Connect with responsible Collie breeders and find the ideal breeding partner for your loyal companion
Understanding your Collie's gentle nature and herding heritage is essential for responsible breeding
Male: 60-75 lbs
Female: 50-65 lbs
Male: 24-26 inches
Female: 22-24 inches
12-14 years
With proper care
Loyal, Gentle
The Lassie dog
Rough Collies have long, flowing coats (Lassie type). Smooth Collies have short, dense coats. Both are same breed with same health issues.
Strong herding drive remains. May try to herd children by nipping heels. Need mental stimulation and job to do.
Extremely sensitive to harsh treatment. Respond best to positive reinforcement. Can become shy or fearful with rough handling.
Collies are known barkers. Alert to everything. Not suitable for apartments. Train early to control excessive barking.
Collies face several serious genetic conditions requiring mandatory testing before breeding
Genetic testing MANDATORY. Up to 85% of Collies are affected to some degree. Test all breeding dogs. Breed only mildly affected to clear.
Genetic testing MANDATORY. 70% of Collies have this mutation causing drug sensitivity. Can be fatal with certain medications including ivermectin.
Annual CERF eye examinations required. Genetic test available for some forms. Causes blindness in middle age.
OFA or PennHIP testing required. Both parents should have good or excellent ratings.
Autoimmune skin and muscle disease specific to Collies and Shelties. Check family history. Affected dogs have skin lesions and muscle weakness.
No genetic test available. Never breed dogs with seizure history. Can appear between 1-5 years.
Deep-chested breed at risk. Feed multiple small meals. Avoid exercise after eating. Consider gastropexy.
Genetic test available. Fatal condition affecting grey/blue merle Collies. All grey puppies should be tested.
70% of Collies carry the MDR1 mutation making them sensitive to many common drugs including: ivermectin (heartworm prevention), loperamide (Imodium), acepromazine (sedative), and certain chemotherapy drugs. A single dose of ivermectin can KILL a Collie with MDR1 mutation.ALL breeding Collies must be tested. Affected dogs can still be bred but ONLY to clear dogs. All puppy buyers must be educated about drug sensitivities and given a list of dangerous medications.
Up to 85% of Collies have some degree of CEA, though many are only mildly affected. CEA causes abnormal development of the eye and can range from minor vision impairment to complete blindness. Genetic testing is MANDATORY for all breeding stock.Mildly affected dogs can be bred to clear dogs, but never breed two affected dogs together. Puppies should have eye exams at 6-8 weeks before changes become masked.
Follow these essential guidelines for responsible Collie breeding
Male Collies
2 to 8 years
Female Collies
2 to 7 years
Wait until full maturity and all health testing completed. Collies mature relatively slowly mentally.
CEA and MDR1 testing are absolutely essential in Collies. These conditions are extremely common in the breed.
Females: No more than once per year, maximum 4 litters lifetime
Skip at least one heat cycle between litters
Focus on quality and health. The breed needs careful selection to reduce genetic issues
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Expert advice and tips for Collie breeding
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