MyDogBreeds
Wolfdog is originated from Germany but Smooth Collie is originated from United Kingdom. Wolfdog may grow 20 cm / 8 inches higher than Smooth Collie. Wolfdog may weigh 15 kg / 34 pounds more than Smooth Collie. Wolfdog may live 3 years less than Smooth Collie. Both Wolfdog and Smooth Collie has almost same litter size. Both Wolfdog and Smooth Collie requires Moderate maintenance.
The Wolfdog was brought about when domestic dogs were mated with a variety of wolves so as to produce a hybrid.
People who want to own these hybrids have to be careful because they find that the unpredictable behavior of their pets makes it difficult for them to care for them.
Then they want to get rid of it. Every year, heaps of these hybrids are abandoned due to humans interfering with nature.
The wolfdog has been bred with a number of dogs but we think about it more in terms of wolf and German shepherd.
When 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.
People mesmerized by the wolf long to bring some of that wildness home, and the wolfdog is supposed to do this.
Their looks differ a lot, even those that come from the same litter. You can’t have a predictable looking wolf dog because it could be any domestic dog bred with a wolf so they display a large variety of appearances.
Most Wolfdogs seem to have smaller heads than pure wolves. The ears seem to be bigger and more pointy.
A popular wolfdog mix is a German Shepherd mixed with the wolf. These dogs can be between 70 to 76cm in height and weigh between 40 and 45kg.
Their coat is thick and can be in colors of grey, cream, red, white, dark brown and black.
While the wolfdog can be trained to become quite a friendly kind of dog, it is not suitable for the first time dog owner. It can show bouts of aggressiveness around strangers and be highly protective of its family.
However, this can be helped with early socialization and training. It is illegal to own the wolfdog in some states. You don’t want to leave a wolfdog alone with your children even though the dog is capable of love and loyalty towards his human family.
The 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.
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.
When you add the genes of a wild animal to the pool, you get a crossbreed and when its an animal from the wild, its nature is unpredictable.
Many people don’t think about the consequences of what they do when they interfere with nature and the wolfdog gets put down when it behaves like a wild animal and attacks or bites out of defense.
Yes, they can be loyal, loving pets but always you will have the shadow of the dog or wolf’s unpredictable behavior.
There is a reason why these dogs are banned in a number of states. This dog-type-wolf breed is not recommended as a pet at all – take a look at animal shelters and the number of wolf dogs there and ask yourself why.
Not 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.
They will also be susceptible to common dog ailments such as parasites and hip dysplasia.
Like any other dog, these Wolf dogs will also possibly develop tumors. He will also need to be vaccinated against harmful diseases and you will need to have a reliable local vet who is interested in your wolf dog.
Your 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.
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.
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.
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.
If you own a wolfdog the same care procedures would need to be followed as you would with a regular dog.
A wolfdog, however, can’t be vaccinated against rabies. It seems that the reason for this is that it is due to current legislation, and vaccine manufacturers don’t want to support wolf dogs as pets because they are considered to be dangerous.
Provide your wolfdog with highly nutritional, protein-based food. You don’t want to feed your wolfdog any of the low quality, traditional store-bought food high in carbs and artificial additives. Instead, look for a diet rich in proteins and be sure to give this dog some raw meat occasionally.
The dog is active and you will need to provide heaps of exercise for him, both mental and physical activities.
The wolfdog will require training but it will require dedication, though it can be done as the dog is very intelligent.
Even with training, the wolfdog isn’t suited to life in the city but should be kept in the countryside.
Your 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.
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.
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.