 |
Gollie |
|
He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Golden Collie |
A brief presentation of the Gollie |
| The Gollie is a loyal, affectionate dog that's a cross between the good-natured Golden Retriever and the intelligent Collie. As this is a new designer hybrid, the exact details of its origins are still a mystery, but as most designer breeds have been developed in the last 20-30 years, it's safe to assume that these dogs may have originated in that period, from 1980 to the present day. This breed is very energetic, highly intelligent and thrives when living in suburban and rural areas with fenced yards and plenty of room to roam. They are not suited to apartments, as they will find the space too confining. They are medium to heavy, so be prepared for regular brushing. The Gollie owners say it's fun and helps keep him in excellent shape. |
History of the Gollie |
| As a new breed of specific cross-breed dog, the Gollie most likely appeared somewhere in the 1980s, although it's difficult to establish an exact history of the mixed breed. But when it comes to parent breeds, there's a lot of inheritance going on. The Collie and Golden Retriever are breeds that originated in Scotland in the 1800s. |
A little of the Golden Retriever |
||
| The Golden Retriever is an athletic breed designed to be the ideal hunting and retrieving dog for a Scottish baron named Lord Tweedmouth, who crossed a yellow Retriever-like dog with a Tweed Water Spaniel in search of a dog that could also be a loyal companion. The offspring of this cross were eventually crossed with another Tweed Water Spaniel, a Red Setter and a Flat-coated Retriever. Like the Collie, the Golden Retriever is a Hollywood star, having also appeared on screen in shows such as Drew Carey and in the film Air Bud, where the Golden was a basketball star. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the Golden Retriever | ||
A little of the Collie Rough |
||
| The Collie breed comes in two variants: rough-coated and smooth-coated. These breeds were originally used by shepherds to herd cattle in the hills and dales of the country. Skilled at raising cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, little is known about the Collie's ancestry, but it is currently thought that early Collie breeds were crossed with a dog-like breed known as the Borzoi, which contributed to the breed's slim muscular build. Queen Victoria of England, on a visit to Scotland, fell in love with the handsome Collie and they were soon found in England too. Soon after their arrival there, they were entered in a conformation show under the name Scotch Sheepdog. The Collie became widely known in America after the release of the famous family film Lassie in 1945. | ||
 |
||
| Standard of the Collie Rough |
Appearance of the Gollie |
| The Gollie is a breed that can be smooth or rough-coated. It will have a long, dense coat. The Golden Retriever's water and weather resistance may or may not be present. This hybrid is large and muscular. If your Gollie inherits more of the Retriever construction, it may have a heavier, more compact build with broad, extended features. A Gollie that inherits more Collie may be of slimmer construction, with narrower features. Its head is long and slightly inclined downwards, while the muzzle tends to be longer and slightly pinched at the tip. Its eyes are often sunken and almond-shaped to oval, and the eye color is often light to dark brown. The Gollie's legs are long and lean, as is its body. The chest is generally deep and broad, even more so if Retriever traits are inherited. The tail is long and muscular, and may have a slight curve. |
Temperament of the Gollie |
| These dogs can be quite alert and hard-working, but at home they can be quite laid-back and aloof. When socialized at a young age, they do well with other pets and young children. The Gollie will tolerate violent play with children, but as all dogs are different, you should supervise your children when they play with this great hybrid. They are not guard dogs and are likely to attack a stranger with lots of playful behavior and licking, however, some Gollies can be shy or cautious and may bark when a stranger approaches. The Gollie is an intelligent breed that is often quite easy to train, and they make good companions for energetic, active families. |
Needs and activities of the Gollie |
| Considered an active dog, this hybrid will require lots of running, lots of playtime and lots of training. They are people pleasers and thrive in environments that will constantly engage them and allow them to learn and demonstrate their skills. They'll do well in activities involving agility, running trials, learning new tricks and obedience training. To avoid being left alone for long periods, the family adopting the Gollie must be prepared to let him follow wherever they go. He'll do best with at least 60 minutes of activity a day, and will be eager and willing to do more. The Gollie needs a secure, enclosed backyard to explore and play in, under your careful supervision. |
Maintenance of the Gollie |
| The Gollie will have a long, thick coat and shed constantly. Due to the high shedding rate, daily brushing is recommended to reduce the shedding load, avoid matting and remove dirt from the coat. These breeds can suffer from a wet dog smell if they swim a lot, which is a common trait in Golden Retrievers, meaning you may need to bathe your hybrid at least once a month. As with all dogs, the ears need to be cleaned and checked regularly for yeast or bacterial growth. Teeth should be brushed several times a week and nails trimmed if necessary, if not worn down by play. |
English (United Kingdom) 
Comments