Do collies drool?

[TKH]

We are thinking of getting a sable colored, smooth coat Collie. I'd want a female in hopes of her being a little smaller than average. My parents have a male sable rough coat, and he's 80 pounds. Not overweight, just a really tall Collie. Their dog drools excessively, and drool is the one thing from a dog I can't take much of at all. I don't like drool! From what I can read, drooling isn't common with this breed. I'm also wondering if a short-haired, smaller Collie (as compared to my parents' dog) would help. Anyone have practical experience? I'm a little afraid to jump in, so I'm wanting to carefully think this through.

 

[DLgal]

I had two Collies. Neither ever drooled. It's not typical of the breed. I'd say the coat has nothing to do with that and it's likely a medical problem in your parent's dog.

 

[TKH]

I had two Collies. Neither ever drooled. It's not typical of the breed. I'd say the coat has nothing to do with that and it's likely a medical problem in your parent's dog.

He started drooling when he reached about 40 pounds (just a pup), and never stopped. He's 4-1/2 years old now, and they take him to the vet for every little concern. He's their baby. Maybe I should ask them to look into it, but I think it's just who he is.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have a border collie mix and no drool. Now her nose drips sometimes. Is that better?

I do love the collie personality, though. You can't go wrong there.

 

[NotUrsula]

It's not typical. The only time I've ever seen it is when the dog is outdoors in hot weather and is panting hard to cool down.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We are thinking of getting a sable colored, smooth coat Collie. I'd want a female in hopes of her being a little smaller than average. My parents have a male sable rough coat, and he's 80 pounds. Not overweight, just a really tall Collie. Their dog drools excessively, and drool is the one thing from a dog I can't take much of at all. I don't like drool! From what I can read, drooling isn't common with this breed. I'm also wondering if a short-haired, smaller Collie (as compared to my parents' dog) would help. Anyone have practical experience? I'm a little afraid to jump in, so I'm wanting to carefully think this through.

Ive always had collies. I used to show but now my girls are just family house pets.

I have never had a collie that drooled, well except when I'm eating and they are begging for food.
But as a rule no!

The size and length of coat has nothing to do with it. Rough ( long coat). Smooth ( short hair)
Three of my female collies are about average 22'' and about 50-55 pounds.

My first collie was a big girl , almost 27'' , way over the standard for a female.

Collies are the best. If you can get past the hair and frequent grooming, they are the best breed out there.

I'm sure Kacaju will chime in when she sees this thread.

 

[TKH]

Ive always had collies. I used to show but now my girls are just family house pets.

I have never had a collie that drooled, well except when I'm eating and they are begging for food.
But as a rule no!

The size and length of coat has nothing to do with it. Rough ( long coat). Smooth ( short hair)
Three of my female collies are about average 22'' and about 50-55 pounds.

My first collie was a big girl , almost 27'' , way over the standard for a female.

Collies are the best. If you can get past the hair and frequent grooming, they are the best breed out there.

I'm sure Kacaju will chime in when she sees this thread.

With your experience, would you mind answering another question? We briefly had a sheltie a month ago. We got him from a breeder who was retiring him at 1.5 years old. She was not entirely honest with us about his personality, and he hated our house. He went from living with dogs and one woman in the country, to our house in the suburbs with 3 boys and no other pets. He was skittish and hid and then quit eating/pottying. His previous own took him back. So I think we need to do the puppy thing this time, so the dog knows us as his family from puppyhood. I decided a collie may have better family traits, and my boys love the collie my parents have. I'm so afraid of puppy-hood though! They are time-consuming little creatures, but I know it's worth it. I want my boys to grow up with a pet, and having a dog would be great for everyone. They train relatively easily, don't they? I know they're active, but I just need to believe I can handle it with 3 boys (ages 9, 7, and 3). I stay home, so the days would be easy. Evening and weekends are filled with homework and church and sports and friends and family though...always in the go! And my husband has never had a dog and he's busy with work. He'd take the dog for an occasional walk, but it'd be basically my responsibility. The kids would help, but I wouldn't make them responsible for it. So, given that information, any opinion on whether or not getting a collie pup would be a good choice? I loved my own dog growing up, but I've never been one to love everyone else's dog.

 

[yoopermom]

Please, please, please consider contacting a reputable breeder and asking if they have any "retired" show dogs that they are looking to place in a pet home. These dogs are often "middle aged" (aka 2-5), because they were show dogs they have a been there/done that attitude, come already trained (house, crate, crowd, etc), and most would *love* to be an "only" dog! I have many breeder friends who have dogs like this to place, but none that breed collies, unfortunately.

Puppies are lovely, but more work than your three kids combined, believe me. Plus they tend to retain much of the "puppy behavior" well into their second year. Too many new owners think that once the potty training is done, that the dog will act all grown up, but it really doesn't work that way! I have a 9 mth old that I have put TONS of time into, who would still rather chew on a table leg if I let him rather than a rawhide bone. (And this is after two rounds of puppy socialization class, obedience class, and beginning agility class!) Puppies are exhausting!

Think of it this way: you crate the pup during the afternoons/evenings while you're running your kids to all their activities. You get home late in the evening, exhausted, still have homework/housework to do, and now that the pup has had a good long nap, he's ready to play, run, stay active for hours on end!

Good luck with whatever you decide...

Terri

 

[TKH]

Please, please, please consider contacting a reputable breeder and asking if they have any "retired" show dogs that they are looking to place in a pet home. These dogs are often "middle aged" (aka 2-5), because they were show dogs they have a been there/done that attitude, come already trained (house, crate, crowd, etc), and most would *love* to be an "only" dog! I have many breeder friends who have dogs like this to place, but none that breed collies, unfortunately.

Puppies are lovely, but more work than your three kids combined, believe me. Plus they tend to retain much of the "puppy behavior" well into their second year. Too many new owners think that once the potty training is done, that the dog will act all grown up, but it really doesn't work that way! I have a 9 mth old that I have put TONS of time into, who would still rather chew on a table leg if I let him rather than a rawhide bone. (And this is after two rounds of puppy socialization class, obedience class, and beginning agility class!) Puppies are exhausting!

Think of it this way: you crate the pup during the afternoons/evenings while you're running your kids to all their activities. You get home late in the evening, exhausted, still have homework/housework to do, and now that the pup has had a good long nap, he's ready to play, run, stay active for hours on end!

Good luck with whatever you decide...

Terri

This is what worries me. I know that puppies are lots of work, but after our experience with the sheltie I'm a little concerned about putting an adult dog into our mix and having him not fit in again. It caused that poor dog so much stress. I agree though, if I could find a dog who might like us...adults are who they are, temperaments are knows, spaying/neutering is often done, shots are in. We have lots of thought to give this overall, just gathering info to make the right decision.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

With your experience, would you mind answering another question? We briefly had a sheltie a month ago. We got him from a breeder who was retiring him at 1.5 years old. She was not entirely honest with us about his personality, and he hated our house. He went from living with dogs and one woman in the country, to our house in the suburbs with 3 boys and no other pets. He was skittish and hid and then quit eating/pottying. His previous own took him back. So I think we need to do the puppy thing this time, so the dog knows us as his family from puppyhood. I decided a collie may have better family traits, and my boys love the collie my parents have. I'm so afraid of puppy-hood though! They are time-consuming little creatures, but I know it's worth it. I want my boys to grow up with a pet, and having a dog would be great for everyone. They train relatively easily, don't they? I know they're active, but I just need to believe I can handle it with 3 boys (ages 9, 7, and 3). I stay home, so the days would be easy. Evening and weekends are filled with homework and church and sports and friends and family though...always in the go! And my husband has never had a dog and he's busy with work. He'd take the dog for an occasional walk, but it'd be basically my responsibility. The kids would help, but I wouldn't make them responsible for it. So, given that information, any opinion on whether or not getting a collie pup would be a good choice? I loved my own dog growing up, but I've never been one to love everyone else's dog.

Collies are great family dogs. They have great personalities with big hearts.

Puppies are puppies though. Its like having a furry toddler running around thats not potty trained and wont wear a diaper.
Pups in general are alot of work.
In my opinion, collies do train easier than most breeds and arent as destructive either.

Most of my collies have been potty trained in just a couple months and went through the chewing destructive stage pretty fast.

I have always solely taken care of my dogs. We've had rescues and fosters and puppies. My husband is not an animal person . Now that the kids are older (15,9) they will feed and potty the girls when I ask.
When my girls were younger I showed so they got plenty of exercise. Now at 11 and 9 they still love walks and sometimes a game of catch.

Grooming wise collies are alot of work. I take 2-3 hours a week brushing , trimming and clipping them. If I took them to a
groomer I would average about $80-100 a dog.
The shedding is pretty bad. We have rollers everywhere, purse, car etc for the hair.
I vacuum my house everyday. When i cook, i wear an apron or change my clothes.

Their personality is the best and I love love my collies but with any breed they have their issues too.

 

[njmom47]

I had a collie growing up. I loved her with all my heart. I took the most care of her...I remember many hours brushing and combing her. She had 2 litters of puppies. Absolutely adorable.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Please, please, please consider contacting a reputable breeder and asking if they have any "retired" show dogs that they are looking to place in a pet home. These dogs are often "middle aged" (aka 2-5), because they were show dogs they have a been there/done that attitude, come already trained (house, crate, crowd, etc), and most would *love* to be an "only" dog! I have many breeder friends who have dogs like this to place, but none that breed collies, unfortunately.

Puppies are lovely, but more work than your three kids combined, believe me. Plus they tend to retain much of the "puppy behavior" well into their second year. Too many new owners think that once the potty training is done, that the dog will act all grown up, but it really doesn't work that way! I have a 9 mth old that I have put TONS of time into, who would still rather chew on a table leg if I let him rather than a rawhide bone. (And this is after two rounds of puppy socialization class, obedience class, and beginning agility class!) Puppies are exhausting!

Think of it this way: you crate the pup during the afternoons/evenings while you're running your kids to all their activities. You get home late in the evening, exhausted, still have homework/housework to do, and now that the pup has had a good long nap, he's ready to play, run, stay active for hours on end!

Good luck with whatever you decide...

Terri

Our Blue Merle is a rescue. We got her from the breeder we got our sable from. She was supposed to be a show dog but her jaw is crooked making her teeth funky so no beauty shows for her.

She is a great dog . We got her when she was 2 and she just turned 9. Shes a little more skitish than our Sable we've had from a pup. But she has adjusted well and is great friends with our other collie and loves our kids.

She never laid eyes on a kid until we got her. DD dresses her up , lays on her , plays with her. She loves it.
Rescues are good dogs but some have their issues too.

She was kept in a kennel so all the house noise and surroundings were different. Shes ok now but it did take some time for her to adjust and now we wouldnt trade our Bella for anything

 

[SmuffSheltie]

Never had a collie, but I have Shetland sheepdogs (see my user pic!). The only reason I went with a sheltie other than a collie was because of size, but my sable guy is a rather large sheltie (over 30 pounds). I like them both, and it wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit if I had one of each.

They're pretty. They are easy to train. They have a lot of fur. They shed a lot. They bark sometimes. They might herd their humans. I love 'em!


Sheltie owner and collie lover for LIFE!

 

[TKH]

While a smooth coat collie will still shed, I think the coat is easier to care for. Not so many mats and tangles. I would love to do an older dog and skip the puppy phase if I could find a good match. But then, my parents' collie follows my dad like a shadow. They are inseparable, and he rarely even uses a leash because the dog will not leave his side. They even mow the lawn together, the dog following every step and turn. I would hate to miss that bond if we don't have the dog as a puppy. Then I think maybe the work of a puppy is really worth it and would be best. (We have a Disney trip in November, so we wouldn't get a dog before that...we have time to look around/consider.)

I appreciate everyone's input. It may seem silly, but it's a big decision to me. I want everyone happy, human and canine. And I don't want my boys, in 15 years, to say to each other, "Can you believe Mom would never let us have a dog?!?"

By the way, I had a sheltie growing up. We got him when he was 3 and his owner was moving to an apartment that didn't allow dogs, and he was a big, 45 pound guy. Sweetest thing ever. 15 years later, I still miss him.

 

[moon]

No, they rule!

 

[kacaju]

I'm sure Kacaju will chime in when she sees this thread.

LOL Here I am!!
We currently have 3 smooth collies in the house. 2 tris and a sable.My dd shows them. I LOVE the breed. Ask any question you may have.

You are right about the coat...yes..smoothies still shed...but they don't mat. My daughter getting puppies all the time from our breeder to train for the show ring. Out of all the pups we have had...I would easily kept any of them...they are just awesome dogs!

Our 1st is a male tri...we got him as a 13 month old and he is completely bonded with my daughter. I tell him to go wake her up in the morning and runs to her bed and jumps and barks to get her up.

The sable female is MY dog...she follows me everywhere.

the other tri female is new to our house (since June) so she is still a crazy thing.

Getting a young adult can be OK...while I understand the issues you had with the sheltie..it can happen with the collies as well...this is one reason my dd takes them for our breeder..to get them out of her quiet house in the country and it to the craziness of our house for a few months!!
I do find that within a few weeks they settle nicely and they love kids.

Mine do not drool...unless they are staring at your food!
And the other bad thing is most are barkers...Our boy is so bad...he was debarked before we got him and still is a barking fool. But, he barks because he is happy...so now it is just not as loud.

Please feel free to PM me if you wish...I honestly do not ever see me without a collie after having them. they are just the best breed!!

 

[3smithboys]

We also have a collie- she is 16 1/2 and is my baby... we love her to bits!!! Maggie is the sweetest dog you will ever meet. I know her time will be coming soon and none of us will be able to face it. She has treated all 3 of our boys as if they were her own puppies - and followed them around from the time they were born. My 15 year old and she are best buds.

I agree with everyone here that collies are a wonderful breed. So loving, gentle, and great with children. In her prime, Maggie was quite a barker - she barked at everything - a squirrel, kids riding their bikes, a leaf having the nerve to blow by the house.... now not so much... We have to carry her up to bed every night and she sleeps most of the day, but we will do it for as long as she will let us!

Oh yeah, and she doesn't drool - unless she wants food! Then all bets are off!

 

[Planogirl]

My parents had rough Collies and none of them drooled much. I only remember Laddie doing it a little but only when he thought that he was getting a treat.

 

[Piper]

The Sheltie behavior you experienced was not typical. We had three Shelties for years and they are wonderful pets. Both Shelties and Collies need daily brushing and lots of exercise. We played frisbee with ours and they loved it! They were indoor dogs and I admit that I bought a grooming table to brush them on. I have scoliosis and bending over causes lots of pain. It was enjoyable to brush them and their personalities are great.

 

[Cmelook]

Oreo is our third collie. Each of these dogs has taught me how smart and loving this breed is. Also intuitive. Oreo became aware of cancer in my leg. Everyday she would bang my lower leg with her big snout. Then she would sit there and look at me with a “you need to do something about that”look. After having it surgically removed by my doctor at MD Anderson Jacksonville, Oreo never banged me with her big snout again. I believe animals have special powers. And I think these powers flourish in a calm (even happy children are calm in their own way) environment where love lives and dogs go on daily walks.
I hear so many comments from people telling me they grew up with collies That were wonderful. And I ask why don’t you have one now. Most people just shrug their shoulders.