Collie

Collie refers to various breeds of herding dog originating primarily in Scotland.

The exact origin of the name is uncertain, although it probably originates in Older Scots col(l) (coal), meaning black. Another explanation sometimes put forward is that collie was a regional word for "something useful".

Health

Some Collies suffer from a special gene defect due to a mutation in the multidrug resistance gene, MDR1.

This is also known as "the Ivermectin-sensitive Collie". All dogs with this mutation must be descandents of a dog who lived in Great Britain in the midst of the 19th century.

This mutation is found worldwide and can even cause the death of a dog, if he gets the wrong medicine (based on Ivermectin, Doramectin, Loperamid and many more pharmaceuticals).

Therefore all Collies and breeds or dogs akin to them should be tested.

Habitat

N/A

Behaviour

As modern-day "Lassies", both rough and smooth collies have become successful assistance, and therapy dogs. At least one guide dog school, Southeastern Guide Dogs in Florida, currently trains smooth coated collies as guide dogs, and a number of collies are currently partnered with disabled individuals around the United States.

Origin

Western Australia

History

The modern Collie of both Rough and Smooth varieties are available in four distinct colors. Sable and White dogs are generally the most recognizable, the choice of the Lassie television and movie producers. The sable color on these dogs can range from a light blonde color to a deep reddish-brown, with any hue in between possible. Tri-Color dogs are mostly black and white with tan markings. Blue Merle collies are best described as Tri-Color dogs whose black has been diluted to a mottled gray-blue color. White collies are usually mostly white on the body with a head coloration of any of the three previous. A lesser-known variant of collie coloring is that of the "phantom merle" - a seemingly tricolor dog, with only perhaps a slight merling of one or two areas of fur, who actually carries the gene for merling. If bred to another dog with a merle gene, the resulting pups may be "double-dilute" - which can result in devastating neurological conditions.