My best friends. (Smooth Collie)

Member Name: goosey

Product:	Smooth Collie
Date:	28/06/09 (92 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: keeps me healthy

Disadvantages: They take a piece of your heart when they finally depart.

I'm not sure where my Collie-Cross, Moses, fits into the collie family tree.
He looks like a Smooth Collie as opposed to the rough haired Lassie-types, I am certainly right in saying that he is at least 50% Border Collie and so therefore must half qualify to be 'reviewed.

He is a rescue dog, and we are unsure of the other 50% of his gene-pool, although I suspect it might be whippet. However, he certainly demonstrates all the wonderful traits exhibited by the Boarder-collie bits.

When I first introduced him (then 10 weeks old) to my Yorkie, Mollie, she totally ignored him; he in turn began herding her and for many weeks, she could not go anywhere without Moses guiding her to where he thought she should go. Mollie, bless her, didn't seemed too phased by it and obeyed without fuss.

Like all dogs, when puppies, they need proper training appropriate to their nature. Moses was no exception, and because until then, I had only handled the Yorkie and Cocker Spanial breeds, was unsure of the nature and needs of Collies, and therefore consulted a dog trainer, who took us through a series of socialising and training techniques - yes, I also needed training.

One of the interesting tests, designed to discover how he would react to a sudden frightening situation, whilst off the lead, was when the trainer led out an enormouse St. Bernard. Moses jumped back a few yards but did not run off with his tail between his legs, which was an encouraging sign. I then approached and stroked the St Bernard; Moses followed soon after and made friends, obviously needing my guidance until he could judge for himself.

Moses, was very quick to learn, and it became obvious to both myself and the trainer, that he would be exceptionally obedient; his only desire was to please. However, he needed, like a child, to find out what he was allowed to do - by experience. A stern word and he would look apologetic and modify his behaviour.

~~~~~THE QUALITIES AND NEEDS OF A COLLIE~~~~~

Most dogs can be described as loyal, some are loyal AND independant, in that they will wander off and amuse themselves, not needing the owner to play with them all the time.
Collies are more dependant on their owners for company and entertainment.
They are working dogs, first and foremost, so playing in the parks with their owner or other animals (in the pack) is, to them a form of work.
Collies get a tremendous boost by pleasing their owners, whether by play or work.
They have an enormous amount of energy and so do need more exercise than some breeds, who prefer strolling to running.
In the puppy stages, in particular, when bored, they will chew the nearest item available; I lost two remote controls, three pairs of slippers, and one mobile phone, to Moses's moments of boredom.
Thankfully he now knows that that sort of behaviour does not 'please.' and so has long since ceased to be destructive.

The Collie is gentle, sweet natured and loving. I used to think Moses a whimp when he stood behind me as people or other dogs approached, he was certainly cautious. But one day a gorgeous puppy Retriever - the size of a small pony, came bounding towards us. Moses, instead of cowering behind me, stepped out and stood between me and the approaching pup, his lips curled up in a snarl. - how is that for loyalty then - The pup halted before it reached me, so Moses is no longered considered a whimp.

As far as food is concerned, Moses is not as greedy as some breeds such as Spanials. He eats two medium sized meals per day, sometimes less. I feed him on James Wellbeloved Wheatfree complete food with a small amount of Caesar complete meat.
I have found that Moses is intolerant of fat, which could be a trait from the other, none-collie, part of his gene-pool. A trait which I believe is found in greyhounds and Whippets.

~~~~~CONCLUSION~~~~
In summary, Collies are sweet, gentle, loving and exceptionally loyal dogs, who need a lot of love and kindness in return plus plenty of vigorous excercise.
They are intelligent, obedient and willing to protect its owner with its own life if the need ever occured. Otherwise certainly not aggressive.
They shed hair like confetti, so need regular grooming.

Punishment to a Collie, is lack of praise. Reward is praise and cuddles galore.

Unless you work from home, or can take a dog with you. do not consider owning a Collie, it would be cruel. They need company and work/play.

Mollie accepted Moses soon after his arrival and he no longer tries to herd her. Both are adorable in their own right.

Summary: They will love you, warts'n all