Collie (Smooth)
Breed characteristics
- Size
- Large
- Exercise
- Up to 1 hour per day
- Size of home
- Small house
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat length
- Short
- Sheds
- Yes
- Lifespan
- Over 10 years
- Vulnerable native breed
- Yes
- Town or country
- Either
- Size of garden
- Large garden
About this breed
The Smooth Collie has always lived in the shadows of its more glamorously coated cousin but the two have always existed side by side and until 1994 they could be interbred so Smooth and Roughs could be born in the same litter.
It is thought that the Smooth sheepdogs of the 19th century were shorter on the leg and thicker set than the Rough Collie and with this in mind and infusion of greyhound blood to give more elegant and refinement. The resulting stock was mated back to the Rough Collie and the breeds today look almost identical apart from the coat. Amongst the dogs taken from Balmoral to Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria was her favourite dog Sharp who was a Smooth.
In 1979, The Kennel Club allocated the first challenge certificates for Smooth Collies as a separate breed and in recent years the breed has enjoyed increased popularity in the show ring, with its outgoing temperament, sound movements gaining it many admirers.
Images for this breed
The Pastoral breed group
The Pastoral Group consists of herding dogs that are associated with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven footed animals.
Usually this type of dog has a weatherproof double coat to protect it from the elements when working in severe conditions. Breeds such as the Collie family, Old English Sheepdogs and Samoyeds who have been herding reindeer for centuries are but a few included in this group.
Colour Watch
Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.
Read more about Colour Watch.
Breed Standard colours
Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.
Breed standard colours in this breed include:
- Blue Merle
- Sable & White
- Tricolour
Other colour/s
'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.
Non-breed-standard colours
Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.
Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.
Health
Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.
More about health
Priority health schemes and tests
The Kennel Club's Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.
Important health schemes and tests
We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.
- DNA test - CEA/CH - part of The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs or find a list of dogs tested using the CEA/CH linkage test that is no longer available
- Hip dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
- Eye scheme - litter screening
- DNA test - MDR1 - part of The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find lists of tested dogs
- Check inbreeding calculators
Other health schemes and tests available
- Risk test (DNA based) - DM - Find lists of tested dogs
- DNA test - PRA (rcd2) - Find lists of tested dogs
*The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests
The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:
- CEA/ CH (Collie eye anomaly/Choroidal hypoplasia) partner lab
- MDR1 (Multidrug resistance gene 1) partner lab
Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.
Find out more about our DNA Testing Services.
Find out about a particular dog's results
Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.
You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.
Have any questions about health in your breed?
If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.
Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.
To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email
Breed watch
Category 1
Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club's breed standard.
Breeding restrictions
There are a number of The Kennel Club's rules and regulations that may prevent a litter from being registered, find out about our general and breed specific breeding restrictions below.
More about breeding
With effect from 1 January 2013, The Kennel Club will not register puppies whelped from a merle to merle mating born on or after this date. This is due to associated health risks of impaired vision and hearing associated with the merle gene in this breed.
Collie (Smooth) parents may produce one or more Collie (Rough) puppies in a litter. The option to register online is not available and must be submitted by post on a litter application form. A note should be made next to the relevant puppy or in the form of an accompanying letter.
Looking for a puppy?
Looking for a Collie (Smooth)? Explore our list of puppies and rescue dogs for sale near you.
More information
Need to find out more about a breed?
Use our Find a Club service where you can locate breed clubs that can offer support and advice.
Use our Find a Puppy service
The Kennel Club's Find a Puppy service provides contact details for breeders who have puppies available. Let's help you find your new best friend.
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