The Rough Collie is basically a healthy happy
animal, keeping this in mind we hope the
following will assist you to keep your new
Rough Collie healthy and happy.

When you collect your puppy from it’s breeder you should be given an advice pack, including, among other things, a diet sheet, and a record of worming complete with preparations used and when this has been carried out. If your puppy pack does not include this information ask for it.

There are many different feeding regimes ranging from a diet of natural raw food to commercial dry food, and Collies seem to do well whichever is offered. Most breeders will suggest continuing your puppy’s existing diet for at least the first 4 months, after which any changes should be made very slowly, we would suggest mixing one third of the new food to two thirds of the old every other day for a week or two and then gradually increase the new, always making sure the ‘waste product’ is of the same firm consistency before increasing the new. Once you and your puppy are happy about the new food then please stick to it.  Dogs are not like us, they do not think ‘I had chicken yesterday so I do not want it today’ they just think ‘food’ The only reason you should ever have to change the diet is if your collie has a dramatic change in its faeces.  An adult collie, if fed a commercial diet, does not need a high protein diet unless used for strenuous work (eg: herding sheep), one of around 20% protein is usually adequate for most adult collies.

Groom at least once a week, paying particular attention to the area behind the ears, between the back legs and under the front legs. Start this as soon as you get your puppy home, making sure you and your puppy enjoy the whole process should help you both to bond well forming a lifelong comfortable relationship. A well groomed puppy will grow up to be an adult that is happy to be groomed and enjoys being handled.

You will find your collie’s coat will be very much easier to care for if, when it is fully grown, it gets plenty of free running. The wind through the coat helps to keep it free of any dirt it has picked up, the fur separates and the whole coat feels healthier.

It is important that both you and your Collie build a happy relationship with your vet, so choose him/her very carefully. Check out what is available by asking local dog owners, and if you can find a small practice with only one or two vets you will quickly reap the benefits gained by see the same person every time you visit.

All animals benefit from some form of simple training, and an excellent start can be made by encourage your puppy to be handled daily by stand it on a non slip surface, either a towel or newspaper, running your hands all over its body, checking teeth, look into its ears and feeling between the front and back legs. If this is also done on a table or work top your puppy will quickly becomes relaxed and comfortable whilst in this position, making visits to the vet’s surgery a happy experience, and your vet will always be pleased to see you both as it is much easier to examine a puppy that is calm and relaxed.

It is a good idea to join your local dog club, where you will be given advice on socializing and training your puppy, while make many new friends both for you and your collie. Collies are intelligent animals that benefit from further training which should be tailored to your needs, a good starting point could be working towards the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Bronze Award, details of supported training schemes from the Kennel Club’s website.

Your vet will advise you about any vaccinations your puppy needs and when they should be given on you and your puppy’s first visit, which is when you should also take along the diet sheet and worming record your puppy’s breeder gave you.  

All puppies are born with a round worm burden, many of which will have been eliminated by your breeder’s worming regime, however regular worming becomes your responsibility once you have your puppy home, and your vet will advise you on suitable preparations for both worming and flea control.  It is never advisable to buy ‘over the counter’ remedies as these are rarely as reliable, efficient or safe, see Drug Sensitivity, as those provided by your vet.

Any intended foreign travel should be discussed with your vet well in advance in order that suitable preventative measure against endemic disease born parasites, not found in this country and which can be fatal, may be instituted.

It is a legal requirement that all dogs wear a collar and tag stating the owner’s name and address. Many owners prefer to add the additional safeguard of having their pet permanently identified by either Tattoo or Microchip with the animal’s unique number linked to a National Database, which can help re-unite pet and owner should a your dog get lost or stolen.

Please take your puppy with you in the car as frequently as you possible, short journeys initially, little and often being the way forward.  A harness, designed specifically for the car, is essential if your puppy is to travel on the back seat, a car crate or pet carrier being a better option if you have an estate car.

Whether you intend taking your Collie with you or leaving it at home your pet’s needs are as important as your own at holiday time. If you intend leaving it at home consider whether it is wiser to book your Collie into Boarding Kennels, the best need booking at the same time as your own holiday, or leaving it in the care of a responsible adult in its own environment. It is never advisable to leave it at the home of a friend or relative unless your Collie is completely happy in their environment. If you wish to take your Collie with you, it is now possible to take it abroad providing all the Pet Travel Scheme criteria are met. As the regulations concerning dogs returning to Great Britain are strict and must be followed to the letter, you will need to allow at least 7 months for their completion.

Collie Rescue (Rough and Smooth) is the only official Charity caring for abandoned or neglected Collies of both coats. Currently holding Charitable Status, No: 1001703, it has co-ordinators or helpers in most parts of the United Kingdom. Should anyone feel the need to contact this organisation, either to help raise funds, or in the re-homing of those less fortunate collies, please contact the Secretary.

You can download a variety of helpful leaflets from the Kennel Club’s website, following the links on this page will supply more detailed information on the above topics, and if all else fails you can get help and advice on all health and welfare aspects by contacting the Collie Association’s Health Co-ordinator Mrs Anne Hollywood, or any committee member.