A collie puppy is a faithful assistant and friend. Subtleties of the breed's character

• Dogs

Possessing excellent characteristics, the Border Collie, with a competent approach to education and training, will definitely become its owner’s best friend. The pet will learn new commands with great pleasure and, possessing a sharp mind, will carry out the owner’s tasks unquestioningly. Although sometimes Baudelaire Collies tend to behave like puppies as adults. You need to learn to put up with this and under no circumstances scold the dog.

Collie puppy cost

Long-haired collies are sold much more often than short-haired collies, so they cost slightly more. The price of a puppy is determined based on several characteristics. The pedigree class of the parents is taken into account, to what level does the nursery raising the animal belong, and the features of appearance. When a breeder breeds a dog with a representative from another country, collie puppies will cost significantly more.

A collie without a pedigree costs from 6,000 to 10,000 rubles . Puppies from kennels usually cost 15,000 and above. The most expensive are show quality puppies, their cost averages 90,000-120,000 rubles . Even in the same litter, puppies often differ in price: some are defective in standard, which affects the price; others, on the contrary, have a rare color or other obvious advantages, which means they will be more expensive. Puppies that have been stranded without owners are also usually cheaper.

Often, females are 10-20% more expensive than males, because they can bear offspring. Despite the fact that working qualities are paramount, some breeders set the price for border collies taking into account coat color. So, for example, black-and-white and red-and-white puppies are sold at the same price - approximately 80,000 rubles , and babies of a rarer gray color are 10,000-15,000 more expensive, individuals with a merle color based on blue - 130,000 rubles.

There are also cases when a purebred puppy is given away for a nominal fee because it was bought and the child developed an allergy or there were other compelling reasons for urgent resale.

In any case, remember that the collie has too trusting and loving a heart to treat it only as a prestigious dog for exhibitions and sell it if it is not needed.

Origin story

There is no single theory for the appearance of these animals, although there are a couple of assumptions. Adherents of the first version claim that they were brought by Roman legionnaires during the occupation of Britain. Supporters of the other are of the opinion that shepherd dogs were known on the islands even before the Romans. The Scottish Shepherd, as these dogs are also called, really attracted Queen Victoria. Then she became famous as an excellent shepherd, as well as a good companion.

Collies belong to the class of shepherd dogs or herding dogs; there are many varieties of this breed.

The name also has several origins. According to one version, the origin is Gallic and is translated as “useful.” Another version says that it is based on an old Scottish word meaning “coal”. Most likely, the original predominant color was black, hence the etymology of the name. According to the latter version, the name arose from a word denoting a type of black-headed sheep.

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Tips for choosing a collie dog puppy

First of all, you should make sure that the collie is the right breed for the family. This is a highly energetic, intelligent breed, most of whose needs most people, unfortunately, cannot satisfy. And when these needs are not met, the dog’s behavior becomes disgusting in the full sense of the word.

You need to find a breeder or kennel that professionally breeds only this breed of dog. You should never buy a dog from a pet store or shelters - here you are most likely to buy a dog with serious health and behavioral problems. A professional collie breeder will help you find a dog that individually matches the family’s lifestyle and the owner’s principles, and if something goes wrong, you can always discuss the conditions for returning the puppy and reimbursement of the money spent on it.

Collie is one of the dog breeds whose behavior at the time of selection makes it extremely difficult to predict its further development and future attitude towards future owners. It must be remembered that a dog will behave differently on the territory of its native kennel, and then in a foreign environment at home.

When buying a puppy, especially such a complex breed as a collie, any question should not be considered stupid or inappropriate. The longer the conversation with the breeder, and the more questions he asks, the better the deal will be.

Maintenance and care

Like all historically working breeds, Scottish Shepherds are not afraid of temperature changes and are able to live in a kennel or enclosure. However, in practice, it is not worth relocating a pet to a yard on a permanent basis for two reasons. Firstly, because of the contact nature of collies, which require constant interaction with their owner. And secondly, because of the overly luxurious wool, which perfectly collects small debris. Residents of country cottages will have to think about how to provide their animals with free access from the street to the house and back. Well, apartment owners should prepare for regular promenades in the company of a pet.

Hygiene

The main problem of collies is, first of all, wool. Lots of wool. Dogs shed seasonally, in autumn and spring, but this happens to individuals living in the fresh air. Apartment shepherds shed hair less spontaneously, but throughout the year. Puppies acquire fluffy fur coats only at the end of the first year of life, and in the process of changing from children's “clothes” to adult ones, they will have to be helped with brushing, and occasionally with bathing - this way the puppy’s hair comes off faster. Molting of females is a separate issue. Bitches renew their coat after each birth, and often the new regrown hair is not very impressive.

Brush your non-shedding collie once a week, making sure to moisten the coat with detangling spray. The tail is combed carefully and strictly according to the hair growth - this part of the body has poor blood supply, so with dead hairs there is a risk of pulling out healthy ones. Don’t be alarmed if your faded pet looks like a slightly shabby creature – this is normal. Gradually, the renewed undercoat and guard will gain the required strength and thickness. The only caveat is that you won’t show up at an exhibition with such an unevenly “dressed” dog.

Useful tools for working on the coat of a Scottish Sheepdog are combs with rare and fine metal teeth, a brush, scissors for trimming the hair behind the ears and on the paws. It is recommended to wash the animal with shampoo for wire-haired dogs, no more than 2-3 times a year. The collie is also supposed to have a pedicure every month with a nail clipper for large and medium-sized breeds, and once a week the dog’s ear funnel is cleaned of excess wax secretions (a cotton cloth and warm water is enough).

Strict supervision is required over the eyes of your four-legged friend. And if you can remove dust bunnies from the mucous membrane at home using a chamomile decoction and a cloth napkin, then in case of redness and visible inflammation, you will have to resort to the services of a veterinarian. Post-walk hygiene is also part of the mandatory care program. After the promenade, you need to wash the dog’s paws, periodically nourishing the skin of the pads with unrefined vegetable oil or rich cream. It is better to cut the hair between the toes - this way the paws will get less dirty, and in winter a crust of ice and reagents will not grow on them.

Walking and physical activity

It’s great if you have enough time to devote at least 4 hours a day to walking and jogging in the company of a collie. However, compromises are also possible. For example, in the morning and afternoon it is permissible to take a shepherd dog out for a short “toilet” promenade, but in the evening he will have to be compensated in the form of a full two-hour walk. Individuals moving freely around the yard and garden plot are also allowed to slightly reduce the timing of daily excursions. By the way, you can let your collie wander around the fenced yard without unnecessary worries - the breed is not prone to escape and does not make digs to escape into the wild.

If you live in a city where there are areas for training dogs in sports herding, it makes sense to sign up your furry ward for classes. Frisbee disc exercises are considered a good way to warm up. And in winter you can practice skijoring - the Alaskan Malamute and Labrador Collie will not outshine in this discipline, but will receive physical and emotional release, and will also provide the owner with fun. Pitch and go is considered a positive and relatively easy sport - the good old fetch of objects on command. In the summer, it is recommended to carry the fun to the banks of reservoirs, that is, throw an object into the water, from where the collie will retrieve it. Scottish Shepherds like such attractions - the breed is an excellent swimmer and is not averse to cooling off on a hot day.

After water treatments, the dog’s fur should be doused with slightly warmed running water and blotted with a terry towel, since raw hair is a breeding ground for bacteria, which is the cause of the unpleasant odor emanating from the animal. During the slushy off-season, it is more convenient to walk collies in protective overalls - although the breed’s wool has dust-repellent properties, this does not protect the bellies of its representatives from liquid mud.

Feeding

The easiest way to meet the nutritional needs of a Scottish Sheepdog is to feed it a dry diet containing natural meat. As a rule, these are super-premium and holistic varieties, selected individually, depending on the activity, health and age of the individual. A natural menu is no less useful, but its preparation will require effort from the owner in selecting products and processing them.

Scottish Shepherds eat the same things as other dogs, that is, lean raw meat, boiled and raw sea fish fillets, vegetables (pumpkin, zucchini, carrots), low-fat fermented milk products. It is useful to give calcined cottage cheese to puppies whose bones are developing. Porridge with buckwheat, rice and rolled oatmeal is cooked in milk for babies, and in broth for adult animals. Sometimes puppies and teenagers are allowed to indulge in a flat beef bone, but keep in mind that the young dog should chew it lightly and not eat it whole. For excessively fat collies, it is advisable to arrange fasting days on which only water is offered, however, it is better to coordinate pre-therapeutic fasting with a specialist.

Some owners give their four-legged charges vitamins that improve growth and coat structure. But you should approach the selection of dietary supplements with caution, since such complexes damage the liver. It is better to replace ready-made preparations with fish oil and unrefined vegetable oil, although they should be added in very moderate quantities. Seaweed is also a useful dietary supplement, although the iodine it contains can color an animal’s fur. Accordingly, if you are raising a show dog that is about to go to a show, it is better to keep the intake of kelp to a minimum.

Breed dossier

1. Country of origin: UK.
2. Classification: Group 1. Shepherds and herding dogs (excluding Swiss cattle dogs). Section 1. Shepherd dogs.
3. Training: easy. Collie is very easy to train, it is an obedient and flexible dog. Collie training is a real pleasure.
4. Color: red and white, black with white markings. Sometimes there are individuals with a marbled blue or blue and tan color.
5. Dimensions. Height at withers: males: 55 - 62 cm, females 51 - 58 cm. Weight: 18-23 kg.
6. General impression: it is impossible not to recognize this dog at first sight. The breed gained great popularity from the television series “The Adventures of Lassie,” which told about the adventures of a kind and affectionate representative of the Collie breed named Lassie.
7. Use: companion dog, guide dog, service dog.
8. Physical activity: moderate. Collies are a sedate breed, they have nowhere to rush. Although these dogs are easy to train, they prefer not training with repeated commands, but a simple walk next to their beloved owner.
9. Personality: affectionate, friendly.
10. Contents: suitable for keeping both in an apartment and in a private house.
11. Grooming: average. Despite the fact that the Collie has thick, long hair, caring for it is not very labor-intensive.
12. Liveability: excellent. Gets along well with pets and loves children.
13. Diseases: entropion of the eyelid, retinal atrophy, deafness.
14. The Collie's diet must contain all the necessary micro- and macroelements and vitamins. It must be well thought out and properly balanced.
15. Life expectancy: 12-15 years.

Standards

The standard assumes a fairly strict framework that determines productivity, body type, origin, as well as some other characteristics of the animal. The current standard for this type is considered:

The standard assumes a fairly strict framework that determines productivity, body type, origin

1. Weight and height. The parameters depend on gender. The average height of males is 56-61 cm, with a weight of 20-30 kg, females are slightly lower - 51-56 cm, with a weight of 18-25 kg.
2. Head. Narrow, elongated shape. Sharp, pointed changes are considered a defect. Not too thick, fully colored lips.
3. Eyes. Color brown or blue. Almond shaped.
4. Nose. Black color, small size.
5. Teeth. Correct bite.
6. Ears. Triangular in shape, semi-erect. Standing ones are considered a marriage.
7. Body. Strong, well developed, level back, oval shaped chest, when standing, pronounced withers and scruff.
8. Limbs. The muscles are dry, but developed. The joints and bones are strong.
9. Tail. Almost straight, slightly curved tip.

Colors

Variations of acceptable color for this species are limited; the standard color is represented by only three options:

Variations of acceptable color for this species are limited

1. Sable. A palette of color shades from light golden to red. Cream or light straw are considered defective.
2. Tricolor color. Predominant black with additions of red and white. A hint of rust is considered a defect.
3. Blue merle. Silver-blue color, there are smooth transitions from silver to black, the so-called marble shades. Shades of rust, slate, and the presence of large black spots are extremely undesirable.

The presence of white marks on the collar area, head, paws, and tip of the tail is required.

Character

Scottish Shepherds are considered one of the smartest types of dogs. They are very sociable, energetic, quickly become attached to their owners, and are easy to train. These animals have a hard time with loneliness. They need long walks. Characteristic features are considered to be kindness and agreeableness, so it can easily be introduced into a family with small children. It should be taken into account: although representatives of this species are used for protection, it is better to choose them as companions or for their work purpose. These dogs also have very friendly relationships with other pets.

Photo

To understand the diversity of the breed, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with photos of collie puppies: border collie, long-haired, smooth-haired, mixed breed.

Temperament

This breed is intelligent, responsive and devoted to its owner and work. Border Collies are extremely sensitive and thrive on human relationships. They are not recommended for beginners, sedentary or apathetic owners. They are generally good with children and other dogs, but there should be no cats or other small pets in the home.

Breeding

The first heat occurs when the dog is six months old. But at the same time, the period of puberty in females of the breed occurs when they reach approximately 2 years, at the same time it begins in males. The readiness for mating can be noticed by the playful attitude towards the opposite sex. Mating should be repeated after a couple of days. Pregnancy becomes noticeable at 5 weeks due to swollen mammary glands. It is important to follow a regime of long walks, but limit physical activity. The daily diet during pregnancy should be enriched with foods containing calcium, vitamins, and essential minerals. Collie puppies are born around the 66th day. 8-10 babies can be born at once. The birth usually occurs unassisted, but it is best to have a veterinarian monitor it.

Key points in training

Collies are very smart dogs . They don't need a lot of explanation for them to understand. They like to follow their owner's commands. From the first days, puppies need to be taught their name and daily routine. The dog must know the feeding and walking regime and adapt to the owner.

By 4 months, the puppy will already have learned its name. During this period, you can begin training the basic commands: “near”, “place”, “sit”, “no”. You cannot use rude methods; Scottish Shepherds are very touchy and vindictive. The best way to motivate your puppy is with toys or treats. All training should be fun.

You can attend a dog training course with dog handlers. They will help the owner understand the mechanism of communication with the pet and make the task of raising it easier.

Read about how to properly train a dog in the article: “Training a puppy: effective methods from dog handlers, learning commands at home.”

Mating

Collies are medium-sized dogs, but mating should take place in a free room with the participation of a specialist. Both pets are checked for pathologies and diseases, and treated for worms and external parasites.

Shepherd dogs reach puberty at 8-10 months, but they can be bred starting at 18 months. During this period, the bitch should already be in her third heat and show signs: swelling of the loop, light discharge, playful behavior.

1. The girl is brought to the male dog’s territory, where the animals are given time to get acquainted and sniff (15-20 minutes).
2. When the female is ready, she will allow the male to mount.
3. At this time, the owner must support the bitch under the belly so that she does not sit down.
4. The boy is sent to the noose.
5. During the lock, pets should be in a comfortable position.
6. Mating is repeated after 2 days.

Distinctive features

The first Collies were somewhat larger than modern ones. This is evidenced by the dog standard in the USSR, where the average height is 63-65 cm. Nowadays, shepherd dogs are of average height ( 51-61 cm ), rather squat, well-built, elongated. The sexual type is well defined, females are much smaller. The difference in weight can reach 15 kilograms .

Distinctive features include long thick fur and a fox-like muzzle with cunning shiny eyes. The latest standard was published in 1988, according to which all dogs that do not meet external characteristics are discarded.

• The head is wedge-shaped, narrow, dry. The skull is wide and flat, as are the cheekbones. The stop is weakly expressed, but easily perceptible.
• The muzzle is narrow, rather long, parallel to the lines of the skull. Powerful lower jaw . Scissor bite The cheeks are flat. The bridge of the nose is tilted down.
• The nose is large. Definitely black.
• The eyes are set narrowly, slightly slanted, almond-shaped. Brown and blue colors are allowed.
• The ears are small, set high, but not wide. In an active state, they are raised and slightly tilted forward, in a calm state they are laid back.
• The body is strong and elongated. The topline is straight. The croup is round and sloping. The scruff is smooth and beautiful.
• The tail is set low, hangs down when calm, and is long, reaching the hock joint.
• The limbs are parallel and strong. Long shins are characteristic. The feet are oval, with well-knit toes. The movements are trot-like, light, sweeping.
• The coat is long, straight, thick and hard. Forms feathering on the ears, limbs and tail; mane on chest. There is a soft undercoat.
• Colors: fawn, mahogany, tri-color, black harlequin.