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ANKC BORDER COLLIE STANDARD
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The general appearance shall be that of a well proportioned dog, the
smooth outline showing quality, gracefulness & perfect balance,
combined with sufficient substance to ensure that it is capable of
enduring long periods of active duty in its intended task as a working
sheep dog. Any tendency to coarseness or weediness is undesirable.
TEMPERAMENT
The Border Collie is highly intelligent, with an instinctive tendency to
work and is readily responsive to training. Its keen, alert and eager
expression add to its intelligent appearance, whilst its loyal and faithful
nature demonstrates that it is at all times kindly disposed towards stock.
Any aspect of structure or temperament foreign to a working dog is
uncharacteristic.
HEAD AND SKULL
The skull is broad and flat between the ears, slightly narrowed to the eye,
with a pronounced stop, cheeks deep but not prominent. The muzzle
tapered to the nose, is strong and the same length as the skull. The lips
are tight and clean and the nose is large with open nostrils. The colour in
all dogs will be a solid colour with no pink or light pigment, and shall
complement the background colour of the dog.
EYES
The eyes are set wide apart, oval shaped of moderate size harmonising
with colour of the coat but darker coloured preferred, except in the case
of chocolate where a lighter colour is permissible and in the case of
merles where blue is permissible. The expression is mild but keen, alert
and intelligent.
EARS
Medium size and texture, set well apart. Carried erect or semierect and
sensitive in use.
MOUTH
The teeth should be sound, strong and evenly spaced, the lower incisors
just behind but touching the upper, that is a scissor bite.
NECK
The neck is good length, strong and muscular, slightly arched and
broadening to the shoulders, without throatiness and coarseness.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders are long, and well angled to the upper arm, neither in nor
out at elbow. The forelegs are well boned, straight and parallel when
viewed from the front. Pasterns show flexibility with a slight slope when
viewed from the side.
BODY
The body is moderately long with well sprung ribs tapering to a
fairly deep and moderately broad chest. The loins are broad, deep,
muscular and only slightly arched, flanks deep and not cut up.
HINDQUARTERS
The hindquarters are broad and muscular, in profile sloping gracefully to
the set on of tail. The thighs are long, broad, deep and muscular with well
turned stiffles and strong hocks, well let down, and when viewed from
the rear and straight and parallel.
FEET
Oval in shape, pads deep and sound, toes moderately arched and close
together. Nails short and strong.
TAIL
The tail is moderately long, set on low, well furnished and with an
upward swirl towards the end. Completing the graceful contour and
balanced of the dog. The tail may be raised in excitement, but not carried
over the back.
MOVEMENT/GAIT
The movement is free, smooth and tireless, with a minimum lift of the
feet, conveying the impression of the ability to move with great stealth.
The action, viewed from the front, should be straight forward and true
without weakness at shoulders, elbows or pasterns. Viewed from behind
the quarters thrust with strength and flexibility, with hocks not close nor
too far apart. When trotting, the dog's feet tend to come close together
as speed increases, but when the dog comesto rest he should stand four
square. Any tendency to stiltiness or to cow hocks or bow hocks is a
serious fault.
COLOUR
Variety of colours permissible. White should never predominate.
COAT
HAIR: Two varieties: Moderately long or smooth. In both, topcoat dense
and medium textured, undercoat soft and dense giving good weather
resistance. In the moderately long-coated variety, abundant coat forms
mane, breeching and brush. On face, ears, forelegs (except for feathers),
hindlegs from hock to ground, hair should be short and smooth.
SIZE
Dogs 48-53 cm (approx 19-21" at withers)
Bitches 46-51 cm (18-20" at withers)