FCI 1
Group
Section Sheepdogs
Standard No. 156
GENERAL
APPERANCE: Appears as dog of great beauty,
standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of
proportion to whole.
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.
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 under part of jaw never
excessive (deep through). Nose always black.
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: 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: 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: Muscular, powerful, of fair length, well
arched.
FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders sloping and well
angulated. Forelegs straight and muscular, neither in
nor out at elbows, with moderate amount of round bone.
BODY: Slightly long compared with height, back
firm with a slight rise over loins; ribs well sprung,
chest deep, fairly broad behind shoulders.
HINDQUARTERS: Hindlegs muscular at thighs,
clean and sinewy below, with well bent stifles. Hocks
well let down and powerful.
FEET: Oval; soles well padded. Toes
arched and close together. Hind feet slightly less
arched.
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.
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: 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.
WHITE MARKINGS:
All should carry
typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser
degree. Following markings are favorable – white collar,
full or part, white shirt, legs and feet, white tail
tip. A blaze may be carried on muzzle or skull, or both.
SIZE: Height: dogs: 56-61 cms (22-24
ins) at shoulder; bitches: 51-56 cms (20-22 ins).
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.
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