ROTUMÄÄRITELMÄ

THE SMOTH COLLIE STANDARD

The smooth collie originates from Scotland. It was used as an excellent herder of sheep.
In old writings it's said that the smooth collie originated from
crossbreedings between old fashioned black and white collies
and brittish greyhounds, in order to create fast runners which also could be used as hunting dogs.
Smooth collie's appearance is quite similar to the the rough collie, except for the coat.
The smooth coat is a short, hard, dense, flat coat of good texture, with a abundance of undercoat.
What comes to character smooth collie is more active than the rough.
It is a little more cheerful, lively and also a little tougher, especially the dog.
If you like the collie but don't like to have to work with the long, rich coat of the rough, the smooth collie is an excellent choice!

General appearance: appears as gifted with intelligence, alertness and activity. Stands with dignity governed by perfect anatomical formation, with no part out of proportion, giving appearance of working capability

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 and shape, colour and placement of eye, correct position and carriage of ears.
Temperament: gay and friendly, never nervous or aggressive.

Head & 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. Underjaw strong, clean cut. Depth of skull from brow to underpart of jaw, never excessive (deep trough). 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 case of blue merles when eyes are frequently (one or both, or part of one or both) blue or blueflecked. Expression full of intelligence, with quick, alert look when listening.

Ears: moderately large, wider at base, and placed not too close together nor too much on side of head. When 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 a moderate amount of bone. Forearm somewhat fleshy, pasterns showing flexibility without weakness .

Body: slightly long compared with height, back level and firm with slight rise over loins; ribs well sprung; chest deep and fairly broad behind shoulders.

Hindquarters: hind legs muscular at thighs, clean 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. To be 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 of this breed. A sound dog is never out at elbow, yet moves with front feet comparatively close together plaiting, crossing or rolling are highly undesirable. Hind legs, from hock joint to ground, when viewed from rear, parallel. Hind legs powerful and full of drive. Viewed from side, action is smooth. A reasonably long stride is desirable and should he light and appear quite effortless.

Coat: short, flat, top coat of harsh texture, with very dense undercoat. Not trimmed or clipped.

Colour: three recognized colours: Sable and White, Tricolour and Blue Merle. Sable: any shade from 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 preferred but absence should not be penalised. Large black markings, slate colour or rusty tinge top or undercoat are highly undesirable. White markings: all above may carry typical white collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. Following markings are favourable; white collar full or part; white front, legs and feet; white tail tip. A blaze may be carried on muzzle or skull or both. All white or predominantly white is most undesirable.

Size: dogs: 56-61 cm (22-24 inches) at shoulder Bitches: 51-56 cm (20-22 inches) at shoulder. Weight: dogs: 20,5-29,5 kg (45-65 lbs); bitches: 18,0-25,0kg (40-45 lbs).

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.

Note: male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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