Start Here: New to Collies?
Welcome! Whether you’re thinking about a Collie or just brought one home, these guides walk you through the essentials, step by step.
New to collies? Grab our free checklist.
Our free, printable New Collie Owner Checklist covers what to prepare before your collie comes home, the first week, the first three months, vet questions, grooming and feeding. Join the Collie Chatter newsletter and we’ll email it to you.
Step 1: Which Collie is right for you?
Start by getting to know the breeds and what daily life with each one looks like.
- What Is A Rough Collie?
An introduction to the Rough Collie: history, temperament and coat.
- Are Smooth Collies Rare?
A look at the Smooth Collie, the short-coated version of the breed.
- What is a Bearded Collie?
Meet the shaggy Scottish herding dog and how it differs from other Collies.
- Is a Border Collie a Good House Dog?
What a Border Collie needs indoors, and who it suits.
- Things to Consider Before Getting A Border Collie
Questions to think through before bringing a Border Collie home.
Step 2: Find a breeder or rescue
Search the U.S. directories for breeders and rescue groups near you.
- U.S. Collie Breeder Directory
Searchable listings of U.S. Collie breeders.
- U.S. Collie Rescue Directory
Searchable listings of U.S. Collie rescue groups.
- Reasons to Adopt A Rescue Dog
Why adopting a rescue dog can be a great choice.
Step 3: Health basics
The conditions every Collie owner should know about, and what to ask your vet.
- Rough Collie Health Problems: What Owners Should Know
The health problems Rough Collie owners most often meet.
- Collie Eye Anomaly: What It Is, How It’s Tested, and What It Means for Your Dog
What collie eye anomaly is and how it’s tested.
- Parasite Protection for dogs with the MDR1 Gene
Why the MDR1 gene matters when choosing parasite protection.
Step 4: Food and nutrition
What to feed, and how much, at each life stage.
- Best Dog Food for Collies: 9 Picks for Rough and Smooth Collies (2026)
Food picks for puppies, adults and seniors, plus feeding tips.
- Great Treats for Collies (Easy on the GI Tract)
Treat ideas that are easy on sensitive stomachs.
Step 5: Grooming
Keeping a double coat healthy and under control.
- Rough Collie Grooming Tools
The basic brushes, combs and tools for a Rough Collie coat.
- Do Rough Collies Shed a Lot?
What to expect from shedding and how owners manage it.
Step 6: Training and family life
How Collies fit into busy homes, with kids, other pets and time alone.
- Are Collies Good with Kids?
Collies and children, and how to set both up for success.
- How Smart Are Rough Collies?
What Collie intelligence means for training.
- Do Rough Collies Bark a Lot?
Why Collies bark and how owners handle it.
- Can Rough Collies Be Left Alone?
How long a Collie can be left alone, and how to help.
Step 7: Fun stuff
Gifts, costumes, games and the stories that make Collies special.
- The Best Gifts for Collie Lovers (and Their Collies) 2026
Gift ideas for Collies and the people who love them.
- Halloween Costumes for Large Dogs: Collie-Approved Picks for a Full Coat (2026)
Costume ideas that work with a full coat.
- 10 Low-to-No-Cost Games and Activities to Keep Your Collie Occupied
Budget-friendly ways to keep a Collie busy.
- Collie stories
Rescue, service and family stories from the archive.
Questions?
Learn more about who runs the site and how guides are written, or get in touch.
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