All about the shorthaired collie

Dogs are loyal companions of humans, therefore they have a long history of friendship with humans. Among the oldest breeds of such animals, it is necessary to highlight the Scottish Shepherd, which is of interest to dog handlers, as well as dog breeders to this day.

This breed bears several names - the short-haired or Welsh collie, as well as the Scottish shepherd. The breed was bred for a long time, so it is often referred to as aboriginal. Britain is considered the birthplace of animals, where four-legged pets were used by humans as herding dogs. Another version of the origin of the breed is considered a variant of Roman roots, where these dogs performed similar tasks of grazing and protecting livestock, and were later brought to Britain.

Today, the shepherd's functions of the collie have faded into the background, so dogs have become pets., which perfectly coexist in the same dwelling with a person. The breed, due to the peculiarities of its coat, will be an excellent alternative for breeders who dream of such a dog, but are unable to maintain and care for a long-haired pet.

Smooth Collie - dogs that are distinguished by an excellent physique, pets look muscular and dry, while they have a pronounced muscular corset.The body itself is slightly stretched, has a flat back and a wide chest. The loin is not short, straight. The belly is tucked up, does not hang down, adipose tissue is present to a minimum.

The neck is of medium size, well developed, there is a slight bend. The skull is wedge-shaped with the muzzle extended forward. There are some similarities between Scottish Shepherd and Greyhound skulls. The eyes are almond-shaped, colored predominantly brown, although sometimes dogs with blue eyes are found.

The bite of the teeth is scissor-shaped, the canines are even, they are not distinguished by their large size, the lips are compressed tightly. The nose and lips are pigmented and dark in color. The tail of the short-haired collie is rather long, the position is straight, but it can bend slightly towards the back, this position demonstrates the extreme excitement of the animal.

Collie's paws are straight, visually appear thin, however, they have well-developed muscles, the hind legs are larger than the front ones. The thighs are wide, the fingers are gathered in a tight ball, each has strong nails.

According to the descriptions in the standards, the size of the animals will vary according to gender. So, for males, the permissible height at the withers is considered to be an indicator of 57-62 centimeters, the mass can be from 20 to 30 kilograms. At the same time, bitches grow up to 50-56 centimeters, having a mass of 19 to 25 kilograms.

Smooth collie can be of the following color options:

• marble;
• tricolor;
• sable.

Dogs today are marketed as athletic and robust, but they are prone to some genetic ailments. Among them are hip dysplasia, subluxation and lameness. There may also be anomalies in the development of the organs of vision. It is possible to identify congenital abnormalities at an early stage by conducting a genetic test.

Breeders should also pay attention to the breed's susceptibility to certain medications. In general, collies get sick quite rarely, the average life expectancy of Scottish Shepherds is 12-15 years.

The breed has both positive and negative features that anyone who wants to keep short-haired collies should know. The advantages of animals include:

• good-natured disposition without pronounced signs of aggression;
• contact of animals in relation to other pets;
• focus on your breeder;
• favorable attitude towards children;
• the ability to keep a pet in the home;
• good health.

As for the shortcomings, these features of the breed include:

• loud barking;
• sensitivity of animals;
• the need for active pastime, which in an apartment can be a serious problem.

Collies require companionship and close contact from their breeder and all family members. It is very important for animals to occupy a certain position in the social hierarchy of their "pack". If you deprive your pet of attention and affection, the dog may experience various behavioral disorders.

In general, the short-haired collie stands out for its excellent companion qualities, it is not prone to intrusive behavior, but it will run ahead of everyone for a walk. For a child, the dog will become an interesting and loyal friend.

The dog prefers to show its emotions (both positive and negative) by barking, however, thoughtless manifestations of the pet's voice should not be encouraged, otherwise it can turn into a real problem.The dog is not aggressive towards strangers, she is rather uninterested in strangers, however, in some animals, in particular in males, ancient instincts may wake up, then they will jealously guard their family and territory.

Long-term loneliness is difficult for the collie, therefore, being absent all day, the breeder will need to compensate for the lack of communication upon returning home. In general, the character of the short-haired collie is characterized from the positive side, the dogs are balanced, do not suffer from excessive suspicion and aggression.

For the dog to feel good in the home, it needs to take a place in the house from the first day, preferably in a calm and secluded corner. It is important that this area is inviolable for all family members, including children. So it will be possible to balance the psyche of a small animal, giving him the opportunity, if necessary, to take refuge in his "refuge".

Also, the breed can be kept in a private yard in an aviary, you cannot put a dog on a chain, but the equipment of a booth in the yard will be a prerequisite. The rest of the content is not much different from the conditions that are usually offered to other breeds. The only requirement for dogs is physical activity.b, in a private yard, the animal will be able to move, in the apartment the breeder will need to walk daily with the collie for a long time. Moreover, walks should be as active as possible.

For dogs of this breed, it is recommended to choose a menu based on industrial food. Products must be at least premium, recommended for active four-legged pets. The drinking regimen is also important for the animal, so the collie should always have free access to water.

Breeders advise against feeding your dogs natural food as it can be difficult to find a balanced diet for your pet. Under the ban are treats from the human table, as well as bones, fatty meats. Shorthaired Collie puppies should be fed 4 to 5 times a day. An adult dog should be fed two meals a day - in the morning and in the evening.

If the dog eats properly, and also regularly actively moves, the breeder will not have problems with the animal. In terms of maintenance and care, the dog's coat will require special attention during the molting period. During this period, it is recommended to comb the pet at least once a day. Such a need is due to a rather rich undercoat.

You should bathe your dog only when absolutely necessary; for water hygiene procedures, you need to use only specialized products for animals that will not cause an allergic reaction and will not dry out the epidermis.

The rest of the mandatory moments of caring for a four-legged friend will concern the hygiene of the organs of vision and hearing, cleaning the oral cavity. Ears can be cleaned 1-2 times a week using a specialized solution that can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. An alternative to the composition will be a self-prepared herbal decoction with an antiseptic effect. Eyes should be wiped as the secretions accumulate in the corners. For these purposes, the use of the same herbal decoctions is allowed.

The teeth should be checked regularly, ideally in a healthy dog ​​they should be white, free of plaque, and there should be no bad breath. For cleaning, you can use a special brush and paste. As an addition, special delicacies act that remove plaque well. Claws are usually combed off on their own, but in some cases a nail clipper is indispensable; it is used as the sharp ends grow.

For short-haired collie breeders, finding something to their liking for themselves and their dog will not be difficult. Representatives of the breed can take part in obedience, agility, sports grazing. Such activities will have a positive effect on the psychological health of the animal, as well as provide regular physical activity, which will have a positive effect on health.

In the process of raising a collie, it is necessary to take into account that one activity within the framework of their yard will not be enough for them., the dog needs intellectual development from early childhood. Therefore, the pastime of a breeder with a pet should include various activities to develop mental abilities. According to most dog handlers and breeders, short-haired collies are people-oriented, so there should be no problems in terms of training.

However, all work on education and training should be carried out on the condition that the pet once and for all learns the established hierarchy, in which the person will be the permanent leader, and the collie will be subordinate. It will only be possible to raise an intelligent and obedient Scottish Shepherd Dog if the breeder has absolute authority.

Training should be carried out from childhood, the owner should train the dog regularly, consistently mastering the commands together with his four-legged friend. Demonstration of aggression, physical punishment and nervousness are prohibited. Due to their innate mental abilities, Scottish Shepherds, with good training, are able to catch every gesture and sound of the owner, following the command with lightning speed.

An overview of the breed is waiting for you in the video below.