Why a Collie?
If you want a dog that is excellent in the show ring, active but a great family dog,
then the collie is for you. The Collie is a noble, highly intelligent dog. Sensitive,
sweet, kind, easy to train and loyal. Usually good with other pets and friendly with
other dogs, he is very devoted to and protective of his loved ones. One Collie travelled
2000 miles to find his family after he became lost. Collies have received the Ken-L-Ration
Hero Dog award 5 times. An excellent children’s companion, playful and gentle, with some
exceptions. Collie puppies housetrain quickly, generally in about a week
(after about 10-12 weeks old). They are good – natured, friendly dogs. They are energetic
outdoors. The Collie has a good sense of protectiveness for its master, especially for children,
and is not an aggressive dog.
BUT
If you don't think you could deal with...
* A need for regular, generous excersise
* Destructiveness and/or barking when left alone too much
* Shyness or fearfulness when not socialized when young
* Stubbornness
* Sensitivity to stress, loud voices, and sudden sounds
* Chasing and nipping at things that move when young
* Barking
* Regular, thorough grooming
* Heavy shedding
* Occasional, serious health problems
Then a Rough Collie isn't for you.
In the past, Collies were not bred to be household pets, but as herding dogs, getting regular
and strenuous excersise in the fields while working. Therefore, their occasionally annoying
behaviours (chasing, nipping, poking, barking) cannot be supressed without providing
alternate outlets for their energy. Collies need a great deal of companionship and hate being
left alone for more than a few hours. They become anxious, which they express by chewing and
barking. If you work all day, the Collie is not the breed for you. Collies need extensive
exposure to people and unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise they will become shy, suspicious
or fearful, which are difficult elements to a dog's nature to live with and can lead to
defensive biting. If you have family problems in the home, which cause raised voices, your
sensitive collie will react to the stress and become neurotic. A Collie needs a peaceful,
harmonious home to live in. Although adult Collies are extremely good with children, integrating
a Collie puppy into a home with a young child is not a good idea. The temptation of rough play
on both sides is often too strong and either the puppy or the baby can get emotionally affected
and the Collie will show signs of stress or shyness in later life. Collies can be stubborn and
need to know who is the leader of the "pack". Not harsh treatment, but consistent firmness
will teach the Collie who is boss. Rough collies shed a LOT. If you are not up for constant
vacuuming, then you will find dog hair on your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your
furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Collies need thorough grooming. Without
this kind of attention, your collie will become a matted mess.
Please think VERY carefully before you buy a Rough Collie Puppy, otherwise an unwanted,
unloved puppy could be the result.
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