Revised Rough and Smooth Collie standard - 1910

REVISED ROUGH AND SMOOTH COLLIE STANDARD - 1910

The skull: should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at the 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 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 a medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of brown colour except in the case of merles, 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 the head. When in repose they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tips slightly drooping in the attitude of listening.

Faults: Length of head apparently out of proportion to the body and of the Borzoi type are to be strongly condemned. Weak, snipy muzzle; overshot mouth; heavy or gooseberry- coloured, also glassy or staring eyes, are very objectionable. Domed skull, high peaked occiput; prominent cheek; dish-faced; or Roman nosed.

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 sloped, loins slightly arched and powerful. The dog should be straight in front.

Faults: Flat-sided, short or cobby.

The forelegs: should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness.

Faults: Weak long pasterns, out at elbows, crooked forearms.

The hind legs: should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles.

Faults: Cow-hocks, straight hocks.

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.

Faults: Large, open, flat, or hare feet; feet turned outwards or inwards.

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, and not over the back.

Faults: Short tail, or tail carried over the back, or twisted to one side.

The coat: should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner or under coat soft, furry, and very close as almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, as also the ears at the tips, but they should be carry more hair towards the base; the forelegs slightly feathered, the hind legs above the hocks profusely so, but below the hocks fairly smooth, although all heavily coated collies are liable to grow a slight feathering. 
Hair on the brush very profuse.

Faults: A soft, silky, or wavy coat, or insufficient undercoat.

Colour & markings: are immaterial, but other points being equal, a nice showily marked dog is preferred. ALL WHITE OR RED SETTER colour is most objectionable.

General Character: To enable the Collie to fulfil his natural bent for Sheepdog work; he should be built on lines of strength, activity, and grace, with a shapely body and sound legs and feet. He should be lithe and active in his movements, and entirely free from cloddiness and coarseness in any parts of his conformation; and, lastly he must be gifted with true expression. Expression is obtained by the perfect combination of head and muzzle, size, shape and colour, and placement of eye, and correct position and carriage of ears, which give the dog that sweet, dreamy, semicunning, yet alert outlook that makes the perfect Collie the most beautiful of the canine race.

Size & weight: Dogs 22 in. to 24 in. at the shoulders, Bitches 20 in. to 22 in. Dogs 45 lb to 65 lb, Bitches 40 lb to 55 lb.

The Smooth Collie only differs from the Rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth.

SCALE OF POINTS 
Head and Expression 15 
Ears 10 
Neck and Shoulders 10 
Legs and Feet 15 
Hindquarters 10 
Back and Loins 10 
Brush 5 
Coat and Frill 20 
Size 5 
GRAND TOTAL 100