(AKC Herding Group)
Height: Over 22 inches (male); over 21 inches (female).
Size: Large.
Weight: Averages 90 pounds (male); averages 70 (female).
Availability: May take some effort to find.
Size: Large.
Weight: Averages 90 pounds (male); averages 70 (female).
Availability: May take some effort to find.
ORIGIN : Great Britain.
UTILIZATION : Sheepdog.
UTILIZATION : Sheepdog.
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Strong, square-looking dog of great
symmetry and overall soundness. Absolutely free from legginess,
profusely coated all over. A thick-set muscular, able-bodied dog with
a most intelligent expression. The natural outline should not be
artificially changed by scissoring or clipping. Of great stamina,
exhibiting a gently rising topline,
and a pear-shaped body when viewed from above. The gait has a
typical roll when ambling or walking. Bark has a distinctive toned
quality.
symmetry and overall soundness. Absolutely free from legginess,
profusely coated all over. A thick-set muscular, able-bodied dog with
a most intelligent expression. The natural outline should not be
artificially changed by scissoring or clipping. Of great stamina,
exhibiting a gently rising topline,
and a pear-shaped body when viewed from above. The gait has a
typical roll when ambling or walking. Bark has a distinctive toned
quality.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS : Muzzle measuring
approximately half of the total head length.
Dog standing lower at withers than loin.
approximately half of the total head length.
Dog standing lower at withers than loin.
BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT : A biddable dog of even
disposition. Bold, faithful and trustworthy, with no suggestion of
nervousness or unprovoked aggression.
disposition. Bold, faithful and trustworthy, with no suggestion of
nervousness or unprovoked aggression.
HEAD : In proportion to the size of the body.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Capacious, rather square. Well arched above eyes.
Stop : Well defined.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Large and black. Nostrils wide.
Muzzle : Strong, square and truncated.
Jaws / teeth : Teeth strong, large and evenly placed. Scissor bite. :
jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e.
upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the
jaws. Pincer bite tolerated but undesirable.
Eyes : Set well apart. Dark or wall eyes. Two blue eyes acceptable.
Light eyes undesirable. Pigmentation on the eye rims preferred.
Ears : Small and carried flat to side of head.
NECK : Fairly long, strong, arched gracefully.
BODY : Rather short and compact. Dog standing lower at withers
than loin.
Loin : Very sturdy, broad and gently arched.
Chest : Deep, capacious brisket. Ribs well-sprung.
TAIL : Customarily docked or natural bobtail.
Docked : Customarily completely docked.
Undocked : Unobtrusive when standing. Low set. Never curled
or carried over back, with no kink evident. Well feathered with
abundant hard-textured coat.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone,
holding body well from ground.
Shoulders : Should be well laid back, being narrower at the point of
withers than at the point of shoulder. Loaded shoulders undesirable.
Elbows : Fitting close to brisket.
HINDQUARTERS : Quarters well covered, round and muscular.
Stifle : Well turned.
Second thigh : Long and well developed.
Hocks : Set low. From the rear, the hocks should be quite straight.
FEET : Turning neither in nor out. Small, round and tight. Toes well
arched. Pads thick and hard. Dew claws should be removed.
GAIT/ MOVEMENT : When walking, exhibits a bear-like roll from
the rear. When trotting, shows effortless extension and strong driving
rear action, with legs moving straight along line of travel. Very
elastic at the gallop. At slow speeds, some dogs may tend to pace.
When moving, the head carriage may adopt a naturally lower
position.
COAT
HAIR : Profuse, of good harsh texture, not straight, but shaggy and
free from curl. Undercoat of waterproof pile. Head and skull well
covered with hair, ears moderately coated, neck well coated, forelegs
well coated all round, hindquarters more heavily coated than rest of
body. Quality, texture and profusion to be considered above mere
length.
COLOR : Any shade of grey, grizzle or blue. Body and
hindquarters of solid color with or without white socks, White
patches in the solid area to be discouraged. Head, neck, forequarters
and under belly to be white or without markings. Any shade of
brown undesirable.
SIZE : Dogs 61 cm ( 24 inches) and upwards.
Bitches 56 cm ( 22 inches) and upwards.
Type and symmetry of greatest importance, and on no account to be
sacrified to size alone.
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Capacious, rather square. Well arched above eyes.
Stop : Well defined.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Large and black. Nostrils wide.
Muzzle : Strong, square and truncated.
Jaws / teeth : Teeth strong, large and evenly placed. Scissor bite. :
jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e.
upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the
jaws. Pincer bite tolerated but undesirable.
Eyes : Set well apart. Dark or wall eyes. Two blue eyes acceptable.
Light eyes undesirable. Pigmentation on the eye rims preferred.
Ears : Small and carried flat to side of head.
NECK : Fairly long, strong, arched gracefully.
BODY : Rather short and compact. Dog standing lower at withers
than loin.
Loin : Very sturdy, broad and gently arched.
Chest : Deep, capacious brisket. Ribs well-sprung.
TAIL : Customarily docked or natural bobtail.
Docked : Customarily completely docked.
Undocked : Unobtrusive when standing. Low set. Never curled
or carried over back, with no kink evident. Well feathered with
abundant hard-textured coat.
LIMBS
FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone,
holding body well from ground.
Shoulders : Should be well laid back, being narrower at the point of
withers than at the point of shoulder. Loaded shoulders undesirable.
Elbows : Fitting close to brisket.
HINDQUARTERS : Quarters well covered, round and muscular.
Stifle : Well turned.
Second thigh : Long and well developed.
Hocks : Set low. From the rear, the hocks should be quite straight.
FEET : Turning neither in nor out. Small, round and tight. Toes well
arched. Pads thick and hard. Dew claws should be removed.
GAIT/ MOVEMENT : When walking, exhibits a bear-like roll from
the rear. When trotting, shows effortless extension and strong driving
rear action, with legs moving straight along line of travel. Very
elastic at the gallop. At slow speeds, some dogs may tend to pace.
When moving, the head carriage may adopt a naturally lower
position.
COAT
HAIR : Profuse, of good harsh texture, not straight, but shaggy and
free from curl. Undercoat of waterproof pile. Head and skull well
covered with hair, ears moderately coated, neck well coated, forelegs
well coated all round, hindquarters more heavily coated than rest of
body. Quality, texture and profusion to be considered above mere
length.
COLOR : Any shade of grey, grizzle or blue. Body and
hindquarters of solid color with or without white socks, White
patches in the solid area to be discouraged. Head, neck, forequarters
and under belly to be white or without markings. Any shade of
brown undesirable.
SIZE : Dogs 61 cm ( 24 inches) and upwards.
Bitches 56 cm ( 22 inches) and upwards.
Type and symmetry of greatest importance, and on no account to be
sacrified to size alone.