KENNEL CLUB REVISED BREED STANDARD 1969

ROUGH COLLIE

KENNEL CLUB REVISED BREED STANDARD

Last updated April 2012

ROUGH COLLIE

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch section of the Kennel Club website here http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/breeds/watch for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring.

General appearance:

The Collie should instantly appeal as a dog of great beauty, standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of proportion to the whole.

General Appearance

Appears as dog of great beauty, standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of proportion to whole, giving the appearance of working capability.

Characteristics:

To enable the Collie to fulfill a natural bent for Sheepdog work; its physical structure should be on lines of strength and activity, free from cloddiness and without any trace of coarseness. Expression, one of the most important points in considering relative values, is  obtained by the perfect balance and combination of skull and foreface; size, shape, colour and placement of eye, correct position and carriage of ears.

Characteristics

Physical structure on lines of strength and activity, free from cloddiness and with no trace of coarseness. Expression most important. In considering relative values it is obtained by perfect balance and combination of skull and foreface, size, shape, colour and placement of eyes, correct position and carriage of ears.

Temperament

Friendly disposition with no trace of nervousness or aggressiveness. A great companion dog, friendly, happy and active, good with children and other dogs.

Head & skull:

The head properties are of great importance and must be considered in proportion to the size of the dog. When viewed from both front and profile the head bears a general resemblance to a well blunted, clean wedge, being smooth in outline. The sides should  taper gradually and smoothly from the ears to the end of the black nose, without prominent cheek bones or pinched muzzle. Viewed in profile, the top of the skull and the top of the muzzle lie in two parallel, straight planes of equal length, divided by a slight, but perceptible "stop" or break. A midpoint between the inside corners of the eyes (which is centre of correctly placed "stop") is centre of balance in length of head. The end of the smooth, well rounded muzzle is blunt, but not square. The underjaw is strong, clean cut and the depth of the skull from brow to the underpart of the jaw, must never be excessive (deep through). Whatever the colour of the dog the nose must be black.

Head and Skull

Head properties of great importance, must be considered in proportion to size of dog. Viewed from front or side, head resembles a well-blunted clean wedge, being smooth in outline. Skull flat. Sides taper gradually and smoothly from ears to end of black nose, without prominent cheek bones or pinched muzzle. Viewed in profile, top of skull and top of muzzle lie in two parallel straight lines of equal length divided by a slight, but perceptible stop or break. A mid-point between inside corner of eyes (which is centre of a correctly placed stop) is centre of balance in length of head. End of smooth, well rounded muzzle blunt, never square. Under jaw strong, clean cut. Depth of skull from brow to underpart of jaw never excessive (deep through). Nose always black.

Eyes:

These are a very important feature and give a sweet expression to the dog. They should be of a medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of dark brown colour except in the case of blue merles when the eyes are frequently (one or both, or part of one or both) blue or blue flecked. Expression full of intelligence, with a quick, alert look when listening.

Eyes

Very important feature giving sweet expression. Medium size (never very small) set somewhat obliquely, of almond-shape and dark brown colour, except in the case of blue merles when eyes are frequently (one or both, or part of one or both) blue or blue-flecked. Expression full of intelligence, with quick, alert look when listening.

Ears:

These should be small and not too close together on top of the skull, nor too much to the side of the head. When in repose they should be carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, that is, with approximately two-thirds of the ear standing erect the top third tipping forward naturally, below the horizontal.

Ears

Small, not too close together on top of skull, nor too far apart. In repose carried thrown back, but on alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, that is, with approximately two-thirds of ear standing erect, top third tipping forward naturally, below horizontal.

Mouth:

The teeth should be of good size, with the lower incisors fitting closely behind the upper incisors; a very slight space not to be regarded as a serious fault.

Mouth

Teeth of good size. Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.

Neck:

Should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and well arched.

Neck

Muscular, powerful, of fair length, well arched.

Forequarters:

The shoulders should be sloped and well angulated. The forelegs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a moderate amount of bone.

Forequarters

Shoulders sloping and well angulated. Forelegs straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with moderate amount of round bone.

Body:

Should be a trifle long compared to the height, back firm with a slight rise over the loins, rips well sprung, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders.

Body

Slightly long compared with height, back firm with a slight rise over loins; ribs well sprung, chest deep, fairly broad behind shoulders.

Hindquarters:

The hindlegs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below, with well bent stifles. Hocks well let down and powerful.

Hindquarters

Hindlegs muscular at thighs, clean and sinewy below, with well bent stifles. Hocks well let down and powerful.

Feet:

Should be oval in shape with soles well padded, toes arched and close together. The hind feet slightly less arched.

Feet

Oval; soles well padded. Toes arched and close together. Hind feet slightly less arched.

Tail:

The tail should be long with the bone reaching at least to the hock joint. To be carried low when the dog is quiet, with a slight upward "swirl" at the end. It may be carried gaily when the dog is excited, but not over the back.

Tail

Long with bone reaching at least to hock joint. Carried low when quiet but with slight upward swirl at tip. May be carried gaily when excited, but never over back.

Gait/Movement

Distinctly characteristic in this breed. A sound dog is never out at the elbow, yet moves with front feet comparatively close together. Plaiting, crossing or rolling are highly undesirable. Hindlegs from hock joint to ground when viewed from rear to be parallel but not too close; when viewed from side, action is smooth. Hindlegs powerful with plenty of drive. A reasonably long stride is desirable and should be light and appear effortless. Absolute soundness essential.

Coat:

The coat should fit the outline of the dog and be very dense. The outer coat straight and harsh to the touch, the under coat soft, furry and very close; so close as to almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, also the ears at the tips, but they should carry more hair towards the base; the forelegs slightly well feathered, the hindlegs above the hocks profusely so; but smooth below. Hair on the tail very profuse.

Coat

Fits outline of body, very dense. Outer coat straight and harsh to touch, undercoat soft, furry and very close almost hiding the skin; mane and frill very abundant, mask and face smooth, ears smooth at tips, but carrying more hair towards base, front legs well feathered, hindlegs above hocks profusely feathered, but smooth below hock joint. Hair on tail very profuse.

Colour:

Three recognised colours are sable and white, tricolour and blue merle.

SABLE:

Any shade of light gold to rich mahogany or shaded sable. Light straw or cream colour is highly undesirable.

TRICOLOUR:

Predominantly black with rich tan markings about the legs and head. A rusty tinge in top coat is highly undesirable.

BLUE-MERLE:

Predominantly clear, silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black. Rich tan markings to be preferred, but their absence should not be counted as a fault. Large black markings, slate colour, or rusty tinge either of the top or undercoat are highly undesirable.

WHITE MARKINGS:

All the above may carry the typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. The followings markings are favourable -White collar, full or part; white shirt, legs and feet; white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on muzzle or skull or both.

Colour

Three recognised colours: Sable and white, Tricolour and Blue Merle.

Sable:

any shade of light gold to rich mahogany or shaded sable. Light straw or cream coloured highly undesirable.

Tricolour:

predominantly black with rich tan markings about legs and head. A rusty tinge in top coat highly undesirable.

Blue Merle:

predominantly clear, silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black. Rich tan markings preferred, but absence should not be penalised. Large black markings, slate colour, or rusty tinge either of top or undercoat are highly undesirable.

All should carry typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. Following markings are favourable – white collar, full or part, white shirt, legs and feet, white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on muzzle or skull, or both. All white or predominantly white is highly undesirable.

Weight & size:

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

Height: dogs: 56-61 cms (22-24 ins) at shoulder; bitches: 51-56 cms (20-22 ins).

Faults:

Length of head apparently out of proportion to the body; receding skull or unbalanced head to be strongly condemned. Weak, snipy muzzle; domed skull, high peaked occiput; prominent cheekbones; dish-faced or Roman nosed; undershot or overshot mouth, missing teeth; round or light coloured and glassy or staring eyes are highly objectionable. Body flat-sided, short or cobby; straight shoulder or stifle; out at elbows, crooked forearms; cow-hocks, straight hocks; large, open or hare feet; feet turned in or out; long, weak pasterns; tail short, kinked or twisted to one side, or carried over the back; a soft, silky, or wavy coat or insufficient undercoat; prick ears, low set ears; nervousness.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

THE ORIGINAL BREED STANDARD - 1881

THE COLLIE CLUB`S STANDARD AND SCALE OF POINTS

The skull: of the Collie should be quite flat and rather broad, with fine tapering muzzle of fair length, and mouth the least bit overshot; the eyes widely apart, almond shaped and obliquely set in the head; the skin of the head tightly drawn, with no folds at the corners of the mouth; the ears as small as possibly, semi-erect when surprised or listening, at other times thrown back and buried in the "ruff".

The neck: should be long, arched and muscular; the shoulders also long, sloping and fine at the withers; the chest to be deep and narrow at the front, but of fair breadth behind the shoulders.

The back: to be short and level, with the loin rather long, somewhat arched and powerful, brush long, "wi´ upward swirl" at the end and normally carried low.

The forelegs: should be perfectly straight with fair amount of flat bone; the pasterns rather long, springy and slightly lighter of bone than the rest of the leg; the foot with toes well arched and compact, soles very thick.

The hindquarters: drooping slightly, should be very long from the hip bones to the hocks, which should be neither turned inwards nor outwards, with stifles well bent. The hip bones should be wide and rather ragged.

The coat: except on legs and head, should be as abundant as possible; the outer coat straight, hard and rather stiff; the under coat furry and so dense that it would be difficult to find the skin. The "ruff" and "frill" especially should be very full. There should be but little "feather" on the forelegs and none below the hocks on the hindlegs.

Colour: Immaterial.

Symmetry: The dog should be a fair length on the leg and his movements wiry and graceful. He should not be to small; height of dogs from 22 in. to 24 in., of bitches from 20 in. to 22 in.

The Greyhound type is very objectionable, as there is no brain room in the skull and with this there are to be found a fatuous expression and a long, powerful jaw.

The Setter type is also to be avoided, with its pendulous ear, full soft eye, heavily-feathered legs and straight short flag.

The Smooth Collie only differs from the Rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth.

SCALE OF POINTS