THE COLLIE DOG

 

The Collie dog is an excellent sporting dog and can be trained to perform the work of various other breeds, such as the Pointer, Setter, Water Spaniel, and Retriever. He is skilled at hunting, with an excellent nose, and is also effective at killing vermin. Additionally, he is a loyal watch, guard, and companion.

The origin of the Collie is not well-known, but his cunning and appearance suggest a connection with wild dogs. Buffon believed that the Collie was the true dog of nature and the model for the entire canine species. He considered the Sheepdog to be superior in instinct and intelligence compared to other breeds, and believed that they were naturally trained to serve humans.

At dog shows, the Collie is consistently at the top of the class. He is considered the most trainable and agile. The smooth-coated variety is the second favorite, as they are hardworking dogs well-suited for hill work and are usually very fast. However, they are not as friendly as the black and white variety and take longer to warm up to others. The show Collie of today is a physically beautiful dog, derived from the old working type and now practically a distinct breed.

The skull of the Collie should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually taper towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at the stop. The width of the skull depends on the combined length of the skull and muzzle, and should be considered in relation to the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent.

The muzzle should be of fair length, tapering to the nose, and should not appear weak or snippy. Regardless of the dog's color, the nose must be black. The teeth should be of good size, sound, and level, with slight unevenness being permissible. The jaws should be clean-cut and powerful. The eyes are a crucial feature, as they express the dog's intelligence. They should be medium-sized, somewhat obliquely set, almond-shaped, and brown in color, except for merles, which may have one or both eyes blue and white or china. The expression should be full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening. The ears should be small, moderately wide at the base, and placed on the top of the skull rather than the side of the head. When at rest, they should be carried thrown back, but when alert, they should be brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tips slightly drooping as if listening.

The neck of the Collie should be muscular, powerful, of fair length, and somewhat arched. The body should be strong, with well-sprung ribs, a deep chest, and a fairly broad area behind the shoulders, which should be sloped. The loins should be very powerful. The dog should have straight front legs that are muscular, neither in nor out at the elbows, with a fair amount of bone. The forearms should be somewhat fleshy, and the pasterns should show flexibility without weakness. The hind legs should have muscular thighs, be clean and sinewy below the hocks, and have well-bent stifles. The feet should be oval in shape, with well-padded soles and arched, close-together toes.

In terms of character, the Collie is a lithe and active dog. His deep chest indicates lung power, his neck shows strength, his sloping shoulders and well-bent hocks demonstrate speed, and his expression reflects high intelligence. He should have a moderate length of leg, giving him a more racy appearance rather than a cloddy one. In summary, a Collie should exhibit endurance, activity, and intelligence, with free and true movement. The height for dogs should be 22 to 24 inches at the shoulders, and for bitches, it should be 20 to 22 inches. The weight range for dogs is 45 to 65 pounds, and for bitches, it is 40 to 55 pounds. The smooth Collie only differs from the rough Collie in terms of its coat, which should be hard, dense, and completely smooth.