The Collie is a sweet, fluffy, and energetic dog! This breed loves to play and they deeply love their families. Here are a few more facts about Collies:

1. They’re Extremely Intelligent

Dog experts say Collies are one of the smartest dog breeds out there. Their high intelligence makes them quick to train as they pick up commands and tricks very fast.

Collies can learn a remarkable amount of words and commands. They are happiest when put to work or challenged to learn a new task. Be sure to help them stay challenged by teaching them new things as you can!

2. The Collie Hails From Scotland

Although the Collie may have risen to fame and popularity thanks to Lassie, their notable fluffy appearance comes from their Scottish origins. “Collie” was a Scottish term for sheepdogs.

This classic herding breed was originally bred to be able to herd sheep through harsh Scottish highlands. Although they were most commonly used for herding sheep, they were also extremely effective at herding just about any other type of livestock too.

3. They’re Excellent Actors

Another one of the facts about Collies is that they are excellent actors. Because of their intelligence and how they can quickly learn new tasks and commands, Collies are great as animal actors. Lassie is probably the most notable Collie, and one of the most famous dogs, but there have been many Collies on the large and small screens.

4. Collies Have Two Coat Types

The Collie has two coat types – rough and smooth. A Rough Collie is the one most people are familiar with as the dog that played Lassie was a Rough Collie. Rough Collies are called that because they have a long coat with most of the fluff centered around the rough of their necks and chest. On the other hand, the Smooth Collie has a short, sleek coat and does not have a fluffy rough around their necks.

Both of these coat types are a double coat, which means they have an undercoat and a topcoat. This means both coat types will shed year-round and will shed heavier as seasons change. Smooth Collies are slightly easier to groom because their coat is not as prone to tangles and mats, so brushing weekly is enough for them. However, you may need to move to daily brushing during seasonal shedding.

Because they have longer fur, the Rough Collie needs to be brushed at least a few times a week, if not daily, to prevent tangles and mats from forming. Regardless of coat type, Collies will need to be brushed down to the skin once a week. There are several types of dog grooming brushes that can help you with this; just make sure a slicker or pin brush and an undercoat rake make it into your grooming supplies.

5. They Are Fantastic Family Companions

Collies are affectionate and loyal dogs that love their families. They may be focused and hardworking when on the job, but they are loving and playful dogs when they are just at home with their families. This is one of the reasons they are one of the most popular dog breeds.

Collies tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. As long as they are properly socialized, they are also generally friendly with strangers. Although they are a herding dog, they do not tend to try and “herd” their family members; that is a behavior that is more common to Corgis, Heelers, and Border Collies.

6. They Are High-Energy, But Manageable

Although the Collie is a high-energy working breed that requires a lot of daily exercise to be happy and healthy, they are not as high-energy as some other working breeds. The Border Collie, for example, is known for its endless supply of energy. A Collie may keep up with them when they want to, but they don’t require quite the same level of activity.

As a highly intelligent working dog, they do need a lot of mental stimulation. So, you can’t just relegate to them to a backyard to let them run around for a while. Although this is fine for getting rid of short bursts of energy, they do need a purpose and a direction. Otherwise, they will get bored and find their own entertainment.

Teaching your Collie to play frisbee or fetch is a great way to give them a job and let them run a bit. If you’re a runner, once puppies finish growing and developing, you can also take your Collie on runs with you.

If you’re not a runner, taking your Collie hiking with you can be a great activity. You can also try training them for dog sports. They’ll love the opportunity to be active while also learning something new.

These are just a few facts about Collies. Collies are a wonderful addition to a family that is energetic and adventurous. If you think this could be the right dog breed for you, learn more about them, and then check out the available Collie puppies. You could end up finding your new best friend!