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Shopping for a Collie person is easy and hard at the same time. Easy, because they will be thrilled by nearly anything with a Collie on it. Hard, because the real Collie fanatic already owns the mug, the magnet, and three brushes, and the dog is standing right there wondering where their present is.
So this year we split the list. There are gifts for the Collies themselves (toys that respect the herding brain, grooming tools that can actually handle a double coat, and somewhere cool to flop) and gifts for the humans who love them. Every Amazon product below was checked on Amazon when we put this list together. Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them. Click through to check the current price.
Most Collies have strong opinions about toys and very little patience for brushing. We kept both in mind while making the list.
Our top picks
Quick Picks
- Best for herding drive: Jolly Pets Jolly Egg (12 in)
- Best fetch ball: Chuckit! Ultra Ball (Medium, 2-pack)
- Best brain game: Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado puzzle
- Best grooming gift: Safari Undercoat Rake
- Best for hot weather: Coolaroo Elevated Dog Bed
- Best for senior Collies: Furhaven Orthopedic Chaise Bed
- Best stocking stuffer for people: Sandicast Sable Collie ornament
- Best book: Lassie Come-Home by Eric Knight
- Best splurge: Embark dog DNA test (screens for MDR1)
Jump to: Gifts for Collies · Grooming · Comfort & Adventure · Gifts for Collie People · Experiences & Subscriptions · FAQ
Gifts for Collies: Toys and Enrichment
Collies were bred to think and to move stock, so the best toys give them something to chase, push, or figure out. A bored Collie will invent a job, and you probably won’t like the job they pick. (For more ideas, see our top 20 recommended toys for Collies.)
Jolly Pets Jolly Egg Herding Toy (12 in)
An egg-shaped ball rolls unpredictably, and for a herding dog that is pure catnip. Your Collie can’t just grab it and run. They have to nose, push, and steer it around the yard, which is about as close to real herding as most suburban Collies get.
The 12-inch size is listed for dogs over 40 pounds, so it suits most adult Collies. Jolly Pets also says it floats, so it works for water play. As with any toy, supervise play.
Chuckit! Ultra Ball, Medium (2-Pack)
If your Collie lives for fetch, the Ultra Ball is a classic for a reason. It is bouncy and rubbery, and it is easier to rinse off than a slobbery tennis ball.
The medium 2.5-inch size is listed for dogs of 20 to 60 pounds and fits medium Chuckit! launchers. Giant males may need to go up a size, and the ball should never be small enough to fit completely in your dog’s mouth.
Tug-E-Nuff Faux Fur Squeaky Bungee Chaser
A long, bungee-handled chaser toy lets you work with your Collie’s chase instinct on your terms: drag it, flick it, then ask for a “drop” before the next round. Short sessions like that burn off energy and sneak in impulse-control practice.
Fun fact from the company’s own listing: the brand started with a tug made for a collie named Indy. It isn’t meant for heavy chewing, so put it away after play.
KONG Classic (Large)
The KONG Classic has been in dog toy boxes for ages. Stuffed with part of your Collie’s dinner, or frozen with something spreadable, it turns five minutes of eating into a proper project.
It’s made for average chewers, and it bounces unpredictably when thrown, which herding dogs tend to enjoy chasing.
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Puzzle
Collies are smart, and smart dogs need homework. The Tornado has spinning layers that hide treats, so your dog has to work out how to get at them. It’s rated Level 2 (intermediate), which is a good fit for a clever breed that has done a puzzle or two.
It holds about half a cup of kibble, so it can double as a slow feeder on rainy days when the usual walk gets cut short.
LickiMat Tuff Soother
A lick mat is a calm-down activity. Spread something your vet approves of across the textured surface, and licking keeps your Collie busy during nail trims, grooming sessions, thunderstorms, or holiday guests.
The “Tuff” version has a chew-resistant build and is dishwasher safe. That matters, because nobody wants to scrub dried peanut butter out of rubber grooves.
Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl (Large)
If your Collie inhales dinner, a maze-style slow feeder spreads mealtime out and adds a little puzzle to every meal. The large bowl holds up to four cups of food, so a full meal for a big dog fits.
It’s non-slip and top-rack dishwasher safe, which is a nice bonus for a bowl you’ll use twice a day.
Gifts for Collies: Grooming Tools
A Rough Collie’s double coat is gorgeous. When it “blows,” it can also bury your living room. Good tools make brushing faster for you and more comfortable for the dog. Smooth Collies need less, but they still shed. Our full rundown is in Rough Collie grooming tools.
Coastal Pet Safari Undercoat Rake
During a coat blow, a pin brush alone just moves fluff around. An undercoat rake reaches into that dense layer and pulls out the loose stuff, which is what actually helps a Collie stay comfortable.
This single-row Safari rake is the style we already recommend in our grooming guide. Work slowly and in sections, and don’t dig into the skin.
Chris Christensen 27mm Oval Pin Brush
A pin brush is the everyday workhorse for a Rough Collie. This one has a large oval head and round-ground, polished pins, so it covers a lot of coat without scratching.
It’s the kind of brush many long-coated dog people consider a “buy it once” tool. That makes it a thoughtful upgrade for the Collie owner who is still using a bargain-bin brush.
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
A slicker brush is great for finishing: smoothing the “pants,” the feathering on the legs, and the area behind the ears where tangles like to hide.
The push-button bristle retraction makes cleanup quick. That’s handy with a Collie, because the brush fills up about every four strokes. Use a light touch, since fine slicker pins can be harsh if you press hard.
Musher’s Secret Paw Balm (60 g)
Collie feet take a beating, from hot summer pavement to winter salt. This wax-based balm was originally developed for sled dogs and forms a protective barrier on the paw pads.
The maker says it’s made from food-safe oils and waxes, which is reassuring for dogs who lick their feet. It’s small, so it makes an easy stocking stuffer.
Gifts for Collies: Comfort and Adventure
All that coat means Collies often run warm, especially in humid climates. (Please don’t shave them. Here’s why that backfires.) These gifts help them cool off, rest their joints, and get out safely.
The Green Pet Shop Cool Pet Pad (Extra Large)
This pressure-activated gel mat feels cool when your dog lies on it, and it needs no water, electricity, or fridge time. It recharges on its own after 15 to 20 minutes of non-use.
We link the extra-large size, which gives a full-size Collie room to stretch out. Keep it out of direct sun, and supervise dogs who might chew it.
Coolaroo Original Elevated Dog Bed (Large)
A raised cot lets air flow underneath, so your Collie isn’t lying on a hot floor or holding heat in a plush bed. The fabric resists moisture, and you can hose it off, which is great after muddy yard patrols.
It works indoors or on a patio, and the off-the-ground design is easier on joints than bare tile.
Furhaven Orthopedic Chaise Dog Bed (Jumbo/XL)
For senior Collies, or any Collie who likes to sprawl, an orthopedic bed with a firm foam base cushions pressure points. This L-shaped chaise gives them a bolster to rest that long Collie nose on.
The zippered cover is machine washable, which matters a lot when a double-coated dog sheds on it daily. This size is listed for dogs up to 95 pounds.
Ruffwear Front Range Harness
A comfortable, well-fitted harness is a practical gift for Collies who hike or who pull when they spot a squirrel. It has a back clip plus a front chest attachment point for dogs that tend to pull.
It has foam-padded panels, four adjustment points, and reflective trim. Check Ruffwear’s size chart before buying, because Collie chests are deep, and fur can fool you about the actual measurements.
Fi Smart Dog Collar (GPS tracker)
Some Collies are escape artists, and a herding dog that spots something to gather may not stop to think about the road. A GPS collar like Fi lets owners see where their dog is from a phone app.
Fi also tracks activity and sleep. The first month of membership is included, but a paid Fi membership is needed after that to keep GPS tracking working, so let the recipient know. Check the size chart on the listing too, because a Collie’s ruff can hide the real neck size.
Gifts for Collie People
Now for the humans. You know the ones: they own a lint roller for every room and they have stopped apologizing for the dog hair. These gifts let them show off their Collie pride.
3dRose Rough Collie Mug (11 oz)
A Collie photo mug is a classic Collie-person gift for a reason. This ceramic mug has Rough Collie photos on both sides.
It’s microwave safe and lead free, per the listing, and it comes in other color combinations if green isn’t their thing. Hand washing will keep the images bright.
Sandicast Sable Collie Christmas Ornament
This small, hand-painted resin ornament shows a sitting sable Collie holding a string of holiday lights. It’s a sweet stocking stuffer for any Collie fan.
It comes in a reusable box, so it survives the trip back into the attic every January.
Willow Creek Press Collies 2027 Wall Calendar
A calendar is the gift that gets looked at every day of the year. This one has twelve months of Rough Collie photography across sable, tricolor, blue merle, and white coats.
It covers January through December 2027 with room to write appointments, including all those vet and grooming visits.
Lassie Come-Home by Eric Knight
Where it all began. Eric Knight’s novel about Joe and his prize collie, Lassie, and her long journey home is the book that made the breed famous around the world.
It’s a good read-aloud for kids, and worth rereading as a grown-up. Pair it with our story of Bobbie, the real-life “Lassie Come-Home”.
Lad: A Dog by Albert Payson Terhune
Terhune’s stories about Lad, the collie of “The Place,” turned generations of readers into Collie people. The book is old-fashioned in the best way, full of loyalty, adventure, and a lot of heart.
It’s a lovely gift for a Collie lover who enjoys classic dog literature, or for a young reader just discovering the breed.
Sitting Rough Collie T-Shirt
A simple, classic-fit tee with a sitting Rough Collie design. It’s understated enough to wear anywhere, and it tells everyone exactly who you are.
For more Collie apparel, browse our Collie Chatter unisex T-shirts and women’s T-shirts pages.
Experiences and Subscriptions
For the Collie person who truly has everything, give them something that keeps giving, or something that tells them more about their dog.
Embark Dog DNA Test
This is a genuinely useful gift for Collie owners. Embark’s health screening includes MDR1 drug sensitivity, a genetic variant that is common in Collies and other herding breeds. It can make some dogs react badly to certain medications at certain doses. Buy the Breed & Health kit, not the Breed ID kit, because Breed ID covers ancestry only and doesn’t include the health screening.
Knowing a dog’s MDR1 status helps owners and vets plan safer care. Results should be discussed with a veterinarian, not used to change medications on your own. (More background in our MDR1 parasite protection guide.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good gift for a collie lover who has everything?
Go for something practical or something experiential. A quality grooming tool like an undercoat rake, a cooling bed, or a DNA test that screens for MDR1 gets used far more than another figurine. For stocking stuffers, a Collie ornament or calendar is always welcome.
Are herding balls good for collies?
Yes, for most Collies. Herding balls like the Jolly Egg can’t be picked up easily, so the dog has to push and steer them, which suits the breed’s instincts. Choose a size that fits your dog, and supervise play.
What grooming tools does a Rough Collie need?
At minimum: a pin brush for everyday brushing, an undercoat rake for shedding season, and a slicker brush or comb for tangles behind the ears and on the “pants.” See our Rough Collie grooming tools guide for more detail.
Should I shave my collie to keep them cool?
No. A Collie’s double coat helps insulate them from heat as well as cold, and shaving can cause sunburn and patchy regrowth. Regular brushing to remove dead undercoat, shade, water, and a cooling mat or elevated bed are better options.
Why do collies need MDR1 testing?
Many Collies carry the MDR1 (ABCB1) variant, which can make certain medications dangerous at some doses. A DNA test tells you your dog’s status so you can share it with your vet. It’s one of the most useful gifts a Collie owner can get.
Are these gifts good for Border Collies and Smooth Collies too?
Most of them, yes. The toys and puzzles suit any herding breed. Smooth Collies and many Border Collies need less intensive grooming than a Rough Collie, so a slicker brush and undercoat rake may be all they need.
Happy shopping, and may your Collie leave at least some of the wrapping paper intact!
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