The Smooth Sheep Dog 377 



the old turnspit, a still smaller variety of the common house dog dating 

 back to the time of Caius. 



We have noticed more tendency to erect ears in smooth sheep dogs 

 than in the roughs; not the short, straight ear that the roughs are apt to 

 develop, but one, which from its size and shape should tip over, but gets 

 away up till it is little but a fancy that it has any tip. Perhaps the slight 

 extra fineness in the ear hair has something to do with it, for a very little 

 lack of ear coating will sometimes affect the carriage of ear in the rough 

 dog, so high are we getting them at the present time. 



We favour the opinion that the smooth sheep dog is much better 

 adapted to our country than is the rough, and we believe it could be intro- 

 duced with advantage in the West. Our climate is a great drawback to 

 keeping the rough collie in good condition, for he loses his coat early in 

 the summer, and not till late in the fall does it begin to grow for winter 

 comfort. This drawback does not exist in the case of the smooth dog, 

 whose short coat is always the same in appearance and must be far more 

 comfortable during our prolonged hot weather. 



For many years now there has been practically little if any difference 

 in the points aimed at in breeding the collie and the smooth sheep dog, 

 so that they differ in little else than coat. However, as the Smooth Collie 

 Club of England has adopted a description and standard for the breed, 

 which is much simpler than that for the rough dog, it is well to give it. 



DESCRIPTIVE PARTICULARS 



Head. Should be in proportion to the dog's size, skull moderately 

 wide between the ears, and flat, tapering to the end of the muzzle, which 

 ought to be of fair length but not too snipy, with only a little stop. 



Teeth. Strong and white. The top jaw just fitting nicely over the 

 lower, and where much over or under shot it should count against the dog. 



Eyes. Of almond shape, set obliquely in the head, and the shade con- 

 sistent with the colour of the dog. A full or staring eye is very objectionable. 



Ears. Small, and when the dog's attention is attracted, carried semi- 

 erect, but when in repose it is natural for them to be laid back. 



Neck. Long and well arched, and shoulders muscular and sloping. 



Back. Rather long, strong and straight, the loin slightly arched, and 

 the chest fairly deep but not too wide. 



