Herding breed Medium size 18-30 kg

Smooth Collie

A sensitive, easy-to-groom herding dog that is devoted and biddable - great for active families who can meet its need for company.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
18-30 kg · 51-61 cm
High
Exercise needs
Daily walks and active play
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Prefers company; dislikes long solitude
Trainable
Training
Quick and willing to learn
Low
Coat care
Short coat, weekly brushing
Good
Fit with kids
Gentle and reliable with kids
Good
Other pets
Usually good with other pets
Moderate
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy

The Smooth Collie typically weighs 18-30 kg, stands 51-61 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a gentle, biddable herding dog that is easy to groom,
your household is active and can offer daily walks and play,
someone is home often - this breed craves company,
you enjoy training and want a responsive, sensitive partner.

Do not consider this breed if…

the dog would regularly be left alone for long workdays,
you want a guard dog - this is a soft, sensitive breed,
you cannot commit to daily exercise and mental engagement,
you dislike a dog that alarms-barks at passersby.

A typical day with a Smooth Collie

  1. 6:45 · Morning
    Brisk walk or a run, 30-45 min
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rests near the family; a chew or quiet time
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk and a training session
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Active play or fetch in the yard
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk and calm family time
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles indoors close to its people

Temperament and training

Trainability High
Sensitivity High
Sociability High
Herding instinct Moderate
Vocality Moderate
Independence Low
Common owner mistakes
Leaving a company-loving dog alone for long stretches · Using harsh corrections on a soft, sensitive breed · Ignoring alarm-barking until it becomes a habit

Family and environment

Kids Good
Gentle and reliable; a classic family companion.
Dogs Good
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Cats Good
Generally fine, especially when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Workable with daily exercise; barking may bother neighbors.
House with a yard Ideal
Space and a family nearby suit it well.
City Conditional
Manages with enough activity and calm handling.
Countryside Ideal
Room to move and a job to do.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental Disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock; signs often from 1-2 years
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited; DNA test available
Collie Eye Anomaly / MDR1 Collies carry these; DNA testing and drug caution advised

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Same breed with the long Lassie coat
Long Haired Collie
A gentle, highly trainable herding dog that makes a devoted family companion - the trade-off is a heavy coat that needs regular grooming and a sensitivity to a common drug reaction.
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Smaller, similar look and temperament
Shetland Sheepdog
A bright, sensitive small herder with a Border Collie work ethic in a manageable package - just be ready for the shedding and the barking.
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More intense herding alternative
Border Collie
An exceptionally quick-learning working dog that needs daily physical and mental work - without it, it invents a "job" of its own.
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Frequently asked questions

How much does a Smooth Collie cost in the US?
Puppies from reputable breeders commonly run $800-$2,000, with the smooth (short-coated) variety often harder to find than the rough Collie, so expect some waiting. Over a 12-14 year life, food, routine vet care, and grooming typically add $10,000-$18,000 or more, and managing a chronic issue can add thousands on top.
What is the difference between a Smooth Collie and a Rough Collie?
Mainly the coat. The Smooth Collie has a short, dense coat that is far easier to groom, while the Rough Collie has the long flowing coat made famous by Lassie. Temperament, size, and health concerns are essentially the same between the two.
Are Smooth Collies good family dogs?
Yes, they are a classic gentle family breed - devoted, sensitive, and reliable with children. The main caveats are that they crave company and do poorly left alone all day, and many alarm-bark, which can be a nuisance without training.
Do Smooth Collies need a lot of exercise?
They need genuine daily activity - a good walk or run plus play and some training - but they are not as relentless as a Border Collie. A bored, under-exercised Collie may bark and fret, so pair physical exercise with mental engagement.