History
The Scotch Collie ( Scottish Collie or Old Time Scotch Collie) is a landrace dog that has a distinct appearance than regular standardized dogs. Initially, bred as herding dogs, these dogs recently became popular as pets. The Collies have a muscular body with a dolichocephalic head or a wedge-shaped head, a long & upright neck, a sloppy shoulder, an abyssal chest, a sharp hip area, and a steep croup.
Interesting Facts
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Former US President Lyndon B Johnsson owned a Scotch Collie named Blanco.
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Jean, the famous Scotch Collie was the first Scotch Collie to become a movie star.
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This is a rare breed and needs immediate preservation plans. An organization named Old Time Scottish Collie Association (OTSC) is working hard to protect them.
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The Scottish Collie, like any other Collie breed, does not live as long as the others.
Variety
There is two type of Scotch Collies, depending on their coat density :
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Rough coat variety.
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Smooth coat variety.
Temperament & Personality
Scotch Collies or Scottish Collies are multi-purpose dogs and while some people use them as hunting dogs, they were primarily bred as herding dogs. Nowadays they are mostly used as house pets. They are excellent with small children, other dogs, and other non- canine animals. It is in their genes to maintain order in the pack, and in this case, we the humans are its pack. The owner and the other humans must be higher up so that the dog has a healthy human-dog relationship.
Some owners report that their Collies are often seen nipping the heels of the recalcitrant children. Some can also be a great digger and chewer, and interestingly with low snoring tendency. They have a high propensity to bark randomly at unfamiliar faces.
Care
Exercise
The Scotch Collies need a daily long walk or jogging at the dog park. They are not very much active like other Collie breeds, but instead moderately active. The owner can also play games like frisbee, flyball, tug of war, kong stuffing, chasing bubbles, finding a hidden treat, playing with a digging box (if the dog loves digging, or a game of hide and seek. These will prevent the dog from getting bored, as well as happy and healthy.
A prolonged period of inactiveness can make the dog aggressive and disobedient. The owner can engage the young pups in games like lure coursing and small herding trials. The adults need twenty to forty minutes of daily activities.
Grooming
The coat should be brushed every second week. One thing the owner should remember is that whenever the Scotch Collie suffers from matting, the excess mat should be cut off as opposed to combing in standard cases. Bathing is only recommended when the dog gets dirty or muddy. Frequent bathing can disrupt the dog’s natural distribution of oils throughout the body.
Health Problems
Buy a dog from a reputable owner to reduce future health complications. This breed is sensitive to the drug called the Ivermectin, so the owner should consult a Vet doctor in this context. Scotch Collies can suffer from health hazards such as Collie Nose, Dermatomyositis, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Collie Eye Anomaly, Canine Hip Dysplasia, Nodular Granulomatous Episclerokeratitis, and other Allergies.
Training
It all depends on the individual dog’s training as this will decide if it becomes wary and aggressive towards other dogs in the future. To stop their excessive barking tendencies, the owner should engage them with soft toys and buster cubes filled with treats when they start their barking episodes. Early socialization, obedience and crate training is crucial for this breed.
Feeding
The Scotch breed should be given two to three cups of dry high-quality dog food on a daily basis. But the owner should remember that the food chart should be fixed with prior consultation with a Vet doctor.
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