Collie
DevotedGracefulProud
Scotland / England · 12–14 years
About the Collie
The Collie is a graceful, devoted herding dog made famous by the fictional character Lassie, who perfectly represented the breed's intelligence, loyalty, and bravery. Originally developed in Scotland and northern England for herding sheep, Collies are elegant dogs with a long, wedge-shaped head and gentle, intelligent expression. They come in two coat varieties: Rough (long, full coat) and Smooth (short, dense coat). Collies are natural family dogs — gentle with children, loyal to their owners, and predictable in temperament. Their sensitivity and intuition make them one of the most empathetic breeds.
Breed stats
- Height
- 22–26 in
- Weight
- 50–75 lbs
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Group
- Herding
- Coat
- Rough: long, abundant double coat. Smooth: short, dense double coat
- Origin
- Scotland / England
Coat colors
- Sable and white
- Tricolor
- Blue merle
- White
Temperament & ratings
Compatibility
Exercise & feeding
Daily exercise
45–75 min
per day recommended
Daily food
2–3 cups
high-quality dry food
Common health issues
- Collie eye anomaly
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- MDR1 drug sensitivity
- Dermatomyositis
- Bloat
Not every Collie will develop these conditions, but awareness helps with early detection. Regular veterinary checkups and choosing a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs are the best preventive measures.
Can Collies eat...
- Can dogs eat blueberries?Safe
- Can dogs eat grapes?Toxic
- Can dogs eat bananas?Safe
- Can dogs eat chocolate?Toxic
- Can dogs eat watermelon?Safe
- Can dogs eat cheese?Caution
- Can dogs eat almonds?Caution
- Can dogs eat apples?Safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- The fictional Lassie accurately represented many real Collie traits. Collies are genuinely intelligent, loyal, and have a strong instinct to protect their family, especially children. They are sensitive dogs that can read human emotions and respond with appropriate comfort or alertness. Real Collies, like Lassie, will bark to alert their family to unusual situations and have been known to lead people to family members who need help. However, the television adventures were obviously dramatized — real Collies cannot perform movie stunts. What the show captured authentically was the breed's deep devotion, intelligence, and natural protective instinct toward children.
- Collies are moderate-energy dogs that need 45 to 75 minutes of daily exercise, which is significantly less than high-drive herding breeds like Border Collies or Australian Shepherds. They enjoy walks, playtime, and gentle running but are not as intense or demanding as their working herding counterparts. Collies are content to settle calmly indoors after adequate exercise. Their herding instinct is present but generally less intense than Border Collies, making them more suitable as family pets. Mental stimulation through training and interactive games complements their physical exercise needs and keeps them happy and well-behaved.
- Collie eye anomaly (CEA) is an inherited eye condition found in Collies and related breeds. It affects the development of the choroid, a layer of tissue beneath the retina that supplies blood and nutrients to the eye. CEA ranges from mild — with no vision impairment — to severe, which can include retinal detachment and blindness. The condition is present from birth and does not worsen over time. Approximately 70 to 80% of Collies carry at least one copy of the CEA gene. Responsible breeders test for CEA and can produce puppies with only mild forms. A DNA test is available to identify carriers.
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