The short answer is yes, they certainly do! The collie is characterized by an elegant beauty and something akin to human intelligence. Through breeding over the years, the collie as we know it today is a large, heavy-coated breed. Most dog lovers will remember Lassie, that absolutely fantastic collie dog from the movie and television fame. Collies are one of the best known and well-loved dog breeds. They started out as working dogs, and farmers cherished their collies, relying heavily on them to help tend their sheep.
Collies today are no longer predominantly farm dogs; they have progressed to being pampered house pets. The same features that characterize the collie’s worth to the Scottish farmer have made the dog an ideal pet. Their guarding and flocking abilities make them both fearless and gentle with other pets, children, and people. When raised with children, they exhibit gentleness and great affection towards them.
The breed is a bit on the reserved side but extremely good-natured with strangers, provided they are actively socialized from the outset. These dogs are not biting dogs, but their huge size and forceful bark can be hugely intimidating. They provide adequate security for any home they live in.
Training a collie is an absolute joy because of their high intelligence and sensitivity. Watch out that the dog’s natural independence does not become a problem. When training your dog, give it a good reason for doing what it is being told to do. Harsh training will meet with total resistance–use love and rewards to train your dog and avoid constant repetitive training. The dog is a quick learner and will thrive on new challenges.
Avoid shaving the dense coat, as the breed is well-equipped to handle any kind of weather. They do not enjoy the heat but can tolerate it well enough. The collie’s coat serves as insulation against both heat and cold.
The regular collie dogs make great pets, but be cautious about getting a border collie as it has been bred for farm life and will need a very active lifestyle. Collies have an innate sense of loyalty, intelligence, and sensitivity, making them great additions to the family. Despite the largeness of its size, the collie is exceptionally gentle, especially around children. These dogs have a very relaxed temperament. Though not typically suited to small apartments, they will thrive provided they get ample exercise in the form of long walks or playtime in a large fenced yard.
Take home a collie, and you will soon experience the sheer joy of having this fantastic animal as part of your family.