THE COLLIE DOG.
The Collie dog makes an excellent sporting dog, and can be taught to do the work of the Pointer and the Setter, as well as that of the Water Spaniel and the Retriever. He can be trained to perform the duties of other breeds. The collie is clever at hunting, having an excellent nose, is a good vermin-killer, and a very faithful watch, guard, as well as a great companion.
At dog shows, the collie is invariably at the top of the class. He is considered the most tractable, and is certainly the most agile. There is not a more graceful and physically beautiful dog to be seen than the show Collie.
The skull of the collie should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at the top. The width of the skull depends on the combined length of the skull and the muzzle; and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent.
Collie Characteristics
The muzzle should be of fair length, tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness. Whatever the color of the dog may be, the nose must be black. The teeth should be of good size, sound and level; very slight unevenness is permissible. The jaws are clean cut and powerful. The eyes are a very important feature, and give expression to the dog; they should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape, and of a brown color except in the case of merles, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china; his expression is full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening. The ears should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not too close together but on the top of the skull and not on the side of the head.
The neck should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched. The body should be strong, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins very powerful. The dog should be straight in front. The fore-legs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness. The hind-legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles. The feet should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together.
This dog is generally an active dog of high intelligence and is very active. The collie should be 22 ins. to 24 ins. at the shoulders, bitches 20 ins. to 22 ins. The weight for dogs is 45 to 65 lbs., bitches 40 to 55 lbs. The smooth collie only differs from the rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth.
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