Do any of our Collie owners here have any hands on experience they'd be willing to share? As far as what they're like to live with and train, anyway. I'd really appreciate it.
I grew up with a collie and I'd say if most collies are anything like Rex was, a collie would be a great fit!
- Minimal grooming (smooth or short coat much preferred. Hairless is ok too.)
My guy was a rough collie so he required a bit of grooming here and there, but they do come in a smooth variety so she'd be set there!
- Minimal exercise requirements
Rex was just as happy to go for a walk as he was to lounge around the house. He was super-laid back and pretty content to do whatever you wanted.
- Not known for DA or SSA
My guy had no problems with other dogs
- Friendly and happy with people and other dogs
Rex loved everyone and everything as soon as he met them.
- Eager to learn and willing to please
Rex was smart and super willing to please.
- Large (50lbs and over)
Rex was a BEAST haha He was big for a collie, but normal sized ones are still on the large size.
- Relatively healthy and known to live generally at least 10 years
Rex lived to be around 12-13 years old. He was pretty much healthy up until the end. He might have lived a while longer if I had known what I know now about proper canine nutrition and the like.
- Not too noisy (doesn't want a dog that will bark at every little thing)
He was pretty quiet. He only really barked when we were mixing up his food to feed him and it was only in the last few years of his life that he even did that.
- Ability to be off leash reliably (no hounds)
We didn't have him off leash often unless it was in our back yard, but the few times we did I can't remember any problems with recall. Even the few times he got loose he would just lay in our front yard or our neighbor's yard across the street haha He didn't like to stray too far from his family.