THE COLLIE DOQ 683 



is a question not yet determined how much this may be 

 due to want of training in successive generations, or to 

 the persistent in-breeding which is carried on among the 

 best show-dogs. Though in-breeding is useful in preserving 

 a show-yard type, it undoubtedly tends to spoil the temper 

 and disposition for training and for work. Good show-yard 

 quality is, nevertheless, not incompatible with first-rate 

 working performances. There is no reason why attention 

 should not be paid to both important characteristics, or 

 why they should not be combined in one and the same 

 animal ; but to be successful in this effort, it would prob- 

 ably be necessary to insist upon greater posterior cranial 

 development in the show - dog than is at present the 

 fashion. 



In describing the external form or figure of the collie 

 dog, it may be said, generally, that the points nearly cor- 

 respond to those of a hunting horse. The shoulders should 

 be oblique ; the withers narrow or sharp ; the hind quarters 

 long ; the chest deep to give abundance of lung-room, but 

 not wide, else the animal cannot gallop; the back broad, 

 well-coupled, and muscular ; the ribs well sprung ; and the 

 belly not too much tucked up like that of a greyhound. 



The shape and pose of the ears and the tail are regarded 

 with special importance. Prick-ears, giving the head a 

 foxy appearance, are as objectionable as hanging or lop- 

 ears. The ears should stand up while the dog is on the 

 alert, and the tips should incline slightly forward, forming 

 hollows to catch the sound similar to the hand of an 

 aged person put up while listening, in the familiar manner 

 which calls for no description. The tail should not be too 

 short, or set on too low on the hind quarters. It should not 

 be carried gaily, but should droop not, however, lower 

 than the hocks the point turning slightly up, without the 

 animal being cock-tailed or swirl-tailed ; and in the case 

 of the rough collie, it should be covered by a good flag 

 all the way to the tip. A close under-coat of fur extend- 

 ing over the body is of great importance in a working 

 collie, as although the straight hard outer hair, which acts 

 as an outer covering of thatch, may get wet in stormy 

 weather, the under fur keeps the skin warm and dry even 

 when the dog is exposed for hours on the hill-side. Black- 



