The Modern Dog Library

About the Collie

Breed Information

• AKC Collie American Kennel Club Breed profile and summary of common collie traits
• American Working Collie Association Group which offers titles to Collies involved in sports, herding, and therapy work
• Collie Club of America American organization for collies and particularly important for breeders. This is the place to start if you are looking to add a collie to your family.
• Collie Club of America Breed Education YouTube Videos by the Collie Club members about collie breeding, history, and care
• Collie Health Foundation Foundation dedicated to improving the health of the collie breed and resource pages for common collie illnesses
• Collies Online Information about collie shows, litters and community events

Grooming

• Grooming with Kate Facebook Group (Grooming with Kate Mobile Grooming) Group run by a groomer with collies
• Wyndlair Collie Ear Taping Tutorial (Wyndlair Collies) Ear taping tutorial for puppies

Herding

• Herding with Rough Collies (Dogumentary TV) Video discussing the distinctive herding style of collies

Collie Health Concerns

ABCB1 (Formerly MRD1) Drug Mutation/Sensitivity

• MDR1 Mutation Information (Cornell Vet) Overview of what MDR1 is, susceptible breeds, and treatment considerations
• MDR1 Genetic Testing: What You Need to Know (Today’s Veterinary Nurse) A brief history and discussion of MDR1
• MDR1 Testing Kit (Washington State Vet) At home saliva kit for the MDR1 gene – Once tested your dog will be registered with the MDR1 Caddie portal, where a board certified veterinary pharmacologist can answer dosage questions.
• MDR1 Problem Drug List (Washington State Vet) List of problem drugs for MDR1 Dogs – As I understand it, Rifampin will be added to this list.
• White feet don’t treat: Considerations for dogs with MDR1 mutations (American Animal Hospital Association) Summary of what MDR1 is, how the mutation causes drug sensitivity, and what categories of drugs to avoid

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA

• Collie Eye Anomaly (Collie Health Foundation) About CEA and how to interpret eye exam results

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

• Degenerative Myelopathy (Collie Health Foundation) Basic information about DM and its treatment
• Degenerative Myelopathy (Veterinary Health Center, University of Missouri) DM information from the university which discovered the currently known DM gene
• Degenerative Myelopathy in the Rough Collie (Shadowpark Rough Collies) A deeper dive into the genetics and history of DM by a UK collie breeder

Dermatomyositis (DMS)

Note: Originally many vets abbreviated dermatomyositis DM. It is now abbreviated DMS to distinguish it from degenerative myelopathy. Some resources and vet may still use the original terminology.

• General Information:
  • Dermatomyositis (Collie Health Foundation) Risk assessment video for litters of puppies and individual dogs, along with basic information about DMS
  • Dermatomyositis (American Shetland Sheepdog Association) DMS deep dive
  • Familial Canine Dermatomyositis (Collie Health Foundation) DMS summary and treatment information
  • Dog’s Best Friend (Clemson World Article on Dr. Leigh Anne Clark’s research) Dr. Clark first identified genes involved in DMS back in 2017. Thank you Dr. Clark!
  • Living with DM (Texas A&M Dermatomyositis Studies Website)

• Ongoing Research studies on DMS:
  • Collie Health Foundation reports that Clemson University will test any dog with signs of DMS for free. Please contact Sarah Murphy at scmurph@g.clemson.edu.
  • Transcriptome Profiling of Canine Familial Dermatomyositis (DMS) Skin Lesions and Treatment (University of Georgia) This study at UGA is currently requesting skin biopsy and/or participants for a drug trial. Already obtained biopsies may be able to be used.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Collie Health Foundation) History of PRA and genetic background
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Cornell Vet) Signs of PRA and diagnosis information