Buyer question
Is a Collie good for beginners?
Yes: our Animal Library rates the Collie 5 out of 5 for beginners (gentle, family-focused).
Source: the Collie page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Collie in the Animal Library
The detail
A Scottish sheepdog bred to herd flocks in the Highlands, the Collie comes in rough and smooth coats and is gentle, loyal and sensitive. It is a devoted family dog that thrives on company, and it carries several inherited eye and drug-sensitivity risks.
- Temperament
- Gentle, loyal, sensitive
- Best fit
- Families, first homes
- Trainability
- 5 out of 5 (Smart, eager to please)
- Energy
- 3 out of 5 (1 hr exercise daily)
- Grooming load
- 4 out of 5 (Rough: brush several times)
What to weigh
Collies bark, and the rough coat sheds heavily and needs frequent brushing. They are sensitive to harsh handling, and some carry a gene that makes common drugs dangerous.