Rough-Coated Collie 353 
into the composition, so, after all that may be said about collies being in- 
bred, it is a question whether or not they suffer as much from the probable 
effects of in-breeding as show specimens of other breeds. 
“Now, with regard to the special features of the different strains, 
undoubtedly in head and expression claims of superiority were due to Old 
Cockie, Duncan, Bess, and Madge I., whilst for coat the strains of Charle- 
magne and Smuggler were conspicuous. 
“Comparing the exhibition collies of to-day with those of twenty-five 
years ago, a distinct improvement is manifest, and a smaller percentage of 
worthless mongrels appear on the show bench. 
“The great improvement so apparent in legs and feet is really remark- 
able, as years ago weak ankles and cowhocks were common faults, whereas 
to-day they are rarely in evidence, and to Metchley Wonder is no doubt 
due the advancement in that direction. 
“Taking the general average of specimens, there is a noticeable im- 
provement in coat, but still there is a tendency to the lack of those dis- 
tinguishing features—mane, frill and cape—which embellished some of the 
old favourites, and which affords an admirable background to set off the 
head and ears of a collie. But how many exhibits are to be seen nowadays 
with the hair plucked from round the base of the ears, evidently done with 
the idea of helping the animal’s appearance, instead of which the opposite 
effect is produced, and the ears have an unnatural appearance, suggestive 
of a dog recovering from skin disease. 
“The greatest disparity observable is in type of head, and, to a great 
extent, no doubt the responsibility is traceable to Charlemagne; for although 
his own head was tolerable in shape, other members of his family were 
very faulty in head properties. Charlemagne’s stock was very unreliable 
in type and colour, some coming with short heads and big eyes, and others 
dished-faced and lippy, most erratic as regards ears, and in colour many 
white with dark markings on face and ears, and some liver and white, 
similar to some varieties of spaniels. 
} Years ago, many collies had objectionable light eyes, and their 
introduction came through Carlyle with specimens of the mouse colour, 
but such have been bred out, and now it is seldom one sees a collie with 
eyes approaching lemon colour. The colour of eye that most suits the 
expression of a collie is a deep shade of hazel, a very dark eye better suiting 
' the expression of a met) 
