In recent years the smooth Collie has gained in popularity quite as certainly as his more amply attired relative. Originally he was a dog produced by mating the old-fashioned black and white with the Greyhound. But the Greyhound type, which was formerly very marked, can scarcely be discerned to-day.

Still, it is not infrequent that a throw-back is discovered in a litter producing perhaps a
slate-coloured, a pure, white, or a jet black individual, or that an otherwise perfect smooth Collie should betray the heavy ears or the eye of a Greyhound.

At one time this breed of dog was much cultivated in Scotland, but nowadays the breeding smooth coated is almost wholly confined to the English side of the Border.

The following is the accepted description of the Perfect Collie:--

THE SKULL…
should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon 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 snippy or lippy. Whatever the colour of the dog may be, the nose must be black.

THE TEETH…
Should be of good size, sound and level; very slight unevenness is permissible.

THE JAWS…
Clean cut and powerful.

THE EYES…
are a very important feature, and give expression to the dog; they should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape, and of a 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.

THE EARS
should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not too close together but on the top of the skull and not on the side of the head. When in repose they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tips slightly drooping in attitude of listening.

THE NECK…
should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched.

THE BODY
should be strong, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins very powerful.The dog should be straight in front.

THE FORE-LEGS…
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.
THE HIND-LEGS…
should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles.

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

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.

THE COAT…
should be very dense, the outer coat harsh to the touch, the inner or under coat soft, furry, and very close, so close as almost to 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 carry more hair towards the base; the fore-legs well feathered, the hind-legs 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.

COLOUR…
in the Collie is immaterial.

IN GENERAL CHARACTER
he is 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 a fair length on the leg, giving him more of a racy than a cloddy appearance. In a few words, a Collie should show endurance, activity, and intelligence, with free and true action. In height dogs should be 22 ins. to 24 ins. at the shoulders, bitches 20 ins. to 22 ins. The weight for dogs is 45 to 65 lbs., bitches 40 to 55 lbs.

THE SMOOTH COLLIE only differs from the rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth.

THE MAIN FAULTS
to be avoided are a domed skull, high peaked occipital bone, heavy, pendulous or pricked ears, weak jaws, snippy 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.

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