Smooth-coated Collies are treated as a distinct variety. It is, however, needless to give a separate chapter to them, for, as previously stated, in all points except coat this variety is a facsimile of the more fashionable Rough-coated dog ; indeed, both are often found in the same litter. A good instance of this is Mr. W. W. Thomson's Guelt, who was of the most noted strain in the West of Scotland, being a lineal descendant of the dog of a noted sheep-stealer, who - tradition says - as he drove his flock to the southern markets along the old Roman road that runs along the crest of the hills on the north bank of the river Nith, used to send his dog along the hillsides or the south side of the river to select a few sheep from several flocks, and, fording the river, add them to his master's drove. Mr. Thomson had his dog Guelt and another from the same litter direct from their breeder, Mr. Craig, of Glen, in the parish of New Cumnock, Ayrshire, and one of them was a very rough-coated one. Shepherds prefer these to the long-coated, as they do not get matted with snow, and their coat is so dense as to prove a sufficient protection against the cold weather, and it is considered they suffer less during very hot weather.

Within the last few years the number of good Smooth-coated Collies has greatly increased, and the variety promises to become, if not as popular as the Rough, at least a good second.

A very well-marked variety of Collie is the Marled, or Marbled (Fig. 45), sometimes incorrectly called the Tortoiseshell, and from the bizarre combination of colours it also gets the name of Harlequin. The name of Welsh "Heeler" has also been given to this variety from the way the dogs have of heeling the driven cattle; but the animals are not peculiar to Wales. Until Mr. Arkwright demonstrated that it was possible to breed these Marled Collies true to type, they were regarded as accidental colour variations. Since that gentleman's famous kennel was dispersed, other breeders have taken up the Marled Collie with more or less success. Mr. Arkwright set about the breeding of Marled Collies in that sound, practical manner for which he has been noted. Having found a splendidly coated dog of the colour, Scot by name, belonging to Mr. Brackenbury, Downham, Norfolk, he inbred to him and at once fixed the colour. The Marled Collies may be bred very easily and freely, but two blues must only be bred together seldom, as they have a tendency to throw all-white puppies with blue eyes, and these are deaf. To get the best coloured ones Mr. Arkwright suggests breeding a wall-eyed blue with a black-and-tan. If two blues are bred together they must not both be wall-eyed. It may be well to state that the correct name for these dogs" is blue-marled (a contraction of marbled), and not merled, or mirled, as generally written, the word merle simply meaning a blackbird - from the Old French merle and the Latin merula, a. blackbird.

Fig. 45. - Mr. J. Hough's Smooth Marled Collie Whiteley Lass.

Few breeds have more clubs to look after their interests than the Collie. What may be regarded as the parent society is the Collie Club, founded in 1881. There is also the Scottish Collie Club, as well as the Smooth Collie Club, established in 1898. It is proposed here to give the descriptions of the breed as laid down by the first and the last respectively.

The following is a description of the type of the Collie as revised by the Collie Club in 1898: -

The Skull should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering to the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon the combined length of skull and muzzle, and the whole must be considered in connection with 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 must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour 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 should be 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 colour except in the case of Maries, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue-and-white or china; expression 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, on top of the skull, nor too much to the side of head. When in repose they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tip slightly drooping in an attitude of listening.

The Neck should be muscular, powerful, and of fair length, and somewhat arched.

The Body should be rather long, with well-sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloping, loins slightly arched and 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 fore arm 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. The hind feet less arched, hocks well let down and powerful.

The Brush should be moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet, with a slight upward "swirl" at the end, and may be gaily carried when the dog is excited, but not over the back.

The Coat should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner or under coat soft, furry, and very close, so close as to almost hide the skin.