The Collie (Rough) Lecture

Page 5

FOREQUARTERS - The shoulders should be sloped and well-angulated. The forelegs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a moderate amount of bone.

From the front the forelegs appear moderately spaced, parallel and straight, with elbows close and turning neither in nor out.

http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/i_standard/correct_front.html

http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/i_standard/skeleton_front.html

Please ‘feel’ for bone, as a well coated dog can appear to have sufficient bone when in fact, the dog is fine boned but well coated.

BODY - The body should be a trifle long compared to the height, back firm with a slight rise over the loins, ribs well sprung, chest deep and fairly broad behind the shoulders.

The body should be only slightly longer than height at withers but you must always beware of the ‘square’ dog which is incorrect. The approximate ratio of height to length is 9:10. The length of body comes from the back, not the loin. The Collie should be well ribbed back with a short loin. The ribbing gives the Collie its firm back. The slight rise over the loin is muscular.

Ribs are well sprung and deep but not barrelled. The width should start behind the shoulders and taper to the elbow so as not to create a wide front. The dog requires freedom of movement with front legs moving comparatively close together.

http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/i_standard/ideal_male.html

HINDQUARTERS - The hind legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below, with well bent stifles. Hocks well let-down and powerful.

Strong and muscular hindquarters are essential to the dogs working ability. In its working environment, the Collie is required to turn quickly and with agility. When judging the Collie, it is important to place emphasis on powerful, well constructed hindquarters.

http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/i_standard/correct_rear.html

http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/i_standard/skeleton_rear.html

http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/i_standard/detailed_hindquarter.html

http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/i_standard/actual_hindquarter.html

FEET - These should be oval in shape with soles well padded, toes arched and close together. The hind feet slightly less arched

As in all working breeds, the feet are extremely important. They must be well padded, with toes arched and close together. Remember the shape is oval, NOT round.

TAIL - The tail should be long with the bone reaching at least to the hock joint. To be carried low when the dog is quiet, but with a slight upward swirl at the tip. It may be carried gaily when the dog is excited, but not over the back.

The tail is important as it contributes to the overall balance of the dog. The tail is a continuation of the spine as shown in the illustration below. You should note the tail in the diagram where the tail is in repose – it reaches at least to the hock with a slight upward swirl at the tip. In movement, the tail should NEVER be carried over the back or kinked to either side.

http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/i_standard/basic_hindquarter.html

GAIT/MOVEMENT - Movement is a distinct characteristic of this breed. A sound dog is never out at elbow, yet it moves with its front feet comparatively close together. Plaiting, crossing or rolling are highly undesirable. The hind legs, from the hock joint to the ground, when viewed from the rear, should be parallel. The hind legs should be powerful and full of drive. Viewed from the side the action is smooth. A reasonably long stride is desirable and this should be light and appear quite effortless.

As the speed increases, the Collie, in both front and rear, tends towards a single track.

The light effortless movement showing length of stride, powerful drive behind, carrying the body with flowing lines and a firm topline typifies correct breed type. It must not be forgotten that this movement is a distinct characteristic of the breed.

COAT - The coat should fit the outline of the dog and be very dense. The outer coat straight and harsh to the touch, the undercoat soft, furry and very close; so close as to almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face, smooth, also the ears at the tips, but they should carry more hair towards the base; the fore-legs well feathered, the hind legs above the hocks profusely so, but smooth below. Hair on the tail very profuse.

If the coat is the texture described in the standard, it will enhance the outline of the dog, not hide it. It is important to pay attention to the coat texture as the outer straight and harsh coat with the very close undercoat provides a weatherproof protection from the elements enabling the dog to work in all conditions.

The standard does NOT ask for a ‘profuse’ or ‘abundant’ coat all over. The word ‘profuse’ is only used in reference to the pants and tail. The word ‘abundant’ is only used in describing the mane or frill.

COLOUR - The three recognised colours are sable and white, tricolour and blue merle.

Sable: Any shade from light gold to rich mahogany or shaded sable. Light straw or cream colour is highly undesirable.

Tricolour: Predominantly black with rich tan markings about the legs and head. A rusty tinge in the top coat is highly undesirable.

Blue Merle: Predominantly clear, silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black. Rich tan markings to be preferred, but their absence should not be counted as a fault. Large black markings, slate colour, or a rusty tinge either on the top or undercoat are highly undesirable.

White Markings: All the above may carry the typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. The following markings are favourable: White collar, full or part; white shirt, legs and feet; white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on muzzle or skull or both.

Sable colouring has varying shades from light gold to a rich mahogany, the shaded sable having black hair distributed through the coat, giving the shaded affect. Although not common, light straw or cream colour is highly undesirable.

The black in the tri colour should be black, a rusty tinge in the top coat is highly undesirable. The undercoat on a correctly coloured tri has a tendency to be blue/black.

The blue merle colour is one of the most difficult to achieve. There is no margin in the standard for variation of base colour as only “clear silvery blue” is permitted. Slate colour or a rust tinge in either top or under coats is highly undesirable, as are large black markings.

The white markings described in the standard are favourable, they are NOT essential. Favourable white markings do add to the “glamour” of the dog. When judging, you should be aware that, whilst the dog is standing, the white markings can give illusions as to correct balance and construction. Therefore, you should not penalise a correctly balanced and constructed Collie for less/lack of these white markings.

Examples of the affect white markings can have on the visual appearance of the dog:

A dog with a full, wide, white collar may give you the illusion of having more neck than the dog with either no white collar or a narrow/broken white collar.

A dog with a full, wide white collar (extending back almost to the withers) may give you the illusion of having less length of body than the dog with either no white collar or a narrow/broken white collar.

The “line” or lay of the white collar can also affect the appearance of the lay of shoulder i.e. it can either enhance or detract from it.

SIZE - Dogs: 56-61 cm (22-24 ins) at shoulder
Bitches: 51-56 cm (20-22 ins)
Dogs: 20.5-29.5 kg (45-65 lbs)
Bitches 18-25 kg (40-55 lbs)

When considering the size of the collie keep in mind the given height in the standard is without a coat. Therefore a dog in full bloom will visually appear larger. It is important that the correct size of the dog is not lost due to an over abundance of coat.

It is also essential that a dog possesses masculinity and a bitch femineity.

FAULTS
Length of head apparently out of proportion to body; receding skull or unbalanced head to be strongly condemned.
Weak, snipy muzzle; domed skull; high peaked occiput; prominent cheek bones; dish-faced or Roman-nosed.
Prick ears, low-set ears.
Undershot or overshot mouth; missing teeth.
Round or light coloured and glassy or staring eyes are highly objectionable.
Body flat sided, short or cobby; straight shoulder or stifle; out at elbow; crooked forearms; cow-hocks or straight hocks;
Large, open or hare feet; feet turned in or out; long weak pasterns.
Tail short, kinked or twisted to one side or carried over the back.
A soft, silky or wavy coat or insufficient undercoat.
Nervousness.

Recommended reading:
Collie Concept, Mrs George H (Bobbee) Roos
The Collie, Margaret Osborne
Rough Collies of Distinction, Iris Coombe, Dareen Bridge & Pat Hutchinson

Page: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5