The Collie Dog

The collie is an excellent sporting dog and can be trained to do the work of a Pointer and Setter, as well as a Water Spaniel and Retriever. It can be trained to perform the duties of other breeds. He is clever at hunting, has an excellent nose, is a good pest killer, and is the most loyal watchman, guardian, and companion.

Little is known with certainty about the origin of the collie, but its cunning and outward appearance would suggest a relationship with the wild dog. Buffon believed he was the true dog of nature, the strain, and model of the entire canine species. He considered the Sheepdog to be superior in instinct and intelligence to all other breeds, and that, with a nature in which education plays a comparatively small part, it is the only animal born perfectly trained for the service of man.

At exhibitions, this type of dog is always at the top of the class. It is considered the most durable and the most agile. The second species in favor of this type is the smooth-coated variety, a tough, useful dog, well adapted for hill work, and usually very mobile. He is not as sweet-natured as black and white and slowly made friends. There is no dog more graceful and physically beautiful than the show collie of today. Coming from an old working type, it is practically a separate breed today.

The skull should be flat, reasonably wide between the ears and gradually narrowing towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression when stopping. The width of the skull necessarily depends on the combined length of the skull and muzzle, and the whole must be judged to the size of the dog. Cheeks should not be full or prominent.

The muzzle should be reasonably long, tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness, or be patchy or snotty. Whatever the color of the dog, the nose must be black. The teeth should be of good size, sound, and straight; very slight unevenness is permissible. Jaws Clean cut and strong. The eyes are a very important feature and give the dog its expression; they should be medium-sized, somewhat obliquely set, almond-shaped, and brown except in the merle, when the eyes are often (one or both) blue and white or porcelain; an expression full of intelligence, with a quick attentive glance while listening. The ears should be small and reasonably wide at the root and placed not too close together, but on the crown of the skull and not on the side of the head. When at rest they should usually be carried thrown back, but when alert, brought forward and carried semi-erect, with the tips slightly drooping in a listening attitude.

The neck should be muscular, strong and reasonably long, and somewhat arched. The body should be strong, with well-sprung ribs, chest deep, relatively wide behind the shoulders, which should be sloping, and loins very strong. The dog should be straight in front. The forelegs should be straight and muscular, neither bent nor bent at the elbows, with sufficient bone; the Forearm rather fleshy, upper fingers showing flexibility without weakness. The hindquarters should be muscular on the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well-bent knees. Paws should be oval, feet well padded, and toes arched and close together.

In general, it is a flexible, active dog, its deep chest shows lung strength, neck strength, sloping shoulders and well-bent hock indicate speed, and the expression is of high intelligence. It should be reasonably long on the leg, giving it a predatory rather than lumpy appearance. In short, the collie should show endurance, activity, and intelligence, free and real action. Dogs should be 22 inches tall. up to 24 inches at the shoulders, bitches 20 inches. to 22 inches Weight of males is 45 to 65 pounds, and females are 40 to 55 pounds. A smooth collie differs from a rough one only in its fur, which should be hard, dense, and quite smooth.