Classified by the American Kennel Club as a herding breed, collies have been bred to respond affectionately and loyally to humans while maintaining a sense of charming individuality that captivates everyone interacting with them. Possessing beautiful, long-haired coats and elegant faces, collies make excellent family pets and are easy to train due to their intelligence, desire to please and sweet-mannered disposition.

Caring for Collie Pups

Playful, lovable and always ready for a game of catch, collie pups need sufficient daily exercise to satisfy their active herding instincts as well as to contribute to their overall health. Brush your collie puppy’s coat at least once a week with a good, coarse brush capable of reaching down to the roots to stimulate release of skin oils. One of the collie’s most distinguished features is his extraordinary coat and removing all tangles and debris regularly is essential to keeping it shining and healthy. If your collie pup needs a bath, don’t be afraid to give him one. Collies like water and may exhibit labrador retriever-like tendencies to impulsively jump into a pond for a quick swim.

Puppy Hygiene

Start brushing your collie pup’s teeth when he is six or seven weeks old to get him used to the activity. Use doggie toothpaste and a canine toothbrush obtained from your veterinarian to prevent plaque build-up on all teeth. Also make sure your pup has plenty of rawhide chewbones on which to gnaw. Chewing improves teeth and gum health while reducing accumulation of bacterial film on his teeth.

Using a warm, damp cloth, clean the inside of your pup’s ears one a week and check for signs of ear mites or infection. Puppies that flick their heads from side to side or scratch their ears more than normal may have an inner ear infection that needs attention by a veterinarian.

Feeding Your Puppy

Feed your puppy a mixture of wet and dry food that offers sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals they need to thrive. Avoid generic brand puppy foods that use fillers, preservatives and by-products and purchase high-quality, reputable brands instead to ensure your puppy remains as healthy as possible.