How much exercise does a collie need?

The Collie is thanks to “Lassie” the first television star among the dog breeds and therefore enjoys great popularity. But just because you find the Collie visually beautiful, you should also deal with the requirements that this breed brings with it. It is important that you realize beforehand how much exercise the Collie needs.

The Collie needs an average about 2 hours of exercise. Besides walks, you can also take the Collie running or biking. As an original herding dog, the Collie is used to being active. But mental activity should not be neglected either.

Profile:

• Classification: Herding Dogs and Cattle Dogs.
• Origin: Great Britain
• Life expectancy: 9-14 years
• Size: males approx. 22 – 24 inches (56 – 61 cm), females approx. 20 – 22 inches (51 – 56 cm)
• Weight: males up to 66 lbs (30 kg), females a little lighter
• Uses: Herding dogs, family dogs
• Coat length: Long
• Coat color: Sable, tricolor, blue merle
• Character: friendly, active, fond of children, intelligent, good-natured

Does a collie need a lot of exercise?

It is also true with the Collie that you can easily deduce how much exercise they need based on their original use.

The Collie was or is a Scottish Sheepdog, whose job was to herd animals in an area that was difficult to access for humans. So they were out in nature and were busy.

With an average of 2 hours of exercise in the form of long walks in the woods, but also running or cycling, the Collie is satisfied and busy.

But the Collie is not a workaholic, like his namesake the Border Collie which needs a lot of exercise. He does not need to be kept busy around the clock. He also enjoys rest days in the middle of the family.

They are quite easy to motivate to work because of their high willingness to learn and genetic activity.

Activities with the Collie

The Collie is enthusiastic about a wide variety of activities. You can give your Collie plenty of activity and exercise with the following activities.

Walks

The foundation of a good relationship with your Collie is nice walks in nature. It is important that you don’t just want to get the walk done, but that you spend it actively with your Collie.

Actually this should be self-evident. But it is often not done. I see many dog owners who walk the same route with their dog every day, don’t let the dog sniff anywhere and just want to get it over with.

Make your walks varied.

• Find 2 to 3 different rounds so you can vary within a week.
• Take toys like a fetch dummy or just throw treats on your walk and play with your dog.
• Practice commands like recall (if it doesn’t work so well, on a tow line first).
• Run cross field one through the woods overcoming obstacles like fallen trees, etc.
• Be creative

Agility

In agility your Collie has to overcome an obstacle course in the shortest possible time.

Obedience Training

In obedience training, basic commands are executed as quickly and accurately as possible.

Running

If you like to go running, you can also take the Collie with you on your weekly running sessions. However, make sure to introduce him slowly to the increased load and not to start from 0 to 100.

Cycling

You can also easily have your Collie run alongside you on the bike for an intense running session.

Keep your Collie mentally stimulated

In addition to physical exercise, it is also important to keep your dog mentally occupied and challenged.

Daily training and learning basic commands or tricks are great ways to keep your Collie mentally stimulated

Who is the Collie suitable for?

The Collie is perfect for active people and families. He is extremely family friendly. He loves to be integrated in the family and does not get aggressive towards strangers.

His good natured character make him an ideal family dog if you have children. On top of that, they are very intelligent and have a high willingness to learn.

As mentioned above, the Collie is very intelligent and eager to learn. They can be educated very well, learn very quickly new commands and subordinate themselves gladly in the family pack.

However, this requires a human leadership that understands what it is doing. Pressure and harshness are completely out of place with this sensitive breed.

The Collie needs a loving, sensitive but consistent education. Then you have a great dog that is very oriented to humans and wants to please.

Because of their nature they are also suitable for beginners. However, this does not mean that you do not have to do anything. A visit to a dog school or going to a trainer is important if you are a complete beginner.

The Collie is not a dog that just runs along. Since he loves his family and likes to be with them, it is natural that this breed does not like to stay alone for hours.

For whom is the Collie not suitable?

The Collie is not suitable for people who have little time to spend with their dog. The Collie loves to work and be active together with the human.

He is not suitable for couch potatoes who are not willing to be outdoors every day.

Health and care

The coat is for many a blessing and a curse at the same time. It is on the one hand very beautiful but on the other hand probably very time consuming in the care. But regular brushing 1x per week is sufficient.

After walks in bad weather, the coat should be cleaned of dirt so that it does not become matted.

The Collie is basically a rather robust dog breed. However, there are also here diseases that can occur increasingly. These include the MDR1 defect. This leads to a hypersensitivity to certain drugs.

Another disease is the “Collie Eye Anomaly” which can lead to impaired vision.

Conclusion: How much exercise does a Collie need?

The Collie needs an average about 2 hours of exercise. Extensive walks in nature are ideal to exercise your Collie. If you are sporty, you can also go for a run or cycling with your Collie.

© Sergiy Bykhunenko-stock.adobe (featured image)