Gollie

Canis lupus

Last updated: October 18, 2022
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Mhughes Photography/Shutterstock.com

They bark at strangers, cars, and loud noises like airplanes.


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Gollie Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Gollie Conservation Status

Gollie Locations

Gollie Locations

Gollie Facts

Name Of Young
Puppies
Group Behavior
  • Social
Fun Fact
They bark at strangers, cars, and loud noises like airplanes.
Litter Size
4-12 puppies
Diet
Omnivore

Gollie Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Black
  • Golden
Skin Type
Fur
Lifespan
12-15 years
Height
22-26 inches
Age of Sexual Maturity
6-12 months

Gollie as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
High
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$1000-$1200
Dog group
Sporting
Male weight
50-75 lbs
Female weight
50-75 lbs

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The Gollie has a combination of both the Golden Retriever and the Collie. Even though the Golden Retriever and Collie’s ancestry connection took place in Scotland, surprisingly, Gollie dogs were bred in the surroundings of the USA.

The most significant part about owning a Gollie is that this hybrid breed inherited charming and attentive characteristics from their Scottish roots.

The different types of Gollie Dog mix breeds

The Coltriever is a hybrid breed that combines the Golden Retriever and the Border Collie. The Coltriever looks similar to the border collie and carries the fun-loving and silly side of the Golden Retriever.

 These dogs have a variety of fur colorings consisting of a black tone with hints of tan or white markings around the paws and chest area. They might not be a modern breed, as they are rare, but they make a great combination.

Fun Facts about the Gollie Dog

  • Gollie dogs can also be called Golden Collies.
  • The Gollie dog has a variety of colors on its fur. These colors consist of black, brown, gold, and white. Sometimes their coat can be one color or a combination of colors.
  • Depending on the genes of the Gollie’s DNA, they could inherit a small narrow frame of the Collie or a broader, heavier build of the Retriever.
  • They bark at strangers, cars, and loud noises like airplanes.

Pros and Cons of owning a Gollie Dog

ProsCons
Gentle with children: the Gollie dog is gentle and patient, making this the perfect pet for your children.They shed a lot: their long-haired and fluffy locks are known to molt. So you will have to invest in a high-powered vacuum cleaner to keep those hairs at bay.
They are very lovable: they stay close to their owners as they always look for love and attention.Requires a significant amount of exercise: because they have high bursts of energy, they need ample space to play and run around. Therefore, the Gollie dog is not suitable for tiny apartment homes.
Trained easily: Gollie’s are very intelligent, making them quick learners. They will abide by commands and like to show off their skills.Health issues are prone to epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and cataracts, depending on the genes inherited from the Golden Retriever and Collie’s parents.

The Best Dog Food for the Gollie Dog

The Gollie loves to eat and, at times, never knows when to stop munching. Because of this habit, they are prone to packing on extra weight. Therefore, it is vital to provide your Gollie with healthy nutrition options as this provides a well-working metabolism and assists in creating a protected immune system. This breed can consume either dry kibble or wet foods as long as there is a high amount of

  • Protein
  • Healthy fats and carbohydrates
  • Fiber
  • Minerals and vitamins

If you are unsure what food to provide your Gollie, you can get a full assessment at your local vet, who will weigh your dog and give you guidelines on how much food they should consume to prevent weight gain.

Gollie Dog Weight and Size

The Male Gollie breed is medium in size; as for the female, she will be slightly smaller. Both males and females weigh 50-75 pounds, and their height can range from 22-26 inches.

Gollie Dogs Health Issues

The Gollie breed is generally healthy, but due to it being a hybrid dog, they can experience health issues from either the Golden Retriever or the Collie. These health issues include:

These diseases typically start to show as your dog becomes older with age. If you notice signs that your dog is not feeling well or experiencing any pain, take them immediately to get examined.

Gollie Dogs Temperament

Because this breed is exceptionally loyal to their owners at times they can become very clingy. However, with them always showing so much love and affection, you are bound to get lots of licks and slobbery kisses.

Because they get excited quickly, their behavior can be a bit boisterous. They can express themselves by barking a lot, especially when meeting a stranger, they will jump toward you to say hello, but with proper training, they will learn to be calmer and obey commands if they become too rowdy.

How to Take Care of a Gollie Dog

Gollie

 These dogs have a variety of fur colorings consisting of a black tone with hints of tan or white markings around the paws and chest area.

©Sponner/Shutterstock.com

The Gollie dog has a lot of energy which is why they need a good amount of physical exercise. These exercises can include running or playing fetch. Being outdoors keeps their body and minds stimulated and prevents them from becoming bored. In addition, they need to be fed a healthy diet and given fresh water daily.

Grooming

They require daily brushing as their fine hair will shed and stick to everything. It is best to take your Gollie to get groomed by professional groomers, who will assist your dog with a tapered trim on their coat and nails. When outdoors, their coats can get dirty, it’s advised to bathe them once a week to prevent them from becoming smelly and keep their coats clean and shiny. If you struggle to brush your dog’s teeth, instead of using toothpaste, you can give them dental treats or even vegetables such as celery and carrots, as this will rub the plaque off their teeth.

Training

The Gollie breed is very trainable as they take on commands skillfully and obediently. Training is a necessary learning experience for your dog where it can assist in:

  • Mental stimulation
  • Preventing behavioural issues
  • Correcting social situations  

Exercise

When the Gollie dog reaches adulthood, they need 1 hour of exercise daily to keep them strong and healthy. Because they are known to get hip and elbow dysplasia, keep a close eye on their joints and bones as they age, prevent your dog from running a lot, and incorporate slow walks.

Puppies

The female Gollie breed can fall pregnant at least twice a year and her pregnancy can last a total of 63 days which she can bear a litter of 4-8 puppies. When the pups are born they will stay close to their mother, as the newborn pups cant adjust their body temperature. When the puppies are born, they don’t have any control over thier eyesight and hearing as their eyes and ears are still developing. They will start to hear and see more clearly 21 days after birth. The puppies will nurse and gain enough nutrition from their mother’s milk. As they start to grow and learn to walk the puppies will start to explore their new world.

Gollie Dog and Children

Children are known to be very unpredictable, as they can be noisy, emotional, and rough. Some dogs don’t enjoy the chaos, but as for the Gollie dog, their loving and patient nature builds beautiful bonds with children. They will definitely keep your children entertained; in fact, your child will most certainly gain a furry friend.

Dogs Similar to the Gollie Dog

The Border Collie is very Similar to the Golden Gollie. Border Collies are known to be working dogs as they were bred to assist farmers to herd sheep. Nowadays they make dedicated service dogs where they assist police officers in finding bombs and narcotics.

 Their intelligent and hard-working skills really make for a skillful and obedient dog. They do make the perfect fit for a family that can give them a big space of land to run and explore the outdoors and of course a comfy warm bed. Bear in mind If you do have younger children in the household, the Border Collie can push and be a bit rough as they still have a tendency to herd, but with guiding and teaching them proper training techniques, they can become more gentle.

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What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

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If you have kids or existing dogs select:

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How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
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About the Author

Kayeleen Parsons is a writer at A-Z Animals that thoroughly enjoys writing about animals of all types. She has a love for many animals, but her Cocker Spaniel dog holds a special place in her heart. In addition to being a writer, she's also an English teacher, sharing her knowledge to help her students become excellent in the language and literature. When she's not busy writing, Kayeleen enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family in her homeland of Cape Town.

Gollie FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Is the Gollie dog intelligent?

Yes, they are intelligent, and hard-working skills really make for a skillful and obedient dog.

What is the lifespan of the Gollie dog?

They can live anywhere from 12-15 years.

Are Gollie dogs good with children?

Their loving and patient nature builds beautiful bonds with children. They will definitely keep your children entertained. In fact, your child will most certainly gain a furry friend.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources

  1. Dogbreed, Available here: https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/gollie.htm
  2. wagwalking, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/gollie
  3. petkeen, Available here: https://petkeen.com/gollie/

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