All About Shorthair Collie

Dogs are faithful companions of man, therefore, have a centuries-old history of friendship with people. Among the oldest breeds of such animals, it is necessary to highlight the Scottish Shepherd, which is of interest to dog handlers, as well as dog breeders to this day.

This breed has several names - shorthair or Welsh collie, as well as a Scottish shepherd. The breed was bred for a long time, so it is often referred to as native. Britain is considered the birthplace of animals, where four-legged pets were used by humans as shepherd dogs. Another version of the origin of the breed is considered to be a variant of Roman roots, where these dogs performed similar tasks in grazing and protecting livestock, and were later brought to Britain.

Today, the shepherd's collie function has faded into the background, so dogs have become petsthat coexist beautifully in the same home with man. The breed, due to the characteristics of its coat, will be an excellent alternative for breeders who dream of such a dog, but who are unable to keep a long-haired pet and look after it.

Smooth-collie - dogs, distinguished by excellent physique, pets look muscular and dry, while they have a pronounced muscle corset.The body itself is a little stretched, has a flat back and a wide chest. Loin is not short, straight. The stomach is tightened, does not hang, adipose tissue is present to a minimum.

The neck is medium in size, well developed, there is a slight bend. A wedge-shaped skull with an elongated muzzle. There are some similarities between the skulls of the Scottish Shepherd and Greyhounds. The eyes are almond-shaped, painted mainly in brown, although sometimes dogs with blue eyes are found.

The bite of the teeth is scissor-shaped, the fangs are even, do not stand out for their large size, the lips are compressed tightly. The nose and lips are pigmented, painted in dark color. The tail of the shorthair collie is quite long, the position is straight, but it can bend slightly to the back, this position demonstrates the extreme excitement of the animal.

The paws of the collie are straight, visually appear thin, but they have well-developed muscles, the hind limbs are larger than the front ones. The hips are wide, the fingers are gathered in a tight lump, each has strong nails.

According to the descriptions in the standards, the size of the animals will vary depending on gender. So, for males, an indicator of 57-62 centimeters is considered an acceptable growth at the withers, the mass can be from 20 to 30 kilograms. In this case, bitches grow up to 50-56 centimeters, having a mass of 19 to 25 kilograms.

Smooth collie hair can be of the following color options:

• marble;
• tricolor;
• sable.

Dogs today are positioned as athletic and strong, but they are prone to some genetic ailments. Among them, hip dysplasia, subluxation and lameness can be noted. Anomalies in the development of organs of vision can also occur. It is possible to identify congenital abnormalities at an early stage by conducting a genetic test.

Breeders should also pay attention to the susceptibility of the breed to certain medications. In general, collies get sick quite rarely, the average life expectancy of Scottish shepherds is 12-15 years.

The breed has inherent positive and negative features that anyone who wants to contain short-haired collies needs to know. The advantages of animals include:

• good-natured disposition without pronounced signs of aggression;
• contact of animals in relation to other pets;
• focus on your breeder;
• supportive attitude towards children;
• the ability to keep a pet in the home;
• good health.

As for the shortcomings, then these features of the breed include:

• loud barking;
• touchy animals;
• the need for active pastime, which in the conditions of the apartment can be a serious problem.

Collies require communication and close contact from their breeder and all family members. It is very important for animals to take a certain position in the social hierarchy of their “pack”. If you deprive the pet of attention and affection, the dog may experience various behavioral disorders.

In general, the short-haired collie stands out for the excellent qualities of a companion, he is not inclined to intrusive behavior, but he will run ahead of everyone for a walk. For a child, a dog will become an interesting and loyal friend.

The dog prefers to show his emotions (both positive and negative) by barking, but thoughtless voice manifestations in the pet should not be encouraged, otherwise it can turn into a real problem.The dog is not aggressive towards outsiders, strangers are rather uninteresting to it, however, ancient animals may wake up in some animals, in particular in males, then they will jealously guard their family and territory.

Collie suffers prolonged loneliness hard, therefore, being absent all day, the breeder will need to compensate for the lack of communication upon returning home. In general, the character of the shorthair collie is characterized on the positive side, the dogs are balanced, do not suffer from excessive suspicion and aggression.

In order for the dog to feel good in the home, she needs to take a place in the house from the first day, preferably in a calm and secluded corner. It is important that this territory is inviolable to all family members, including children. In this way, it will be possible to balance the psyche of a still small animal, giving him the opportunity, if necessary, to take refuge in his "refuge".

Also, the breed can be kept in a private courtyard in the aviary, you can not put a dog on a chain, but the equipment of a booth in the yard will be a prerequisite. The rest of the content is not much different from the conditions that are usually offered to other breeds. The only need for dogs is physical activity.b, in the private courtyard the animal will be able to move, in the apartment the breeder will need daily and long walk with the collie. Moreover, walks should be as active as possible.

For dogs of this breed, it is recommended to choose a menu based on industrial feed. Products must not be lower than the premium class recommended for active four-legged pets. The drinking regime is also important for the animal, so the water at the collie should always be freely available.

Breeders do not recommend feeding dogs natural food, as it will be quite difficult to find a balanced diet for your pet. Under the ban are treats from the human table, as well as bones, fatty meats. Shorthair collie puppies need to be fed 4 to 5 times a day. An adult dog should be transferred to two meals a day - in the morning and in the evening.

If the dog eats properly and regularly moves actively, the breeder will not have problems with the animal. In terms of maintenance and care, the dog's coat during shedding will require special attention. During this period, the pet is recommended to comb at least once a day. This need is due to a fairly rich undercoat.

A dog should only be bathed if absolutely necessary; for aquatic hygiene procedures, only specialized products for animals should be used that will not cause an allergic reaction and do not dry out the epidermis.

The remaining mandatory moments of caring for a four-legged friend will relate to hygiene of the organs of vision and hearing, cleaning the oral cavity. Ears can be cleaned 1-2 times a week with a specialized solution, which can be purchased at a veterinary pharmacy. An alternative to the composition will be a self-prepared decoction based on herbs with an antiseptic effect. Eyes should be wiped as the accumulation of secretions in the corners. For these purposes, the use of the same herbal decoctions is allowed.

The teeth are subject to regular inspection, ideally in a healthy dog ​​they should be white, without plaque, and there should also be no bad breath. For cleaning, you can use a special brush and paste. As a complement, special delicacies act that remove plaque well. Claws usually comb on their own, but in some cases you cannot do without a clipper, it is used as the sharp ends grow.

For shorthair collie breeders, finding something for everyone and their dog will not be difficult. Representatives of the breed can take part in obedience, agility, sports grazing. Such classes will positively affect the psychological health of the animal, as well as provide regular physical activity, which will positively affect health.

In the process of educating a collie, it is necessary to take into account that one activity within their yard will not be enough, the dog needs intellectual development from early childhood. Therefore, the pastime of the breeder with the pet should include various activities for the development of mental abilities. According to most dog handlers and breeders, short-haired collies are people-oriented, so there should be no problems with training.

However, all work on education and training should be carried out with the condition that the pet once and for all adopt the established hierarchy, in which the person will be the permanent leader, and the collie will be the subordinate. A smart and obedient Scottish Shepherd Dog can only be raised if the breeder has absolute authority.

Training should be carried out from childhood, the owner needs to train the dog regularly, sequentially mastering the team with his four-legged friend. Under the ban demonstration of aggression, physical punishment and nervousness. By virtue of their innate mental abilities, Scottish Shepherd dogs with good training are able to catch every gesture and sound of the owner, fulfilling the command with lightning speed.

A review of the breed is waiting for you in the video below.