St. John's Water Dog vs Smooth Collie - Breed Comparison

St. John's Water Dog vs Smooth Collie - Breed ComparisonSmooth Collie is originated from United Kingdom but St. John's Water Dog is originated from Canada. Both Smooth Collie and St. John's Water Dog are having almost same height. Smooth Collie may weigh 11 kg / 24 pounds lesser than St. John's Water Dog. Smooth Collie may live 3 years more than St. John's Water Dog. Smooth Collie may have more litter size than St. John's Water Dog. Smooth Collie requires Moderate Maintenance. But St. John's Water Dog requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
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United Kingdom
Canada
Height Male:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
48 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
47 - 52 cm
18 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
16 - 35 kg
35 - 78 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
8 - 12
4 - 6
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Collie
St. Johns Dog, Lesser Newfoundland, St. John’s Newfoundland
Colors Available:
Light gold, deep mahogany and grey, tricolour of white, black, tan
black
Coat:
Short, dense
short, thick coats
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Intelligent, Loving, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

smooth collieWhen you see the Smooth Collie you just assume that you’re looking at a long-haired Lassie-type Collie that was sent to the groomers.

The Smooth Collie has always been used for herding purposes and is a short haired version of the Rough Collie. The early history of this dog is unknown and there are quite a few stories surrounding its history.

It seems as though the dog’s history started during the reign of Queen Victoria who is believed to have owned these dogs.

In some countries it is thought that the smooth- and rough collie are one and the same while in other countries they are classified as separate breeds. The dog hails from the United Kingdom and they classify the Smooth Collie as a separate breed from the Rough Collie.

st john s water dogThe breed known as the St. John’s water dog is an extinct landrace breed. They were domestic dogs found in Newfoundland and at times were called the lesser Newfoundland. There is not much information available about the other breeds that went into its development. Hypothetically it is believed they are a mix of the Irish, Old English and Portuguese dogs bred to work.

It is also thought that other breeds in their family tree, descending from them, include the Golden Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the Labrador and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The Newfoundland is also related to the St. Johns Water Dog through the line of Rafeirio do Alenteios that Portuguese fisherman brought to the island.

The breed was exported to England in the 19th century and early 20th. There the breeds of retrievers were developed. In Canada during this time frame restrictions were placed on dog ownership in order to encourage people to raise sheep. At the same time England imposed a long quarantine on all animals coming into the country in order to get rid of rabies. These two factors contributed greatly to the extinction of the breed. It seems the last two dogs were seen in a remote area in the 1980’s. All attempts to save the breed failed.

Description

smooth collie puppy - descriptionThe Smooth Collie is a medium to large sized dog, ranging in size from 51–56cm and weighing anything from 18kg to 30kg.

The Smooth Collie is slightly longer than it is tall and he has a deep chest. Most people are very familiar with the sweet, gentle expression of the Collie dogs.

The dog also has the long slender head, the semi-erect ears and a long tail. The coat of the Smooth Collie is dense and long with the outer hair being straight and harsh. The Smooth Collie comes in different colors – fawn, reddish brown, white,grey, black and tan.

Temperament:

The Smooth Collie is generally an amicable dog, sociable and friendly. He loves his human family and wants to be constantly with them, showing signs of separation anxiety when left for long periods on his own.

He is intelligent too so that he is easily trained. He is totally non-aggressive but that doesn’t stop him from being an excellent watchdog and he’ll alert you to strangers approaching you or your home.

They’re also energetic dogs and will require regular exercise. Although these Smooth Collies make splendid family pets, they are still used for herding purposes.

st john s water dog puppy - descriptionSt. John’s Water Dog is strong, medium sized and stocky. They looked more like English Labs than American Labs. They had a thick, short coat, loved swimming, had a lot of endurance and rudder tail. It was also described as a thin, black dog with short hair. They had white patches on their chest and feet. His nose was thin and tapered, his legs powerful, his chest muscular. The breed is quick, swims, runs quickly and is a fighter as well.

Never accepted by any major kennel club except as a foundation breed. They became extinct.

Characteristics

The Smooth Collie ticks all the right boxes for making a splendid pet.

smooth collie dog - characteristicsNot only is he intelligent, he is playful and energetic too, making a good pet for children and tolerating other pets too.

Add to that the fact that he is a a good watchdog and wants to protect his family. Sweet and gentle, the Smooth Collie is guaranteed to make a wonderful addition to your family.

Characteristics

1.Children friendliness - yes they are good with children.

2.Special talents swimming is their best talent

st john s water dog dog - characteristics3.Adaptability large need fence, they are not large dogs but they need outdoor space

4.Learning ability – very smart and eager to learn

Health Problems

smooth collie puppies - health problemsYour gentle smooth haired collie can live to be 12 to 14 years of age if he enjoys a good life, but like with other dog breeds, they can also be susceptible to certain common dog illnesses.

Collie Eye Anomaly:

This is when the chromosomes that determine how the eyes develop are mutated, so that the blood vessels that nourish the retina and absorb scattered light are underdeveloped. When this mutation occurs it is in both eyes, but one eye could be more severely affected than the other.

Your vet will do a complete examination of your dog’s eyes to find out what the extent of the defect is.

Bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus:

This is a life threatening problem where the stomach twists. It is more prevalent in deep chested dogs. It can help by feeding your dog two smaller meals a day instead of one larger one which he gobbles up quickly.

Cyclic Neutropenia:

Also known as Gray Collie Syndrome, this rare disease affects the neutrophils of a dog, which are an important part of the immune system. Bacterial infections and a shortened lifespan are your dog’s lot with this illness.

st john s water dog puppies - health problemsThere is no documented history of any genetic or hereditary illnesses in the breed. However, it seems rational to believe they suffered from ailments similar to Labradors and newfoundland though they are smaller dogs.

No history like Labs and Newfoundlands .

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia – can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • PRA – progressive retinal atrophy – can cause blindness.
  • Cancer – in their later years.
  • Infectious diseases – not as serious as prior to vaccinations.
  • Myopathy hereditary – affects the muscles.
  • Ear infections.

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Caring The Pet

Diet:

smooth collie dogs - caringYour Smooth Collie deserves the very best food there is because of the wonderful companionship he provides you with. You want him to enjoy good health and a long life with you.

If you buy one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is one of the best – packed with vitamins and minerals and good, natural ingredients.

Follow the instructions on the packaging for portion sizes. Also include some plain, wholesome dog food made at home. The perfect example of this is boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added to your dog’s dry kibble as a treat twice a week. No need to add in exotic spices. Avoid onions.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet once in a while too. Make sure your Smooth Collie has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Spay or Neuter:

This is one of the best things you can do for your Collie, eliminating the possibility of your pet becoming a parent of unwanted puppies.

Grooming:

Brush your Smooth Collie twice a week. He is a moderate shedder but has a couple of heavier shedding periods.

While brushing your pet, check inside the ears for signs of infection, check that his eyes are still bright and alert and check inside his mouth for bad teeth. He can’t tell you about a rotting tooth and this can cause a host of other problems for your dog.

st john s water dog dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy – Don’t overfeed – they have a propensity toward obesity. Feed high quality, high protein 3 x a day.

2.Feeding the adult – Don’t overfeed. Feed a high quality, high protein 1-2 x a day.

3.Points for Good Health - stamina

4. Games and Exercises – They need space to run and they love to explore. They would also love to be near water where they could swim. Good at dock diving, field trials, flyball and frisbee.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. St. John's Water Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. St. John's Water Dog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. St. John's Water Dog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. St. John's Water Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. St. John's Water Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. St. John's Water Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. St. John's Water Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. St. John's Water Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. St. John's Water Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. St. John's Water Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. St. John's Water Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. St. John's Water Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. St. John's Water Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. St. John's Water Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
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  16. St. John's Water Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
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  18. St. John's Water Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
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  23. St. John's Water Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. St. John's Water Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. St. John's Water Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Smooth Collie vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Smooth Collie vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Smooth Collie vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Smooth Collie vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Smooth Collie vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Smooth Collie vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Smooth Collie vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Smooth Collie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Smooth Collie vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Smooth Collie vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Smooth Collie vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Smooth Collie vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Smooth Collie vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Smooth Collie vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Smooth Collie vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Smooth Collie vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Smooth Collie vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Smooth Collie vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Smooth Collie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Smooth Collie vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Smooth Collie vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Smooth Collie vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Smooth Collie vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Smooth Collie vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Smooth Collie vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison