sheds 2 times a year: in spring and autumn. At room maintenance, the molting process can continue almost year-round. Everything is explained by the fact that a constant temperature is maintained in closed rooms, which leads to a violation of the biological rhythms of natural "dressing" and "undressing". And often because of this, the process of changing wool flows sluggishly and drags on for many months, until the next seasonal molt. However, this problem is easily solvable if you deal with it closely.

In bitches, molting can also be associated with hormonal fluctuations and from periods of estrus. Very much dogs begin to shed after childbirth. There is no need to panic – this is a natural process. Soon they will grow a new coat, more lush and thick than before childbirth.

Feeding

The breed of collie dogs is not picky. Animals can eat both special dry and wet food from the store, and homemade dishes. Before choosing one of the feeding methods, you need to think carefully about all the points. The first option is suitable for busy hosts. Those who want to give preference to self-made food, believing that this is the most economical option, need to take into account one nuance: waste from their own table is not suitable for dogs. It is necessary to think over a full-fledged menu for the pet, using only high-quality products for cooking.

List of useful products for Scottish shepherds:

• Boiled beef;
• Liver;
• Eggs;
• Boiled fish without bones, preferably sea;
• Dairy products;
• Cereals;
• Cheese;
• Algae;
• Vegetables;
• Yeast;
• Medicinal plants in in the form of herbal supplements;
• Vitamins.

Harmful products:

• Raw pork, river fish and lard;
• Tubular bones;
• Peas;
• Fried potatoes;
• Pearl barley;
• Flour products;
• Sweets.

Recommendations for purchasing a collie puppy

A description of the breed of the Scottish Shepherd can be found in the official standard, which must be read before buying a puppy. You can buy a mentally and physically healthy dog in kennels, specialized clubs or from a professional breeder. You should also carefully study all available offers, read reviews about sellers. This will reduce the risk of acquiring sick animals or those that do not meet breed standards. Many people are wondering at what age you can buy a puppy? The best option is from one and a half to two months. At this time, they have fairly smooth and strong paws, a long, well-set neck. You should pay attention to the exterior of the dog. According to the standard, the height at the withers and the length of the trunk should be approximately equal. The dog's back should be flat, without hump or deflection.

Some clarifications

Another frequently asked question: "Is the dwarf Collie any different from the Scottish Shepherd?" Beginners should know that there is no such breed. Yes, there are dogs very similar to the "Scots". We are talking about the Shetland Shepherd, or Sheltie. The dwarf collie is, so to speak, the folk name of a separate breed, although with an admixture of the blood of long-haired brethren. It is quite possible that breeders once tried to breed a miniature copy of the Scottish Shepherd. Anyway, sheltie is very popular today, especially among apartment owners.

In conclusion

Summing up, we note that Scottish Shepherds can become not only beloved pets, but also real family members. After all, they are smart, healthy, unpretentious, very contact, natural nannies, able and loving to take care of children.