The Collie dog makes an excellent sporting dog, also may be taught to perform the work of the Pointer and the Setter, in addition to that of the Water Spaniel and the Retriever. He can be trained to do the responsibilities of different breeds. He is clever at hunting, acquiring an excellent nose, is a fantastic vermin-killer, and a most faithful watch, shield, and companion.
Little is known with certainty about the source of the Collie, but his adorable and his external appearance would appear to indicate a relationship with the crazy dog. Buffon was of opinion he was the true dog of nature, the stock and version of the entire canine species. He believed the Sheepdog superior in instinct and intelligence to all other strains, which using a character where education has comparatively little talk, he is the only animal born perfectly educated to the service of man.
In the displays this kind of dog is invariably on peak of the class. He’s considered the most tractable, and is certainly the very agile. Secondly to this kind in favour is that the smooth-coated selection, a very hard, useful dog, well adapted for mountain work and usually very fleet of foot. He is not so sweet in temper as the black and white, and so is slow to make friends. There isn’t a more adorable and beautiful dog to be seen compared to show Collie of this current period. Produced from the old working kind, he’s now practically a distinct breed.
The skull ought to be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should just be a slight depression in the beginning. The diameter of skull necessarily depends upon joint length of skull and muzzle; and the whole has to be considered in relation to the size of their dog. The cheek should not be complete or prominent.
Whatever the colour of the dog might be, the nose has to be black. Your teeth must be of great size, sound and level; very slight unevenness is permissible. The jaws sterile cut and powerful. The eyes are a very important feature, and give expression to the puppy; they ought to be of moderate size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape, and of a brownish shade except in the case of merles, when the eyes are often (one or both) white and blue or china; expression full of intelligence, with a fast alert look when listening. The ears should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not too near together but towards the cover of the skull and not on the side of the head. When in repose they should be generally carried thrown back, but when to the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, together with tips slightly drooping in attitude of listening.
The throat should be muscular, strong and of fair length, and somewhat arched. The puppy should be directly in front. The fore-legs must be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a reasonable amount of bone; the fascia somewhat fleshy, the pasterns demonstrating flexibility . The feet should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together.
In general character he is a lithe active puppy, his deep torso showing lung ability, his throat power, his sloping shoulders and well bent hocks indicating speed, along with his expression high intellect. In a couple of words, a Collie must reveal endurance, activity, and intelligence, with complimentary and accurate activity. In height dogs ought to be 22 ins. To 24 ins. At the shoulders, bitches 20 ins. To 22 ins. The burden for dogs is 45 to 65 lbs., bitches 40 to 55 pounds. The smooth collie simply is different from the rough in its coat, which should be hard, compact and quite smooth.
