The Collie is an excellent sporting dog and can be taught to do the job of the Water Spaniel and Retriever, as well as the Pointer and Setter. It can be trained to perform the duties of other races. It is clever at hunting, has an excellent nose, is a good pest killer and is a very loyal watchdog, watchman and companion.
Little is known for certain about the collie's origins, but his cunning and exterior seem to point to a relationship with the wild dog. Buffon was of the opinion that he was the true dog of nature, the source and model of all dog breeds. He regarded the Shepherd Dog as superior to all other breeds in instinct and intelligence, and considered it to be the only animal perfectly trained for the service of man, with a character that had relatively little training.
At shows, such dogs are always at the top of their class. It is considered the most docile and certainly the most agile. The second choice of this breed is the flat-coated variety, it is a very tough, handy dog, well adapted to hill work and is generally multi-legged. He is not as sweet as black and white and is slow to make friends. There has never been a more graceful and physically beautiful dog than the Collie show of the current era. Produced from the old working type, it is now practically a separate type.
The skull should be flat, moderately wide between the ears and tapering gradually towards the eyes. There should be only a slight depression at the time of stopping. The width of the skull necessarily depends on the combined length of the skull and muzzle; and the whole must be considered in relation to the size of the dog. The cheek should not be plump or prominent.
The muzzle should be of normal length, tapering towards the nose and not weak, sharp or lipped. Regardless of the color of the dog, its nose should be black. Teeth should be of good size, firm and straight; very slight roughness is allowed. Jaws Clean cut and strong. The eyes are a very important feature and give the dog expression; should be of medium size, slightly obliquely set, almond-shaped, and brown, except for merles, where the eyes are often (one or both) blue and white or china; An intelligent expression with a quick alert look as you listen. The ears should be of small to medium width at the base and placed not too close together, to the side of the head, but to the top of the skull. At rest they usually need to be carried backwards, but in alarm they should be brought forward and carried in a semi-upright, listening stance with the ends slightly drooping.
The neck should be muscular, strong, of reasonable length and slightly arched. The body should be strong, well sprung ribs, chest depth, shoulders should be sloping, fairly wide behind, very strong waist. The dog should be straight ahead. The forelegs should be straight and muscular, with sufficient bone at the elbows neither inward nor outward; forearm somewhat fleshy, lower parts showing flexibility without weakness. The hind legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and taut below the knees, with well bent knees. Feet should be oval, soles well padded, and toes curved and close together.
Overall, it is a lithe, active dog with a deep chest showing lung strength, neck strength, sloping shoulders and well-bent knees expressing speed, expressing high intelligence. His leg should be of normal length, giving him a much more outspoken look than a clumsy one. In a few words, a Collie must show endurance, activity and intelligence with free and genuine action. Dogs in height should be 22 inches. up to 24 inches. at the shoulders, bitches are 20 inches. 22 in. Weight for dogs is 45 to 65 lbs, bitches are 40 to 55 lbs. The smooth collie differs from the rough only in its crust, which should be hard, dense and fairly smooth.
Word count: 711
You must be logged in to post a comment.