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Bringing home a Rough or Smooth Collie puppy comes with a long shopping list, and a good part of it is optional. This guide to collie puppy supplies covers what you need for the first week, what can wait, and what to skip. Each section explains why an item matters for a Collie.
Collies are smart, sensitive dogs that grow quickly, and Rough Collies grow a lot of coat. That shapes what is worth buying: gear that adjusts as your puppy grows, gentle training tools, and the right brushes.
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Quick Answer: Your First-Week Collie Puppy Shopping List
If you only buy a few things before your puppy comes home, start here.
| Item | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Crate | Large crate with a divider, or one you can resize as your puppy grows |
| Bed | Washable, sturdy, and not too precious while chewing is likely |
| Food | Large-breed puppy food, ideally the one the breeder already feeds |
| Bowls | Stainless or ceramic bowls, plus a slow feeder if your puppy gulps |
| Collar, leash and ID | Adjustable flat collar, a light leash, and an ID tag |
| Grooming | Pin brush, slicker brush, nail clippers (add an undercoat rake as the coat comes in) |
| Toys and chews | A few safe chews, a puzzle toy, and a ball too big to swallow |
| Training gear | Treat pouch, clicker, and small soft treats |
| Safety | Baby gates or a pen, plus a puppy-proofed room |
| Vet basics | A vet picked in advance, records, and an emergency number |
Our top picks
Crate and Bed
Crate
A crate gives your puppy a safe, quiet place to rest and helps with house training. Collies grow into large dogs, so buy for the adult size and use a divider to shrink the space for now. Many owners choose a large crate, and a 42-inch size is a common fit for adult Collies, but measure your own dog and check the listing. The Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door crate is one option on Chewy, and you can also browse MidWest crates.
Keep the crate calm and positive, with short sessions and treats. If your household is often empty, our guide on leaving a Rough Collie alone covers what to plan for.
Bed
Puppies chew, so start with a washable bed. A bolstered orthopedic-style bed such as the Furhaven Orthopedic Dog Bed for Large Dogs gives a growing dog room to stretch out. Rough Collies can run warm, so many like a cool floor too.
Food and Bowls
Large-breed puppy food
Collies are a medium-to-large breed, so a food made for large-breed puppies is a sensible default. Ask your breeder what your puppy eats now and keep that food for the first week or two. Change brands gradually, and ask your vet to help set portions as your puppy grows.
The Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Chicken & Rice is the puppy pick in our dog food guide for Collies. You can also browse dry dog food on Chewy. Measure meals rather than free-feeding, and follow your vet’s advice on meals per day.
Bowls and slow feeders
Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are easy to clean. If your puppy gulps, a slow feeder such as the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl spreads out mealtime. A lick mat like the LickiMat Tuff Soother can also give a puppy something calm to do.
Collar, Harness, Leash and ID
Collies are known for being sensitive, so choose gear that is comfortable and does not rely on pressure or pain.
Puppies outgrow collars quickly, so start with an adjustable flat collar and check the fit every week. You should be able to slide two fingers under it. On a Rough Collie the thick ruff can hide a collar that has become too tight, so feel for it rather than looking.
A well-fitted harness is a good second option for walks, especially while your puppy learns to walk on a leash. The Ruffwear Front Range harness is one we feature in our gifts guide. Check the size chart for your puppy’s current size, because you will likely replace it as your puppy grows. Some owners also like a martingale collar for walks, used only under supervision.
For leashes, a light 4 to 6 foot leash is plenty. A hands-free training leash is another option once your puppy has the basics. Add an ID tag with your phone number from day one, and ask your vet about microchipping and registering the chip in your name.
Grooming Tools for a Rough Collie Coat
A Rough Collie’s double coat needs regular care, and starting early helps your puppy learn to enjoy it. Puppy fluff changes as the adult coat comes in over the first year or two, and mats often form behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, and on the “britches.” Do not shave a double coat. Our guide to Rough Collie shedding explains why.
- Pin brush: the everyday tool for working through a long coat. Here is a pin brush we feature on the site.
- Slicker brush: good for light tangles and feathering. A self-cleaning slicker brush makes cleanup easier.
- Undercoat rake: useful once the adult coat comes in. The Safari undercoat rake is the one we feature.
- Nail clippers: trim nails often, in short sessions. These dog nail clippers are a simple starting point.
Brush in sections, not just over the top of the coat, and keep sessions short and happy. For a full list of tools and how to use them, see our Rough Collie grooming tools guide. Smooth Collies need far less, so a slicker brush and nail care may be enough.
Toys and Chews
Collies are bright and many have strong herding instincts, so toys that use the brain and the instinct to chase and push are a good fit. Rotate a few toys instead of leaving everything out.
- Puzzle toys: the Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado is a treat puzzle we feature, and you can browse more puzzle toys on Chewy.
- Herding-style balls: a large, hard ball your puppy can push but not pick up suits that chase instinct. The Jolly Pets Jolly Egg is a pick from our gift guide. Choose a size that is too big to fit in your puppy’s mouth.
- Stuffable chews: a rubber toy such as the KONG Classic can hold treats for quiet time. Pick the right size for your dog.
Skip anything small enough to swallow, and check toys for damage. Supervise chewing, and ask your vet about very hard chews such as antlers and real bones, which can hurt teeth. If your puppy nips at heels or hands, redirect that energy to a tug or ball. For more ideas, see our list of the top 20 recommended toys for Collies.
Training Gear
Collies tend to respond well to positive, reward-based training. Harsh corrections can cause them to shut down, so keep sessions short, upbeat, and full of rewards.
- Treat pouch: keeps rewards handy on walks and in training. Here is a treat pouch we feature.
- Clicker: marks the exact moment your puppy does something right. A training clicker costs little, and Chewy has a short guide to clicker training.
- Small, soft treats: pea-sized pieces so you can reward often without overfeeding. Browse dog treats on Chewy.
- Long line: a 15 to 30 foot line lets you practice recall in a safe area while keeping control. Clip it to a harness rather than a collar.
Puppy-Proofing and Gates
Get down to puppy level and look around. Hide or cover electrical cords, move shoes and remote controls, and secure trash cans. Keep chocolate, sugar-free gum and sweets with xylitol, grapes and raisins, and human medications well out of reach.
Baby gates and a pen let you split off a puppy-safe area. Look at a pet gate for doorways and a foldable pet pen for a play area. Check yard fencing for gaps too, since Collies can be clever escape artists.
Health Basics and a Simple Vet Kit
Pick a vet before your puppy comes home and book a first check-up for the first week. Bring the vaccination and deworming records.
Two Collie-specific topics are worth raising early. MDR1 is a gene variant common in Collies that can make a dog sensitive to certain medications. If your puppy is MDR1-affected, or the status is unknown, talk to your vet before giving any medication, including flea, tick, and worm products. Our MDR1 parasite protection guide has more background. CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) is an inherited eye condition in the breed. Ask your breeder about MDR1 and CEA testing, and read our guide to Collie Eye Anomaly. For a wider look at the topic, see Rough Collie health problems.
A simple vet kit for your home can include:
- Vaccination and health records, plus your vet’s number and the nearest emergency clinic’s number
- A note about your puppy’s MDR1 status, if you know it
- Clean towels, poop bags, and a collapsible water bowl
Ask your vet what to keep on hand and what not to give. Do not give human medications unless a vet tells you to.
As you set up vet care, pet insurance is worth looking into while your puppy is young and healthy. You can get a quote from Lemonade Pet Insurance.
What to Skip
- Retractable leashes: they give you little control and can hurt hands and dogs.
- Choke, prong or shock collars: sensitive Collies tend to do better with gentle, reward-based training.
- Tiny toys and balls: anything small enough to swallow is a choking risk for a large breed.
- A pricey bed during the chewing phase: wait until your puppy is past it.
- Supplements you have not discussed with your vet: check first, because more is not always better.
- Rawhide and other pieces that can break off: the chunks can be swallowed.
FAQ
What size crate does a Collie need?
Buy for the adult size and use a divider while your puppy is small. A large crate, often around 42 inches, is a common fit, but check the maker’s size chart.
Should I use a collar or a harness?
Both can work. Many owners use a flat collar for ID and a harness for walks. Check the fit often because puppies grow fast.
Do Rough and Smooth Collies need different supplies?
Most gear is the same. The main difference is grooming. Rough Collies benefit from a pin brush, slicker, and undercoat rake, while Smooth Collies usually need less. Both shed.
When should I start grooming my puppy?
From the first week. Keep it short and gentle, and pair it with treats.
Can I use any flea and tick product on my Collie?
Not without checking. Some Collies carry the MDR1 gene variant, so talk to your vet before choosing any product or medication.
Next Steps
You do not need everything at once. Start with the basics and add more as you learn what your puppy needs. If you are new to the breed, our Start Here page is a good place to begin, and our gifts guide has more ideas for later.
Do not forget the free New Collie Owner Checklist. It is a printable PDF, and you get it free when you join the newsletter through the signup at the bottom of any page.
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