Many people grew up watching Lassie, a show about a little boy named Timmy and his faithful Collie. Although the show was simply that, a television show for entertainment purposes, the depiction of this breed of dog was on target.
The Lassie dog breed is the Collie, a gorgeous dog with long, flowing hair, a lot of personality, and a heart of gold dedicated to its owner and family.
Information and History About Lassie Dog Breed
The Lassie dog breed originated in the United Kingdom, specifically Scotland and various parts of England. This dog worked to herd sheep, something the Collie is still used for today but in addition, this dog has become a popular choice for families.
Although the Lassie dog breed has a long history that dates back to the 18th century, it was not until 1915 that the name “Collie” was recognized.
Once full grown, the Collie is rated as a medium-size breed, one with a muscular structure but also incredible speed and agility. The coat of this breed is also unique, being double whether a smooth or rough coated dog.
Pros of the Lassie Dog Breed
When it comes to intelligent dogs, the Collie is rated near the top of the list. However, a bonus is that this dog is highly responsive. This means you end up with a dog that is smart but also has the ability to learn and obey commands quickly so training is extremely easy and fun.
No matter the type of training provided, the Lassie breed dog picks up on commands quickly and retains information taught. Because of this breed’s versatility, agility, and trainability, it is common for dogs of this breed to be used in professional shows, as well as competitions that allow skills to be highlighted.
You will also find the Collie is an exceptional choice for homes with children of all ages. Although energetic, this dog is extremely sensitive, loyal, affectionate, loving, and even protective. In addition to this, the Collie gets along with other dogs but only usually only if introduced while still young. Otherwise, some aggressive behavior might surface, particularly toward dogs of the same gender. Overall, this breed is an excellent choice for most families although there are some considerations before buying.
Cons of a Lassie Dog Breed
As mentioned, there could be issues if an adult Collie were to meet another canine, especially of the same gender but another thing to think about is that in most cases, the Collie does not do well with non-canine animals such as cats, birds, rabbits, etc.
Another consideration is that the Lassie dog breed has high energy. Therefore, it would be imperative to have a good sized yard, open property, or a local park or dog park where he could get consistent exercise. Otherwise, you could face behavioral problems such as destruction.
It would also be important to know that this breed of dog sheds although just once a year for males and more often for females in that they have the annual shedding period, as well as shedding whenever in season.
For this reason, daily brushing would be required. While some people think keeping the Lassie dog breed outdoors would be fine, in truth, this breed loves being a part of the family and therefore, does much better as an indoor pet.
Another consideration has to do with health risks. Although the Collie does not face as many health issues as other medium size breeds, there are certain risks. For instance, hip dysplasia could develop with age and this breed gets what is called CEA or Collie Eye Anomaly. In addition, in some instance epilepsy develops, which is the main genetic disease associated with the Lassie dog breed.
As you can see, the pros outweigh the cons, making the Collie a great pet. Remember, while there are some potential issues relating to having a Lassie dog breed around other animals, this dog is excellent with children.
Even with the larger size, the degree of gentleness means small children and even babies would be safe with a Collie in the home.
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