Facts about Rough Collie Puppies
Raising sheep has long been a treasured tradition in Scotland, and the raising of rough collie puppies was an important and valuable part of sheep farming. Even for those not involved in farming, this breed of dog will soon become a favored one as a family pet.
Many people will recognize the breed of collie by sight; familiarized by the beloved television show called “Lassie”. Appearing sophisticated and regal, the beautifully coated dog exhibits long, flowing hair, a long muzzle and a strong, lean body structure. While the dog’s coat may appear to be luxuriant and soft, the outer coat that is visible on the collie is rough and somewhat harsh. The undercoat, however, is the downy soft hair that serves to keep the dog warm. Less well known is the short haired collie, whose smooth coat is only about an inch long over the entire body. The popular version of the collie is the one with sable and white coloration, but tricolored coats of black, tan and white as well as blue merle are also available.
Bred centuries ago to be a herding animal, the collie is extremely intelligent. In herding situations, the dog instinctively knows which direction to dart in order to gather the herd together, and which of the animals it needs to prompt by nipping at their heels to obtain the direction it needs. With this type of leadership ability, one might expect the dog to be headstrong and aggressive, but this is not the case with the rough collie. Puppies are trained early to heed the authority of their owner, and while a challenge, respond well once so trained.
Because they are such energetic creatures, rough collies may not be the best choice for apartment living. They require room to play and exercise; however, if they are taken out frequently for daily walks and jaunts in open arenas where they can run, they can adapt well. Once indoors, the collie is generally docile and quiet while they are sharing time with their humans. Left too long on their own, however, may induce barking fits that are not conducive to apartment living.
Rough collies are extremely loyal to their family, albeit shy around strangers. Their sweet, gentle personality makes them great pets for children and good companions for other pets. Since they are by nature herding animals, do not be surprised if your pet attempts to herd the other animals and even your children. They should be taught early that this type of behavior is unacceptable. Training the pups is generally an easy endeavor; largely due to their high intelligence and their eagerness to please. Housetraining is equally as easy. With a life expectancy of approximately 15 years, proper and effective training will ensure a long and happy relationship with your pet.
Health issues are rare with the rough collie, as they are typically a very healthy breed. Occasionally, hip problems may be experienced that could eventually cause lameness, but this tendency is limited to certain blood lines. They are very susceptible to sunburn on their noses which are sparsely covered by hair, and will benefit from sunblock to protect them. Keeping them groomed will help to prevent any matting of their fur. Regular combing and bathing will help to maintain their glossy coats.
While the rough collie was originally specifically bred to be an expert at herding cattle and sheep, the dog is also an excellent choice as a family pet. Exhibiting characteristics of loyalty, gentleness, protectiveness and intelligence among others, the rough collie can be a valued family pet for years to come.