180 PASTORAL DOGS, ETC. 



also in the dingo, Esquimaux, spitz, and Chinese, sheep-dog, 

 which last closely resembles the spitz. The top of the head is 

 quite flat, without any furrow, and very little brow, nor is there 

 any occipital protuberance. The skull looks small when there is 

 much frill, but it is not really so, its great width between the ears 

 lodging a considerable amount of brain. 



The muzzle tapers to a very sharp point, and the nostrils are 

 small, leading to the belief that the powers of scent are low ; but 

 this is not really the case, many collies being most successful 

 and determined poachers, even when quite free from the Gordon 

 setter cross. The teeth are strong and even, and the masseter 

 muscles of the jaw highly developed, causing the bite of this dog 

 to be very sharp and punishing. The hair on the face in front 

 of the eyebrows is very short. 



Ears and eyes.- — The proper type of the collie's ear is a small, 

 semi-erect, - and pointed one, the tip turning outwards and for- 

 wards: "With the setter cross every gradation occurs, nearly up 

 to the full Gordon allowance of leather and feather. This change 

 of shape may or may not be considered as important according 

 to the taste of the inspector, but it indicates without doubt a 

 departure from the true breed, and on that account is to be 

 deprecated. The eyes are set more closely together than usual, as 

 above remarked, and the axes of the openings are oblique, in this 

 also resembling the dingo, and fox. In size they are not remark- 

 able either way, but they are sharp and cunning in expression, 

 at the same time being altogether without fierceness. The colour 

 is generally brown in its various shades of hazel. 



The shoulders are required to be of the most useful formation, 

 that is to say, sloping and muscular. If heavy, the dog cannot 

 be quick over rough ground, as he is required to be, and notably 

 down-hill, nor can he stop himself suddenly in correspondence 

 with the flock he is guarding. 



