j6 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



an inveterate poacher puts an end to his existence. We should not have inflicted this narrative 

 upon our readers but that it tends to prove to those ignorant of dog-show judging, that because 

 a dog wins a first prize he is at all of necessity a good one. 



We are fortunate enough to be enabled to lay before our readers the opinions of two 

 gentlemen who are in our judgment, and in that of many others also, without a doubt two of 

 the best Collie judges now living we allude to Mr. S. E. Shirley, M.P., and Mr. W. W. 

 Thomson of Morden, Surrey. Both these gentlemen are well known everywhere as breeders, 

 and the successes of their kennels on the bench are accomplished facts. Before, however, giving 

 their opinions, we wish to warn intending purchasers against investing in a dog which is marked 

 by deep or mahogany-coloured tan. This is an almost certain indication of Setter taint, the tan of 

 a true Collie being of a very pale shade. According to the opinion of Mr. Shirley 



" The Head of a Collie should be long and narrow ; ears set high on the head, not dropping 

 like a Fox-terrier's, but semi-erect, and in the case of a good specimen as small as possible. 



"Mouth should be level. Unlevelness need not absolutely disqualify, though it must tend 

 greatly against a dog, as an overshot mouth not only conveys a false idea of the length of a 

 dog's head, but prevents him holding a sheep properly if required to do so." (This malformation 

 is, according to Mr. Shirley's experience, far from uncommon in Collies.) 



" Coat thick, but not woolly. 



" Colour should be for choice black and pale tan, black, tan, and white, or red with black 

 points, though there are some good black specimens to be seen about." (Some six years ago, 

 when in Ross-shire, Mr. Shirley came across a strain of excellent black Sheep-dogs.) 



" General Symmetry should be fairly light, a wide chest or heavy short neck being a bad 

 defect, for one wants activity in a Collie. 



" The Tail is a matter of importance, for though it has been stated in works upon the dog 

 that this may be carried on the back when the dog is excited, still it is a fault, and a serious one, 

 when such is the case." 



Mr. Thomson says 



" Collies are divided into roughs and smooths, the former generally carrying off the palm 

 for beauty. As far as build, shape, and colour are concerned the two are exactly alike, and 

 one description will answer for both. They only differ in coat, the rough breed having a very 

 thick rough jacket, in fact, a double coat, the under one being sealskin-like in both colour and 

 texture, while the other is coarse and hard. The smooth dog has a short coat, almost as close as a 

 Pointer's, but denser and harder; his legs are free of hair ; except that on the hocks it is often 

 longer and denser than on the body. The rough species carry a considerable amount of feather on 

 the hocks, but from the hocks to the heels the legs should be quite clean. Down the back of the 

 front legs there should also be plenty of feather, which in the working Collie is very dense, whilst 

 in the drawing-room pet constant brushing renders it soft and long, as in the Setter. For working 

 purposes one is equal to the other ; in the North of England rough Collies seem preferred, whilst 

 with the Southern drovers the smooth variety appears to be the most popular, many drovers being 

 of the opinion that the smooth stand more work than the rough-coated are capable of, the long 

 jackets of the latter getting heavy with mud and wet, causing them to tire. 



"As a thing of beauty the rough Collie is favourite, especially with ladies, his long coat being 

 more admired than the sober, business-like jacket of his confrere. 



