The Collie

The Collie is a breed of dog that originates from Scotland, primarily from the Highland regions. The breed's name has two potential points of origin. Some historians believe that the name 'Collie' is based upon the Anglo-Saxon word 'coll' which means black. Other historians believe that the breeds name is based upon the Scottish black-faced sheep named 'Colley, ' as the Collie was used to guard these sheep on a regular basis. However most historians agree that the Collie is probably descended from breeds of dog introduced to the United Kingdom by Roman conquerors almost two thousand years ago! Traditionally the Collie was predominately black coated and was much closer in size and shape to today's Border Collie. The breed traditionally had no standardized appearance due to it being bred for intelligence, herding and working ability rather than looks. The breed was widely employed as a herding dog and was known to herd, and guard, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats on a regular basis. In the 1860's Queen Victoria of England fell in love with the good natured temperament and appearance of the Collie and introduced them into English culture, where the breed was known as the 'Scottish Sheep-Dog.' The Collie comes in two potential coat variants: rough and smooth. The rough coated variant has a long, abundant and straight outer coat that is rough to the touch and a soft, thick and furry undercoat. The smooth coat variant has a shorter, dense and flat outercoat and a thick undercoat. The breed's coat comes in four colors: tricolor (black with white and tan markings), white, blue merle (silvery blue and black) and sable (which is commonly known as the 'Lassie' coat coloration). As a whole the breed is known to be incredibly good natured, affectionate and gentle. The Collie thrives in a household environment and enjoys spending time with its family unit. The Collie is also incredibly good around children as they are both protective and playful. The Collie is highly intelligent and is known to be willing to risk its own wellbeing to protect members of its family. Before purchasing any pet it is important to understand that as a pet owner you are responsible for the care and wellbeing of your pet. It is important to try and learn as much as you can about the animal you are considering to keep as a pet to make sure that your lifestyle, household and financial status are suited to provide your pet with the best possible care. This guide has been designed to provide you with both precise and concise information about a Collie's basic needs to help you provide your pet with the best quality care practices. This guide will give an in-depth explanation on training your Collie, raising your Collie from a puppy, grooming, health care and everything in between! "The Collie: A Complete and Comprehensive Owners Guide to: Buying, Owning, Health, Grooming, Training, Obedience, Understanding and Caring for Your Collie," by Michael Stonewood is the perfect purchase or gift for a first time Collie owner. This guide includes sections on caring for a puppy, breeding, health care, training, the basic cost of owning a Collie and much more. This book is the second edition - the first edition was published by 'Dog Care Professionals.'