Smooth Collie

The Smooth Collie, along with its cousin the Rough Collie, is believed to have originated from the shepherd dogs that Romans brought to Scotland during the 5th century. Some say the name Collie comes from Scottish sheep with black faces called the Colley, while others argue it referred to the dark colour or coaly coat of the early shepherd dogs.

Queen Victoria became a huge fan of Collies and had her own kennel of both Smooth and Rough Collies during the 1860s. Because of this, owning these shepherd dogs were particularly fashionable and became sought-after show ring dogs, family pets and companions. The Smooth Collie was recognised by The Kennel Club in 1994. Unfortunately, the Smooth didn’t enjoy the same popularity of its Rough cousin and its numbers severely dropped and is now included on the vulnerable native breeds list.

The Smooth Collie is a well-balanced medium dog that has a noble and dignified appearance. Standing 51 to 61 centimetres at the withers and weighing 45 to 65 pounds, it is slightly longer than it is tall, having a level back and a deep chest. It has a well-proportioned head with a flat skull and a wedge-shaped muzzle that tapers to its black or brown nose. It has a slight stop, a strong jaw with a perfect scissor bite, almond-shaped dark brown eyes (blue for merle coats) that are set obliquely, and moderately wide ears worn back when relaxed and forward when excited.

The Smooth Collie has a flat, short and harsh outer coat paired with a thick undercoat. The accepted colours are sable & white, tricolour and blue merle.

The Smooth Collie is an alert, loyal and hardworking breed. It is not suitable for first-time owners and families with young kids since it can sometimes be snappy. It thrives in a family of experienced dog owners that lead active, outdoor lives. It is important to start training and socialisation as soon as the puppy arrives at home and gradually set out the rules. Once it knows its place in the pack, it tends to become more obedient.

This breed loves the sound of its voice so it is easy to bark when it feels strangers are about. This, along with the fact that it is naturally suspicious of strangers, makes it a good guard dog and watchdog but can be a problem for the neighbours when it becomes excessive. It gets on well with other animals it grows up with but considers other people’s pets as fair game. It is better to avoid introducing smaller animals to an adult Smooth Collie altogether.

• Senior and less active: up to 1,250 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 1,410 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 2,350 calories daily

Before getting too excited in getting a Smooth Collie, it is worth knowing that only a few puppies are registered with The Kennel Club each year. This means that obtaining a well-bred pedigree puppy is not as easy as with other popular breeds. Interested people need to be on a waitlist. Expect to pay over £300 to £500 to purchase a Smooth Collie puppy.

Other major expenses in caring for a Smooth Collie include pet insurance (£20 and up per month, depending on the provider, your location and the dog’s health), food (£40 a month), veterinary costs (as much as £1,000 a year for vaccinations, check-ups and other preventive care), and basic equipment (initial cost of about £200).