For those unfamiliar with what a Smooth Collie is, they look similar to the familiar Lassie type Rough Collie, but their coat and features are unique. The origin of the Smooth Collie can be traced back to the 1860s when Queen Victoria owned some of the first recognized Smooth Collies. They gained recognition because of their owner and became more popular as the years went on. Today, they still remain popular in Europe and England, but have yet to gain the notoriety that the Rough Collie has. For those lucky enough to own them, you wonder why they have not become as popular as their long-haired relatives have.

Smooth Collies tend to be a bit larger than their Rough Collie counterparts are. Females average 40 to 60 lbs. and males average 75 to 90 lbs. They come in a variety of colors from the familiar sable and white (beige or brown and white), tri-color (black, brown and white) and blue merle (a dappled grey, black, white and sometimes tan). Their short coats accentuate their sleek appearance. Smooth Collies have long, slender almost pointed noses, a triangular head, a long lean body, long muscular legs and a long agile tail. They are definitely built for their original purpose of herding sheep and goats. Their sleek design makes them fast and agile runners that can stop and turn on a dime.

Smooth collies make up for their lack of long, flowing coat with their big personalities. They demand attention and almost seem to pout when they do not get their way. They are very easy to get along with and generally do not have a problem with other dogs, cats or other furry creature they may come across. They enjoy having a blanket or pillow on the floor to sleep on unless they get the chance to curl up in a favorite chair or on a comfortable couch cushion. They are creatures of habit in that they like to have a routine whether it is where they sleep every night, or the way their dinner is made. They are also very vocal as they enjoy grumbling and almost singing along with barking to get their owners attention. They are very nosy and must inspect you and everything you bring in the house with you. They love to cuddle, hug and just generally be near their owners.

Although they are large dogs, they are very gentle when it comes to children, as most will lie down around small children so they are at the same level as them. They are also very forgiving of a child that does not have the gentlest touch when it comes to petting them. They are always aware of their surroundings and quick to let you know when there is something out of place. Although they are easy to train for the most part, most will not participate in a game of fetch. They seem to act as if they are too good to retrieve something that you have thrown for them. Overall, they are a great dog that loves their owners and when well exercised can be a great addition to any family.

If you do decide to bring a Smooth Collie into your home, be aware that all Collies have certain medication reactions that can be life threatening that you need to be aware of. Most vets are very familiar with known Collie issues and can provide you with a list of things that you need to avoid.

If this has peaked your interest in owning a Smooth Collie, there are Collie Rescues all over the United States that have dogs available. Before you decide to find a breeder, find a rescue first, you will not only save the life of the Smooth Collie you adopt, but make a space to save another life.

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