Appearance
The Smooth Collie is a breed of dog developed originally for herding. It is a short-coated version of the Rough Collie of Lassie fame.
Some breed organizations consider the smooth-coat and rough-coat dogs to be variations of the same breed. The Smooth Collie is a large dog, ranging in size from 22-24 inches (females) and 24-26 inches (males) at the shoulder; weights vary from 45 pounds (females) up to 75 pounds (males).
Standard size for the breed is on the larger end of the range in the United States and Canada, smaller elsewhere; for example, for the AKC, the range is 22 to 26 inches (56-66 cm) and 50 to 75 pounds (22.5-34 kg).
The Smooth Collie is slightly longer than it is tall, with a level back and a deep chest. The features of the head, particularly the "sweet" expression, are considered very important in the show ring. The breed has a long muzzle, flat skull, and semi-erect ears (although, in practice, the ears typically must be folded over and taped in puppyhood, or they will be fully upright in the adult dog).
Coat
The coat consists of a soft, extremely dense undercoat and straight, harsh outer guard hairs. The guard hairs are one to two inches long, with the longer hair mainly in a ruff around the neck and on the backs of the thighs. The coat requires a thorough weekly brushing. Shedding is moderate most of the year, heavy during the twice-yearly shedding season.
Color
Smooth Collies come in five colors: 1)sable (Lassie's color; can be light gold to deep mahogany), 2) tricolor (black, with tan and white markings), and 3) blue merle (silvery gray marbled with black, and tan markings), all marked with white areas on the chest, neck, feet/legs, and tail tip. An additional color is white (these Collies are predominantly white, with heads and usually a body spot of sable, tri, or blue color). The fifth color is sable merle, which is a light stippled version of sable, sometimes (as with blue merle) accompanied by blue or merled (parti-colored) eyes. Blue eyes or merled eyes in a non-blue merle collie are not disqualifications in the AKC standard although they are heavily penalized. There are, however, plenty of blue-eyed or merled-eyed sable merle collies who are AKC breed champions.
Temperament
The Smooth Collie is generally a sociable, easily trained family dog. Although not an aggressive breed, they are alert and vocal, making them both good watchdogs if well trained and potential nuisances if allowed to bark indiscriminately. This breed is easy to train, due to its high intelligence and eagerness to please its owners. Indeed, its love for humans gives it near-telepathic abilities, as attested to by many collie owners the world over. Training this breed requires a light touch, as they are sensitive to correction and shy away from harsh treatment. They get along well with children and other animals, usually getting along with other dogs. Smooth Collies are used both as family pets and in obedience competition, agility, herding trials, and other dog sports. Some are still used as working sheepdogs. They are also very useful as assistance dogs for the disabled.
History
The early history of the Smooth Collie, like that of many dog breeds, is largely a matter of speculation. The most common view of the breed is that they are descended from a population of shepherds' dogs brought to Scotland by the Romans around the 5th century. Even the origin of the breed's name is unclear, variously claimed to describe the early shepherd dog's dark color ("coaly"), or derived from the name of a breed of sheep with black faces once commonly kept in Scotland ("Colley"), or derived from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "useful."
The modern history of both the Smooth and Rough Collie began in the reign of Queen Victoria, who became interested in the shepherds' dogs while at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. In 1860, she purchased some of the dogs for her own kennel. With the Queen's interest, it became fashionable to own Smooth Collies. Thus began the breed's transformation from working farm dog, similar to the modern Border collie, to the largely pet and show dog we know today.
The Smooth Collie today is considered a variety of the same breed as the Rough Collie in countries such as the United States and Canada, meaning that they can interbreed and some statistics are kept only for "Collie" rather than for both varieties individually. The smooth and rough are classified as separate breeds in other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia. The latter is a fairly recent development, however, with the Kennel Club (UK) allowing the interbreeding of the two varieties until 1993.
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smooth_CollieAm I the right pet for you?
Smooth Collies are active, intelligent dogs and make excellent family pets. They are medium sized and short coated. They make good house dogs having a reliable and kind nature but they are quick to bark if a stranger is about. They are not aggressive or nervous.
Where did I come from?
Opinions differ on this. The Rough and the Smooth Collie are the same breed but whilst the Rough Collie developed a long, heavy, thick coat to cope with the harsh Scottish Highland weather, the Smooth Collie's short coat is better suited to the milder, wetter Lowlands. Most people believe they were bred to herd sheep or drive cattle and so needed to be fit and mentally and physically agile, with the capability of being able to work for long periods at varying speeds in different weather conditions. As with all Collie breeds, their history has ensured they enjoy a close bond with people.
Do I need lots of exercise?
Smooth Collies are very adaptable dogs - they will take as much exercise as you can give them. Many Smooths take part in obedience and agility and their intelligence and willingness to please makes them ideally suited for this.
What do I like to eat?
Today there are many complete foods available at supermarkets or pet stores. These give a balanced diet with all the vitamins and minerals your Smooth Collie needs. A range of treats is also available and these can be given occasionally. Smooths are not generally fussy eaters.
Do I like company?
Smooth Collies prefer company whether this is your family or another dog, particularly if they are to be left on their own for any period of time. Keeping me fit and healthy Smooth Collies are a healthy breed. Puppies should be screened for an eye disease called Collie Eye Anomaly (or CEA) by their breeder. Attention should be paid to a good dental hygiene routine as Collies tend to be more susceptible than many breeds to oral problems. Smooth Collies will live from 12 to 14 years.
What about grooming?
Grooming the short but double coat is easy and not at all time consuming. Smooth Collies do shed but when this happens a bath to loosen the remaining hair and several good sessions with a steel toothed comb should be enough to finish this off.
On sunday 10.02.2008 we took part Aapos first dog show. It was quite interesting. We met a lot of new dogbreeds and their breeders - it was all so new to us. For our first time it went quite well. Now we are even more eager to take part in the dog shows and train for them.
The Smooth Collie is generally a sociable, easily trained family dog. Although not an aggressive breed, they are alert and vocal, making them both good watchdogs if well trained and potential nuisances if allowed to bark indiscriminately. This breed is easy to train, due to its high intelligence and eagerness to please its owners. Indeed, its love for humans gives it near-telepathic abilities, as attested to by many collie owners the world over. Training this breed requires a light touch, as they are sensitive to correction and shy away from harsh treatment. They get along well with children and other animals, usually getting along with other dogs. Smooth Collies are used both as family pets and in obedience competition, agility, herding trials, and other dog sports. Some are still used as working sheepdogs. They are also very useful as assistance dogs for the disabled.
The early history of the Smooth Collie, like that of many dog breeds, is largely a matter of speculation. The most common view of the breed is that they are descended from a population of shepherds' dogs brought to Scotland by the Romans around the 5th century. Even the origin of the breed's name is unclear, variously claimed to describe the early shepherd dog's dark color ("coaly"), or derived from the name of a breed of sheep with black faces once commonly kept in Scotland ("Colley"), or derived from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "useful."
