Collie
Overview
The Collie is a medium dog from the Herding group — a moderately energetic dog that enjoys regular activity. In temperament it's intensely devoted and bonded to its family, trainable and quick to pick up on what's asked and it would rather not be left alone for long. With a typical lifespan of 10 to 14 years, the Collie is a medium-length commitment.
Is the Collie right for you?
A good match if — you're newer to dogs and want a forgiving breed; you have children at home; you want a closely bonded companion; you enjoy training and want a responsive dog; you want a sociable dog that greets everyone.
Think twice if — the dog would regularly be left alone for long stretches.
What a Collie needs from you
Day to day, the Collie needs a moderate amount of daily time from you and a moderate daily walk and play. It does best with a moderate amount of space and a little dog know-how. It's a social breed that doesn't like being isolated for long.
Living with a Collie
At home, the Collie can manage in a smaller home with enough exercise. It's great with kids of all ages, friendly with most new people, fairly vocal, and a tidy, low-drool breed.
Key facts
- Size
- Medium
- Height
- 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the shoulder
- Weight
- 50 to 70 pounds
- Life span
- 10 to 14 years
- Group
- Herding Dogs
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | no data yet |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level |
Health & what to watch for
The start matters most: get a Collie from someone who health-tests their lines — ask to see the results — or from a reputable rescue, and register with a vet early. Ask the breeder which screenings they run for the breed, and keep it lean and well-exercised. Across every breed the single biggest lever you control is weight — a lean dog lives longer and has fewer problems. Food intolerances usually show as itchy skin, recurring ear trouble or an upset stomach; if that turns up, a vet-guided elimination diet beats guesswork. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — your vet knows your individual dog.
Best toys
Good toys for a Collie: a simple mix of one chew, one fetch toy and a puzzle feeder. Rotate a few at a time rather than leaving everything out — novelty is half the value — and always supervise a new chew.
Growing up
The first months are the socialization window: calm, positive exposure to new people, sounds, surfaces and other animals now shapes the adult dog more than almost anything else.
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 27 kg and a ~12-year life, keeping a Collie works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
| Affection | |
| Energy | |
| Vocalness | |
| Trainability | |
| Tolerates alone |
Its presence, grown
Raised with patience and consistency, the adult Collie settles into a balanced, companionable presence. It devotes itself utterly to its family — your shadow, your second self. It warms to most new people readily.
As your partner
Picture it as a grown partner at your side: a comfortable balance of activity and rest — an everyday companion for ordinary life. It would rather not be left alone for long. With children it is gentle and patient — a true family dog.
What makes it unique
What sets the Collie apart is an instinct to gather, watch and quietly manage everything that moves.