Go to SPRINGBOK MAGAZINE - all our news

BREED STANDARD of the PAST


 1881 1885 1898 1910
THE ORIGINAL BREED STANDARD  AND SCALE OF POINTS THE SCOTTISH  COLLIE CLUB´S THE ENGLISH CLUBS´ REVISED STANDARD REVISED ROUGH AND SMOOTH COLLIE STANDARD

THE SKULL		 should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering to the eyes. There should be only a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon the combined length of skull and muzzle, and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at the stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon the combined length of skull and muzzle, and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent. should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering to the eyes. There should be only a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon the combined length of skull and muzzle, and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at the stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon the combined length of skull and muzzle, and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent.
THE MUZZLE should be of fair length tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour may be, the nose must be black should be of fair length, tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour may be, the nose must be black. should be of fair length tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour may be, the nose must be black. should be of fair length, tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour may be, the nose must be black.
THE TEETH


 should be of good size, sound and level, very slight unevenness is permissible. should be of good size, sound, and level, very slight unevenness is permissible. should be of good size, sound and level, very slight unevenness is permissible. should be of good size, sound, and level, very slight unevenness is permissible.
THE JAWS


 should be clean cut and powerful should be clean cut and powerful should be clean cut and powerful should be clean cut and powerful

THE EYES

 are a very important feature and give expression to the dog; they should be of a medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of brown  colour except in the case of “merles”, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china; expression full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening. are a very important feature and give expression to the dog. They should be of a medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of brown  colour except in the case of  merles, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china; expression full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening are a very important feature and give expression to the dog; they should be of a medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of brown  colour except in the case of “merles”, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china; expression full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening. are a very important feature and give expression to the dog. They should be of a medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of brown  colour except in the case of  merles, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china; expression full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening.
FAULT Length of head apparently out of proportion to the body and of the Borzoi type are to be strongly condemned. Weak, snipy muzzle; overshot mouth; heavy or gooseberry- coloured, also glassy or staring eyes, are very objectionable. Domed skull, high peaked occiput; prominent cheek; dish-faced; or Roman nosed Length of head apparently out of proportion to the body and of the Borzoi type are to be strongly condemned. Weak, snipy muzzle; overshot mouth; heavy or gooseberry- coloured, also glassy or staring eyes, are very objectionable. Domed skull, high peaked occiput; prominent cheek; dish-faced; or Roman nosed.

THE NECK

 should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched. should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched.
THE BODY should be rather long, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloping, loins slightly arched and powerful. The dog should be straight in front. should be rather long, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins slightly arched and powerful. The dog should be straight in front. should be rather long, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloping, loins slightly arched and powerful. The dog should be straight in front. should be rather long, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins slightly arched and powerful. The dog should be straight in front.
FAULTS


 Flat-sided, short or cobby. Flat-sided, short or cobby
THE FORELEGS should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness. should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness. should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness. should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness.
FAULTS


 Weak long pasterns, out at elbows, crooked forearms Weak long pasterns, out at elbows, crooked forearms.
THE HINDQUARTERS


 should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles. should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles. should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles. should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles
FAULTS


 Cow-hocks, straight hocks Cow-hocks, straight hocks
THE FEET

 should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together. The hind feet less arched, hocks well let down and powerful should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together. The hind feet less arched, hocks well let down and powerful. should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together. The hind feet less arched, hocks well let down and powerful. should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together. The hind feet less arched, hocks well let down and powerful.

FAULTS


 Large, open, flat, or hare feet; feet turned outwards or inwards Large, open, flat, or hare feet; feet turned outwards or inwards.
THE BRUSH should be moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet, with a slight upward “swirl” at the end, and may be gaily carried when the dog is excited, but not over the back. should be moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet, with a slight upward “swirl” at the end, and may be gaily carried when the dog is excited, and not over the back. should be moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet, with a slight upward “swirl” at the end, and may be gaily carried when the dog is excited, but not over the back. should be moderately long, carried low when the dog is quiet, with a slight upward “swirl” at the end, and may be gaily carried when the dog is excited, and not over the back.
FAULTS


 Short tail, or tail carried over the back, or twisted to one side. Short tail, or tail carried over the back, or twisted to one side.
THE COAT should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner or under coat soft, furry, and very close as almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, as also the ears at the tips, but they should be carry more hair towards the base; the forelegs slightly feathered, the hindlegs above the hocks profusely so, but below the hocks fairly smooth, although all heavily coated collies are liable to grow a slight feathering. Hair on the brush very profuse. should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner or under coat soft, furry, and very close as almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, as also the ears at the tips, but they should be carry more hair towards the base; the forelegs slightly feathered, the hindlegs above the hocks profusely so, but below the hocks fairly smooth, although all heavily coated collies are liable to grow a slight feathering. Hair on the brush very profuse. should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner or under coat soft, furry, and very close as almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, as also the ears at the tips, but they should be carry more hair towards the base; the forelegs slightly feathered, the hindlegs above the hocks profusely so, but below the hocks fairly smooth, although all heavily coated collies are liable to grow a slight feathering. Hair on the brush very profuse. should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner or under coat soft, furry, and very close as almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, as also the ears at the tips, but they should be carry more hair towards the base; the forelegs slightly feathered, the hindlegs above the hocks profusely so, but below the hocks fairly smooth, although all heavily coated collies are liable to grow a slight feathering. Hair on the brush very profuse.
FAULTS


 A soft, silky, or wavy coat, or insufficient undercoat A soft, silky, or wavy coat, or insufficient undercoat
COLOUR Immaterial. Colour & markings are immaterial, but other points being equal, a nice showily marked dog is preferred. ALL WHITE OR RED SETTER colour is most objectionable Immaterial Colour & markings: are immaterial, but other points being equal, a nice showily marked dog is preferred. ALL WHITE OR RED SETTER colour is most objectionable.
GENERAL CHARACTER A lithe active dog, his deep chest showing lung power, his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well bent hocks indicating speed, and his expression high intelligence. He should be fair length on the leg, giving him more of racy than cloddy appearance. In a few words a Collie should show endurance, activity and intelligence, with free and true action. To enable the Collie to fulfil his natural bent for Sheepdog work; he should be built on lines of strength, activity, and grace, with a shapely body and sound legs and feet. He should be lithe and active in his movements, and entirely free from cloddiness and coarseness in any parts of his conformation; and, lastly he must be gifted with true expression. Expression is obtained by the perfect combination of head and muzzle, size, shape and colour, and placement of eye, and correct position and carriage of ears, which give the dog that sweet, dreamy, semi-cunning, yet alert outlook that makes the perfect Collie the most beautiful of the canine race. A lithe active dog, his deep chest showing lung power, his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well bent hocks indicating speed, and his expression high intelligence. He should be fair length on the leg, giving him more of racy than cloddy appearance. In a few words a Collie should show endurance, activity and intelligence, with free and true action. To enable the Collie to fulfil his natural bent for Sheepdog work; he should be built on lines of strength, activity, and grace, with a shapely body and sound legs and feet. He should be lithe and active in his movements, and entirely free from cloddiness and coarseness in any parts of his conformation; and, lastly he must be gifted with true expression. Expression is obtained by the perfect combination of head and muzzle, size, shape and colour, and placement of eye, and correct position and carriage of ears, which give the dog that sweet, dreamy, semi-cunning, yet alert outlook that makes the perfect Collie the most beautiful of the canine race.
SIZE & WEIGHT Dogs 22in. to 24in. at the shoulders, Bitches 20in. to 22in. Dogs 4 lb to 65lb, Bitches 40lb to 55lb. Dogs 22 in. to 24 in. at the shoulders, Bitches 20 in. to 22 in. Dogs 45 lb to 65 lb, Bitches 40 lb to 55 lb. Size & weight: Dogs 22in. to 24in. at the shoulders, Bitches 20in. to 22in. Dogs 4 lb to 65lb, Bitches 40lb to 55lb. Dogs 22 in. to 24 in. at the shoulders, Bitches 20 in. to 22 in. Dogs 45 lb to 65 lb, Bitches 40 lb to 55 lb
THE SMOOTH COLLIE only differs from the Rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth. The Smooth Collie only differs from the Rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth. The Smooth Collie only differs from the Rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth The Smooth Collie only differs from the Rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth.
FAULTS Domed skull, high peaked occipital bone, heavy, pendulous or prick ears, weak jaws, snipy muzzle, full staring or light eyes, crooked legs, large flat or hare feet, curly or soft coat, cow hocks, and brush twisted or carried right over the back, under or overshot mouth. Domed skull, high peaked occipital bone, heavy, pendulous or prick ears, weak jaws, snipy muzzle, full staring or light eyes, crooked legs, large flat or hare feet, curly or soft coat, cow hocks, and brush twisted or carried right over the back, under or overshot mouth.