Collie
柯利牧羊犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Collie — Lassie's breed — is a large, lithe Scottish herder that comes in a showy rough coat or a sleek smooth coat; PocketPaw uses one key for both. Collies are devoted, gentle and sensitive, especially good with children, easy to train and moderately active; the rough coat needs regular grooming, and the breed carries the MDR1 drug-sensitivity gene, which every Collie owner should tell their vet about.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 56–66cm |
| Weight | 22–34kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: herding FCI: 1 |
| Role | Herding |
| Coat | Long coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 5/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Collie eye anomaly
Collie eye anomaly, an inherited eye condition, is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about CEA testing.
MDR1 drug sensitivity
MDR1 gene mutation (sensitivity to certain drugs) is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Tell your vet before any medication is prescribed.
Behaviour
Kindly, loyal, trainable
The CKC calls the Rough Collie kindly, loyal and trainable — affectionate and a fine family companion that enjoys attention and activity without being excitable; the AKC says Collies are very smart, easy to train and love learning, so training should continue beyond puppy class.
Regular aerobic exercise
The AKC says Collies are generally quite active and need regular aerobic exercise with the chance to run and play — fetch and a fenced yard help; the CKC calls it a practical choice for suburbs or country that needs regular outdoor exercise.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 5/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Collie
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Collie Rough (Herding Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Collie Rough
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Collie Rough (standard no. 156, group 1)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club describes Collies as intelligent, loyal, affectionate and sensitive family dogs that thrive with people of all ages and show a playful yet protective instinct with children; as pets they need moderate exercise — daily walks or play in a secure yard — and regular grooming, and the club urges prospective families to research the breed and invest in training.”
— Collie Club of America (public breed information) via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Collie — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Collie Rough — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Collie Rough — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Collie Rough — FCI standard no. 156 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Collie Club of America — Home / About the Collie — Collie Club of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.