Anyone have a Collie?

B

butterfinger

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Nov 3, 2006
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Thinking about a new dog, and would like to have a standard collie like I had when I was a kid. Very loyal and protective dog (just like Lassie!):)
 
We have a collie named Doc. He is the most wonderful dog. He is a senior Citizen dog now but when he was younger he was a wonderful dog around kids. Once he saved our son when He was a toddler from getting into our pond. the other boys left the door open and the little one toddled out without us being aware...suddenly there was a collie barking at us in the living room and tore out of the house with us in tow and he ran to the toddler and stood in front of him and used his body to turn him around...herding like a sheep. They are great pets and very gentle and smart.

They do however suffer from joint problems in older age and our dog has to take doggy Ibuprophen every day now to keep limber. The Collie also needs al lot of brushing and grooming. They are afraid of loud noises and do not like hunting with guns...
 
butterfinger said:
Thinking about a new dog, and would like to have a standard collie like I had when I was a kid. Very loyal and protective dog (just like Lassie!):)
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Sadly, (depending on how old you are...) they are not the dogs they were when we were kids. I too had a collie growing up. Best dog that ever walked the earth in my opinion. Yes, she was "Lassie" smart. Great with kids, she took it upon herself to be our protector. There are still good ones, but you HAVE to do your research/homework first. A pet-store collie will be a Veterinarian's dream... you'll keep us real busy. I would look for a breeder that specializes in field trial collies... the one's that still do what they've been bred for. They don't tend to have those narrow pointy heads, which is what the "show" lines were unfortunately bred to look like. They bred all the intelligence and health right out of them IMO. There are lots of problems they now have, most notably ophthalmic problems (collie eye anomaly... google that) and hip dysplasia and other orthopedic problems. All collies can have a rather annoying bark too, to some.

And hopefully, Ren's "doggy Ibuprofen" is really NOT ibuprofen... that is toxic to all dogs. There are better alternatives.

Good luck on your quest, finding a good one is definately worth it. It took me a year and a half to find my Australian shepherd's breeder and get a pup from her. Go to breed specific dog shows if you can, check out the breeder listings in Dog Fancy or similar magazines. I guess this new fangled internet thing can be helpful in finding a breeder too. ;)

And of course... pics are necessary when you get one!
 
Look at the smooth coat collie. Not as popular, hence less inbreeding problems, and smooth coat less of a grooming chore. Our nieghbor had one for many years, and she was a great dog with no problems. Very intellegent and more like the old collie's before the AKC messed up the breed with show standards.
 
Mongo said:
....It took me a year and a half to find my Australian shepherd's breeder and get a pup from her...
Click to expand...


My apologies to the OP, as I have no personal experience with Collies, but I wanted to agree with Mongo that your best bet would be to go to people who breed dogs for their intended puproses, not for show. In other words, if you want a "Lassie" go find someone who's still breeding Collies to herd sheep. A dog is what it does and all those traits you love will be in the dogs who still do what Collies were meant for. Look around a lot and ask lots of questions.

I "tagged" Mongo's post, here, because we have an Aussie from field dogs and he is absolutely awesome! He's smart, energetic, enthusiastic and he has more personality than most people. His Mom and Dad were bred to work sheep and he's still what an Australian Shepherd is supposed to be. Now, we weren't as smart when we got our Shelties. They were bred to be pets and the breeder bred for small, cute, intelligent and personality. But, we have health problems that we shoulldn't have. It's OK, they're wonderful little dogs and we still love 'em.
 
I've got a half aussie half border collie mix. Most loyal dog I have ever known and I'm sure would give her life protecting me. The only problem she has is "Collie Nose". It is a lack of dark pigment in the nose. Her nose gets sunburned constantly. We have never found a satisfactory way to treat her nose problem. I'd get another of the collie breeds without hesitation.
 
We bought Doc from a Breeder of collies near our home. We were able to play with all the puppies and the Mother and Father so we knew the Dogs were not inbred puppy mill retards..

and the doggy Ibuprophen is just what we call his medicine..its prescribed from a Vet.:thumbup:
 
A bit off topic here, but the arthritis medications that we use from the Fosters and Smith online store works absolutely fantastic. On the downside, they are a bit pricey. It condroitin + glucosamine (you can get that anywhere) + a bunch of other stuff. It seems to work far better than just the cond. + gluc. standard combination.
This is what we're using now: Our 12 year old beagle / terrier mix has mild, but painful arthritis. I really like the fact that they have treatments for dogs with varying levels of this condition. (levels 1, 2 and 3)
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+58+15248&pcatid=15248
 
My dad keeps a 10 year old collie and I'll agree that growing up - she was extremely loyal and a wonderful playmate. For some reason everytime we were in a grass field, she'd want to pretend I was an irate and annoyed sheep and try to herd me.

They're extremely loyal and obedient dogs - however a bit of a letdown in the guard dog department. Very sweet and perfect for a family with kids. Just don't expect them to be a doberman part-time.
 
I had a collie, adopted from the New Mexico Collie Rescue. "Joe" was the nicest dog ever made and it was an honor and priveledge to know him. He loved every living thing, except his arch-enemy Mr. Squirrel. He once famously made 'friends' with a baby bird that had fallen out of a tree and was too young to fly. Joe was at least 8 years old when he came to live with us, and we had him four years. Being a larger and older collie he did develop some problems with his rear back that eventually did him in.

Joeagain.jpg


Lacy was another collie that lived with us a short time. She was a foster dog for the Collie Rescue, but sadly died in a home accident. A real sweety, very smart, and full of energy.

Lacy1.jpg


I look forward to having another collie in the future.
 
I bet Collies are a groomer's nightmare. A lot of mats would sure grow constantly. Looks like a lot of undercoat.

Those of you who have or had Collies, did they require constant/daily brushing to keep the mats down?

Just curious.

TJ
 
The rough collies do need regular brushing. Not constant, but regular. They don't have a strong odor or oily hair, but matting is a problem if the brushing is neglected.

Even with the long hair, they don't leave hair piles around the house and don't have dramatic sheds. I think when the hair sheds, it stays within their coats until brushed out.

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Here's a link to the Southwest Collie Rescue (previously the New Mexico Collie Rescue). They don't adopt out any dogs without a prior home visit. Currently they are involved in a rescue operation from Houston involving a "collector", which will be featured on an Animal Planet television show.
http://www.nmcollierescue.com/

I wanted to adopt "Loverboy" (and give him a new name of course), but wife put the nix in on that...

When we did adopt from them, I was looking for a large older male. They didn't have anything like that at the time but they keep active waiting lists, and after several months they rescued Joe from a public pound and matched him to us.
 
Here was my Collie, Sabba, when I was a teenager. He was a gentle fun loving pooch. Never a nasty moment, naughty, clever, but no where as intelligent as our Border Collie. Rainy season was entertaining with him slipping onto your bed damp and muddy. Lots of grooming that he loved. Currently looking for a Collie but they don't do well in Botswana in the heat, may have to emmigrate.


 
Iv got a Border Collie (the working sheep dog style) she was rescued from a farm in the northern isles of Scotland as a puppy. She is a very friendly and smart dog. She always "herds" you in when you get to a field or any open ground on walks, its hard not to start shouting "come by" in that funny farmers tone :D !!! she is the best dog iv ever had. :thumbup:
 
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