When people question, “Are Smooth Collies rare?” the answer is somewhat nuanced. Their availability really depends on the country/region of the world. While not as common as some other breeds, in the USA they are by no means on the verge of extinction. In the UK however, Smooth Collies are considered an endangered breed, since per their Kennel Club they are a separate breed from Rough Collies.
The Smooth Collie so far has not attained the general popularity of the Rough Collie, and I do find that to be unfortunate. The Smooth has all the wonderful endearing qualities of the Rough in his heart and soul. And the Smooth has a beauty of his own – plus an appealing lack of combing and brushing time. – Patricia Roberts Starkweather, from The Magnificent Collie.
According to the AKC, Smooth Collies rank 139th out of 197 breeds in numbers of dogs registered annually in the United States, while their Rough Collie cousins rank significantly higher at 38th. Yet Smooth Collies are now gaining popularity as Service Dogs – including Guide Dogs for the blind.
One reason for the Smooth Collie’s lesser popularity may be coat length. Many people are drawn to the luxurious, long fur of the Rough Collie, while the Smooth Collie’s short coat can be seen as less attractive or hound-like. However, the Smooth Collie’s coat has advantages in not matting or experiencing excessive seasonal shedding. In comparison, Smooth Collies will have continual single-hair shedding not unlike Labrador Retrievers.
To further contribute to Smooth Collies’ rarity, they are clearly overshadowed by their Rough Collie relatives who are associated with Lassie. Since the 1940s, Lassie iterations have been represented in media by books, movies, and TV shows. Rough Collies are even colloquially called “Lassie dogs.”
Many people are simply unaware there are two distinct Collie varieties and assume that all Collies have long fur. As a result, Smooth Collies may be entirely unknown to prospective dog owners.
