Appearance of the Ski-Collie
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| The Ski-Collie is a hybrid of the American Eskimo Dog and the Longhaired Collie, and as such can adopt traits from either or both of its parent breeds. Your Ski-Collie hybrid will measure between 38 and 66 centimeters at the shoulders and weigh between 9 and 34 kilos. It can have a short or long coat, dense and thick or fine, hard and rough, the most common colors being sable (like Lassie's color), tricolor, blue merle, white, pure white or white and cream. It can have a long tail that hangs or curls over its back. Its head is wedge-shaped, with dark brown eyes (or merle eyes if it has a merle coat) and triangular ears that are held upright or can fold back towards the head. Its body can be compact or have a broad, strong chest. |
Temperament of the Ski-Collie
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| Your Ski-Collie hybrid is a mix of the American Eskimo Dog and the Collie Rough, and may have the personality and temperament traits of one or both of its parent breeds. Your Ski-Collie hybrid can be friendly, alert, gentle, intelligent, independent, energetic, loyal, responsive, protective and social. He'll need proper socialization from an early age to get along with children, the family cat, other dogs and strangers, but expect him to be a little wary of strangers until he feels there's no danger to his human family. He's fairly intelligent, which makes him easy to train. He has a moderate appetite for prey and a tendency to wander, hence the importance of keeping him on a leash when outside the house, fenced garden or other safe place. Its personality and temperament make it an ideal dog for new owners or novices. |
Needs and activities of the Ski-Collie
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| Your Ski-Collie hybrid is an energetic dog who will need to exercise for at least 1 to 2 hours every day. This exercise may include several daily walks or jogs, playtime in a dog park or fenced yard, interactive games of fetch, frisbee, flyball, agility training or obedience training. He has a moderate to high hunting/prey drive and a moderate tendency to wander. These characteristics make it very important to keep him on a leash when he's outside the house, fenced yard or other secure enclosure, unless part of your day's exercise program includes a chase down the street, neighborhood, woods or lake in search of a small animal or interesting scent that has caught his eye. He can adapt to life in an apartment or condominium, provided his exercise needs are met on a daily basis. He can also adapt to life in a family home with or without a fenced yard, in an urban or rural environment, in any climate, taking the necessary extra precautions for extreme temperatures. |
Maintenance of the Ski-Collie
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| Your Ski-Collie hybrid falls into the high-maintenance category, as it sheds constantly and is not hypoallergenic. Brushing frequency will depend on the length of his thick double coat, but he'll probably need brushing at least two or three times a week, and vacuuming the house more often. He's in the low category for drool and dog odor. His ears should be checked weekly and cleaned if necessary with a cotton ball and a dog-approved ear cleaner. Expect to have his nails trimmed at least once a month, unless he's able to maintain them as part of his normal daily exercise routine. He should have his teeth brushed at home two or three times a week to prevent the development of periodontal disease and the accompanying tooth loss. |
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