Longevity
Life expectancy
Its life expectancy is generally between 8 and 12 years. Regular activity, an appropriate diet, maintaining a healthy weight and preventive veterinary care promote its quality of life.
Build
A robust breed?
Its general constitution is solid and resilient. This robustness does not, however, rule out certain hereditary predispositions specific to collies, particularly affecting the eyes, the skin, the nervous system and the heart.
Watch points
What to watch for
Particular vigilance must be paid to the eyes, skin, heart and the possible occurrence of neurological seizures. Any visual, skin or behavioral change, or any decrease in exercise tolerance, warrants a veterinary consultation.
Collie eye anomaly : Hereditary condition that can lead to developmental abnormalities of several structures of the eye.
Coloboma : Congenital malformation linked to the incomplete development of a part of the eye.
Entropion : Inward rolling of the eyelid likely to irritate the cornea.
Retinal atrophy : Progressive degeneration of the retina that can impair vision.
Patent ductus arteriosus : Congenital heart malformation due to the incomplete closure of a vessel after birth.
Epilepsy : Neurological disorder that can cause recurrent seizures.
Dermatomyositis : Inflammatory disease mainly affecting the skin and sometimes the muscles.
Erythematous lupus : Autoimmune disease likely to affect the skin in particular.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
Its dense undercoat gives it good tolerance to cold. Its tolerance to heat is average: during hot periods, activities must be moved to cooler hours and permanent access to shade and water must be ensured.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
The breed is not very prone to gaining weight, but its ration must remain proportionate to its age, its size and its activity. Regular monitoring of its silhouette and weight makes it possible to quickly adjust intake if necessary.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Have the eyes checked regularly by a veterinarian.
- Monitor the skin and consult in case of lesions or inflammation.
- Maintain a daily activity adapted to age and physical condition.
- Regularly examine the ears, eyes and paw pads.
Vaccination
Smooth Collie vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Smooth Collie? Like all dogs, the Smooth Collie receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Smooth Collie is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Smooth Collie vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Smooth Collie?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Smooth Collie
Before breeding, screening for the main hereditary eye disorders is recommended, supplemented by a careful veterinary examination of the skin and heart. Monitoring must take into account the family history of epilepsy and other hereditary diseases reported in the breed.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
