The Collie or Sheep Dog. 137 



Muzzle of fair length, tapering to the nose, which, whatever 

 the colour of the dog, should be black. The teeth, which are 

 white and of good size, should not be over nor undershot. Both 

 are faults, the latter the greater of the two. 



Eyes, of fair size, but not prominent, are placed rather close 

 together, and set obliquely in the head, which gives that cunning 

 foxy expression so characteristic of the breed. Colour, any 

 shade of brown, the darker the better, yellow eyes being a great 

 fault. Dogs of a mirled colour should have a mirled or china 

 eye, and sometimes both eyes are of this colour. 



Ears small, placed rather close together at the top of the 

 head, covered with short soft hair, and carried semi-erect when at 

 attention ; at other times thrown back, and buried in the frill. 



Neck Jong, arched, and muscular. 



Body t rather long than short, ribs well rounded, chest deep and 

 narrow in front, but of fair breadth behind the shoulders, which 

 should be oblique. Loin rather long, and "'slightly arched, 

 showing power. 



Legs. Forelegs straight and muscular," with' a 'fair'amount of 

 flat bone, the fore-arm moderately fleshy, the hind legs less fleshy, 

 very sinewy, and hocks well bent. Pasterns long and light in 

 bone. Feet oval in shape, the soles well padded, and the toes 

 well arched and close. 



Tail, moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet, gaily 

 when excited, and almost straight out when running. 



Coat. This is a very important point. The coat, except on 

 the head and legs, should be abundant, the outer coat harsh to the 

 touch, the inner coat soft and furry, and very close, so close that it is 

 difficult on parting the hair to see the skin. The hair very abundant 

 round the neck and chest; this is termed the frill. The mask is 

 smooth, the fore-legs slightly feathered, the hind-legs below the 

 hocks smooth. Hair on tail very profuse, and on the hips long and 

 bushy. 



Colour. Any colour. 



Size. Dogs 21 inches to 24 inches at shoulder, bitches 

 2 inches less. 



Weight. Dogs 4515. to 6olb., bitches 4olb. to 



