Who knew Reese Witherspoon had the ability to shuffle the breed cards, so to speak, shifting one breed in particular closer to the top of the deck? But she did. When her Legally Blonde character Elle Woods took her Chihuahua, Bruiser, from California to Harvard Law School, Chihuahuas began to enjoy greater popularity among those bringing a purebred dog into their lives, much as Brussels Griffons got a boost from Verdell’s finally stealing Jack Nicholson’s heart in As Good As It Gets.
Of course, the spate of Taco Bell commercials featuring a Chihuahua didn’t hurt that breed’s renown, either. Truth be told, dogs in the media fueling the popularity of dogs in people’s homes is an old story. Shortly after Rin Tin Tin was featured in the Warner Brothers film Man From Hell’s River in 1922, German shepherds rose in popularity to the number one spot for four years. Don’t even get us started on Lassie.
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But dogs made popular in the movies and on television aren’t the only reason breed trends come and go. Part of it, says the communications director for the American Kennel Club, Lisa Peterson, is economics. During the height of the recession, she comments, smaller breeds like Chihuahuas became more of a hit because they’re less expensive to take care of than larger ones. Thus, while Sex and the City actress Kristin Davis’s character, Charlotte York, helped boost the number of people adopting Cavalier King Charles spaniels once she took in a dog of that breed by the name of Elizabeth Taylor, the dog’s small size also made the breed more suitable for people’s budgets in harder times. It costs less to own a smaller breed, Ms. Peterson says, because of lower feeding costs in addition to lower fees for pet care services like grooming and boarding, whose prices are often based on a pet’s weight. For the same reason, Ms. Peterson postulates, ownership of papillons, Chinese crested, and Norwich terriers skyrocketed between 2005 and 2010. People still had to have dogs — just not big ones that cost a lot to keep.
Today, she says, with the recession, well, receding for many, larger breeds are making a comeback. Indeed, the three most popular breeds in 2013 were Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, and golden retrievers.
Along with media popularity and cost, the decision about what kind of dog to get also includes consideration about ease of maintenance. With more and more families having two adult earners working long hours with little down time, very long-haired breeds have taken a hit. A rough collie, for instance — the breed that looks like Lassie — needs consistent brushing. “You’ve got all this hair,” says Jerold Bell, DVM, an associate professor of genetics at Tufts Cummings School. People no longer have the time to brush a big dog with long hair on a daily basis so that it doesn’t become matted and gnarled (which not only makes it unsightly but also doesn’t serve the dog so well as a protective coat).
Dogs with high grooming requirements, like collies and Irish setters, were actually most popular in the 1940s. This was well before the TV moms of the 1960s would have even contemplated popping a TV dinner in the oven to accommodate their ever busier schedules.
Exercise needs take time, too. AKC spokesperson Peterson points out that bulldogs and French bulldogs have become more popular not only because of their short hair but also their minimal exercise requirements — just two 30-mintue walks daily. That’s a lot different, she says, “from a border collie, who needs to tend to a flock of sheep all day to be happy.” How (in)active people feel a dog should be is a big change from the 1880s, when physical activity defined people’s lifestyles. Back then, the English setter was among the most popular breeds. The dog would find birds and crouch down on their front legs to allow hunters to throw a net over them. An English setter can most certainly be an affectionate family dog that loves to be with people, but it’s athletic and energetic and won’t be happy unless it’s kept busy physically. For perspective, Theodore Roosevelt had one.
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There’s also the issue of allergies. No type of dog is categorically hypoallergenic. A person can become allergic to any breed. But several breeds have become more popular because they shed less dander than other breeds, and that might have the potential to cut down on allergic reactions. For that reason, Portuguese water dogs, Bedlington terriers, and soft-coated Wheaten terriers have also risenin popularity.
Indiscriminate breeding can make a breed less popular
Of course, sometimes breeds come and go as a result of overbreeding. A particular breed might become very much in vogue, and then puppy mills will create more and more dogs of that breed without regard to any problems of health or temperament the sires and dams might have. For instance, with collies, there can be abnormal development of the eye that leads to a detached retina, Dr. Bell says. The condition has become so prevalent as to affect “up to 67 percent of the breed,” he says, although there is a test for it now to screen potential canine parents.
Collies have also become less popular than, say, goldens and Labs because they’re not as interactive with their human families, which is what people want more and more. “A collie will play,” Dr. Bell says, “but she’s going to give up sooner. She’ll say, ‘Yeah, this is fun, but I’m not chasing this anymore.'” A retriever, by contrast, will fetch and keep coming back forever.
With cocker spaniels, the most popular of dogs both in the 1940s and the 1980s, the issue became a certain snippiness “because there was nobody paying attention to temperament when breeding,” Dr. Bell says. What was gentle and wonderful about them too often became a ready tendency to get annoyed and nip.
Labs so far seem immune to a degradation in temperament, Dr. Bell comments. “They’ve managed to maintain their excellent personalities, so we really don’t see the nippiness. Labs are just smushes. That is one of their strongest points. The good traits have kept being passed down, and the wrong traits never made the rounds.” No wonder the American Kennel Club states that Labrador retrievers took the number 1 spot for breed popularity not just in 2013 but for 22 consecutive years before that. However, Dr. Bell states, “Labs have some skeletal, neuromuscular, eye, and heart disorders that breeders must test for in their breeding dogs so that these problems do not continue to increase in frequency.
“Siberian Huskies have really jumped up in numbers,” Dr. Bell adds. “People really like them. I’m not sure what’s driving their popularity.”
Some trends, it would seem, simply have no ready explanation.
As a collie owner of over 30 years (rescues 2 of 3 dogs) I consider collies to be extremely gentle, easy care, and playful – and delightfully social.
We have our dog groomed 1x per month, with only occasional brushing – and he is always complimented as being well-groomed. No daily brushing is needed!
I agree! I have two long coat collies, like lassie (rough collies). I rarely brush them, just take them to the groomer every other month. They’re always gorgeous! And, big bonus, they don’t smell bad or “doggy” like a lab and other breeds. Also, who says they’re not interactive? They don’t constantly hound me for attention, like a lab, but are super affectionate, usually by my side, and love everyone, even kids. I think they’re the perfect dog!
Definitely the perfect dog. Always at attention, even when seemingly asleep. Can’t believe how much of our conversation she follows
We sit and talk because we realize how much she follows our conversation. Gentle. Really, really good manners. Loved when people admire her
She is the third person in our family.
All collies (by definition) originate in Scotland and Northern England and were bred to herd sheep. This gives them an incredibly strong herding instinct which is all too easily translated into play- particularly with balls. I feel the suggestion that any type of collie will get ‘bored’ of play quickly is laughable to anyone who owns a collie and has spent many an evening constantly accosted by balls or toys to be thrown tirelessly without any signs of the dog tiring or becoming bored!
As an extreme fan of the Lassie TV shows when I was a kid, I have always wanted a Lassie of my own, and now, I finally have her. I disagree with the statement in the article about collies not being as interactive with their human families. My Lassie is VERY sociable and interactive with us. She is a delight, and I don’t care how much hair she sheds. She’s perfect for me.
I agree. I own my first collie. She’s now four months old. She loves people and is always interactive. In fact, sometimes I wish she was a bit less interactive so that I could get some rest. LOL! I’m not worried about her coat as I intend to brush her daily. I spend a lot of time with my dogs.
I had a rough tri collie as a kid, & have wanted one again for years. I finally got my wish last summer when my husband & I got an AKC registered tri puppy. He’s delightful! He’s still a puppy (9 months old), so he still has his puppy moments, but he’s been so easy to train & wants to be with us constantly.
Where can i go to get my dog. Collie. Been looken for years please help. Ty
We have a trim-color rough collie and she is about as social and interactive with our family as any dog could be, She is smart and loving, enjoys our cats and is always up for a quick game of fetch. Will she retrieve a ball for hours like a golden or a lab? No, but I consider that a good thing.
On the grooming side, she is pretty easy to maintain. We have her groomed every other month, but her coat is always shiny and clean and she never smells of wet dog (even though she likes playing in the rain). Contrast that to our previous dog (a spaniel), who looked great after a grooming, but quickly developed mats and almost always smelled like a dog.
(That should read “tri-color”, but auto-correct got me.)
Once you get a rough collie no other breed to consider!!
I grew up with rough Collies. For me, there is no other breed to own. Collies are extremely intelligent, loyal, giving, an absolute joy to own. The only reason I don’t own a Collie at present is because I live in Southern California. Collies thrive in cold weather; it would be cruel to force one to live in a warm climate. I remember how it was next-to-impossible to bring my Collies inside during Chicago’s brutal winters. My guys just wanted to roll and roll and roll around in the snow and ice on frigid January afternoons.
The person who wrote this article must be a cat fan as the know nothing at all about Rough Collies. I had a Tri Rough collie that saved my life. My mum and dad have had 2 sables. They had 1 before I was born and she looked after me as a baby and I used to hold on to her and she would stand up and I walked at 8 months. My parents said she was my protector and would only let people near if she liked me. In 2010 I had cancer and I was so depressed I got my Tri who saved my life and made me love again and because of her, I am married. My mum and dad got their second sable in 2011. My Tri would play fetch for hours, even when she got tired she would bark at the ball to stop rolling and then walk to get it and bring it back for me to throw again. My parents sable was so living, she loved to be fussed by family and strangers. So what this so called Dr. said in his article is utter rubbish and should really speak to Rough Collie owners before spouting his rubbish.
I have a similar story
My parents got a rough collie when I was born. She was my protector and when I was learning to walk, she would gently grab my arm and bring me back to my folks if I wandered off. Dad said there was never a mark in my skin where she grabbed me. If dad got angry at me she would stand between us and growl at him.
Someone poisoned her when she was five.
My dad was emotionally closed off but I’m told he cried uncontrollably.
We had several as I was growing up
I never had any as an adult as my wife had severe allergies which is a shame.
My daughter loves our neighbours border collie but I’m sure a rough collie would be her best friend
Growing up I had two of rough collies but, when it came to choosing a dog for our 7 year old son we went with a smooth. It was a great decision; all the great things about a collie without the tangles. She still sheds like crazy but it is easier to manage than the long hair of the roughs. As for not being an engaged dog, ours will chase the ball/frisbee until we stop her. (In the winter when it is cold she can go seemingly forever.) She then comes back and has a nice rest. Would have a hard time picking a different breed.
I am a huge fan of horses and large breeds. They make fantastic sexual partners!
What is wrong with you? Pervert. Just abstain from these sick comments. You’re an animal abuser and should be reported
I completely agree with you on that sick comment.
This person needs to be on some sort of sexual predator list, that people immediately are notified if he’s trying to adopt an animal.
Secondly, if this person posted it to get a reaction, then we’re giving him exactly what he wants. I’m truly hoping that’ a the reason for that post. Either way, whomever oversees this site, should delete it.
You are a disgusting freak.
Wow I have a 6 year old Lassie girl. She is perfect loves everyone especially children and is gentle and friendly with everyone. She is an excellent guard dog. I take her to dog spa at about 6 weeks and brush her occasionally. These dogs are very intelligent and if they don’t want to do something, they probably have a good reason. I am searching for a rescue collie but they are pretty rare because they are quite the perfect dog.
Like all the other collie people here, I completely disagree on collies not being interactive. My boy is very much engaged with his people and definitely happiest when he’s involved. Training with him is all based on games and fun – i practice regularly with him and we both enjoy it immensely.
I think the decline in popularity with rough collies is likely due to people not wanting to deal with the coat. He gets a lot of admirers when we’re out and I’m often asked if he takes hours to brush him and how much he sheds. I brush him several times a week and enjoy doing it but lots of people want a dog with a much lower maintenance coat.
For me collies are everything I like in a dog and I don’t think I could have another breed.
Dear Collie lovers, have any of you also had Shetland Sheepdogs? I am very curious about how owners of both Collies and Shelties feel about their differences and similarities.
Hi Rozanne,
I didn’t see any replies to your post. I have had both Rough Coated Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs since I was a kid. 46-years worth of experience. I’ve been fortunate enough to share my world with three Rough Coated Collies and two Shetland Sheepdogs. I can speak to there being a difference between their behavior. All three Rough Coated Collies were playful, loving and loyal, and they would often follow my kids and me around the acreage, as well as herd our ducks and chickens. They would also fetch balls or frisbees. Our Shetland Sheepdogs were a different lot. They were most definitely glued to us, everywhere we went, even in the house they followed. Whether it be the toilet, shower, the bed, the dinner table, they followed and were always at our feet. We allowed our Shelties to sleep on the bed. The closer they could be to us, the happier they were. Our Collies loved being with us, but they didn’t like being snuggled long. They would get up and create space. I feel that they were much more into herding and guarding us, our Shelties were all about being with us. They would play for a short while, tugging on a rope or chew toy. They liked doing agility activities. Both of these breeds love to play chase and run. They are the best breeds ever. I myself am looking for a new Sheltie, as mine passed away last May. They are not easily replaced, they are like love for life children. Anyway, that’s my two cents.
I had a sable Sheltie and a tri rough Collie. Both liked to play and run, both were great with my kids. Shelties bark a lot more than Collies. They also required more grooming than the Collie. Both are smart dogs, but the Collie is more intelligent and had a better all around personality.
We have a sheltie and he is amazing. Super easy to train. He loves to play, especially chase! He definitely has an off switch and enjoys sitting on the couch beside either my husband or I. He does not smell doggy. He does need brushing but not everyday! Best dog ever! He does enjoy barking but again not all the time! Throws his head back daily to sing and barks a lot at the air popper and people going up the stairs. On a walk in the neighborhood…. Totally quite and quite docile!
In my life time this was my list of dogs I’ve wanted to own. Husky, german shepherd, corgi, rough collie. Other then one awesome rescue husky, the huskies weren’t my breed. Way to energetic and wanted to kill everything on the farm and neighbors stuff and couldn’t keep them in a pen. German shepherds and corgis were pretty cool, but now i realize they weren’t my breed ethier.
I’ve also been around and worked with many other breeds. Now that I have rough collies I realize they fit me best, i love them and wish id got them much earlier in my life! They are laid back, gentle, smart, affectionate, but if you want to go hiking or something their with you. My main girl is a sable headed white, she is beautiful and my favorite dog I’ve ever owned. I consider her family not a dog. Not interactive? I call them affection seeking missles, they crave human interaction and stick their long noses in everything you do. I can’t build or work on anything without them having to inspect it and try to figure out what im doing lol. Each individual is different, some will play fetch (or what ever game) however long you want. My moms labs, golden retrievers growing up wouldn’t play fetch and i really wanted them too! Far as grooming they are high on maintenance imo. Now if it’s a inside dog in the city your fine. My main girl hates dirt, stay in doors most of the time so she stays clean. My other guys are farm dogs so it’s a lot of upkeep on them. Also males aren’t as bad as the females, that is why lassie was actually played by male dogs. I think the death of farms is what made them sink, I get many comments when I take mine out. A lot of people tell me they love collies and grew up with them on the farm. The grooming is usually the main factor they skip them too, most don’t know about the smooth version or don’t care for their look over the rough.
Not interactive? They’re the most empathetic dogs out there and that makes them super attentive to their people. Sure, they won’t fetch a ball for hours like a machine, but they’ll still be by your side the whole time. Collies love their people so much.
Huskies’ popularity increased because of Game of Thrones. It’s not a mystery.
Actually the dogs featured as dire wolves in Game of Thrones are Northern Inuits, which were developed in the 80’s in a British breeding programme which specifically sought to create a dog that closely resembled a wolf. They’re a really fascinating breed, and although not recognised by any major kennel clubs there are numerous breeders across the UK (and a few elsewhere in the world) with litters on offer. Many people did end up getting huskies as a close surrogate after watching Game of Thrones, but the husky breed had already been rising in popularity even before. Since stories of huskies close relationships with humans have been popularised and sensationalised (Togo, Balto, ect) so has the breed, with unfortunate side effects.
Theo Williams, I have my 5th rough collie. Four have been rescues from MWCR. That’s MNWICollie Rescue. They almost always have collies available. We have members I believe in 19 states now. Of course you would have to fill out a form & would need a home inspection and I believe a vet reference. I’ve been a member for over 20 yrs and they are a wonderful caring organization. I’m sure you will find them online. Good luck. I love them. Feel free to email me.
I, too, grew up with rough collies. My parents had a sable when they married and she was there when my sisters and I were born. We held on to Lassie when we learned to walk and she went everywhere with us and kept us safe in the yard. She died when I was 10. Then we moved to a farm and Dad got a sable and a tri female pups. The tri, Buttons, learned to pull us on a tobbogan ! Dad got a grown tri male that was for me and I named him Ranger. He was so pretty and what a sweet tempered dog. He and our tri female had 4 litters over 5 years and one litter was 10 pups! The others were 8 in the liters. Ranger was my 4-H dog and so easy to train. He took a lot of brushing and loved every minute of it. We got to go to State Fair when he was 3. We roamed all over our farm and stayed close to all 5 of us kids while we played . He was my pal and lived to a ripe old age of 16 and died when I was 25. Mom and Dad had a total of 5 other collies. The last one was a sweetie that our daughter liked when we moved out to the family farm. She died at 16 also and was active somewhat until she died. So, from 1955 to 2005, a collie has always been on the family farm!
I have two sable color heads. When I was very young, I grew up with collies. When the opportunity arose to have them again, I didn’t hesitate. I have a full blooded, brother and sister same parents. They are the most incredible dogs I have ever had and have a nose. I’ve had a lot of them, I am now 80 years old; these beautiful, gentle dogs are the joy of my life now. My beautiful boy Duncan, is it really large rough coat-90 pounds.(his father was large as well.) is baby sister Nokomis is 10 months younger.(and oops litter.) they are closely bonded and ever so interactive with me they are my joy indeed.
Yes, I love hearing about others loving their collies. My husband and I have had rough coated collies since the early 1970’s. We had: Rockafeller, Johnnie, Sidney, Lacey, Sage & Kingsley and lastly we have Calvin and Maggie. We love love love our collies and have given up going places etc. to stay with our canines and have no regrets about it either. This breed is extremely intelligent especially if you take the time to patiently work with them and devote the time that ultimately allows you to understand these magnificent creatures. The brushing is not a problem if you give them a thorough brushing once a week with a couple of quick brushes in between. And, we have never had a doggie odor problem. This is such a loyal breed that I could never think of another breed that could come close in temperament and the bond they have with their family. And yes, they constantly listen to any conversation going on and understand so very much about what is being said. Thank God, they can’t speak English, or these collies would give out all our classified information! They are a joy to behold.