The Collie Dog
The Collie dog is an outstanding sports dog that can be trained to do the tasks of the Pointer and Setter, as well as the Water Spaniel and Retriever. He may be taught to carry out the tasks of other breeds. He is a skilled hunter with a keen sense of smell, a skilled vermin killer, and a devoted watch, guard, and friend.
The origins of the Collie are unknown with certainty, although his cunning and external look would seem to imply a connection with the wild dog. Buffon believed he was the real dog of nature, the model and stock of the entire canine species. He believed that the Sheepdog was superior in instinct and intellect to all other breeds, and that he was the only animal born completely trained for man’s service, with a character in which education plays a little role.
This breed of dog is always at the top of the class in dog exhibitions. He is regarded as the most tractable and, without a doubt, the most agile. The smooth-coated version, which is a highly hardy, handy dog that is well fitted for hill labor and is typically extremely quick on his feet, is second in popularity to this breed. He doesn’t have the same pleasant temper as the black and white, and he takes a long time to establish friends. There is no dog on the planet that is more elegant and physically attractive than the modern show Collie. He is now essentially a separate breed, having been developed from the traditional working type.
Flat, relatively wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes, the skull should be. At the halt, there should only be a small dip. The combined length of the skull and muzzle determines the breadth of the skull, which must be evaluated in relation to the dog’s size. The cheeks should not be disproportionately large or prominent.
The muzzle should be of average length, tapering to the nose, and not weak, snipy, or lippy in appearance. The dog’s nose must be black, regardless of the dog’s color. Teeth should be of adequate size, soundness, and levelness; some unevenness is acceptable. The jaws are well-defined and strong. The eyes are a very important feature of the dog and give it expression; they should be medium in size, set slightly obliquely, almond-shaped, and brown in color, except in merles, where 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 tiny and relatively wide at the base, and they should be situated on the top of the skull, not on the side of the head, and not too close together. When at rest, they should be thrown back, but when on the alert, they should be pulled forward and carried semi-erect, with tips slightly drooping in a listening posture.
The neck should be strong, robust, and long, with a slight arch to it. The physique should be robust, with well-sprung ribs, a deep chest, broad shoulders that should be sloping, and powerful loins. The dog should be standing squarely in front of you. The forelegs should be straight and muscular, with a reasonable amount of bone; the forearm should be fairly plump, and the pasterns should be flexible but not weak. The hindlegs should be strong in the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, and the stifles should be nicely bent. The toes should be arched and close together, and the feet should be oval in form with well-padded soles.
In general, he is a lithe, energetic dog, with a deep chest that indicates lung power, a strong neck, sloping shoulders, and nicely bent hocks that indicate speed, and a high intelligence expression. He should have a good leg length, giving him a racy rather than cloddy look. In a nutshell, a Collie should be able to demonstrate endurance, activity, and intelligence via free and genuine action. Dogs should be 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulders, while bitches should be 20 to 22 inches tall. Dogs weigh 45 to 65 pounds, while females weigh 40 to 55 pounds. The sole difference between the smooth and the rough collie is the smooth collie’s coat, which should be firm, thick, and silky smooth.
