The 4 Types of Collies—and the Homes Where They Do Best 

Are you contemplating including a collie to your own home? You might need visions of the canine TV star Lassie—a rough-coated collie—nurturing your brood. However there are three kinds of collies (and a bonus selection) to select from. And whereas they’re all clever and dependable, like good ol’ Lassie, there are variations between the breeds, too.

We talked with Brandi Hunter Munden, spokesperson for the American Kennel Club, to get the lowdown on the several types of collies. Learn on to study which breed is perhaps one of the best match for you and your loved ones.

“The phrase ‘collie’ is a Scottish dialect phrase used to explain sheepdogs,” Munden says. That is why some herding breeds may get lumped underneath the collie class after they’re not thought of a real collie breed.

Collie breeds had been initially farm canines and proceed to have a powerful want to observe over their flock, making them wonderful household canines. They differ in exercise stage, however none of them are thought of sofa potatoes. In any case, these canines had been initially bred to work.

RELATED: 10 Cattle Canine Breeds That Can Spherical Up the Herd in a Flash

When folks consider collies, it is the tough (long-haired) collies who come to thoughts. With their lengthy, skinny noses and almond-shaped eyes, these elegant canines turned a favourite in Victorian England and within the U.S. throughout the twentieth century. They earned a loving fame for his or her devotion to youngsters. In keeping with the Collie Club of America, collies are playful with youngsters and protecting, too, with out being overly aggressive.

Collies are simple to coach (and that features potty coaching!) and happiest after they’re round household. They do not do effectively in an empty dwelling for hours at a time. Day by day bodily exercise is important but it surely does not should be as intense as different collie varieties—these pups are joyful to hold on the sofa with you, too.

Publicity to different folks and environments is important for this collie breed, Munden says. “Collies will be very timid, which might create dangerous habits. So you must socialize them as quickly as potential.”

Whereas not a wholly totally different breed from the tough collie, easy, aka short-haired, collies are simply as described—collies with brief hair. These collies do not have these flowing locks as a result of they had been bred to assist take animals to market and did not want the sturdy, extra-long fur to guard them from the climate within the mountains. As you possibly can think about, the brief hair is way simpler to look after, though they nonetheless shed seasonally.

Bearded collies (beardies) could greatest epitomize their Scottish ancestry. The breed has a happy-go-lucky demeanor coupled with smarts, stamina, and the desire to do tough issues, which was shifting cattle traditionally. Standard throughout the Victorian period, beardies aren’t as frequent nowadays. However that is a disgrace as a result of, Munden says. “They’ve a bouncy, care-free perspective, are very affectionate, and get alongside effectively with different pets.”

On the draw back: Taking good care of a beardie’s shaggy mane is a dedication. It wants each day brushing to maintain it freed from mats and dust. One other should? An extended exercise day by day. Beardies have bodily and psychological vitality to burn. In the event that they miss too many exercises, beardies may begin stepping into bother round the home. They make wonderful sidekicks for energetic, outdoorsy folks.

Beardies are additionally identified for being impartial. They had been bred to work on the farm with little to no administration. However as a result of they are not used to taking orders, convey endurance and quite a lot of optimistic reinforcement (treats and reward) to your coaching periods.

Usually referred to as the neatest canine on the earth, border collies are very smart and hyper. These gifted canines dominate in canine sports activities like agility, the place they zip round, and in obedience and trick canine competitions.

“Border collies want greater than only a fenced-in yard to get their each day train. They’re strong-willed and simply bored,” Munden says. It is why canine sports activities are such an amazing outlet for them and an space the place they’re usually the reigning champions.

“Regardless of their athleticism, they like to calm down and cuddle with their households on the finish of an energetic day,” Munden says.

Border collies do greatest in houses the place they get loads of private consideration and are included in each exercise, ideally on a farm the place they will put their herding instincts to work. This doggo does not need to be left behind—not as a result of border collies are clingy however as a result of they at all times want one thing to do.

RELATED: These 10 Border Collie Mixes Are the Excellent Mix of Magnificence and Brains