How To Select a Collie

The Collie was said to originate from Scotland and weren't known outside of Scotland for centuries. They were made famous by movie star Lassie, and from the book Lad. When you are looking to select a Collie, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are a few tips to help get you started.

Collies love people and human interaction, only select a Collie if you are prepared to spend time with it. If you aren't spending enough time with a Collie they can develop behavioral problems. First decide what type of Collie you are looking for, smooth hair or long hair. When selecting a collie don't assume just because it is a purebred dog with papers that it is a healthy dog. Papers show only that the dog is purebred and nothing else. After seeing the papers ask to see receipts or medical records indicating the Collie puppy has been kept current with it's shots and has been wormed. If it has been eight to twelve weeks and they still have not been taken in for shots or to be wormed, it could indicate they haven't been taken care of very well.

Once you have selected a Collie puppy you are interested in, you must look for a few things to make sure the dog is in good health. The most apparent thing to look at is the coat. It needs to be soft, shiny, and have no sores or bare spots. When looking at the abdomen of the puppy make sure it is not too sunken in or distended, both could indicate intestinal parasites. If the Collie has a distended stomach, make sure it is overfeeding and not worms.

When selecting a Collie puppy it is important to also check its movement for limping or stumbling and make sure it has a good amount of balance, however, some clumsiness is normal. Also check the inside of the mouth for lumps, abrasions, sores or other issues. You are also going to want to watch how the Collie puppy you selected interacts with it's siblings, it needs to be out and about, playing, and socializing. It is never a good idea to select a Collie puppy that has any issues or lameness because you feel sorry for it. These health problems can worsen and cause you a lot of heartache and a loss of money that could have been avoided.

Always remember to buy from a reputable breeder, and ask questions! Try and get a clean bill of health from the breeder's veterinarian or your veterinarian. I hope this article has served it's purpose and has provided you with a few tips on what to look for when selecting a Collie.