THE COLLIE: Rough & Smooth

The Collie. Rough or smooth, he's got it all - poise, confidence, intelligence, and beauty. No other breed is more recognized than he. As he stands erect, ears cocked, and his deep chocolate eyes shining in anticipation, nothing screams magnificencemore than this gorgeous dog.
Everywhere he goes, this gorgeous canine is greeted with the awe-struck stares of everyone who passes by. For all who own a collie (or two.. or five..), you know firsthand of the pride that swells every time someone gazes in amazement at your pet. 

So who is this fabulous dog?  Where did the he come from?  As a concerned collie dog owner, you have come to the right place for all rough and smooth collie information.  Explore through our pages and learn all about the wonderful collie dog.  To begin, head on over to Intro to Collies where you will find fast facts and general information about the collie breed.

  Bit of Collie History

This famous breed, made popular by the most famous TV collie Lassie in the early 1900's, has not always been around. The magnificent show ring beauty that you notice on today's collies did not begin to take form until the 1800's.
Do you know why collies were first bred? Although their true history remains somewhat unknown, it is believed that they were first used over in Europe to help their master herd flocks of sheep on the grassy hills.  (Continue reading about Collie Origins...)
 
Collie Breed Profile

Collie Breed Profile

Photo by Tsuacctnt
Collies come in two different varieties, ’smooth’ and ‘rough.’ Rough collies require much more grooming, but smoothes do need to be groomed regularly to keep their coats healthy. Collies have a double coat of hair, meaning there is a thick undercoat and an outer coat of thinner and flatter hair.
A smooth collie has [...]

Other posts in Intro to Collies

Breeding for Coat Variety

In America, the collie is considered one breed and interbreeding between the two coat varieties is allowed (and will still produce a purebred collie). Understandably though, people still wonder how smooth and roughs are both born to in the same litter.
The best thing to remember is that

Other posts in Collie Looks

First-Aid Kit Essentials for Collie Owners

Collie owners should have the following items on hand for dog emergencies.

Adhesive tape
Gauze bandages and gauze pads
Scissors
Strips of clean cloth
Safety pins
Wooden ruler or tongue depressor for tourniquet
Wooden paint-mixing sticks for splints
Hydrocortisone cream
Muzzle
Rectal thermometer
3% hydrogen peroxide
Saline eyewash
Fresh bottled water
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Blankets and towels
Nylon rope for restraint
Wire cutters
Pliers
Cotton batting
Tweezers
Leash

Keep the first aid kit in an easily accessible spot.  [...]

Other posts in Collie History

Border Collie vs. Rough / Smooth Collie

By Carol Stack  
Scout is a Border Collie we were given four years ago. He is a beautiful tri-colored dog that is full of energy. The first two years we had him he hardly stopped running.
His family hated to give him up but they had moved from their home with two acres to a house with [...]

Other posts in Collie Personality

11 Tips for Achieving a Long, Happy Collie Life

11 Tips for Achieving a Long, Happy Collie Life

Photo by Tsuacctnt
Pet treatment isn’t simply about reactionary medicine - it’s about being proactive and taking preventive measures to ensure your collie lives the longest, healthiest life as possible. By raising a loved collie that’s strong and happy, you can keep your beloved canine active and healthy for years to come. So, read on for [...]

Other posts in Collie Care

Are collies colorblind like other dogs?

Actually, it is a myth that dogs are colorblind! In the past, it was assumed that since dogs weren’t able to distinguish between as many colors as humans, that they therefore only saw in black and white. However, recent scientific studies has shown that dogs do have a varied range of colored vision although it’s [...]

Other posts in Collie FAQs

Reading a Collie’s Body Language

Reading a Collie's Body Language

What is your collie saying to you? Do you know the cues of reading a dog’s body language? There are many signs and traits to look for. This article details the basics of learning to read various signals your collie is emitting.

Controlling Parasites on Your Collie

Controlling Parasites on Your Collie

FLEAS
Flea Basics
Fleas thrive when the weather is warm and humid. Depending on your climate, fleas may be a seasonal or year-round problem. Your collie can pick up fleas wherever an infestation exists, often in areas frequented by other cats and dogs. Adult fleas are dark brown, no bigger than a sesame seed, and able to [...]

11 Tips for Achieving a Long, Happy Collie Life

11 Tips for Achieving a Long, Happy Collie Life

Photo by Tsuacctnt
Pet treatment isn’t simply about reactionary medicine - it’s about being proactive and taking preventive measures to ensure your collie lives the longest, healthiest life as possible. By raising a loved collie that’s strong and happy, you can keep your beloved canine active and healthy for years to come. So, read on for [...]

Finding a Pet Sitter / Dog Walker for Your Collie

Finding a Pet Sitter / Dog Walker for Your Collie

Photo by FaceMePLS
As a animal-lover myself, I know that hiring someone to take care of your collie is like hiring someone to take care of your child. You need to feel safe and comfortable in your selection because that person will be entering your home and interacting with your family, all while you are not [...]

How to Support Your Local Animal Shelter

How to Support Your Local Animal Shelter

Photo by Kimbospacenut
Tis the season when we bundle up in our big coats and hurry from store to store in search of gifts for our friends and family. Many of us will remember to toss coins into the red kettle as we dash past the bell ringers. While we are sharing the joy of the [...]

Collie Breed Profile

Collie Breed Profile

Photo by Tsuacctnt
Collies come in two different varieties, ’smooth’ and ‘rough.’ Rough collies require much more grooming, but smoothes do need to be groomed regularly to keep their coats healthy. Collies have a double coat of hair, meaning there is a thick undercoat and an outer coat of thinner and flatter hair.
A smooth collie has [...]

Top Ten Facts about Rough & Smooth Collie Dogs

Top Ten Facts about Rough & Smooth Collie Dogs

Photo by Cristobal

Twice a year Rough Collies “molt” their undercoat. As with many long haired breeds, you must rake/brush this fur out. If you are a very neat person, then you had better know how to use a vacuum cleaner! (They are not a good house pet if someone in the family has allergies ..get [...]

Fun Collie Agility Rules

Fun Collie Agility Rules

Photo by Sprungli
When approaching an obstacle, take your time. Your dog will fail if he doesn’t have time to focus!
Your shoulders are your dog’s guide. Be sure the “tell” the dog where to go.
For some dogs, accidental “blocking” will draw their attention to another wrong obstacle. Make sure your dog is focused on the right one.
Remember, most [...]

Control Dog Barking

Control Dog Barking

Photo by Dale Hugo
Is trying to control your dogs barking getting a bit of a pain when all you want to do is get a decent sleep, leave your dog for 5 minutes, or have some respected guests round without having to get the earplugs out?
Training your dog to stop barking doesn’t have to be [...]

Bathing Your Collie

Bathing Your Collie

Photo by Agiledogs
Dog bathing is a must when living with a dog.  Dogs naturally get smelly and are not like cats in being able to wash themselves well and be hygienic, this is why collie owners have to look after their collie’s hygiene for them once in a while.
Dog bathing should take place when your [...]

Dog Years / Human Years

Dog Years / Human Years

Photo by Gwyrah
The life expectancy of any dog is commonly expressed in terms of dog years by us and it depends entirely on the dog’s breed, size as well as the dog’s surroundings. Various other factors affect the life expectancy of a dog. A dog’s life span changes according to the diet provided to him [...]

Collie Puppy & Dog Information

Collie Puppy & Dog Information

 Photo by Tsuacctnt

The Collie is a wonderful family dog. They come in two varieties, smooth coated and rough coated. They are generally good with kids and other animals and love their adopted family. The most famous Collie is Lassie. 
They may not be suitable for an apartment as they need room to exercise. A properly fenced [...]

Essential Collie Information

Essential Collie Information

Photo by Tsuacctnt
The Collie belongs in the Herding Group of the A.K.C. There are two varieties, the Smooth coat and the “Rough”. The Collie was always a favorite “farm dog” in the United States way before the advent of television and when “Lassie Come Home” became a film and later a TV series, its popularity [...]

Collie Breed Traits and Health

Collie Breed Traits and Health

Photo by Tsuacctnt

Lassie, the popular series on television has made the Collie a recognizable breed to many. The Collie is noted for his intelligence and deep affection for the family.
Appearance - The Collie descended from dogs used for herding and this trait is still strong in them. The Collie is a wonderful dog for the household [...]

Collie Puppy Information

The television series “Lassie” made Lassie the beloved symbol for Collies in America. Your new Collie puppy won’t measure up to the wonder dog, but you’ll most likely find him a wonderful family dog.
The Family Protector
The Collie was originally bred to herd sheep, and still has a strong protective instinct, which makes them an excellent [...]