Collie — Complete Breed Guide
Herding · from United Kingdom · AKC rank #39 (2025)
Key facts
| Breed group | Herding |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Weight | 23–34 kg (51–75 lbs) |
| Height | 56–66 cm |
| Lifespan | 12–14 years |
| Coat | long rough double |
| AKC popularity rank (2025) | #39 of 202 recognized breeds |
Trait ratings
Our editorial 1–5 scoring, based on breed-standard temperament data.
Monthly cost
Expect roughly $100–$190 per month (estimate: food, routine vet care, grooming, insurance). Larger breeds and heavy groomers sit at the higher end. Price out the years, not just the day, with our monthly dog cost calculator.
Collie coat colors and varieties
The Collie's coat is long rough double. Within the breed you'll come across varieties buyers search for by name — sable and white, tricolor, blue merle, white — which usually come down to different lines and breeders rather than different dogs. Color doesn't change the temperament, exercise needs, or health picture described above.
Rough and Smooth Collies are the same breed in two coat lengths, not two breeds — the smooth is simply the wash-and-go version of the same dog.
What does a Collie cost?
Budget roughly $100–$190 a month for the ongoing side: food, routine vet care, grooming, and insurance. Larger breeds and heavy groomers sit at the higher end.
The purchase price itself is a different question, and there's no single honest number — it swings with breeder reputation, health testing, pedigree, and where you live. What actually drives it: documented health screening of the parents (ask about Collie eye anomaly testing), a breeder who answers hard questions, and your region.
Run your own numbers with our monthly dog cost calculator before you fall in love with a puppy.
Collie puppies: what to expect
A Collie puppy grows into a sensitive, highly trainable herding dog with a magnificent coat that demands real grooming commitment. The non-negotiables: a vet check in the first week, vaccinations on schedule, and gentle, consistent training from day one — harsh methods shut this breed down.
Expect the herding instinct to show up early: circling, nipping at heels, and "rounding up" children or other pets. It's not aggression, it's the breed doing what it was made for — but it needs redirecting into training and games from the start.
Common Collie mixes
Designer mixes get a lot of searches, so here's an honest map: a mix inherits unpredictably from both parents — no guarantees on size, coat, or temperament. If a mix catches your eye, read both parent profiles where they exist and judge the dog in front of you.
- Collie × Border Collie — read the Border Collie profile too; a mix can inherit either parent's traits.
- Collie × German Shepherd Dog — read the German Shepherd Dog profile too; a mix can inherit either parent's traits.
Health issues to know
- collie eye anomaly
- MDR1 drug sensitivity
- hip dysplasia
- bloat (GDV)
- Families with children
- First-time owners (easy to train)
- Active owners (running, hiking, sports)
- You can't commit to 1+ hour of daily exercise
- You live in a small apartment with no yard access
- You need a quiet dog (thin walls, close neighbors)
- You want a wash-and-go, low-maintenance coat
- Anyone in the home has dog allergies
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Collie live?
Typically 12–14 years. Larger individuals and lines with known health issues tend toward the lower end.
How much does a Collie cost per month?
Roughly $100–$190 per month for food, routine vet care, grooming and insurance — an estimate that varies by location.
Is the Collie good for apartments?
It scores 1/5 for apartment suitability. Not ideal — it needs space and struggles in small homes.
Is the Collie good with kids?
It scores 4/5 for kid-friendliness. Excellent family choice, with normal supervision.
Does the Collie shed a lot?
Shedding scores 4/5. Yes — heavy, year-round shedding.
Are Rough Collies good house dogs?
In a house with space and an active owner, yes — loyal, gentle, and 4/5 kid-friendly with 5/5 trainability. The catches: 1/5 apartment suitability (this is not a small-space dog at 23–34 kg), 4/5 barking that needs training from day one, and a long double coat (grooming 4/5). A Collie with a yard, a job to do, and brushed-out coat is a superb house dog.
Why aren't Rough Collies popular?
They are not unpopular so much as mid-pack: #39 of 202 breeds in the AKC's 2025 rankings. The Lassie-era peak faded as apartment living rose and trend breeds took over — a 23–34 kg herding dog with 4/5 barking and 4/5 grooming needs simply fits fewer modern households than a French Bulldog. Nothing about the dog got worse; the market moved.
What are the downsides of having a Rough Collie?
Barking (4/5 — herding dogs announce), shedding (4/5, year-round), grooming (4/5 for the rough coat), exercise needs (4/5 — this is an athlete, not a couch dog), and the herding instinct itself: circling and nipping at heels, including children's. All manageable with training and routine, but the "gentle Lassie" image hides a real working dog.
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Health information is for general guidance only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your individual dog. Cost figures are rough estimates and vary by location.