Scotch Collie vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison

Scotch Collie vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed ComparisonBoth Flat-Coated Retriever and Scotch Collie are originated from United Kingdom. Both Flat-Coated Retriever and Scotch Collie are of same height. Both Flat-Coated Retriever and Scotch Collie are having almost same weight. Flat-Coated Retriever may live 6 years less than Scotch Collie. Both Flat-Coated Retriever and Scotch Collie has same litter size. Both Flat-Coated Retriever and Scotch Collie requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Herding dogs
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United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
59 - 61 cm
23 - 25 inches
53 - 61 cm
20 - 25 inches
Height Female:
56 - 59 cm
22 - 24 inches
47 - 56 cm
18 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 36 kg
59 - 80 pounds
21 - 32 kg
46 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
18 - 27 kg
39 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 10 Years
12 - 16 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
2 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Flatcoat, flatt, Flattie Flatte (Sweden)
Farm Collie • Old Farm Collie
Colors Available:
liver and yellow (blonde, black
All colors and markings traditionally found on collies
Coat:
double, glossy and smooth
double top harsh under soft
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing
Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Responsive
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

flat coated retrieverThe Flat-Coated Retriever traces its heritage to 19th century England. A popular gamekeepers’ dog, the actual descendants of the breed are not entirely known. Like so many well-established breeds, there are many lines of thought about the breed line. There is an unverified line of ancestry that includes the St. Johns Water Dog – an extinct breed from North America. Another story has Canadian sailors bringing their Newfoundlands to England and mixing them with Colliers and Setters. This story has more truth to it and it took 20 years to establish the final breed type.

The breed was originally a retriever with two purposes – to retrieve the hunters’ bounty on land and on water.

The Flat-Coated Retriever was then introduced to the United States as a gun dog. By 1873 it was a “stable type” and in 1915 the AKC recognized the breed. After this, their popularity grew quickly until the American public fell in love with the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. Then the Flat-Coated Retriever’s numbers and popularity fell. The irony was that both the Golden and the Labrador credited the Flat-Coated Retriever as an ancestor. The survival of the breed was questionable following World War Two. They were brought back by a specific breeding program in the 1960’s.

Breeders in the ‘60s made sure they bred for both show dogs and companion animals. The Flat-Coated Retriever survived and is less popular than other retrievers, but he has his fans. The breed is more popular in the United Kingdom than it is in the United States in part because of Best in Show wins at Crufts

scotch collieThe landrace breed, which started in the highlands of Scotland is known as the Scotch Collie. There were at the time two types of collies – the Rough or long haired collie and the smooth or short haired collie. The Scotch Collie is considered to be from a line of very ancient herding dogs. It might have existed in the days of the Roman Empire, these herding dogs might have included the Native Celtic Dogs, Roman Cattle Dogs, Gordon Setter, Viking Herding Spitzes and Irish Setters.

In its native land the Scotch Collie is often called the colley dogs, coaly and cooley. Collie comes from the Scottish words for black coal – or the Coaley Sheep they herded. In addition to herding, the Scotch Collie also acted as a hunter and guard dog for its family. A large group of these collies were exported to America to work on family farms. Soon they were so popular they became family pets. They were first shown in both England and America in in the mid to late 1800’s.

The Scotch Collie Club was formed in 1885 and the breed accepted into the AKC the same year. The Collie Club of America started the following year. The AKC eventually dropped the moniker Scotch in favor or Rough and Smooth Collie. This move also separated the show dogs from the still working/herding Scotch Collies.

Aa time went on and the collie became more prominent in conformation competitions, some breeders mixed in the Greyhound and perhaps the Borzoi to get the collie we see today. The Scotch Collie itself eventually lost its independent recognition in the UKC and the NKC. It was mixed in with the English Shepard, but it was an important element in the development of the Australian Shepard, Shetland Sheepdogs and Border Collies.

The breed had a revival of sorts in the early 2000’s as the Old Time Scotch Collie. Any type of farm collie in America and Canada can be registered in the OTSCA. They are more often referred to as Old Time Farm Shepherds to avoid confusion them with the very popular collies. In 2017 there were 174 of these OTSCA dogs. Collies today have less working instincts, and the heeling instinct seems to be gone.

Today the show version of the Scotch Collie is recognized by both the AKC and UKC in the herding group.

It has been said of the Scotch Collie that they have “the majesty of a lion, the pride of a great thoroughbred stallion, the confidence of a Winston Churchill.”

Description

flat coated retriever puppy - descriptionThe Flat-Coated Retriever has a straight and strong topline with unique head, strong jaws, a long muzzle and small ears. His eyes are dark brown almonds with a friendly and intelligent expression. He has an arched neck and a moderately long tail. The Flat-Coated Retriever is more of an athlete, lighter and certainly more elegant than any other type or breed of retriever.

scotch collie puppy - descriptionThis Scotch Collie is an athletic, intelligent, well-balanced and alert dog. This collie has no exaggerated features like the long nose/muzzle of the current collies. This Scotch Collie is sound in mind and body, a hard working dog. He is hearty and versatile. They are longer than they are tall. Their heads are moderate and the stoop is well defined. They have a wide, flat skull. Their lips are tight and they are fitted well.

Their ears are also moderate in size and pointed or partially erect. They should not have long or droopy ears. They have eyes that might be oblique, almond, and round. The eyes are usually brown and merles may have blue eyes. The breed has a deep chest, broad shoulders and a long tail. There are also some bobtails that occur naturally.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

flat coated retriever dog - characteristicsThe Flat-Coated Retriever is great with children. Just be careful they don’t knock over small children in their enthusiasm.

Special talents

They are confident great family dogs. They are “thinking dogs” and need something to work for or they will work for themselves. They can be clowns.

Adaptability

They are adaptable although their size might preclude small locations without yards.

Learning ability

Smart, thinking all the time, they are very trainable. However, they are considered the “Peter Pan” of dogs – they never grow up.

1.Children friendliness - they are great with children.

2.Special talents agility and speed.

scotch collie dog - characteristics3.Adaptability - Scotch Collies are versatile and adaptable. There is no need to crate them as they are not destructive. If you have a large run or kennel, they can live anywhere. However they are happiest on farms and open lands.

4.Learning ability - They are very intelligent and open to learning.

Health Problems

flat coated retriever puppies - health problemsFlat-Coated Retrievers have their share of health concerns from dysplasia to cancer. The breeds problems include:

  1. Hip Dysplasia – not very common
  2. PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – can result in blindness
  3. Glaucoma - an eye disease that can result in blindness
  4. Epilepsy – very rare but still seen
  5. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and volvulus) – fatal if not treated immediately

Cancers

Hemangiosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Malignant Histiocytosis, and Fibrosarcoma. Studies show that about half of all Flat-Coated Retrievers die of cancer.

scotch collie puppies - health problemsThe old line breed was hearty with few health issues. The ones they did have included:

  • Musculoskeletal problems - can cause weakness or even some lameness.

• Skin problems - can have skin diseases like mange that may or may not be acute, may have allergies or sensitivities.

  • Bloat – can cause death if not treated quickly.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

flat coated retriever dogs - caringHe will be a medium size dog. Feed puppies 3-4 times a day about a 1/8 cup of high-quality food. Feed a puppy food designed for medium size dogs or specifically for retrievers.

Feeding the adult

Feed 2 times a day about !/2 cups of dry food per meal. Do not overfeed. They have a tendency to be obese.

Points for Good Health

Maintain a healthy weight and avoid exercise before and after meals. The good news is dysplasia and epilepsy are rare in the breed.

Games and Exercises

They are very energetic and need good exercise. Long walks and a yard to run in. Remember they are hunting dogs and will chase to retrieve things so don’t let them off leash outside your yard. They will excel at agility, tracking. Rally, obedience, swimming, hunting, and jogging. They make great therapy dogs.

scotch collie dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy - The Scotch Collie is not a medium dog nor is it a large dog. It is somewhere in-between. Because of this there is some discretion in not only how much you feed your puppy, but also what you feed. Normally we would feed according to breed size but here you need a high quality formula that is made for working breeds. The puppy will need enough calories to meet their high energy needs. Feed at least 3-4 times a day.

2.Feeding the adult - you need a high quality formula that is made for working breeds. The adult will need enough calories to meet their high energy needs. Feed at least 2 times a day.

3.Points for Good Health - stamina and athleticism.

4. Games and Exercises

There is a high need for exercise starting with walks or jog but that is not going to be enough. The Scotch Collie is not a Border Collie or a Corgi in terms of energy, but they are not couch potaoes. They need more than access to a yard. They need a job or they need defined exercise and play. The daily walk or jog will do it but intense play is better.

Comparison with other breeds

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