Rough CollieClose relative
Loading breed
Smooth Collie
Health grade B- Shoulder height51–61 cm
- Weight18–30 kg
- Life expectancy12–14 yrs
- Puppy price1,200–2,500 €
- Energy5/5
The essentials at a glance
The Smooth Collie is an athletic, highly sensitive companion—a responsive Hütehund (herding dog) bred for close cooperation with sheep, which today shines primarily as a perceptive and talkative family dog.
- Health grade B: In the Smooth Collie, breed-typical risks exist for the MDR1 defect (drug hypersensitivity), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), and dermatomyositis (DMS).
- You are looking for a dog that pays attention to your quietest signals—it was bred to work closely and sensitively with its human.
- You are keen on shared exercise and mental stimulation like agility or trick dogging, without having to meet the extreme workload of a Border Collie.
- You live in an apartment with thin walls and expect absolute silence—as a vigilant Hütehund, it likes to comment on stimuli with its voice; that is simply its hardware.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH)
Self-check
Would the Smooth Collie really fit your life?
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Smooth Collie fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
Fit checkCost estimateRisk dice
Takes about 1 minute · free & anonymous
Similar Breeds
Shetland SheepdogSame FCI section
Border CollieSame FCI section
Australian ShepherdSame FCI section
Bearded CollieSame FCI section
White Swiss Shepherd DogSame FCI section
Is the Smooth Collie right for you?
At a glance
Smooth Collie overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Shoulder height
51–61 cm
Weight
18–30 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: short, dense, undercoat present
- Origin: Great Britain
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Smooth Collie, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
What colors does the Smooth Collie come in?
The coat colors that occur in the Smooth Collie — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Brown
Blue
Odd-eyed
Partial (split eye)
Coat type
Short
Smooth
Double coat
Perfect for you if:
- You have a calm, confident leadership style, as this breed reacts quickly with insecurity to pressure or harshness.
- You appreciate an affectionate dog that prefers to be everywhere with you and forms a close bond with its family.
Less ideal if:
- You have to leave it alone for hours on weekdays, as the genetically anchored close bond with humans makes isolation a torment for it.
- You expect a stoic dog that is not easily rattled—it is sensitive to stimuli and often reports movements or changes in its environment immediately.
The real vibes check
A Smooth Collie is like an emotional mirror on four paws that reads your mood before you even notice it yourself. You won't get a stubborn order-follower, but a soft, highly intelligent shadow that wants to please you. If you provide it with this fine, calm guidance, you will have a companion that sticks to you almost invisibly, but quickly loses its trust if met with impatience.
Breed Profile
The Collie belongs to FCI Group 1, the herding dogs. There are two main variations of the collie - the long-haired collie, also known as the rough collie, and the lesser-known short-haired collie, known as the smooth collie. Both variants are recognized by the FCI. The Smooth Collie has a shorter, denser coat. This athletic and well-proportioned dog exudes both strength and elegance.
All measurements in detail
- Height
- 51 - 56 cm (Female), 56 - 61 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 18 - 25 kg (Female), 20 - 30 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 14 yrs
- Character
- intelligent, attentive, loving
- Coat
- short, dense, undercoat present
- Coat Color
- Sable, Tricolor, Blue Merle, White
- Price
- 1200 - 2500 €
Character & Temperament
Collies are known for their intelligence and affection. They are true family dogs and bond closely with their owners. Because of their herding dog heritage, they are very attentive and have good instincts when it comes to looking after their "herd", i.e. family. Their temperament is generally gentle and even-tempered, although working lines can be slightly more active and bright than show lines. Collies are very people-oriented and enjoy being in company. They are also child-friendly and usually behave well with other pets, especially if they are used to them from an early age. Collies' learning abilities are high, and they are often eager to please their owners, making them good candidates for dog sports such as agility or obedience. It is important to know that Collies have natural alertness but are not aggressive. They may initially act reserved with strangers, but they are not shy. They tend to bark at suspicious activity, making them good watchdogs without being aggressive. When it comes to being alone, the Collie does not show an excessive tendency to separation anxiety as long as it is well socialized and has been used to it from the start. However, they love company and should not be left alone for long periods of time. When it comes to hunting instincts, Collies have a moderate herding instinct. This means they may attempt to "herd" children or other animals by circling or lightly nudging them, but they typically do not exhibit strong hunting behavior.
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the famous dog "Lassie", who appears in numerous books, films and television series, is actually a long-haired collie? However, most people are surprised to learn that the short-haired collie is the original "working version" of the breed and long before the long-haired collie became a "Hollywood sensation" was herding sheep in the Scottish fields.
What Awaits You
Shorthair Collies are active and intelligent dogs. With appropriate workload and activity, they can be uncomplicated companions.
Housing & Care
Collies are flexible when it comes to living arrangements and can cope well in both the city and the country as long as they get enough exercise and mental stimulation. They are child-friendly and usually behave well with other pets, including cats, when properly socialized.
- Family Friendly
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Ideal family dog - Child Friendly
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Patient with children - Dog Friendly
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Dog-friendly - City Friendly
Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners.
Difficult in cities
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Training & Education
Collies are intelligent dogs that love to learn. They can be trained in various dog sports such as agility, obedience or herding. However, it is important to be careful not to overexert the dog, as collies can sometimes have a tendency to become ball addicts. It is important to offer them a variety of activities and also plan for rest periods. Collies should also be trained in frustration tolerance and impulse control to ensure they develop balanced behavior. By responding to your collie's natural herding behavior and giving him tasks that encourage this talent, you can help keep him mentally occupied and happy.
Nutrition & Care
Collies benefit from a balanced diet tailored to their activity levels. A combination of high-quality dry and wet food with a balanced ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates is ideal. Grooming a short-haired collie is a little easier compared to its long-haired relative, but still not negligible. Despite its shorter length, the short-haired collie has a dense coat with an undercoat that requires regular grooming. This protects it well from rain and cold.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Health & hereditary diseases
Health
B
Solid
Health grade
In the Smooth Collie, breed-typical risks exist for the MDR1 defect (drug hypersensitivity), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), and dermatomyositis (DMS). The Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) mandatorily requires genetic testing for these diseases, as well as for degenerative myelopathy, among others, and an ophthalmological eye exam for breeding. A responsible breeder also tests for progressive retinal atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 2, and has the parent animals examined for hip dysplasia (HD). Have all test results presented to you without gaps before purchasing a puppy, and make sure that carriers of gene mutations were mated exclusively with clear partners.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
In daily life this can mean
Without conscious management of drug compatibility and good preventative care—such as regular check-ups—health problems and veterinary costs can rise significantly later on.
The breeder's role
Responsible breeders test beforehand for MDR1 deficiency (drug sensitivity), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), and Dermatomyositis (DMS), and additionally have hip dysplasia (HD) screened by X-ray.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
Health risks for this breed
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
11
Risks tracked
9
Core standard
10
High severity
Eyes
Most affected area
Where this breed is vulnerable
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
severemoderatemild
How thoroughly does the breeder test?
Tier 1 is the core standard: the tests Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) requires, plus further tests from the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Core standard. Tests marked “Club standard” are required by Club für Britische Hütehunde e.V. (CfBrH) for breeding approval; the others are part of the recommended health standard for this breed. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
Costs & where to find one
How much does a Smooth Collie cost?
A Smooth Collie costs around ~€180 per month (€100 – €340, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,840 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13 years) it comes to about ~€30,820.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€180 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€4,840
Across the dog's life
~€30,820
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,200 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
Calculate your personal costs1-minute self-check with your own answers
Looking for a Smooth Collie?
Appearance, variants & origin
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageHistory
The full history
The Collie breed originally comes from Scotland and northern England, where they were used as herding dogs for sheep and cattle. The name "Collie" probably derives from the Anglo-Saxon word "col", which means "black", indicating the dark coat color of some early specimens. There are references to dogs resembling modern collies as early as the 14th century. The breed became popular in the 19th century when Queen Victoria saw a collie while visiting Scotland and fell in love with the breed. Since then, the Collie has evolved from a working dog to a popular breed for families and dog shows. The short-haired collie was recognized by the FCI as a separate breed in 1974.
Original Use
The short-haired collie was bred as a sheep herding dog and is known for its short, dense coat and intelligence.
Origin
Great Britain
Date
1800
Owner experiences
At home and with the family, owners describe the Smooth Collie as a very affectionate, gentle and people-oriented companion.Summarized from publicly shared owner experiences
At home and with the family, owners describe the Smooth Collie as a very affectionate, gentle and people-oriented companion. Many owners love its "shadow" quality: it wants to be part of everything and keeps a close eye on what's happening in the household. Once it's used to them, it's considered patient and friendly with children and other pets. Despite its athletic potential, it can settle down well indoors as long as it gets enough mental and physical exercise, and it usually takes rest days in stride.
At the same time, owners point out two everyday traits that are often underestimated beforehand: the coat and the vocalizing. Contrary to the assumption that a short-coated dog makes little mess, many owners report heavy shedding. The dense undercoat comes out in clumps, especially during the shed, and the short guard hairs work their way stubbornly into upholstery and clothing. Many dogs also show a typical herding-dog trait: they're very talkative, comment on noises at the fence, or loudly express frustration and excitement by barking or whining, which needs to be managed from the start.
Sources:petbook.de
On training and temperament, many owners point to a fine balance between quick understanding and real sensitivity.Summarized from publicly shared owner experiences
On training and temperament, many owners point to a fine balance between quick understanding and real sensitivity. Smooth Collies learn new things very quickly and have what's called a "will to please," a drive to please their people. If they're corrected with unnecessary harshness, a raised voice or pressure, though, many react with insecurity, avoidance or complete withdrawal. Owners unanimously recommend calm, confident handling based on positive reinforcement.
Another recurring topic in owner accounts is how much nerve strength varies. While many Collies move through the world fearlessly and without fuss, the breed also includes lines prone to insecurity, noise sensitivity or wariness of strangers. In the adolescent phase in particular, many owners hit their limits when it comes to firming up impulse control and frustration tolerance. When processing what's going on around them, Smooth Collies often need clear guidance from their person so they don't tip into frantic or controlling behavior.
Sources:petbook.de
On health, many owners describe the Smooth Collie as a hardy, long-lived breed that rarely becomes very sluggish and stays keen on exerci…Summarized from publicly shared owner experiences
On health, many owners describe the Smooth Collie as a hardy, long-lived breed that rarely becomes very sluggish and stays keen on exercise into old age. Still, the breed is affected by a few inherited issues that owners have to actively deal with day to day. First and foremost is the MDR1 gene defect (multidrug resistance), which occurs in a considerable part of the population.
Owners consistently report that it's essential to know the dog's genetic status, since affected dogs are hypersensitive to certain drugs, such as some dewormers, anesthetics or gastrointestinal medications, which can cause life-threatening poisoning. Forums and owner groups also regularly discuss Collie-specific eye exams (such as for Collie Eye Anomaly / CEA) and a somewhat sensitive digestive tract. Owners who keep these issues in mind and are appropriately careful with veterinary treatment, though, usually find their dogs pleasingly healthy and full of life.
Sources:americanparadisecollies.de
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
Community posts
FAQ & more
Is a Smooth Collie the right dog for me?
The Smooth Collie is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Smooth Collie live?
The average life expectancy of a Smooth Collie is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Smooth Collie need?
Smooth Collie grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Smooth Collie good for families with children?
The Smooth Collie can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
What colors does the Smooth Collie come in?
The Smooth Collie comes in these colors: Sable, Tricolor, Blue merle, White. Colors that fall outside the breed standard are marked as such on the breed page.
Are you a Smooth Collie breeder?
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Smooth Collie.