Collie:

They’re beautiful. Agile. Sensitive. And yes, they’ll remind you of Lassie. With origins in Scotland dating back to 1860 when Queen Victoria of England visited the country, she fell in love with this breed and took several dogs with her back to England.

In fact, the word collie is derived from the word coal which was actually black sheep which this breed initially looked after way back when. Nevertheless, the collie has sentimental eyes whether they’re a rich hazel, blue, or dark brown, however they often are susceptible to hereditary eye disease.

Another characteristic of the collie is its amazing coat. The hair is long and thick with a fluffy tail. Some dogs in this breed however have short coats so essentially experts classify this dog into two distinct categories based on the length of its coat. The short coat usually appears as dense hair with a considerable amount around its neck. Color of fur typically ranges from light blonde to deep red or brown with a variety of shades in between. Some dogs within this breed actually have three colors such as black and white and some tan markings. Gray is also a common color as is blue.

While collies are known for its even temper and calm disposition, they’re also very smart which makes it easier to train than if it had a stubborn sentiment or short attention span. They’re also reliable in aiding society: it’s not uncommon to see them as guide dogs, police dogs, and rescue dogs. After all, their sense of hearing and smell are impeccable. Plus, they’re also good for therapy dogs and helping disabled individuals throughout the country.

When it comes to being a family pet, nothing could be a finer choice than the collie. They’re lovable, loyal, affectionate, and playful. They’re protective and thrive on companionship of their family as well as other pets. While they’re playful, they are also very smart. Overall they have a tendency to want praise and seek admiration from their owners so in this aspect it makes it somewhat easier to train them. After all, if they’re willing to train and seek positive reinforcement, what better setting than a training session?

Overall this dog maintains a great health record. When its strong genetic history is combined with a healthy BARF diet and daily exercise, this typically equates to a long life of good health. A few of its predestined ailments however may be conditions of the eye, seizures, and canine hip dysplasia. It should be noted, however, that some collies possess a gene defect as a result of being descendents of a dog from England. Essentially the gene mutation can result in death if given the wrong medicine. Typically veterinarians will test collies for this gene mutation and for example, would prescribe a different type of heartworm preventive medicine than what is typically given. With an average life span of a robust fourteen years, the collie is not only a beautiful dog, it’s a breed that provides much love.