Smooth Collie
Find Smooth Collie Breeders Near You
Connect with certified breeders who have Smooth Collie puppies available.
Find Smooth Collie BreedersGet to Know Smooth Collies
- Shared Heritage with the Rough Collie: The Smooth and Rough Collies are essentially the same breed, differing only in coat type, one sleek and short, the other long and flowing.
- Cleaner & Easier Coat Maintenance: The Smooth Collie’s short, flat coat sheds seasonally but requires far less upkeep than the Rough Collie, making it ideal for active families.
- Excellent Communication Skills: Smooth Collies are highly expressive, using body language and vocal cues to communicate, which makes them remarkably intuitive companions.
- All-Around Athlete: They excel in agility, obedience, and herding trials. They combine speed, focus, and enthusiasm for working with their handlers.
- Sensitive but Steady: Despite their confidence, Smooth Collies are emotionally attuned and respond best to gentle, positive interaction. They dislike harsh corrections or loud conflict.
Breed History
The Smooth Collie shares its origins with the Rough Collie, both descending from herding dogs in Scotland and Northern England. Bred to work long hours managing flocks in harsh climates, the Smooth Collie developed a short, dense coat that offered protection without collecting burrs or mud — ideal for rugged farm life. As the breed evolved, it became known for its intelligence, versatility, and gentle disposition. In the 19th century, Queen Victoria’s admiration for the Collie helped the breed gain popularity beyond farm work, leading to two varieties: the Rough (long-coated) and the Smooth (short-coated). Today, the Smooth Collie is appreciated for being a devoted companion and a capable working or performance dog.
Personality and Behaviour
- Devoted & Family-Oriented: Smooth Collies are affectionate dogs that bond closely with their families. They are gentle with children and often act as watchful guardians of the home.
- Intelligent & Quick to Learn: Their natural smarts make training easy when done with patience and consistency. They love having tasks or routines that engage their minds.
- Social & Outgoing: They tend to be friendly and well-mannered with strangers and other animals, though early socialization helps ensure confidence in all situations.
Care
- Exercise: Smooth Collies thrive on moderate to high activity. Daily walks, off-leash play in a secure area, or agility exercises keep them fit and content. They enjoy participating in family outings rather than being left alone for long periods.
- Grooming: With their short, dense coat, Smooth Collies are relatively low-maintenance. Weekly brushing removes loose fur and helps manage seasonal shedding. Regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental care are also important to maintain health.
- Training: Their needs are moderate. They are intelligent and eager to please, but they respond best to kind, positive reinforcement. Overly harsh or repetitive methods can make them withdraw or lose interest. Early obedience and socialization bring out their best qualities.
Smooth Collie Summary
Weight
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Exercise
Trainability
Temperament
GroomingWhat to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Collie Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test | DNA-based rcd2-PRA test results from an approved lab; results registered with OFA. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage |
| Multiple Drug Sensitivity | DNA-based MDR1 test results from an approved lab; results registered with OFA. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage |
| Dermatomyositis | DNA based DMS test results from an approved lab. |
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Smooth Collie Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Smooth Collie is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Smooth Collie
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Smooth Collie puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Smooth Collie, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Smooth Collie is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.
