| Alternative Name The Lassie Star
Basic Info
The name refers to various breeds of herding dog
originating primarily in Scotland. The exact origin of
the name is uncertain, although it probably originates
in Older Scots col(l) (coal), meaning black. Another
explanation sometimes put forward is that collie was a
regional word for "something useful".
Health
Some suffer from a special gene defect due to a
mutation in the multidrug resistance gene, MDR1. This is
also known as "the Ivermectin-sensitive". All dogs with
this mutation must be descandents of a dog who lived in
Great Britain in the midst of the 19th century. This
mutation is found worldwide and can even cause the death
of a dog, if he gets the wrong medicine (based on
Ivermectin, Doramectin, Loperamid and many more
pharmaceuticals). Therefore all breeds or dogs akin to
them should be tested.
Behavior
As modern-day "Lassies", both rough and smooth coats
have become successful assistance, and therapy dogs. At
least one guide dog school, Southeastern Guide Dogs in
Florida, currently trains smooth coated as guide dogs,
and a number of them are currently partnered with
disabled individuals around the United States.
Origin
Western Australia
History
The modern breed of both Rough and Smooth coat
varieties are available in four distinct colors. Sable
and White dogs are generally the most recognizable, the
choice of the Lassie television and movie producers. The
sable color on these dogs can range from a light blonde
color to a deep reddish-brown, with any hue in between
possible. Tri-Color dogs are mostly black and white with
tan markings. Blue Merle collies are best described as
Tri-Color dogs whose black has been diluted to a mottled
gray-blue color. White coats are usually mostly white on
the body with a head coloration of any of the three
previous. A lesser-known variant of collie coloring is
that of the "phantom merle" - a seemingly tricolor dog,
with only perhaps a slight merling of one or two areas
of fur, who actually carries the gene for merling. If
bred to another dog with a merle gene, the resulting
pups may be "double-dilute" - which can result in
devastating neurological conditions.
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