The history of the variety, the appearance of the Scottish Shepherd Dog, characteristic behavior, health, care, the nuances of dog training, interesting facts. Buying a puppy. These are amazingly versatile animals. They never forget about their work. Infinitely loyal to the owner. Their fame can be envied. They are loved and popular all over the world.
Since ancient times, these were the favorite pets of not only commoners, but also great monarchs. Dogs with adorable manners, graceful, friendly and witty. Very beautiful due to their fur and pretty face.
In addition, these dogs are meek, docile, and are distinguished by their ability to perform all sorts of duties, from grazing to being a guide. Given all this, the species should have become widespread, but this is far from the case.
Historical data of the breed
There are several types of collies: smooth - smooth-haired, border - border collie, beardet - bearded and finally our beautiful Raf - long-haired. The word "raf" means rough, not long. And the wool of such a structure is thick, healthy and strong. These dogs are native to the highlands of Scotland.
They differ from other herding species in their elegant appearance and absolute lack of aggressiveness. This is explained by the fact that the "gray brothers" in the British Isles were mercilessly destroyed long ago. Therefore, the Rough Collie developed such grazing skills so that the sheep did not fend off the flock.
At this time, they are popular guard dogs. Their mental abilities and protective functions are highly recognized in the service work. They have a lively temperament, are active and curious. The variety is also famous thanks to its acting talent. This is confirmed by the film about "Lassie", based on the work of Eric Knight.
For the first time, it appeared to the eyes of readers under the title "Lassie, Come Back." It was a story published in the Saturday Evening Post in 1938. Subsequently, the inspired writer made a whole novel out of him, which was published in 1940. It has been translated into 25 languages of the world.
Creation has instilled in the hearts of millions of people the image of dedication, loyalty and intelligence of the collie. In cinematography, there are many canine films, but other breeds have not achieved this much attention. And they fell in love because of their incomparable external data.
Without a doubt, dogs can truly be considered the standard of beauty among their own kind. Oddly enough, but collie is not very common. She is far from the popularity of the German Shepherd. And the reason is that her lush, elegant coat attracts her. The "merit" that made her a favorite often repels those who dream of having such a pet at home.
It is wrong to love a dog only for the beautiful appearance of its coat, since character is much more important than external data. Conversely, it is unwise to give up a collie because you are too lazy to devote a little more time to caring for her fluffy coat.
How did such an exquisite dog come about, so different from the stereotype of the old shepherd dog? Little is known about the origin of the species. Apparently their ancestors were canines, who arrived in Britain with the Roman legionaries. Most likely, their original color was black.
In English, "kol" means black, and the word "collie" comes from the diminutive. According to one version, this was the name of the dogs themselves, according to another, black-headed sheep. For a very long time, this color was dominant. Even after the standard of the species was officially described in the book, black and white individuals fell into it for many years.
The predecessors of the Collie did not have the long, thin muzzle that characterizes the modern breed. This feature appeared due to mixing with the blood of other canine species. It is possible that these were greyhounds or Italian greyhounds. As a result, it can be concluded that the first Scottish Shepherds were of a rougher conformation and excellent working qualities. Collie retained all the psychophysical data that allow her to carry on her former service to this day. But now, in this capacity, they are rarely used. For business, security and sports purposes, it is also not common.
This is because people are afraid of the difficulty with their long hair and prefer other breeds. Most often, these dogs are made as four-legged friends or show pets to participate in contests. This attitude is very sad. Because of it, the variety can lose its working qualities, which were very much appreciated by the ancient shepherds.
Description of the external standard of the Scottish Shepherd breed
A graceful herding dog. Peaceful animal, without the slightest signs of nervousness and aggression. When moving, the joints of the paws are not in contact, but are close to each other. The step is smooth, long and light. The growth of a dog at the withers is from 58 to 61 cm, and of a bitch from 51 to 56 cm. The weight of males is from 21 to 29 kg, and of females from 18 to 25 kg.
- Head judged according to the size of the dog. Both in front and in profile, it resembles a clearly looming cone. All its transitions should be smoothly flowing. It tapers on both sides, starting from the ears to the nose. The frontal part is flat.
- Muzzle distinctive feature of the collie. She must have the correct ratio with her head. Its upper part, with the skull, has an almost straight line and is equal in length to it. The transition to the forehead is not pronounced, but noticeable. The end of the muzzle is neatly smoothed out. The lower jaw is strong and well built. The teeth are of considerable size, with a scissor bite.
- Nose in the Scottish Shepherd it is located slightly above the lower lip. Harmoniously developed, only black.
- Eyes kind, lively and attentive gaze. Not large, almond-shaped. Placed at an angle. Intense dark brown color. In dogs, blue coloration can be completely blue or interspersed.
- Ears smaller than average. Not placed on the sides of the head or close to each other. At rest, they are pressed. When alerted, raised with a forward bend. When the dog is interested in something, the ears are in an upright position for two-thirds of their entire length, the rest hanging down.
- Neck collie long, muscular, strong with a curve.
- Frame expresses strength and flexibility, without an unnecessary hint of clumsiness. The body is elongated in relation to the height at the withers. The back is almost straight, rising slightly towards the sacrum. The torso is wide, especially behind the shoulder. The chest is strong and low.
- Tail long, reaching at least to the ankle. When walking, it is lowered, and its tip is slightly bent upward. With active movement, it is raised, but not higher than the level of the back.
- Limbs have a strong skeleton, are perpendicular to the body, erect and muscular. The joints are not prominent, not far apart. The thighs are very strong, the metatarsus are lean.
- Paws feline, well assembled. The pads are dense, the nails are strong.
- Coat in harmony with the outline of her body. The structure of the guard hair is rigid. By filling, the coat is very dense, with a thick, soft, like fur undercoat, which completely covers the skin. In the neck area, a beautiful collar and a lush mane. The muzzle is covered with short, smooth hair like the ears, but the hair should be long at the base. On the forelegs, the hair is thick. On the back, long hair only reaches the ankle. The tail is very nice and fluffy.
- Color can be of three types: sand-white (shades of beige-golden to rich orange-red), tricolor (predominance of black and the presence of red markings on the head and legs) and blue (light tones of silver-blue, black, marble, with dark tan) … All types of colors have large white spots.
Collie behavior
Anyone who is familiar with the breed loves it not only for its beautiful appearance, but also for its manifestations of character. These are sissies who need affection and love from people. They are able to give in return much more than they receive. Collies are very sensitive to children. They not only tolerate them, but teach, care and play, they are ready to do anything to save them from harm at any time. These shepherd dogs always become loyal members of your family, that is, of their flock.
Obedient, they will never go against the will of their master. They will not make an attempt to escape from home, because they believe that they should always be with you. They will keep you company on various long or short trips and travels. Easily adapt to the owner's lifestyle, whether it's sports or a more relaxed pastime. On walks, they do not like it when someone goes far, because they are shepherds and the inherent qualities take their toll. They are very loyal to their fellows.
Their puppies are funny, cute creatures, completely unlike adults, graceful individuals. Only a person who knows the breed well can identify a real Scottish Shepherd in it. An awkward square-shaped head and short hair, creates the appearance of just a pretty little mongrel. But after a while, the nondescript doggie will become a real Apollo. Collies develop rather slowly and only by the age of two become a good cut diamond.
Scottish Shepherd Health
These are mainly strong dogs. In exceptional cases, dogs are prone to joint dysplasia, rather acquired than congenital, since this shepherd is not overweight, but mobile. There is also retinal atrophy, but these are mainly age-related manifestations. Despite the thick fur coat, collies can tolerate hot days very well. The fur traps air, which helps the animal cool down.
Do not forget to treat your pet from fleas and ticks, because in such a chic coat there is a place to roam. Prevention is carried out during periods of activation of parasites. Basically, this is the spring-summer period. But from internal pests, they are treated regularly, once every three months. The tablets are given in proportion to the weight of the animal.
It is very important to vaccinate your four-legged friend. There are infectious diseases that are very poorly tolerated and amenable to treatment, and vaccinations will protect against them. Manipulation is carried out up to a year three times, and then, once a year, the entire life of the animal.
Scottish Shepherd Care Tips
- Wool not at all delicate in order to get tangled and entangled, as in so many long-coated canines. Its structure is rough and it only needs to be combed every day. This takes approximately twenty minutes. Compared to other canines, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, this is not so much. Running and playing actively, her "coat" will look great, as we know that on the hard guard hair, dirt practically does not linger. But collies are rarely bathed, only as they get dirty. Due to the use of washing concentrates, the hair becomes less coarse and the distinctive breed characteristic is lost. There is no doubt that the show dog toilet takes much more time, effort and money. Only by the age of two, they can be shown at exhibitions, since it is by this age that their hairline reaches the desired length. Such collies are not only combed out, but also pruned with scissors by naughty whirlwinds. An elegant fur coat should lie as neat as possible. Cut off the protruding hairs on the ears, ankles and feet, as well as between the pads. Combing much more thoroughly and longer. After that, the wool is washed with clean, distilled or rain water, and once again scratched in the direction of the growth of the guard hair. All manipulations take from one and a half to two hours. After a couple of days, everyone repeats again. White spots are sprinkled with talcum powder, and the day before the exhibition it is combed out.
- Ears require special processing and attention, because wool grows in them, which gradually clogs the ear canals and limits their ventilation. The hair inside must be cut or trimmed, and the passage itself must be cleaned from sulfur accumulations.
- Eyes must be wiped with a cotton swab soaked in a special lotion.
- Teeth begin to cleanse from an early age of the Scottish Shepherd. It is better to prevent diseases of the oral cavity than to fight them later. For prevention, you can give your pet treats in the form of edible bones from animal veins. Also specialized toys are perfect for these purposes.
- Claws regularly cut with claws. Wool grows between the fingers, it interferes with the animal, it needs to be cut.
- Feeding from childhood, collies should be regular, and the diet should be balanced and well-chosen. Professional feed of premium class will help you with this. If you prefer natural food for your four-legged friend, it is best to consult your veterinarian or breeder on how to properly formulate it. Also, select quality vitamins and minerals to help your dog grow well.
- Walking - two, three times a day. Scottish Shepherds are gregarious animals and therefore need company. If you can hold a couple of collies, then that will be great, or find a fun company to play outside. After all, movement is a healthy lifestyle for a four-legged friend. Sporting dogs need a variety of exercise.
Scottish Shepherd Training
From an early age, they need to be socialized. Collies should not be afraid of people, nor should they behave unpredictably and aggressively. And evil and cowardly pets are not needed by anyone. Therefore, the first is that gradually the dog is accustomed to the atmosphere in which it lives.
It is not difficult to educate them. Dogs lend themselves well to training, as they love to please their master. But everything must be done softly and during the game. Scottish Shepherds really don't like being shouted at. Sometimes, it brings irreparable harm to the health of the nervous system of a four-legged friend.
The simplest commands, such as: place, stand, lie down, sit, to me, give a paw, a voice - they learn with a bang. And further training will depend on what you want to get in the end from the dog: bodyguard, security guard, bloodhound, nanny, guide, or just a companion friend.
Interesting facts about the Scottish Shepherd
Soon, as the Scottish Shepherd Dogs became more visible and recognizable, their popularity gradually spread throughout Europe. In France, collies were used as police dogs, as they had a sharp and flexible mind, as well as an excellent instinct. During the Second World War, Russia purchased the breed for use as orderlies and rescuers.
Collie sheds once a year. By collecting their undercoat during this period, you can knit a sweater for one person. Their wool is considered medicinal. Products made from it are used to treat rheumatism. These can be belts, socks, and even rugs and blankets.
Purchase and price of a Scottish Shepherd puppy
To have an affectionate Scottish Shepherd with a wonderful nervous organization, it is best to deal with a good breeder who is recognized by the National Kennel Association. He must specialize exclusively in this breed. The thorough dog lover focuses not only on the exterior, but also on the characteristic features of behavior, realizing that it is not enough for a collie to have a fluffy, rich fur coat.
The acquired puppy needs proper upbringing. It should be kept very limited - under a hood, in no case should it be. Because of this, his good-natured disposition may deteriorate. The dog is afraid of what is unfamiliar to him. If he encounters the environment every day, he will definitely become well-mannered and cute.
The approximate price can range from $ 500 to $ 2000. Do not fall in love with its beauty, and you will understand that the soul is more beautiful than wool.
More information about Scottish Shepherds in the following video:
