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Collie (Smooth)
Working
CHARACTERISTICS:
To enable the Collie to fulfil a natural
bent for sheepdog work, its physical structure should be on the
lines of strength and activity, free from cloddiness and without
any trace of coarseness. Expression, one of the most important points
in considering relative values, is obtained by the perfect balance
and combination of skull and foreface, size, shape, colour and placement
of eye, correct position and carriage of ears. Temperament should
be gay and friendly, never nervous or aggressive.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Collie should instantly appear as gifted
with its intelligence, alertness and activity. The Collie should
stand with dignity, and his movements, governed by perfect anatomical
formation, with no part out of proportion, should be smooth and
graceful. The Collie should give the appearance of a dog capable
of working.
Head and Skull:
The head properties are of great importance
and must be considered in proportion to the size of the dog. When
viewed from both front and profile the head should bear a general
resemblance to a well-blunted, clean wedge, being smooth in outline.
The skull should be flat. The sides should taper gradually and smoothly
from the ears to the end of the black nose, without prominent cheek
bones or pinched muzzle. Viewed in profile the top of the skull
and the top of the muzzle should lie in two parallel, straight planes
of equal length, divided by a slight but perceptible "stop"
or break. A mid-point between the inside corners of the eyes (which
is the centre of a correctly placed "stop") should be
the centre of balance in length of head. The end of the smooth,
well-rounded muzzle should be blunt, but not square. The underjaw
should be strong, clean cut, and the depth of the skull from the
brow to the underpart of the jaw should never be excessive (deep
through). Whatever the colour of the dog, the nose must be black.
Eyes:
Are a very important feature and should give
a sweet expression to the dog. They should be of medium size, set
somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of dark brown colour, except
in the case of blue merles when one or both eyes may be wall or
jewelled. Expression full of intelligence with a quick, alert look
when listening.
Ears:
Should be moderately large, wider at the
base, and placed not too close together nor too much on the side
of the head. When in repose they should be carried thrown back,
but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, that
is, with approximately two-thirds of the ear standing erect, the
top third tipping forward naturally, below the horizontal.
Mouth:
The teeth should be of good size, with the
lower incisors fitting closely behind the upper incisors; a very
slight space not to be regarded as a serious fault.
Neck:
Should be muscular, powerful, of fair length
and well arched.
Forequarters:
The shoulders should be sloped and well angulated.
The forelegs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out
at the elbows, with a moderate amount of bone. The forearm somewhat
fleshy with pasterns showing flexibility without weakness.
Body:
Should be a trifle long compared with the
height, back level and firm with a slight rise over the loins; ribs
well-sprung; chest deep and fairly broad behind the shoulders.
Hindquarters:
The hind legs should be muscular at the thighs,
clean and sinewy below, with well bent stifles. Hocks well let-down
and powerful.
Feet:
Should be oval with soles well padded. Toes
arched and close together. Hind feet slightly less arched.
Gait:
Movement is a distinct characteristic of
the breed. A sound dog is never out at elbow, yet it moves with
its front feet comparatively close together. Plaiting, crossing
or rolling are highly undesirable. The hind legs, from the hock
joint to the ground, when viewed from the rear, should be parallel,
powerful and full of drive. Viewed from the side the action should
be smooth. A reasonably long stride is desirable and this should
be light and appear quite effortless.
Tail:
Should be long with the bone reaching at
least to the hock joint. To be carried low when the dog is quiet
but with a slight upward swirl at the tip. It may be carried gaily
when the dog is excited, but never over the back.
Coat:
A very important feature of the Smooth Collie
is his short, flat top coat of harsh texture, with a very dense
undercoat.
Colour:
The three recognised colours are sable and
white, tricolour and blue merle.
Sable:
Any shade from light gold to rich mahogany
or shaded sable. Light straw or cream colour is highly undesirable.
Tricolour:
Predominantly black with rich tan markings
about the legs and head. A rusty tinge in the top coat is highly
undesirable.
Blue Merle:
Predominantly clear, silvery blue, splashed
and marbled with black. Rich tan markings to be preferred, but their
absence should not be counted as a fault. Large black markings,
slate colour, or a rusty tinge either of the top or undercoat are
highly undesirable.
White Markings:
All the above may carry the typical white
Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. The following markings
are favourable - White collar, full or part; white shirt, legs and
feet; white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on muzzle or skull
or both.
All white or predominantly white is most undesirable.
Weight and Size:
Dogs: 55.8 - 60.9 cm (22 - 24 in) at shoulder.
Bitches: 50.8 - 55.8 cm (20 - 22 in) at shoulder.
Dogs: 20.4 - 29.4 kg (45 - 65 lb). Bitches: 18.1 - 24.9 kg (40 -
55 lb).
Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should
be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be
in exact proportion to its degree.
Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal
testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
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