Collie (Smooth)

Also known as: Smooth Collies

The Smooth Collie is genetically the same breed as the Rough Collie, differing only in coat length, and both trace back to the Scottish highlands, where they herded sheep. The smooth variant was historically more common among working farm dogs, since a short coat mats less during daily outdoor work. The short, dense double coat still blows out heavily twice a year, though it needs less overall upkeep than its long-coated relative. A male weighs up to 29 kilograms, lean and agile, clearly retaining a herding dog's build. Temperament runs gentle, intelligent and easy to train, and the breed is often used in service and therapy work. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Collie (Smooth): how old in human years?

51–61 cmHeight
18–29 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Berger Picard

FCI group: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
FCI section: Section 1: Sheepdogs
FCI: 296
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

3/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

5/5
Grooming need

2/5

At a glance

Height

Males 56–61 cm

Females 51–56 cm

Weight

Males 20–29 kg

Females 18–25 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

short, dense double coat (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Collie (Smooth)'s average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.

Family friendly 5/5
Good with children 5/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Collie (Smooth)'s energy and exercise needs are low.

Energy level 3/5
Exercise need 3/5
Apartment friendly 2/5
Prey drive 2/5
Hunting instinct 1/5

Guarding & Alertness

Collie (Smooth)'s guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 4/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Collie (Smooth)'s grooming needs are low.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 2/5

Living with the Collie (Smooth)

From a distance the Smooth Collie looks like its rough-coated cousin with the overcoat taken off, and that makes the good parts easier to see: the light, easy movement, the tipped ears that flick up at your voice, and eyes that are always working out what you'll do next. This is a herding dog from Britain, and its attention still goes to whatever is happening around it.

It learns quickly and willingly as long as you stay calm and generous with praise; harshness only shuts a sensitive Collie down. Its energy needs are moderate: a proper walk morning and evening, an off-lead run now and then, and some puzzles, scent games or new tricks in between. It will happily announce visitors, so in a flat with thin walls it needs to learn that one announcement is plenty; a house with a garden suits it better.

With its family it is gentle and patient, friendly with children and easy with other dogs. Strangers get good manners rather than instant affection. What it likes best is being in the middle of family life, so long hours alone are not its idea of a good day.

Grooming and coat

The Smooth Collie's coat is short but double: a flat, slightly harsh topcoat over a dense undercoat that, at moulting time, turns up on the sofa, the rug and your darkest trousers. A weekly going-over with a rubber mitt or brush is enough, with more frequent sessions while the coat is shedding. Because the hair is short you can see the skin easily, so glance for redness, flakes or bald patches as you go, especially on the face and ear tips.

The almond eyes need no more than a soft damp cloth for the corners and a quick check that they are clear and your dog isn't squinting. The semi-erect ears get plenty of air; look inside once a week to make sure they are clean and don't smell. Trim the nails when they start clicking on the floor.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Smooth Collies live twelve to fourteen years and are sturdy working dogs; their health questions centre on the eyes, the skin and one inherited gene change your vet should know about in advance. Some of this can be looked into before a puppy comes home, so ask the breeder about the parents' health testing. Beyond that, a watchful eye day to day and regular vet check-ups do the rest.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Collie eye anomaly

This is an inherited fault in how the back of the eye develops, where the tissues deep in the eye don't form quite as they should. In mild cases an owner notices nothing; in more severe ones the dog may see less well, especially at dusk. The condition carries the breed's name for a reason; a genetic test exists, so ask the breeder about the parents' testing.
MDR1 gene mutation (multidrug sensitivity)

Some Smooth Collies inherit a change in the MDR1 gene that makes certain medicines affect them much more strongly than other dogs. You can't see it from the outside, so your vet should know about it before any medicine is used. A genetic test exists that shows whether your dog carries the change.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

PRA is an inherited disease in which the cells of the retina slowly die off and sight fades, first in dim light. You might notice your Collie sticking closer to you on evening walks, or pausing at the top of a dark staircase. This alert dog gradually leans more on its ears and nose; ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Dermatomyositis

Dermatomyositis is an inherited inflammatory disease of the skin and sometimes the muscles. In a young dog it can show up as scaly, hairless patches on the face, around the eyes, on the ear tips or at the end of the tail. A Smooth Collie's short coat hides little, so if you spot changes like these, show them to your vet.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (29 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 310 g of dry food a day, from €16,98 a month For a neutered, normally active 23 kg dog. Calculate for your dog