Lassie sits high on the list of famous dogs, starring in a long-running TV show and several movies. Across all those appearances on the big and small screen, Lassie was the heroic, devoted dog who saved the day. Once you get to know a real Collie, it is easy to see why the fictional dog's creators were inspired. Collies are loyal, lovable dogs that form strong bonds with their families and tend to adore the kids in the household. Here is a closer look at the breed to help you decide whether you want a Lassie of your own.
The Collie at a glance
| Trait | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 22 to 26 inches |
| Weight | 50 to 75 pounds (males larger than females) |
| AKC group | Herding |
| Coat types | Rough (long) or Smooth (short) |
| Common colors | Sable and white, tricolor, blue merle, white |
| Energy level | Moderate to high |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
| Shedding | Moderate to heavy, with seasonal peaks |
| Good with kids | Yes, one of the breed's signatures |
| Barking | Moderate to high, Collies are vocal |
| Best fit | Families and active homes, adaptable with enough exercise |
At home in the Scottish Highlands
Long before Lassie came onto the scene, Collies were working as sheepdogs in the Scottish Highlands. The breed as we know it emerged in Scotland in the 18th century, according to the Collie Club of America. In the following century, Collies became popular show dogs in England and made their way to the United States. Today the Collie is still a show favorite and, above all, a beloved family companion.
The Collie coat: rough and smooth
Collies belong to the American Kennel Club (AKC) herding group. They have a lithe, athletic build that the coat often disguises. When most people picture a Collie, they picture the classic look Lassie wore so well: a white chest, a tan face, and rich markings.
There are two coat varieties, and they are the same breed underneath:
- Rough Collie: the long, voluminous coat most people recognize.
- Smooth Collie: a short, dense coat that is easier to maintain but still double-layered.
Both varieties come in a range of colors, such as blue merle or sable and white, according to The Spruce Pets, along with tricolor and predominantly white. With that long coat, regular grooming is essential to keep a rough Collie from matting. A smooth Collie is far less prone to mats, but still needs regular brushing to keep the dense undercoat healthy.
Males of the breed are slightly larger than females, weighing up to 75 pounds, while females weigh up to about 65 pounds, according to the AKC. Collies generally live 12 to 14 years.
A devoted breed
Collies are deeply social dogs that thrive on time with their people. They will happily join you for walks, runs, and hikes, then settle in beside you at home. They are also famously good with children, and many Collies form a special bond with the kids in their family. As with any dog, early socialization and consistent, positive training bring out the best in them. Collies are sensitive and intelligent, so they respond far better to patient, reward-based methods than to harsh correction.
One trait worth knowing upfront: Collies are talkers. That herding heritage comes with a strong voice, and many Collies bark to announce visitors, express excitement, or simply comment on the day. It is manageable with training and enough stimulation, but it is part of the package.
Collie versus Border Collie
Collies are sometimes confused with Border Collies, but the two are distinct breeds. Both herd, but the Collie tends to have less intensity and drive than the Border Collie. With more moderate exercise needs, the Collie is often the easier fit as a family pet. Border Collies need a tremendous amount of physical and mental work and truly thrive in driven, working environments. Collies are not couch potatoes, but many are content with a good walk, a game of fetch, and time with their people.
Exercise and mental stimulation
A Collie needs a genuine daily outlet, just not the relentless workload of a Border Collie. Aim for a solid walk or two each day plus some active play, and add mental work to keep that clever, herding brain busy. Training games, puzzle feeders, fetch, and trick sessions all help. A Collie that is under-exercised or bored can become restless and more vocal, and may start trying to herd whatever is moving, including children, other pets, or your ankles.
Grooming the Collie
Grooming depends on the coat. A rough Collie needs brushing several times a week, and daily during heavy seasonal sheds, to prevent mats and manage the sheer volume of coat. Pay special attention to the areas behind the ears, under the legs, and around the britches, where mats form first. A smooth Collie is lower maintenance but still sheds and benefits from a weekly brush. Both varieties are moderate-to-heavy shedders that "blow" their undercoat a couple of times a year.
If keeping up with a rough coat feels daunting, Sparky Steps keeps a vetted list of Chicago dog groomers, and on busy weeks our pet taxi service can handle the ride to and from the appointment.
Collie health: what every Collie parent should know
Collies are generally hardy and long-lived, but the breed carries a few important, well-documented health concerns. This is general information, not veterinary advice, so your vet is always the right call for your individual dog.
The single most important one is the MDR1 gene mutation (multi-drug resistance). Collies have the highest rate of any breed, with roughly two out of three carrying it. MDR1 changes how the body handles certain common medications, including some dewormers, the anti-diarrheal loperamide (Imodium), and certain sedatives and chemotherapy drugs. In an affected dog, a normal dose can build up dangerously and cause severe, even fatal, reactions. The good news is that managing it is simple and cheap: a one-time DNA test, often just a cheek swab, tells you your Collie's status, and from then on you inform every veterinarian before any medication is given. This is not optional knowledge for a Collie parent.
Other conditions worth knowing:
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA): an inherited eye condition present from birth that ranges from mild, with normal vision for life, to serious. Responsible breeders screen puppies by 5 to 8 weeks, so ask for documentation.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): a separate inherited eye disease, now rare in Collies thanks to careful breeder testing.
- Dermatomyositis (DMS): an uncommon inflammatory skin and muscle disease that usually appears in young dogs.
- Epilepsy: Collies have somewhat elevated rates, and MDR1 status affects which seizure medications are safe, which is one more reason to test.
- Bloat (gastric torsion): a sudden, life-threatening emergency. Feeding smaller meals and avoiding hard exercise right after eating helps reduce the risk.
The takeaway is not that Collies are unhealthy, they are not. It is that a reputable breeder who health-tests, plus that one MDR1 test, sets you and your dog up well for a long life together.
Living with a Collie in Chicago
Collies adapt well to city life as long as their needs are met, but a few Chicago-specific factors are worth planning for. That thick double coat is built for Scottish hills, not humid Midwest summers, so Collies can overheat. Walk early in the morning or after the evening cooldown on hot days, carry water, and watch for heavy panting. In winter the coat is a real asset, though you will still want to wipe salt and ice melt off the paws.
Two more realities of apartment and neighborhood living: Collies shed, a lot at times, so a grooming and vacuuming rhythm matters in a smaller space, and they are vocal, so managing barking is a kindness to your neighbors and to your dog. Consistent exercise handles a surprising amount of both the restlessness and the noise.
That is where a dependable routine comes in. A consistent professional dog walker can give your Collie the midday movement and mental stimulation they need while you are at work, and for higher-energy Collies, our dog running service takes the edge off. A well-exercised Collie is a calmer, quieter, happier housemate.
Is a Collie right for you?
A Collie may be a wonderful match if you want a gentle, devoted, kid-friendly dog with moderate exercise needs and real intelligence, and if you can commit to grooming and to the one-time health testing the breed calls for. A Collie may be a tougher fit if shedding, some barking, or regular coat care are dealbreakers, or if you are away long hours with no plan for midday activity. For the right household, though, few breeds give back as much affection and loyalty.
Finding your Collie
If you have fallen for the breed, you have options. You can adopt through a breed rescue like the Collie Rescue of Greater Illinois, or search for a responsible breeder. Whichever route you take, do your homework first: a good breeder health-tests their dogs, including for MDR1 and eye conditions, and will happily answer your questions, and a good rescue will be honest about a dog's temperament and needs.
Collie FAQ
Do Collies shed a lot?
Yes. Both rough and smooth Collies are moderate-to-heavy shedders, and they blow their undercoat seasonally a couple of times a year. Regular brushing, several times a week for a rough coat, keeps it manageable.
Are Collies good apartment dogs?
Collies can adapt to apartment living if they get enough daily exercise and mental stimulation, and if their barking is managed. Their moderate energy makes them more apartment-friendly than a Border Collie, but they are not low-activity dogs.
Are Collies good with kids?
Very much so. The breed is famous for being gentle, patient, and devoted to the children in its family. As always, supervise interactions and teach kids how to handle a dog respectfully.
How much exercise does a Collie need?
Plan on a good walk or two a day plus active play, along with mental work like training games or puzzle feeders. Collies need a real outlet, just not the intense workload a Border Collie demands.
What is the difference between a rough and a smooth Collie?
They are the same breed with different coats. The rough Collie has the long, flowing coat most people picture, while the smooth Collie has a short, dense coat that is easier to maintain. Temperament and health concerns are the same for both.
What is the MDR1 gene, and why does it matter for Collies?
MDR1 is a genetic mutation, very common in Collies, that affects how the body processes certain medications. Affected dogs can have severe reactions to normal doses of some common drugs. A simple one-time DNA test identifies your Collie's status, which you then share with every veterinarian before any treatment.
Sparky Steps keeps your Collie exercised and happy
Collies were bred to move and to work alongside people all day, so the ones who do best in the city are the ones with a reliable routine. Sparky Steps has cared for Chicago's North Side since 2016, with the same trusted walkers every visit, plus GPS tracking, photos, and visit notes after every visit through DoTimely. The care team is licensed, bonded, and insured, and we offer dog walking, dog running for higher-energy herders, in-home pet sitting, and pet taxi rides to the groomer for that rough coat. Visits start at $17, with 30-minute walks at $27, across Albany Park, Andersonville, Avondale, Edgewater, Irving Park, Lakeview, North Center, North Park, Ravenswood, Roscoe Village, and Uptown. ❤️
Written by Carrie Pallardy. Updated and edited by the Sparky Steps Content Team.
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