A friendly, good-tempered family dog, the Smooth Collie dog is alert and makes a good house watchdog. He can be prone to excessive barking if not trained or if bored, and does not enjoy being separated from his loved ones for too long. An active dog that needs mental stimulation, the Smooth Collie enjoys training and can reach high standards in many canine disciplines. He can be sensitive and needs gentle, calm handling.

The Rough and Smooth Collie might look very different, but beneath their coats they are the same dog. The Rough breed needed a thicker, longer coat to withstand the unforgiving conditions of the Scottish Highlands, whereas the shorter-haired Smooth Collie dog breed worked sheep in the lowlands, where the weather is milder. The Smooth Collie has been a recognisable breed for over two centuries, but sheepdogs of similar type have existed in Scotland long before then.

Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients, including minerals and vitamins, compared to smaller-breed dogs.

The Smooth Collie dog breed needs at least an hour's daily exercise. Walking the same route day in, day out, will leave him mentally unchallenged, so vary routes and try some sports, like agility, obedience, rally-O, freestyle or flyball.

Health and Common Issues

As with many breeds, the Smooth Collie dog breed can suffer from various hereditary eye disorders, and hip dysplasia (a condition that can lead to mobility problems). Eye testing and hip scoring of dogs prior to breeding is therefore important.

Best Family Dog Breeds

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.