The English Club's Standard

The skull of the collie should be quite flat and rather broad, with fine tapering muzzle of fair length and mouth the least bit overshot, the eyes widely apart, almond shaped and obliquely set in the head; the skin of the head tightly drawn, with no folds at the corners of the mouth; the ears as small as possible, semi-erect when surprised or listening, at other times thrown back and buried in the "ruff".

The neck should be long, arched and muscular, the shoulders also long, sloping, and fine at the withers; the chest to be deep and narrow in front, but of fair breadth behind the shoulders.

The back to be short and level, with the loin, rather long, somewhat arched, and powerful. Brush long "wi' upward swirl" at the end, and normally carried low.

The forelegs should be perfectly straight with a fair amount of flat bone, the pasterns rather long, springy, and slightly lighter of bone than the rest of the leg; the foot with toes well arched and compact, soles very thick.

The hind-quarters, drooping slightly, should be very long from the hip bones to the hocks, which should be neither turned inwards nor outwards, with stifles well bent. The hip bones should be wide and rather ragged.

The coat, except on legs and head, should be as abundant as possible; the outer coat straight, hard, and rather stiff, the under coat furry and so dense that it would be difficult to find the skin. The "ruff" and frill" especially should be very full. There should be but little "feather" on the fore legs, and none below the hocks on the hind legs.

Colour immaterial.

Symmetry

The dog should be a fair length on the leg, and his movements wiry and graceful; he should not be too small, height of dogs from 22 inches to 24 inches, of bitches from 20 inches to 22 inches.

The greyhound type is very objectionable, as there is no brain room in the skull, and with this there is to be found a fatuous expression, and a long powerful jaw.

The setter type is also to be avoided, with its pendulous ear, full soft eye, heavily feathered legs, and straight short flag.

The smooth collie only differs from the rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense, and quite smooth.

Scale Of Points

Grand total, 100.

Note

Point judging is not advocated, but figures are only made use of to show the comparative value attached to the different properties; no marks are given for general symmetry," which is, of course, in judging, a point of the utmost importance.

The Scottish Club's Standard. Rough-Coated

Head moderately long in proportion to the dog's size, covered with short soft hair. Skull flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering to the eyes. There should be a very slight elevation of the eyebrows, and very little stop.

Muzzle

Muzzle of fair length, tapering to the nose, which, whatever the colour of the dog, should be black. The teeth, which are white and of good size, should not be over nor undershot. Both are faults, the latter the greater of the two.

Eyes

Eyes, of fair size, but not prominent, are placed rather close together, and set obliquely in the head, which gives that cunning foxy expression so characteristic of the breed. Colour, any shade of brown, the darker the better, yellow eyes being a great fault. Dogs of a mirled colour should have a mirled or china eye, and sometimes both eyes are of this colour.

Ears

Ears small, placed rather close together at the top of the head, covered with short soft hair, and carried semi-erect when at attention; at other times thrown back, and buried in the frill.

Neck

Neck long, arched, and muscular.

Body

Body rather long than short, ribs well rounded, chest deep and narrow in front, but of fair breadth behind the shoulders, which should be oblique. Loin rather long, and slightly arched, showing power.

Legs

Forelegs straight and muscular, with a fair amount of flat bone, the fore-arm moderately fleshy, the hind legs less fleshy, very sinewy, and hocks well bent. Pasterns long and light in bone. Feet oval in shape, the soles well padded, and the toes well arched and close.

Tail

Tail, moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet, gaily when excited, and almost straight out when running.

Coat

This is a very important point. The coat, except on the head and legs, should be abundant, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner coat soft and furry, and very close, so close that it is difficult on parting the hair to see the skin. The hair very abundant round the neck and chest; this is termed the frill. The mask is smooth, the fore-legs slightly feathered, the hind-legs below the hocks smooth. Hair on tail very profuse, and on the hips long and bushy.

Colour

Any colour.

Size

Dogs 21 inches to 24 inches at shoulder, bitches 2 inches less.

Weight

Dogs 451b. to 6olb., bitches 4olb. to 501b.

General Appearance

A lithe active dog, with no useless timber about him, his deep chest showing strength, his sloping shoulders, and well-bent hocks speed, and his "bawsint" face high intelligence. The face should bear a sharp, doubtful expression. As a whole, he should present an elegant and pleasing outline, quite distinct from any of our other domesticated breeds, and show great strength and activity.

Faults

Domed skull, high peaked occipital bone, heavy pendulous ears, full soft eyes, heavy feathered legs, short tail.

Scale Of Points

Grand Total 100.