Hi There!
Yep, I've got two Smoothies, Oz and Gull. They both are very intelligent. I think it's that intelligence that could maybe get them a hard headed/stubborn reputation. They don't do well with harsh training methods or repetition or if they know something's wrong, they won't blindly go along. Oz was barking the other morning, while I was trying to sleep, and I asked him to go back to bed. He totally ignored me and then started whacking me in the head, while whining and barking. I finally got up to see what was up and sure enough Murph was sick. He was trying to tell me something was wrong, so was persistent until I listened to him.
I train mine with positive methods and we only train a couple of minutes a day. That's all that's needed. They don't need drilling over and over to get something. They will get bored with that. They both were at the top of their obedience and agility classes. Easily besting Border Collies, Aussies, Labs, Goldens, Poodles, etc. They don't have the speed, drive and intensity of say the Border Collie, but my two picked up new concepts much quicker then the Border Collies in class. I think maybe because they were much calmer and more focused on me then the other puppies in class.
They're very well behaved in the house. I trusted them free in the house, when still puppies. Totally reliable on housebreaking. Not destructive. They pick up pretty quickly what's allowed and what isn't. If they start to get too rambunctious in the house, I just tell'em to go get in their bed and they trot right off to their beds for a short time out. We'll usually then go outside to run off some of that energy. I don't view their energy level as too unmanageable, but they are herding breeds. They need to run, so I play frisbee with mine. They picked that up quick too.
They're easy to groom, but they do shed. A lot. So I have found that if I take mine to a groomer to blow their coat out, it does reduce the shedding. I've never had any issue with their ears. No infections. I spent a lot of grooming socializing time, when they were puppies, so that I wouldn't have issues with nail clipping, brushing, etc.
They are a protective breed and they're communicative, with a very loud bark. Ear Shattering Loud. So training as far as barking, is a lifelong process I think. I'm always working on coming to me and being "quiet". I live in the suburbs, with neighbors right on top of me more or less, so I'm more paranoid about it then if I lived out in the country. I think they'd be a very hard breed to have in an apartment environment and I can't see them doing well being stuck out in the backyard either. They'd be a barking nightmare.
They are nose pokers, which could be annoying to some I guess, but I love it. That's a much nicer herding technique to live with vs nipping. I remind my Mom of that everytime they goose her in the rear.They use that nose for affection too. Both of mine come and touch their nose to mine vs licking.
They're both very friendly and excited to see people. It does take'em a couple of minutes to calm down when they meet new people. I've read they're suppose to be standoffish to strangers, but my two are pretty gregarious. That may have to do with me I'm sure. I really encourage mine as puppies to be outgoing.
They've got a major sense of home and loyalty. I never worry about mine bolting out a fence or the house or running from me. I accidently left the gate unlatched one day. I was busy working in the yard and Gull started barking. I looked up to tell him to stop, to see only half his body inside the fence. He was barking at some kids walking by, but he never attempted to leave the backyard.
The Smoothes are just starting to gain some popularity, but they do come from the same litters as the Roughs. So you do have to worry about the popularity issues from Lassie. Stick with a rescue or a good breeder to try to reduce health issues and temperament issues.
Although they may not be for everybody, I just love this breed. I hope to always have one in my life.
Here's Gull:
and Oz:
Par...
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Just one thing, are they reconized by the AKC?
Originally Posted by Maltese_Love
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