Smooth Collie

The Smooth Collie shares its origins with the Rough Collie: both descend from Scottish herding dogs. The smooth type was mainly used to drive livestock to market.

Rarer than its cousin, it is recognised as a separate breed by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

Gentle, affectionate and attentive, the Smooth Collie is very close to its family and usually excellent with children. It is watchful and can be slightly reserved with strangers.

Sensitive, it responds very well to positive training and dislikes harshness.

Like the Rough Collie, it can be affected by Collie eye anomaly and by drug sensitivity linked to the MDR1 mutation.

Ask for the parents' genetic tests and tell your veterinarian its breed.

Good-quality food matched to its activity suits it. Watch its weight and limit treats.

Two meals a day are recommended.

It needs an hour or more of daily activity. It enjoys obedience, agility and games with its family.

It likes having a task to do.

Walk it early in the morning and in the evening, with water and shade. A house with a garden suits it better than an apartment, but it can adapt to city life with regular outings and an involved family.

Its short, dense coat with undercoat needs brushing once a week, more often during the moult.

That is a big advantage over the Rough Collie.