Most of us who watched the 1950s TV series 'Lassie' fell in love with this beautiful breed.
Collies make great family dogs - they are loyal, trainable, obedient, and clingy. But we warn you - owning a Collie is about more than owning a companion dog. Collies want to be a part of every aspect of your life and every activity that you are involved in.
This breed is extremely intelligent and often will only need to see something once to master it. Sometimes this can make it hard for the owners - simple ball throwing and retrieving won't do, as it's too basic. Collies need more advanced jobs to feel truly happy and challenged. They can learn anything but will also teach you a few things along the way.
If they aren't stimulated and get bored, Collies will typically start herding anything that moves, from cars to motorbikes to kids. If you are not up for the challenge give this breed a pass, as they will keep you on your toes.
Weight: | 27-34 kg |
Health risk: | Medium |
Life expectancy: | 14-16 years |
Coat: | Long |
Grooming intensity: | High |
Monthly cost (food): | Average |
Trainability: | High |
Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your Collie from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Collie to adopt:
To help your rescued Collie to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Collie from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.