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BEARDED COLLIE BREED STANDARD
General Appearance - Lean active dog, longer than it is high in an approximate proportion of 5 to 4, measured from point of chest to point of buttock. Bitches may be slightly longer. Though strongly made, should show plenty of daylight under body and should not look too heavy. Bright enquiring expression is a distinctive feature.
Characteristics - Alert, lively, self confident and active
Temperament - Steady, intelligent working dog, with no signs of nervousness or aggression.
Head & Skull - Head in proportion to size. Skull broad, flat and square, distance between stop and occiput being equal to width between orifices of ears. Muzzle strong and equal in length to distance between stop and occiput . Whole effect being that of a dog with strength of muzzle and plenty of brain room. Moderate stop. Nose large and square, generally black but normally following coat colour without spots or patches. Pigmentation of lips and eye rims follows nose colour.
Eyes - Toning with coat colour, set widely apart and large, soft and affectionate, not protruding. Eyebrows arched up and forward but not so long as to obscure eyes
Ears - Of medium size and drooping. When alert ears lift at the base, level with, but not above top of skull, increasing apparent breadth of skull.
Mouth -Teeth large and white. Jaws strong with perfect regular and complete scissor bite preferred ie upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite tolerated but undesirable.
Neck - Moderate length, muscular and slightly arched.
Forequarters - Shoulders sloping well back, legs straight and vertical with good bone, covered with shaggy hair all around. Pasterns flexible without weakness.
Body - Length of back comes from length of ribcage and not that of loin. Back level and ribs well sprung. But not barrelled. Loin strong and chest deep, giving plenty of heart and lung room.
Hindquarters - Well muscled with good second thighs, well bent stifles and low hocks. Lower leg falls at right angle to ground and in normal stance, is just behind a line vertically below point of buttocks.
Feet - Oval in shape with soles well padded. Toes arched and close together, well covered with hair, including between pads.
Tail - Set low, without kink or twist, and long enough for end of bone to reach at least point of hock. Carried low with an upward swirl at tip whilst standing or walking., may be extended at speed. Never carried over back. Covered with abundant hair.
Gait - Supple, smooth and long reaching, covering ground with minimum of effort.
Coat - Double with soft furry and close undercoat. Outer coat flat, harsh, strong and shaggy, free from woolliness and curl, though slight wave permissible. Length and density of hair sufficient to provide a protective coat and to enhance shape of dog, but not enough to obscure natural lines of body. Coat must not be trimmed in any way. Bridge of nose sparsely covered with hair slightly longer on side just to cover lips. From cheeks, lower lips and under chin, coat increases in length towards chest, forming typical beard.
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