Breed History:

The Smooth Collie is a herding breed from Scotland and Northern England, closely related to the Rough Collie. Both originated as multipurpose farm and herding dogs, developed in the 18th and 19th centuries from local herding stock and possibly mixed with Roman cattle dogs and Border Collies.

Queen Victoria’s fondness for the breed helped popularise the Collie, and over time, the Smooth and Rough varieties were bred more for appearance and companionship. The Smooth Collie retained a shorter, low-maintenance coat but shares the same loyal and intelligent temperament.

Recognised by the AKC, UKC, and FCI, Smooth Collies are used as working dogs, therapy animals, and loyal companions.

If you want to learn about other herding breeds, check out our page "Different Herding Dog Breeds".

Size: Medium to Large

Life Expectancy: 12–14 years

Breed Appearance:

The Smooth Collie is an elegant, athletic, and well-balanced dog with a refined yet sturdy build.

The breed commonly features:

• Long, wedge-shaped head
• Strong, tapering muzzle
• Dark, almond-shaped eyes
• Medium-sized, semi-erect ears with folded tips
• Deep chest
• Strong, muscular neck
• Well-developed limbs
• Long tail carried with a gentle curve

Its short, dense double coat consists of a harsh outer coat and a soft undercoat that provides protection from varying weather conditions.

Common coat colours include:

• Sable and white
• Tricolour
• Blue merle
• White

White markings commonly appear on the chest, legs, collar, face, and tail tip.

The breed's graceful outline and alert expression reflect its heritage as a hardworking Scottish herding dog.

Breed Type – Herding Dog:

The Smooth Collie is an intelligent, gentle, and dependable herding breed.

It is known for being:

• Loyal
• Intelligent
• Gentle
• Affectionate
• Alert
• Eager to please

The breed forms strong bonds with its family and is generally excellent with children, strangers, and other pets when properly socialised.

Training:

The Smooth Collie is highly intelligent and eager to learn.

Training should focus on:

• Early socialisation
• Positive reinforcement methods
• Basic obedience training
• Recall training
• Leash manners
• Consistent leadership

The breed excels in:

• Herding
• Obedience
• Agility
• Therapy work
• Rally
• Companion activities

Structured, reward-based training helps the breed become a confident and well-mannered companion.

Health & Care:

The Smooth Collie is generally healthy but may be prone to several health concerns, including:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat)
• Collie eye anomaly
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Dermatomyositis
• Multidrug resistance mutation (MDR1)
  

Routine veterinary care, responsible breeding, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight help support long-term health.

Living Conditions:

The Smooth Collie adapts well to a variety of living environments provided it receives regular exercise and close family companionship.

Ideal environments include:

• Houses with secure yards
• Rural or suburban homes
• Active families
• Experienced or committed first-time dog owners

The breed prefers living indoors with its family and is not suited to prolonged isolation.

Exercise:

The Smooth Collie has moderate to high exercise requirements.

Recommended activities include:

• Daily walks
• Hiking
• Herding activities
• Obedience training
• Interactive play
• Mental enrichment activities

Regular physical activity and mental stimulation are essential to maintain the breed's physical and mental well-being.

Grooming:

The short double coat requires low to moderate maintenance.

• Brushing once or twice per week
• More frequent brushing during seasonal shedding
• Occasional bathing
• Routine ear cleaning and nail trimming
• Regular dental care

The breed sheds moderately throughout the year and more heavily during seasonal coat changes.

Advantages:

• Highly intelligent and easy to train
• Loyal and affectionate family companion
• Excellent with children and other pets
• Lower grooming needs than the Rough Collie
• Excels in obedience, agility, and therapy work
• Gentle and dependable temperament

Disadvantages:

• Requires regular exercise and mental stimulation
• Moderate seasonal shedding
• May bark frequently if not properly trained
• Prone to hereditary eye conditions and MDR1 sensitivity
• Can become shy without early socialisation
• Can develop separation anxiety if left alone frequently