Collies?

471 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by mom0810, Apr 13, 2009

gealach

Discussion Starter · Apr 11, 2009

We are revving up to adopt (from a rescue) in the near future and are researching breeds. Anyone have any experience with Collies? Tell me all about them... the good, the great, the bad, the ugly. I'd love to hear it all. Thanks!

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mom0810

· #2 · Apr 11, 2009

They are wonderful, calm, gentle dogs. THey shed like crazy. They can have a doggy smell, but they are great. They do bark. A lot. I personally love the COllie bark, but it can drive you crazy. People who own many of them and show them always have them debarked, which should tell you something about how annoying it can be. But they are wonderful. I love them. My husband hates their heads, or else I would probably have one.

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canadianchick

· #3 · Apr 12, 2009

I had a collie when I was in high school. She was a great dog..... very sweet and gentle.

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oneKnight

· #4 · Apr 12, 2009

They can't have common heartworm meds I noticed. I'm not sure how that's usually treated, but it could mean more frequent vet visits and testing so more $$$$, rather than just a monthly pill.

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mom0810

· #5 · Apr 12, 2009

It's not a big deal. They just can't have Ivermectin. You can give them Interceptor, which I don't think is any more expensive. If it is, it's hardly a lot. No special testing, either. No extra expense.

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almama

· #6 · Apr 12, 2009

Collies can be fabulous. We had them growing up and I could fill all MDC with wonderful stories.

They are very smart and can be high strung if treated poorly or not brought up well. My mom rescued a lot of them after we left home and they can be tough. You would want to screen a rescue dog carefully to see if it fits your family and energy.

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2xy

· #7 · Apr 12, 2009

My grandparents had four collies, and I don't remember any "bad" or "ugly."

But I was only 11 when the youngest (and last) one was put down, so who knows? I remember a great group of dogs. All very smart, gentle, and loving.

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DogMomforNow

· #8 · Apr 12, 2009

Very nice dogs - lots of shedding and a fair amount of coat maintenance depending on where you live (house dog only won't be bad, beach, woods, etc. means lots of brushing!).

Watch out for Collie Eye Anomaly which can cause anything from no problem to blindness - your vet can easily check for the signs with an opthalmoscope. It should be no worry if you're adopting an older dog

Some collies lack p-glycoprotein and thus you have to worry about giving them ivermectin. But like others have said, there are alternatives.

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gealach

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 13, 2009

I'm good with the coat maintenance and used to eating a little dog hair with my cereal.

And, I know about the Ivermectin problem and eye sight (and, yes, we'll be adopting a dog 2+ yrs old so the eyes shouldn't be an issue).

We have adopted an older rescue in the past and know of some of the issues that can bring and have resources and past experience to help deal with that. We are hoping to adopt a dog that has been fostered to help give us a bit more info on the dog this time. Though, of course, even fostered dogs have their adjustment periods.

Any advice on Collie temperaments? How about behavior? Do they tend to be lovers/cuddlers, aloof, playful, need lots of exercise, easy/hard to train, willful, good with other dogs, good with kids, etc.

And, yes, I've done lots of research on my own, but I also like to get a personal perspective from folks who have actually lived with or spent lots of time with the breed. Thanks again!

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mom0810

· #10 · Apr 13, 2009

They might be considered more aloof than cuddly. But that is just the ones that I have been around. THey are very friendly and usually really calm. Serene, I would even say. But they do make noise. They can be bossy, but ANY herding dog is like that, especially the girls. The girls will be more busy, more bossy, and the boys more laid back and easy going. That's the case with a lot of breeds... most I would even say. But with COllies and herding dogs, especially.

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