The most underrated pedigree dog for a family pet (Smooth Collie)

Member Name: mizmir

Product:	Smooth Collie
Date:	08/01/09 (103 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to train, easy to care for, good natured, beautiful

Disadvantages: None

Everyone is familiar with the glamorous and intelligent Rough Collie - if only from watching the various incarnations of Lassie. But relatively few have come across its perhaps less glamorous but equally intelligent and striking cousin the Smooth Collie. This is a shame as the Smooth Collie makes an ideal family pet and is much easier in the coat care department than the Rough.

The Smooth Collie is exactly the same dog as the Rough - just without the long coat. Instead he has a coarse short outer coat over a soft and warm undercoat - so all he needs in terms of grooming is the occasional run over with a brush. He is an intelligent and very trainable breed who loves to work. Smooth Collies compete in obedience and agility and have been used as army dogs and search and rescue dogs. But, unlike some more popular collie breeds, they are not at all "manic" workers and will happily just hang out with the family.

Smooth Collies are very elegant and striking dogs. In the UK they come in three colours: sable and white (a rich chestnut colour), tricolour (black, white and tan markings) and blue merle (a mottled mix of silvery blue, black, tan and white). They are medium sized - like a Rough Collie - a little taller than a Border collie. They are very loyal to their families, affectionate and playful - and they generally get on well with other dogs. They are not guard dogs and are not aggressive but they do make good watch dogs and will raise the alarm if there is someone at your home.

I think these are one of the most underrated pedigree breeds there is. The Smooth Collie is easy to care for, easy to train, good natured, robust enough for a family but small enough to be manageable, and very striking and distinctive to look at, yet they are currently on the endangered breed list with the UK Kennel Club.
This is a shame as they are fantastic family dogs that deserve to be more popular.

Summary: A great family pet