The Long-haired and Short-haired Collie have an identical, well-drawn wedge-shaped head, with a black nose and almond-shaped eyes. The neck is powerful and the limbs are straight and muscular. The body is a little long for a height at the withers of 51 to 61 cm depending on the sex. The dress, long or short, can be sable, tricolor or merle blue. The long tail is carried low.

Long-haired and short-haired Collies are classified by the Fédération Cynologiques Internationale among sheepdogs. (1-2)

Like the majority of purebred dogs, the exact origins of the Collie remain unclear. It is probably in Scotland that his ancestors are located. The oldest traces date back to ancient times and the introduction of Roman dogs to the island of Brittany. These were crossed with Pictish and Celtic dogs, then later with dogs brought by the Viking, Angles and Saxons. Subsequently, the different types of dogs obtained were used as farm and shepherd dogs for centuries and it was only in the XNUMXth century that the standard of the breed began to develop for exhibition competitions and the pleasure of the masters.

The origin of the name “Collie” is also much debated. In general, the most accepted origin of the word is “Coll” – the Anglo-Saxon word for black. (3)

Collies are friendly and very intelligent dogs. They have an impressive ability to discern the moods of humans and are very social with children. It is therefore an ideal pet for the family. The breed standard also describes him as ” Cheerful and friendly, never fearful or aggressive ”. (1-2)

Collies are healthy animals with a lifespan of around 12 years. According to the UK Kennel Club’s 2014 Purebred Dog Health Survey, almost two-thirds of the animals studied showed no signs of disease. The leading causes of death were cancer (type not specified), old age and renal failure. (4)

Like other purebred dogs, however, he is susceptible to developing hereditary diseases. These include the collie eye anomaly, central and paracentral stromal horn dystrophy, collie malignant hyperthermia and essential epilepsy. (5-6)

Collie’s eye anomaly

Collie’s eye defect is an inherited defect of the eye that affects the blood supply to an area in the back of the eye called the choroid. It causes degeneration of pigments in the eye and depending on the severity of the disease, retinal detachment, bleeding and loss of vision may be associated. In the subject with the genetic defect, both eyes are affected.

Diagnosis and assessment of the grade of the disease is made by examining the fundus of the eye and measuring intraocular pressure. There is also a genetic test.

The prognosis of the disease depends on the severity of the eye involvement and in the most severe cases partial or total blindness is possible. There is no cure. (5-6)

Central and paracentral corneal stromal dystrophy of the Collie

Colley’s central and paracentral stromal corneal dystrophy is a bilateral eye disease characterized by opacity of the cornea due to phospholipid and cholesterol deposits due to enzyme deficiency. The disease usually develops between 5 and 27 months. Exceptionally, the importance of clouding can interfere with vision.

The formal diagnosis is made by examining the eye with a biomicroscope.

There is no effective drug treatment. An adaptation of the dog’s diet can limit lipid intake and therefore cholesterol or phospholipid deposits. However, surgery remains the most effective treatment despite the importance of relapses. (5-6)

Malignant hyperthermia

Malignant hyperthermia or sensitivity to halothane is a metabolic disorder that manifests itself in a sudden and sudden rise in body temperature which is accompanied by muscle hypercontraction generalized throughout the body. The disease is the consequence of hypermetabolism of certain anesthetics such as halothane or sometimes simply a reaction to stress.

The onset of the disease during anesthesia is a vital emergency and leaves no room for diagnosis. In this case, the treatment is by administration of DantroleÌ € ne®. (5-6)

Essential epilepsy

Essential epilepsy is the most common inherited nervous system damage in dogs. It is characterized by sudden, brief and possibly repetitive convulsions. Unlike secondary epilepsy, which results from trauma to the brain or central nervous system, with essential epilepsy, the animal does not show any lesions.

The causes of this disease are still poorly understood and identification is mainly based on a differential diagnosis aimed at excluding any other damage to the nervous system and the brain. It therefore involves heavy tests, such as CT, MRI, analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood tests.

It is an incurable hereditary disease, so it is recommended not to use affected dogs for breeding. (5-7)

The Collie is a sheepdog and therefore requires daily exercise sessions to satisfy his need to exercise. It is also an animal who loves the game and will also enjoy playing with a ball or catching a Frisbee. In addition to exercising, it is also important to watch your diet to avoid weight gain. Ultimately, he is a social animal and many human interactions help to make him happy.