# The Smooth Collie: A Comprehensive Guide to This Elegant Herding Breed - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-smooth-collie-a-comprehensive-guide-to-this-elegant-herding-breed/ - Published: 2024-05-08 - Author: Savanna Read - Categories: [Dog](https://33rdsquare.com/category/dog/) --- ## Introduction When most people think of collies, the image that comes to mind is the iconic rough-coated collie of Lassie fame. However, there is another variety of collie that is just as intelligent, loyal, and beautiful – the smooth collie. Often overlooked in favor of their more famous rough-coated cousins, smooth collies have a unique charm all their own. With their sleek coats, refined features, and graceful movements, these dogs embody elegance and poise. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into the fascinating world of the smooth collie breed. From their intriguing history and origins to their physical characteristics, temperament, health considerations, and more, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about these remarkable dogs. Whether you‘re considering adding a smooth collie to your family or simply want to learn more about the breed, read on to discover what makes these dogs so special. ## History and Origins The smooth collie shares its early history with the rough collie, as both varieties descended from the same ancestral stock of herding dogs in the British Isles. It‘s believed that the smooth-coated variety may have come about through crosses with other smooth-coated breeds like greyhounds. While the exact timeline is uncertain, mentions of smooth-coated collies date back to at least the early 19th century. Initially, both rough and smooth collies were primarily used as working dogs to herd sheep and cattle in Scotland and Northern England. They were prized for their intelligence, trainability, and ability to work long hours in sometimes harsh conditions. It wasn‘t until the late 1800s that collies started to gain recognition as companion dogs and show dogs, thanks in part to Queen Victoria‘s fondness for the breed. In the early 20th century, the adventures of Albert Payson Terhune‘s Sunnybank Collies in his novels further popularized collies, especially with children. Then in the 1940s, Eric Knight‘s novel Lassie Come-Home and the subsequent Lassie movies and TV series made the rough collie a household name. While the smooth collie never achieved quite the same level of fame, it has a dedicated following of fanciers who appreciate the breed‘s many wonderful qualities. ## Physical Characteristics and Appearance The smooth collie is a medium to large sized dog, with adult males typically standing 24-26 inches tall at the shoulder and females 22-24 inches tall. Healthy weight ranges from 50-75 pounds, with males usually on the larger end of the spectrum. They have an athletic, balanced build that combines strength, agility and grace. The standout feature of the smooth collie is of course its short, dense, flat coat. Compared to the long, flowing coat of the rough collie, the smooth collie‘s coat is sleek and close-lying. The texture is hard and weather-resistant, providing protection from the elements. The undercoat is soft and short. Overall the coat is very low-maintenance compared to the rough variety. In terms of color, smooth collies come in four main varieties: - Sable and white – shades of light to dark gold with white markings - Tri-color – black with tan and white markings - Blue merle – mottled gray/black/white - White – predominantly white, may have some colored markings All smooth collies have the breed‘s signature white collar, chest, legs, belly and tail tip. They have a long, tapered muzzle, almond-shaped eyes, and semi-prick ears that tip forward slightly. Overall, their expression is described as bright, enquiring, and intelligent. ## Temperament and Personality Traits Smooth collies are known for being highly intelligent, loyal, sensitive, and intuitive. They bond very closely with their families and love being involved in all aspects of family life. While generally friendly and polite with strangers, they can be somewhat reserved until they get to know someone. Early and ongoing socialization helps them develop into confident, well-adjusted dogs. As a herding breed, smooth collies have strong instincts to gather and control movement. They may try to herd children, other pets, and anything else that moves if not given proper training and outlets for these instincts. Herding breeds are also very sensitive to movement, sound and emotional energy, so they do best in relatively calm, consistent households. Anxious, chaotic, or noisy environments can be stressful for them. Smooth collies are often more emotionally sensitive and soft-tempered than their rough-coated counterparts. They don‘t respond well to harsh corrections or training methods. Positive reinforcement using praise, play and food rewards works best with this intelligent breed that aims to please. With proper training and socialization, smooth collies make excellent therapy and assistance dogs thanks to their agreeable temperament, intuition, and strong desire to work closely with people. While not typically aggressive, smooth collies can be quite vocal, barking to alert their people to any new sights and sounds. They have a strong protective instinct and will defend their family and territory if they perceive a serious threat. However, they generally aim to intimidate and not attack. With their acute hearing and tendency to bark, smooth collies can make good watchdogs, but may not be the best choice for apartment living or noise-sensitive areas. ## Exercise and Activity Level Bred to trot for miles across fields and hillsides herding livestock, smooth collies have excellent stamina and endurance. They need regular exercise to stay physically and mentally fit. While not as high-energy as some herding breeds, they still require a good hour or more of exercise daily through walks, hikes, training sessions, play, and ideally some off-leash time to run in a safely enclosed area. In addition to physical exercise, smooth collies need plenty of mental stimulation to prevent boredom. They excel at canine sports like agility, herding, obedience, rally, tracking, and more. Puzzle toys and interactive games also help keep their quick minds engaged. A bored smooth collie will find their own ways to entertain themselves, often through undesirable behaviors like digging, chewing, or excessive barking. Smooth collies can adapt to a variety of living situations as long as their exercise needs are met. They do best with a yard to play in, but can live in apartments or urban environments if given enough daily outings. They have a decent off-switch and are happy to relax with their family when not exercising. Primarily a house dog, the smooth collie should sleep indoors with its people, not be left alone outside for long periods. ## Training and Socialization The smooth collie is a highly trainable breed thanks to its keen intelligence and strong desire to work collaboratively with people. Like most herding breeds, they need a job to do, even if that job is being a well-behaved family companion. They pick up new commands and skills quickly with consistent, positive training methods. The key to success with smooth collies is to start training early, be patient, and keep sessions fun and upbeat. Harsh corrections will only shut them down. Rewards-based training using praise, play, and food treats is most effective. Aim to socialize them to many different people, animals, environments, and stimuli starting as young as possible to help them grow into well-mannered, confident adult dogs. The most important skills to teach a smooth collie puppy are: - Basic obedience – sit, down, stay, come, heel - Impulse control – waiting at doors, sitting calmly to be petted, leaving items alone - Polite greetings without jumping up - Walking nicely on a leash without pulling - Coming when called, even with distractions - Settling down calmly in the house and in public - "Quiet" and "speak" to control barking Smooth collies also often need specific training to control their urge to chase and herd anything that moves. Teaching them to walk calmly past distractions, leave other animals and children alone unless invited to interact, and to come when called even if they‘re in "herding mode" is essential. Puzzle toys, Treibball, herding trials, and other outlets for their herding instincts can help, along with training them to resist the urge to herd inappropriately. Attending group obedience classes is highly recommended for smooth collie puppies as it provides training instruction and helps with socialization. Ongoing training throughout the smooth collie‘s life will exercise their mind and strengthen the bond with their humans. Even just a few minutes a day of practicing skills will help keep the smart, sensitive smooth collie a happy, well-adjusted companion. ## Grooming and Coat Care One of the smooth collie‘s most attractive features for busy families is its relatively low-maintenance coat. The short, flat coat lies close to the body and has a hard, dense texture that resists dirt and debris. Smooth collies shed throughout the year, but usually only heavily once or twice a year as they "blow coat" and lose their undercoat. To keep the coat shiny and healthy, brush it thoroughly once or twice a week with a slicker brush or pin brush. This will remove loose hair and distribute the natural oils throughout the coat. During heavy shedding periods, daily brushing and a warm bath can help remove excess dead coat more quickly. Take extra care to check behind the ears and in the armpits for any mats or tangles. In addition to coat care, smooth collies need regular nail trims every 2-4 weeks to prevent overgrowth. Brush their teeth daily or at least a few times a week to promote good oral hygiene. Check and clean their ears weekly to remove any wax buildup or debris that could lead to infections. Bathe them as needed if they get dirty, but overbathing can dry out their skin and coat. ## Health Considerations While generally a healthy breed with a lifespan of 12-14 years, smooth collies are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The most common issues seen in the breed include: - Hip dysplasia – abnormal formation of the hip joint, can cause lameness and arthritis - Elbow dysplasia – malformed elbow joint, can cause forelimb lameness - Eye disorders – Collie Eye Anomaly, a congenital defect, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, degenerative disease that causes blindness - Hypothyroidism – underactive thyroid gland which can lead to skin and coat problems, weight gain, lethargy - Bloat – life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with air and twists on itself - Epilepsy – seizure disorder - Collie nose – nasal solar dermatitis from sun sensitivity, especially in lightly colored dogs - Dermatomyositis – inflammatory skin disease - Multidrug Sensitivity – mutation in MDR1 gene can cause severe reactions to certain common drugs To protect the health of the breed, responsible smooth collie breeders screen their dogs for many of these potential issues before breeding them. Prospective owners should seek out breeders who perform the recommended health tests and care deeply about producing sound, healthy puppies. Buying from a reputable breeder who offers a health guarantee is the best way to stack the odds in favor of getting a healthy smooth collie. ## The Smooth Collie as a Family Dog For the right family, the smooth collie makes an exceptional companion. Their loyalty, sensitivity, and desire to be with their people make them very tuned in to the needs of their humans. They tend to be gentle, patient, and tolerant with children when raised with them and properly trained. Always supervise interactions between dogs and young kids to prevent accidental injuries on either side. Smooth collies can get along well with other dogs and even cats if socialized to them from a young age. They may try to herd them at first, but can learn to coexist peacefully. Introductions to new animals should always be done carefully. Smooth collies have strong prey drive, so they may not be trustworthy around smaller pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. unless very carefully trained. While fairly adaptable dogs, smooth collies do best in moderately active households with a consistent routine. They don‘t do well left alone for long periods as they can become anxious or destructive. Having another dog as a companion can help, but they still need plenty of interaction and exercise with their humans daily. Providing a safe space like a crate or gated off area can help them settle when alone. With their affectionate nature, keen intelligence, and striking good looks, smooth collies can make wonderful family dogs for experienced, active owners. Like any dog, they require a commitment to ongoing care, training, and attention. But for those willing to put in the time and effort, the sweet, devoted smooth collie will be a loyal companion for life. ## Fun Facts About Smooth Collies - A smooth collie played Lassie in the 1958 TV series _The Thin Man_ starring Peter Lawford and Phyllis Kirk. - Smooth collies are less common than rough collies, making up only about 10% of the collie population. - President Calvin Coolidge had two smooth collies named Rob Roy and Prudence Prim. - The exact origins of the name "collie" are unknown, but it may derive from the Anglo-Saxon word "col" meaning black, the Gaelic word "cailean" meaning puppy, or the Scandinavian word "koli" meaning watchful. - Queen Victoria fell in love with collies on a visit to the Scottish Highlands and helped popularize the breed as fashionable companions for nobility in the late 1800s. - The famous American breeder Albert Payson Terhune wrote novels based on his real life smooth and rough collies at his Sunnybank kennel in the early 1900s. - The iconic face of the smooth collie is said to express a "questioning gaze to heaven." ## Conclusion The smooth collie may not be as well known as its rough-coated cousin, but this intelligent, graceful breed has so much to offer as a companion and family dog. From their regal appearance to their sensitive, intuitive nature, smooth collies capture the hearts of those who come to know them. While they require dedication to training, exercise, and care, the bond formed with a smooth collie is truly special. If you‘re seeking a loyal, smart, active dog to join your family, the smooth collie may be the perfect match. With their working dog roots, elegant good looks, and deep desire to be with their people, they can enrich your life in countless ways. Take the time to research the breed, find a responsible breeder, and prepare to open your heart and home to this remarkable herding dog. You won‘t regret welcoming a smooth collie into your world. --- Source: [The Smooth Collie: A Comprehensive Guide to This Elegant Herding Breed](https://33rdsquare.com/the-smooth-collie-a-comprehensive-guide-to-this-elegant-herding-breed/)