Dogs
Now we're talkin'! Gotta admit that I'm partial to Collies. They're
prone to hip dysplasia only if they're not well-nourished during the first year of life. Two words...Purina and Science diet Large Breed. Yiu can
buy a more expensive dog food than Purina, but it's hard to find a better one. Tge Science Diet is specifically blended to strengthen the hip joints and connective tissue. The mixture of the two keeps costs low and doesn't
promote overweight dogs the way that the SD alone will. Kibbles and
Chunks and Beneful are two good ones that dogs go for. Suppliment
it with a a little Alpo Select Cuts for good urinary tract health, and be
prepared to get outwitted regularly. Most Collies are smarter than many
people that I know.
Collies are extremely alert and watchful...part of the herdinginstinct. They
also won't hesitate to sound off when the even think that the house is
being approached. Mine see a friend of mine 3 times a week...and they
still won't let him in until I tell'em that it's okay.
Not aggressively protective, Collies are naturally wary of strangers and
will bite if provoked, though they don't want to. Their warning is two
steps backward and a high head posture angled slightly to one side
and the tail is up, but doesn't wag. That's Colllie talk for. "I've backed
up as far as I'm gonna go. Don't come any closer." That's the only
warning that anybody is likely to get.
The females are naturally protective of children and all things small. They
will often raise and mother pups not their own, or abandoned kittens. My
girl brought in an orphaned squirrel, and mothered it to maturity. She
was convinced that our ferret was also hers, and even tried to let it suckle
when she was raising her litter of pups.
The males are more aloof, but also protective of children, especially those within the household, but aren't as tolerant of small dogs. They'll chase cats, but don't hurt them when the catch'em...They just want'em to stop
and turn around. Herders to the end.
Height/ weight will vary from 18 -26 inches at the back and 65-90 pounds for males...50-75 pounds for the gals.
If you're convinced...please try a rescue organization. Most of the dogs that they have are housebroken and completely evaluated. You can visit
with the dogs and pick one that is right for you...or rather let yourself BE
picked. Unless you're familiar with the traits of the breed, I advise a female
for a first Collie, and teach small children not to run from the dog. Sometimes they will nip at what they perceive to be a runaway from the flock....and they'll also drag a child away from the street without being trained to. They understand the danger instinctively, and will be vigilant to
keep a child away from it....but sometimes teeth find skin instead of clothing.
Luck!
Tuner
