Smooth Collie
🧠 Temperament & character
The Smooth Collie is friendly, attentive and very affectionate. He is intelligent, easy to handle and usually a little livelier and more robust than the Rough Collie. Towards the family he is gentle and patient, and he meets strangers attentively but without aggression. His balanced, people-oriented nature makes him a pleasant companion.
📜 Origin & history
The Collie comes from the Scottish Highlands, where for centuries it herded and drove sheep. The short-haired variety was traditionally more of a droving dog, while the Rough Collie herded the livestock. Thanks to the popularity of the 'Lassie' films, the Rough Collie in particular became world-famous, but the Smooth Collie also found its admirers as a family dog. Both go back to the same Scottish herding dogs.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The short, dense and smooth-lying coat is pleasantly easy to care for: regular brushing is enough, and only during the moult does the Smooth Collie shed more heavily. His exercise needs are moderate – daily walks, play and a little dog sport keep him content. As a clever, willing-to-learn dog he enjoys mental occupation. He is easy and pleasant to train and reacts sensitively to harsh tones.
🩺 Health
The Smooth Collie has a life expectancy of around 12 to 14 years. Typical for the breed are Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and the MDR1 gene defect, which can lead to drug intolerances. Reputable breeders have the eyes examined and test for MDR1 before breeding with their animals. With these preventive examinations the Smooth Collie is overall a robust, healthy dog.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Smooth Collie is superbly suited as a family dog and fits active people looking for a friendly, uncomplicated companion with little grooming. He gets on well with children and is also suitable for committed first-time owners. With enough exercise he copes both in a house and in an apartment. Anyone who appreciates the gentleness of the Collie but has less time for grooming will find him the ideal choice.