Collie Characteristics

[Pauline46]

I thought it would be cool to have a thread where we could talk about the characteristics that Collies have. We could talk about their temperaments, traits, quirks, edearments.............so what do you say?

I would love to hear more stories about the lovable collie. I am raising a busy puppy right now. I need to know there is hope at the end of the tunnel........lol...:D

[Pauline46]

One characteristic my male collie pup used to have was that he was very talkative. I remember the first time he start to groan. I thought it was hilarious! He used to throw himself down at times and groan, like he was bored. I used to talk to him and he would talk back to me.

Does your collie talk to you?

[Sabledog]

ohhh the collie we had when i was younger LOVED to talk, she was full of it, she also got so excited to see me when i came to visit (after i moved out and got a bit older) i was the only one she would get that excited about, she would pounce up and down like a toy poodle at the circus!!! she was also very loving, she would greet everyone with a little kiss. she will be missed, Josie died of a brain tumor in 2000 at the age of 10, she was a great dog and is missed by all that knew her.

[brunosmom]

My family had a Shetland Collie when I was little.....at least I think that is what you call it (they did).....she was smaller than a "Lassie" type...but not a miniature...could anyone name the different types of collies there are? By the way...she was a sweetie...;)

[lassie]

Rough Collie
Smooth Collie
Shetland Sheepdog . mini version

Border Collie
Bearded Collie

[brunosmom]

Thanks..Sandy

[gracob4]

My collie, too, is very vocal. He barks like crazy - at everything that moves (I'd posted a question about that very thing, but no one ever replied). He also moans - sounds like Chubaca from Star Wars, or a grisley bear. He pretend growls when he's playing. People think the groaning is hilarious, but we're totally used to it. 'Course, people comment on "how long his nose is," too, but we're also used to that.
While my collie (who's 4 years old, BTW) is very playful and has lots of energy, he is so gentle. He will nibble at a treat in my hand without ever touching his teeth to my skin. He's also so patient with our little papillon baby - never too rough with her. He just knows she's a baby and so takes special care with her.

Our collie also thinks he's a lap dog - does anyone else deal with this? He is so lovable and always wants to be on top of us while we're sitting watching TV or even while we're sleeping. He's also got to be right in on any family action - he's always there when you turn around, checking to make sure he's not missing something, I guess.

Um, not to be too obtuse, but what is with all this "I've been sprung" stuff?

[Pauline46]

Hi, I have a collie female pup now and she is very affectionate. I can hold her and she puts her head in the crook of my neck. Of course she is getting older and not so apt to stay still now except when she is tired. I am hoping that she will continue to be cuddly even when she is full grown.

I think a lot of this has to do with how they are raised. If you have a lot of hands on with the dogs or not, but collies are definitely known for wanting to be right in the middle of whatever is going on. After all, they consider themselves part of the family with all the privileges that come with it. :rolleyes:

Collies are fascinating dogs with personality plus, but of course I'm a little biased!:D

[palaunis]

i think the talking is a general collie trait , all my collies have talked ..... about nothing in generl jus the weather lmao

[nikki_alaska]

hey-

i have a tri-coloured Rough collie, she is 6 now, and we rescued her when she was 9 months old. she has always talked to us, and we regularly hold little conversations lol!

She is very affectionate, and has a passion for a football! (pictured below!)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c286/salsa_babe/show021.jpg

BUT....

as my collie has gotten older, she has become snappy. this may be due to her past, before we got her, but she has never actually hurt anyone, just snaps to warn things off.

Any ideas?



Love Nikki
xxxxxxxx

[Brandi's Mom]

Hello everybody

This is Brandi and I'm not a collie. I'm a Sheltland Sheepdog. Most people mistake us for toy or minature collies but we're not. A lot of people called us Shetland Collies way back, but now we are called sheepdogs. We do have collie, border collie, Icelandic Yakkie and English Spaniel in our lineage but we are a completely different breed of dog with different characteristics.

[brunosmom]

Hi Brandi's mom....yes that is what our dog looked like when growing up....and I was told she was a Shetland Collie...(my parents are in their 70's)....:) Thanks for the information......she was a Sheltland Sheepdog!! I'll have to tell my parents that....:specool:

[petunia]

Hi,
my dog is a red mearle border collie. He is 3 years old and very loyal and loving to the family.His name is Paddy. I have always had border collies and think they are a great breed.I do prefer them to be domestic bred and not farm bred as I feel they are better for families.
Paddy is very jealous of attention given to our bird or rabbit!!!!
Petunia

[Silas]

Well mine is a 13-week old Shetland sheepdog (Sheltie) female called Penny. We have always had Shelties and she is our 3rd one. She seems quite intelligent and is now almost 'clean' indoors - barks to be let out when needed.:)

[Pauline46]

We love Shelties too. Our first dog was a sheltie bi-black male. We got him at 8 weeks and had him till this past December when he died at 13 years of age.

Shelties are smart, adaptable, great family dogs..........we will get another one day.......:D

[col12342001]

I have an 11 year old border collie and his worst trait would have to be trying to chase wagons!! He has done it since he was a puppy and still does it to this day, he also bites the water as it comes out of the hose, chases bubbles etc etc. Absolutely mad but I wouldn't change him for the world (except the wagon thing maybe ;) ).

[gracob4]

Silas, your Penny looks remarkably like my Collie did as a pup!

Pauline46, your Gracie is adorable. I so remember my little Biscuit - he was so fluffy and huggable as a baby. BTW, my daughter's name is Gracie (:o)

[Pauline46]

I think Gracie is a beautiful name, human or otherwise!;)

[dogluver4]

Yes I have a sheltie as well!

Basil! When we go walking or biking, people do ask me if she is a mini collie...it bugs me...but I just answer "Yes, she's a sheltie".

I do agree shelties and collies are a total different breed, but they are very much alike in many ways as well!

In my opinion:D

Lauren

[mydogs]

Collies are very sensitive to criticism,there for very easy to train :) they bark a lot, but there personality is the very best, i had them my whole life and love them dearly,oh did i mention how smart they are :) :)

[mydogs]

one more :) :)

[mydogs]

Willow in the snow

[mydogs]

oh i forgot to say how good they smell,you could just put your face right in there coat and they just smell yummy :) :) :)

[Ðanisty]

One characteristic my male collie pup used to have was that he was very talkative. I remember the first time he start to groan. I thought it was hilarious! He used to throw himself down at times and groan, like he was bored. I used to talk to him and he would talk back to me.

Does your collie talk to you?Oh my collie talked all the time. She did the groaning thing too...lol. We very quickly taught her not to bark after dark though. She didn't seem to have any trouble learning it. She was a very sensitive dog. She couldn't handle conflict at all, even if it was just people she didn't know arguing outside. She was always concerned for everyone. She also used to patrol the house at night when we were in bed just to make sure everything was still okay. I miss her so much. We had to put her to sleep back in March because she had such terrible arthritis. Here's a pic of her and my hubby. We never could get her ears to tip...lol.

[mydogs]

My Collies were all talkers, they were very sensitive to critisisim{sp}what I liked the most was they loved very deeply, and didn't have a mean bone in there body.They got along with every breed and excepted any animal brought into the house.They slept with us and gave there ALL.I can't say enough about the breed except they are one heck of a dog:) :) :) :) :) :)

[colliesmooth]

i used to have rough collies now i have smooths, their temperements are markedly different, more foreward than rough and yet so laid back they would fall over, they love sitting on your knee, chasing the milkman and the postman and they trot like those trotting horses, really cute, they are not as talkertive as the roughs and they shed there coats more :(, but they are still interesting charaters.

[mydogs]

thats a beautiful pic. your showing,Colliesmooths

[Riles]

<------------ Meet my Great Dane :doh: :blinksmiley:

Was all I ever wanted and then Rosie sort of fell into my lap and now I'd never have anything else but Collies :laughingsmiley:

Hi, I have a collie female pup now and she is very affectionate. I can hold her and she puts her head in the crook of my neck. Of course she is getting older and not so apt to stay still now except when she is tired. I am hoping that she will continue to be cuddly even when she is full grown.

No she'll never grow out of it, its so amazing, its a cuddle exactly like a human would give.

Rosie moans groans whilst she is sleeping or if she moves in her sleep, its quiet hysterical :laughingsmiley:

They are nosey parkers, can't go do ANYTHING on your own without a long nose (or three if I'm at my sisters) pushing its way in "can I help, what are we doing" and FORGET ever going to the bathroom on your own ever again. Always underfoot and you couldn't bloody loose one if you tried.

[mydogs]

So true.... close the bathroom door and with in seconds theres a knock[scratch] hey mom what ya doin, ? can I come in? :):)

[mydogs]

<------------ Meet my Great Dane :doh: :blinksmiley:

Was all I ever wanted and then Rosie sort of fell into my lap and now I'd never have anything else but Collies :laughingsmiley:



No she'll never grow out of it, its so amazing, its a cuddle exactly like a human would give.

Rosie moans groans whilst she is sleeping or if she moves in her sleep, its quiet hysterical :laughingsmiley:

They are nosey parkers, can't go do ANYTHING on your own without a long nose (or three if I'm at my sisters) pushing its way in "can I help, what are we doing" and FORGET ever going to the bathroom on your own ever again. Always underfoot and you couldn't bloody loose one if you tried.
I had Danes at the same time as my Collie,can't beat them either ,wonderous breed :)

[mydogs]

either or great dogs :)

[colliesmooth]

i don't show or breed anymore,

[Melamaphine]

Hi there,

I have a shaded sable & white rough collie girl who has some very similar traits to those discussed. She makes weird groaning noises and strange howls when she's trying to 'talk' to you.

She's a sensitive soul, she's lovely with those she knows and trusts but we do have to watch out with strangers as she may have a little growl at them and has snapped at people a couple of times - though has never hurt - it's a warning snap.

I'm sure it's a nervous problem rather than a temperament issue as when she is comfortable with the people around her she is fine. She had a strange past and I'm not sure what went on but i'm sure that a man has hurt her at some point as she is far more nervous of men. has anyone else encountered this type of problem? Any collie-specific tips on how to deal with it would be great!

[Pauline46]

My Collie girl barks at children mostly. She is a gentle soul too and really loves people. This could go back to a visit we made to Cinci. My niece was quick and not as careful around her and Gracie was scared by her bicycle. Now she tends to bark at young children to warn them too, but her tail is wagging the whole time. I have had a difficult time trying to change this.

[Aussiepaws]

I have always loved the breed but my only experience in owning a Collie was my Lab/Collie mix. She tended to be quite vocal especially when she got older. Every time we'd take her to the vet she began barking all the way to the vets and then even once she was inside. They use to joke that they could here Dolly coming.

She was also quite reserved with strangers. Not sure if it had to do with her mixed heritage or then nature of the Collie. I know some Collies can be quite reserved with strangers. Not knowing much about her past ... we adopted her as a two year old, I feel part of her shyness with people and distrust stemmed from the fact that she might have been abused or not properly socialized during her puppy hood.