228 THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG 



COLOUR. Any shade of grey, grizzle, blue, or 

 blue merle, with or without white markings or in 

 reverse ; any shade of brown or sable to be con- 

 sidered distinctly objectionable and not to be 

 encouraged. 



HEIGHT. Twenty -two inches and upwards for 

 dogs, slightly less for bitches. Type, symmetry, and 

 character are of the greatest importance, and on no 

 account to be sacrificed alone. 



GENERAL APPEARANCE. A strong, compact-look- 

 ing dog of great symmetry, absolutely free from 

 legginess or weazleness, profusely coated all over, 

 very elastic in his gallop, but in walking or trot- 

 ting he has a characteristic amble or pacing move- 

 ment, and his bark should be loud with a peculiar, 

 pot casse ring in it. Taking him all round, he 

 is a thick -set, muscular, able-bodied dog, with a most 

 intelligent expression, free of all Poodle or Deer- 

 hound character. 



