Pictured here are three current Champion Collie dogs.
Left: UK Champion. Middle: Australian champion. Right: USA Champion ranked #1 collie in the USA for 2000.
You be the judge, simply apply the standard to each dog. Perhaps begining with the words parallel planes and balance - or try - no part out of proportion to the whole....

Did you know the UK Standard was changed in 1881,1885,1898,1910,1950,1969 & 1988???
The U.S.A. standard was adopted from the UK in 1886 and revised in 1918, 1950 & 1977. Keen to know more?

GENERAL CHARACTER - USA
The Collie is a lithe, strong, responsive, active dog, carrying no useless timber, standing naturally straight and firm. The deep, moderately wide chest shows strength, the sloping shoulders and well bent hocks indicate speed and grace, and the face shows high intelligence. The Collie presents an impressive, proud picture of true balance, each part being in harmonious proportion to every other part and to the whole. Except for the technical description that is essential to this Standard and without which no Standard for the guidance of breeders and judges is adequate, it could be stated simply that no part of the Collie ever seems to be out of proportion to any other part. Timidity, frailness, sullenness, viciousness, lack of animation, cumbersome appearance and lack of over-all balance impair the general character.

GENERAL APPEARANCE & CHARACTERISTICS - UK/Australia
The Collie should instantly appeal as a dog of great beauty,standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of proportion to the whole. To enable the Collie to fulfil a natural bent for sheep-dog work, its physical structure should be on the lines of strength and activity, free from cloddiness and without any trace of coarseness. Expression, one of the most important points in considering relative values, is obtained by the perfect balance and combination of skull and foreface; size, shape, colour and placement of eye, correct position and carriage of ears.

HEAD - USA
The head properties are of great importance. When considered in proportion to the size of the dog, the head is inclined to lightness and never appears to be massive. A heavy headed dog lack the necessary bright, alert, full of sense look that contributes so greatly to expression. Both in front and in profile view the head bears a general resemblance to a well blunted lean wedge, being smooth and clean in outline and nicely balanced in proportion. On the sides it tapers gradually and smoothly from the ears to the end of the black nose, without being flared out in backskull (cheeky) or pinched in muzzle (snipey). In profile view the top of the backskull and the top of the muzzle lie in two approximately parallel, straight planes of equal length, divided by a slight but perceptible stop or break. A mid point between the inside corners of the eyes (which is the center of the correctly placed stop) is the center of balance in length of head. The end of the smooth, well rounded muzzle is blunt not square. The underjaw is strong, clean-cut and the depth of skull from the brow to the underpart of the jaw is not excessive. The teeth are of good size, meeting in a scissor bite. Overshot or undershot jaws are undesirable, the later being more severely penalised. There is a very slight prominence of the eyebrows. The backskull is flat, without receding either laterally or backward and the occipital bone is not highly peaked. The proper width of backskull necessarily depends upon the combined length of skull and muzzle and the width of the backskull is less than it's length. Thus the correct width varies with the individual and is dependant upon the extent to which it is supported by length of muzzle. Because of the importance of the head characteristics, prominent head faults are very severely penalised.

HEAD - UK/Australia
The head properties are of great importanceand must be considered in proprtion to the size of the dog.When viewed from the front or the side the head bears a general resemblance to a well blunted clean wedge, being smooth in outline.The skull should be flat.The sides should taper gradually and smoothly from the ears to the end of the black nose, without prominent cheekbones or pinched muzzle. Viewed in profile, the top of the skull and the top of the muzzle lie in two parallel, straight planes of equal length, divided by a slight but perceptible stop or break. A mid point between the inside corners of the eyes (which is the center of the correctly placed stop) is the center of balance in length of head. The underjaw is strong, clean-cut and the depth of skull from the brow to the underpart of the jaw, must never be excessive (deep through). What ever the colour of the dog the nose must be black.

EYES - USA
Because of the combination of the flat skull, the arched eyebrows, the slight stop and the rounded muzzle, the foreface must be chiseled to form a receptacle for the eyes and they are necessarily placed obliquely to give them the required froward outlook. Except for the blue merles, they are required to be matched in colour. They are almond shaped, of medium size and never properly appear to be large or prominent. The colour is dark and the eye does not show a yellow ring or a sufficiently prominent haw to affect the dog's expression.The eyes have a clear, bright appearance, expressing intelligent inquisitiveness, particularly when the ears are drawn up and the dog is on the alert. In blue merles, dark brown eyes are preferable, but either or both eyes may be merle or china in colour without specific penalty. A large, round, full eye seriously detracts from the desired sweet expression. Eye faults are heavily penalised.

EYES - UK/Australia
These are a very important feature and give a sweet expression to the dog. They should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape and of dark brown colour, except in the case of blue merles when the eyes are frequently (one or both, or part of one or both)blue or blue flecked. Expression full of intelligence, with a quick, alert look when listening.

EARS - USA
The ears are in proportion to the size of the head and, if they are carried properly and unquestionably break naturally, are seldom too small. Large ears usually cannot be lifted correctly off the head, even if lifted, they will be out of proportion to the head. When in repose the ears are folded lenghthwise and thrown back into the frill. On the alert they are drawn well up on the backskull and are carried about three quarters erect, with about one fourth of the ear tipping or breaking forward. A dog with prick ears or low set ears cannot show true expression and is penalised accordingly.

EARS - UK/Australia
These should be small and not too close together on top of the skull, nor too much on the side of the head. When in repose they should be carried thrown back, but when on alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, that is, with approximately two thirds of the ear standing erect, the top third tipping forward naturally, below the horizontal.

NECK - USA
The neck is firm, clean, muscular, sinewy and heavily frilled. It is fairly long, carried upright with a slight arch at the nape and imparts a proud, upstanding appearance showing off the frill.

NECK - UK/Australia
The neck should be muscular, powerful, of fair length and well arched.

BODY - USA
The body is firm, hard and muscular, a trifle long in proportion to the height. The ribs are well-rounded behind the well sloped shoulders and the chest is deep, extending to the elbows. The back is strong and level, supported by powerful hips and thighs and the croup is rounded to give a well-rounded finish. The loin is powerful and slightly arched. Noticably fat dogs, or dogs in poor flesh, or with skin disease, or with no undercoat are out of condition and are moderately penalised accordingly.

BODY - UK/Australia
The body should be a trifle long compared to the height, back firm with a slight rise over the loins, ribs well sprung, chest deep and fairly broad behind the shoulders.

LEGS - USA
The forelegs are straight and muscular, with a fair amount of bone considering the size of the dog. A cumbersome appearance is undesirable. Both narrow and wide placement are penalised. the forearm is moderately fleshy, muscular at the thighs, very sinewy and the hocks and stifles well bent. A cowhocked dog or a dog with straight stifles os penalised. The comparatively small feet are approximately oval in shape. the soles are well padded and tough, the toes are well arched and close together. When the Collie is not in motion the legs and feet are judged by alowing the dog to come to a natural stop in a standing position so that the forelegs and the hindlegs are placed well apart, with the feet extending straight forward. Excessive "posing" is undesirable.

LEGS (Forequarters,Hindquarters & Feet) - UK/Australia
The shoulders should be sloped and well angulated. The forelegs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at the elbows, with a moderate amount of bone. The hind legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below, with well bent stifles. Hocks well let down and poweful. Feet should be oval in shape with soles well padded, toes arched and close together. The hind feet slightly less arched.

TAIL - USA
The tail is moderately long, the bone reaching to the hock joint or below. It is carried low when the dog is quiet, the end having an upward twist or swirl. When gaited or when the dog is excited it is carried gaily but not over the back.

TAIL - UK/Australi
The tail should be long with the bone reaching at least to the hock joint. To be carried low when the dog is quiet, but with a slight upward swirl at the tip. It may be carried gaily when the dog is excited, but not over the back.

GAIT - USA
Gait is sound. When the dog is moved at a slow trot towards an observer its straight front legs track comparatively close together at the ground. The front legs are not out at the elbows, do not "crossover", nor does the dog move with a choppy, pacing or rolling gait. When viewed from the rear the hind legs are straight, tracking comparatively close together at the ground. At a moderate trot the hind legs are powerful and propelling. Viewed from the side the reasonably long "reaching" stride is smooth and even, keeping the backline firm and level. As the speed of the gait is increased the collie single tracks, bringing the front legs inwards in a straight line from the shoulder towards the centre line of the body and the hind legs inwards in a straight line from the hip towards the centre line of the body. The gait suggests effortless speed combined with the dogs herding heritage, requiring it to be capable of changing its direction of travel almost instantaneously.

GAIT - UK/Australia
Movement is a distinct characteristic of this breed. A sound dog is never out at the elbow, yet it moves with its front feet comparatively close together. Plaiting, crossing or rolling are undesirable. The hind legs, from the hock joint to the ground, when viewed from the rear, should be parallel. the hind legs should be powerful and full of drive. Viewed from the side the action is smooth. a reasonably long stride is desirable and this should be light and appear quite effortless.

COAT - USA
The well-fitting, proper-textured coat is the crowning glory of the rough variety of Collie. It is abundant except on the head and legs. The outer coat is straight and harsh to the touch. A soft, open outer coat or a curly outer coat, regardless of quantity is penalised. The undercoat, however, is soft, furry and so close together that it is difficult to see the skin when the hair is parted. The coat is very abundant on the mane and frill. The face or mask is smooth. The forelegs are smooth and well feathered to the back of the pasterns. the hind legs are smooth below the hock joints. Any feathering below the hock joint is removed for the show ring. The hair on the tail is very profuse and on the hips it is long and bushy. The texture, quantity and the extent to which the coat "fits" are important points.

COAT - UK/Australia
The coat should fit the outline of the dog and be very dense. The outer coat straight and harsh to the touch, the undercoat soft, furry and very close; so as to almost hide the skin. The mane and frill should be very abundant, the mask or face smooth, also the ears at the tips, but they should carry more hair towards the base; the forelegs well feathered, the hind legs above the hock profusely so, but smooth below. Hair on the tail very profuse.

COLOR - USAZ
The four recognised colors are sable and white, tricolored, blue merle and white. There is no preference amongst them. The sable and white is predominantly sable (a fawn sable color of varying shades from light gold to dark mahogany) with white markings usually on the chest, neck, legs, feet and the tip of the tail. A blaze may appear on the foreface, backskull or both. The tricolor is predominantly black, carrying white markings as in sable and white and has tan shadings on and about the head and legs. The blue merle is a mottled or marbled color predominantly blue grey and black with white markings as in sable and white and usually has tan shadings as in the tri color. the white is oredominantly white, preferably with sable, tri color or blue merle markings.

COLOUR - UK/Australia
The three recognised colours are sable and white, tricoloured and blue merle. Sable: any shade from light gold to rich mahogany or shaded sable. Light straw or cream colour is highly undesirable.
Tri colour: predominantly black with rich tan markings about the legs and head. A rusty tinge in the top coat is highly undesirable.
Blue Merle: Predominantly clear silvery blue, splashed and marbled with black. Rich tan markings to be preferred, but their absence should not be counted as a fault. Large black markings, slate colour, or a rust tinge either on top or undercoat are highly undesirable. White markings: All the above may arry the typical white Collie markings to a greater or lesser degree. The following markings are favourable: White collar, full or part; white shirt, legs, feet, tip of tail. A blaze may be carried on muzzle, skull or both.

SIZE - USA
Dogs are from 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 60 - 75 pounds. Bitches are from 22 - 24 inches at the shoulder, weighing 50 - 65 pounds. An undersize or an oversize Collie is penalised according to the extent to which the dog appears to be undersize or oversize.

SIZE - UK/Australia
Dogs: 22 - 24 inches at the shoulder. 45 - 65 pounds.
Bitches: 20 - 22 inches at the shoulder. 40 - 55 pounds.

NOTE - USA
Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

NOTE - UK/Australia
Male animals must have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

EXPRESSION - USA (Not in the UK/Aus standard at all)
Expression is one of the most important points in considering relative value of Collies. Expression, like the term character is difficult to define in words. It is not a fixed point as in color, weight or height and it is something the uninitiated can properly understand only by optical illusion. In general, however, it may be said to be the combined product of the shape and balance of the skull and muzzle, the placement, size, shape and color of the eye and the position, size and carriage of the ears. An expression that shows sullenness or which is suggestive of any other breed is entirely foreign. The collie cannot be judged properly until its expression has been carefully evaluated.

MOUTH - UK/Australia (Not in USA standard)
The teeth should be of good size, with the lower incisors fitting closely behind the upper incisors; a very slight space not to be regarded as a serious fault.

FAULTS. - UK/Australia (Not in USA standard)
Length of head apparently out of proportion to the body; receding skull or unbalanced head to be strongly condemned. Weak, snipey muzzle; domed skull; high peaked occiput; prominent cheek bones; dished face or Roman nose. P rick ears, low set ears. Undershot or overshot mouth; missing teeth. Round or lightly coloured or glassy and staring eyes are highly objectionable. Body flat sided, short or cobby; straight shoulder or stifle; out at elbow; crooked forearms; cow hocks or straight hocks; Large open or hare feet ; feet turned in or out; long weak pasterns. Tail short, kinked or twisted to one side or carried over the back. A soft silky or wavy coat or insufficient undercoat. Nervousness.