Smooth Collie vs Scotch Collie - Breed Comparison

Smooth Collie vs Scotch Collie - Breed ComparisonBoth Smooth Collie and Scotch Collie are originated from United Kingdom. Both Smooth Collie and Scotch Collie are having almost same height. Both Smooth Collie and Scotch Collie are having almost same weight. Both Smooth Collie and Scotch Collie has almost same life span. Smooth Collie may have more litter size than Scotch Collie. Both Smooth Collie and Scotch Collie requires Moderate maintenance.

History

smooth collie - historyWhen you see the Smooth Collie you just assume that you’re looking at a long-haired Lassie-type Collie that was sent to the groomers.

The Smooth Collie has always been used for herding purposes and is a short haired version of the Rough Collie. The early history of this dog is unknown and there are quite a few stories surrounding its history.

It seems as though the dog’s history started during the reign of Queen Victoria who is believed to have owned these dogs.

In some countries it is thought that the smooth- and rough collie are one and the same while in other countries they are classified as separate breeds. The dog hails from the United Kingdom and they classify the Smooth Collie as a separate breed from the Rough Collie.

scotch collie - historyThe landrace breed, which started in the highlands of Scotland is known as the Scotch Collie. There were at the time two types of collies – the Rough or long haired collie and the smooth or short haired collie. The Scotch Collie is considered to be from a line of very ancient herding dogs. It might have existed in the days of the Roman Empire, these herding dogs might have included the Native Celtic Dogs, Roman Cattle Dogs, Gordon Setter, Viking Herding Spitzes and Irish Setters.

In its native land the Scotch Collie is often called the colley dogs, coaly and cooley. Collie comes from the Scottish words for black coal – or the Coaley Sheep they herded. In addition to herding, the Scotch Collie also acted as a hunter and guard dog for its family. A large group of these collies were exported to America to work on family farms. Soon they were so popular they became family pets. They were first shown in both England and America in in the mid to late 1800’s.

The Scotch Collie Club was formed in 1885 and the breed accepted into the AKC the same year. The Collie Club of America started the following year. The AKC eventually dropped the moniker Scotch in favor or Rough and Smooth Collie. This move also separated the show dogs from the still working/herding Scotch Collies.

Aa time went on and the collie became more prominent in conformation competitions, some breeders mixed in the Greyhound and perhaps the Borzoi to get the collie we see today. The Scotch Collie itself eventually lost its independent recognition in the UKC and the NKC. It was mixed in with the English Shepard, but it was an important element in the development of the Australian Shepard, Shetland Sheepdogs and Border Collies.

The breed had a revival of sorts in the early 2000’s as the Old Time Scotch Collie. Any type of farm collie in America and Canada can be registered in the OTSCA. They are more often referred to as Old Time Farm Shepherds to avoid confusion them with the very popular collies. In 2017 there were 174 of these OTSCA dogs. Collies today have less working instincts, and the heeling instinct seems to be gone.

Today the show version of the Scotch Collie is recognized by both the AKC and UKC in the herding group.

It has been said of the Scotch Collie that they have “the majesty of a lion, the pride of a great thoroughbred stallion, the confidence of a Winston Churchill.”

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
53 - 61 cm
20 - 25 inches
Height Female:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
47 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
21 - 32 kg
46 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
8 - 12
2 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Collie
Farm Collie • Old Farm Collie
Colors Available:
Light gold, deep mahogany and grey, tricolour of white, black, tan
All colors and markings traditionally found on collies
Coat:
Short, dense
double top harsh under soft
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

smooth collie puppy - descriptionThe Smooth Collie is a medium to large sized dog, ranging in size from 51–56cm and weighing anything from 18kg to 30kg.

The Smooth Collie is slightly longer than it is tall and he has a deep chest. Most people are very familiar with the sweet, gentle expression of the Collie dogs.

The dog also has the long slender head, the semi-erect ears and a long tail. The coat of the Smooth Collie is dense and long with the outer hair being straight and harsh. The Smooth Collie comes in different colors – fawn, reddish brown, white,grey, black and tan.

Temperament:

The Smooth Collie is generally an amicable dog, sociable and friendly. He loves his human family and wants to be constantly with them, showing signs of separation anxiety when left for long periods on his own.

He is intelligent too so that he is easily trained. He is totally non-aggressive but that doesn’t stop him from being an excellent watchdog and he’ll alert you to strangers approaching you or your home.

They’re also energetic dogs and will require regular exercise. Although these Smooth Collies make splendid family pets, they are still used for herding purposes.

scotch collie puppy - descriptionThis Scotch Collie is an athletic, intelligent, well-balanced and alert dog. This collie has no exaggerated features like the long nose/muzzle of the current collies. This Scotch Collie is sound in mind and body, a hard working dog. He is hearty and versatile. They are longer than they are tall. Their heads are moderate and the stoop is well defined. They have a wide, flat skull. Their lips are tight and they are fitted well.

Their ears are also moderate in size and pointed or partially erect. They should not have long or droopy ears. They have eyes that might be oblique, almond, and round. The eyes are usually brown and merles may have blue eyes. The breed has a deep chest, broad shoulders and a long tail. There are also some bobtails that occur naturally.

Characteristics

The Smooth Collie ticks all the right boxes for making a splendid pet.

smooth collie dog - characteristicsNot only is he intelligent, he is playful and energetic too, making a good pet for children and tolerating other pets too.

Add to that the fact that he is a a good watchdog and wants to protect his family. Sweet and gentle, the Smooth Collie is guaranteed to make a wonderful addition to your family.

1.Children friendliness - they are great with children.

2.Special talents agility and speed.

scotch collie dog - characteristics3.Adaptability - Scotch Collies are versatile and adaptable. There is no need to crate them as they are not destructive. If you have a large run or kennel, they can live anywhere. However they are happiest on farms and open lands.

4.Learning ability - They are very intelligent and open to learning.

Health Problems

smooth collie puppies - health problemsYour gentle smooth haired collie can live to be 12 to 14 years of age if he enjoys a good life, but like with other dog breeds, they can also be susceptible to certain common dog illnesses.

Collie Eye Anomaly:

This is when the chromosomes that determine how the eyes develop are mutated, so that the blood vessels that nourish the retina and absorb scattered light are underdeveloped. When this mutation occurs it is in both eyes, but one eye could be more severely affected than the other.

Your vet will do a complete examination of your dog’s eyes to find out what the extent of the defect is.

Bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus:

This is a life threatening problem where the stomach twists. It is more prevalent in deep chested dogs. It can help by feeding your dog two smaller meals a day instead of one larger one which he gobbles up quickly.

Cyclic Neutropenia:

Also known as Gray Collie Syndrome, this rare disease affects the neutrophils of a dog, which are an important part of the immune system. Bacterial infections and a shortened lifespan are your dog’s lot with this illness.

scotch collie puppies - health problemsThe old line breed was hearty with few health issues. The ones they did have included:

  • Musculoskeletal problems - can cause weakness or even some lameness.

• Skin problems - can have skin diseases like mange that may or may not be acute, may have allergies or sensitivities.

  • Bloat – can cause death if not treated quickly.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

smooth collie dogs - caringYour Smooth Collie deserves the very best food there is because of the wonderful companionship he provides you with. You want him to enjoy good health and a long life with you.

If you buy one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is one of the best – packed with vitamins and minerals and good, natural ingredients.

Follow the instructions on the packaging for portion sizes. Also include some plain, wholesome dog food made at home. The perfect example of this is boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added to your dog’s dry kibble as a treat twice a week. No need to add in exotic spices. Avoid onions.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet once in a while too. Make sure your Smooth Collie has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Spay or Neuter:

This is one of the best things you can do for your Collie, eliminating the possibility of your pet becoming a parent of unwanted puppies.

Grooming:

Brush your Smooth Collie twice a week. He is a moderate shedder but has a couple of heavier shedding periods.

While brushing your pet, check inside the ears for signs of infection, check that his eyes are still bright and alert and check inside his mouth for bad teeth. He can’t tell you about a rotting tooth and this can cause a host of other problems for your dog.

scotch collie dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy - The Scotch Collie is not a medium dog nor is it a large dog. It is somewhere in-between. Because of this there is some discretion in not only how much you feed your puppy, but also what you feed. Normally we would feed according to breed size but here you need a high quality formula that is made for working breeds. The puppy will need enough calories to meet their high energy needs. Feed at least 3-4 times a day.

2.Feeding the adult - you need a high quality formula that is made for working breeds. The adult will need enough calories to meet their high energy needs. Feed at least 2 times a day.

3.Points for Good Health - stamina and athleticism.

4. Games and Exercises

There is a high need for exercise starting with walks or jog but that is not going to be enough. The Scotch Collie is not a Border Collie or a Corgi in terms of energy, but they are not couch potaoes. They need more than access to a yard. They need a job or they need defined exercise and play. The daily walk or jog will do it but intense play is better.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Smooth Collie vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
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  3. Smooth Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  4. Smooth Collie vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
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  6. Smooth Collie vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  7. Smooth Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Smooth Collie vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Smooth Collie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  10. Smooth Collie vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Smooth Collie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
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  25. Smooth Collie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  26. Scotch Collie vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  27. Scotch Collie vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Scotch Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  29. Scotch Collie vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Scotch Collie vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  31. Scotch Collie vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  32. Scotch Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Scotch Collie vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Scotch Collie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  35. Scotch Collie vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Scotch Collie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  37. Scotch Collie vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  38. Scotch Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  39. Scotch Collie vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  40. Scotch Collie vs Pyrenean Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Scotch Collie vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  42. Scotch Collie vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  43. Scotch Collie vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Scotch Collie vs Queensland Heeler - Breed Comparison
  45. Scotch Collie vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  46. Scotch Collie vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Scotch Collie vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  48. Scotch Collie vs Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  49. Scotch Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  50. Scotch Collie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison

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