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.
Constitution
Is this 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.
Things to watch for
What to look out 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
Tolerance to cold and heat
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
Prone to weight gain
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.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet 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 vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Smooth Collie need? Like all dogs, Smooth Collies should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Smooth Collie vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle 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 diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle 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 booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Smooth Collie need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing 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 for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
