Sporting Collie Dog
Posted on Nov 20, 2008 under small dogs |The Collie dog makes an excellent sporting dog, and can be taught to do the work of the Pointer and the Setter, as well as that of the Water Spaniel and the Retriever. He can be trained to perform the duties of other breeds. He is clever at hunting, having an excellent nose, is a good vermin-killer, and a most faithful watch, guard, and companion.
Little is known with certainty of the origin of the Collie, but his cunning and his outward appearance would seem to indicate a relationship with the wild dog. Buffon was of opinion that he was the true dog of nature, the stock and model of the whole canine species. He considered the Sheepdog superior in instinct and intelligence to all other breeds, and that, with a character in which education has comparatively little share, he is the only animal born perfectly trained for the service of man.
At the shows this type of dog is invariably at the top of the class. He is considered the most tractable, and is certainly the most agile. Second to this type in favour is the smooth-coated variety, a very hard, useful dog, well adapted for hill work and usually very fleet of foot. He is not so sweet in temper as the black and white, and is slow to make friends. There is not a more graceful and physically beautiful dog to be seen than the show Collie of the present period. Produced from the old working type, he is now practically a distinct breed.
The skull should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon combined length of skull and muzzle; and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent.
The muzzle should be of fair length, tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour of the dog may be, the nose must be black. The teeth should be of good size, sound and level; very slight unevenness is permissible. The jaws Clean cut and powerful. The eyes are a very important feature, and give expression to the dog; they should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape, and of a brown colour except in the case of merles, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china; expression full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening. The ears should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not too close together but on the top of the skull and not on the side of the head. When in repose they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tips slightly drooping in attitude of listening.
The neck should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched. The body should be strong, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins very powerful. The dog should be straight in front. The fore-legs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness. The hind-legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles. The feet should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together.
In general character he is a lithe active dog, his deep chest showing lung power, his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well bent hocks indicating speed, and his expression high intelligence. He should be a fair length on the leg, giving him more of a racy than a cloddy appearance. In a few words, a Collie should show endurance, activity, and intelligence, with free and true action. In height dogs should be 22 ins. to 24 ins. at the shoulders, bitches 20 ins. to 22 ins. The weight for dogs is 45 to 65 lbs., bitches 40 to 55 lbs. The smooth collie only differs from the rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I Have a lame border collie,he has been to the vets +put on anti inflamotories but there is no improvement?
He is sore in his shoulder. He used to jump through the post and rails everyday but we have fenced it off, in case he has RSI I have walked him on a lead for a month but keeping quiet makes him depressed. Any sugesstions as to how I can help him please? He is very fit 5 years old and usually has a very active life. I have heard this condtion is common in sporting dogs?
November 20th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
what is RSI?
References :
November 20th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
RSI = Repetitive Stress Injury
After four to six months of complete rest, the pain will go away. This doesn't mean that it's cured. Ice pads help stop the pain. Massages of the area will help, too.
Truth is, even if your dog has a period of relief, strain on the muscles will make RSI come back.
References :
November 20th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
You should firstly make sure your vet knows all those things. Secondly, Repetitive Strain Injury is a major problem in sporting dogs, especially the active breeds like border collies. Keeping him quiet is a good idea, until the strain is healed. Talk to your vet about more aggresive treatments. Good luck!
References :
November 20th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Test to see if its ligament injury (pull the leg.. listen for a yelp)
Test to see if if its a cartilage injury (grind the leg into the socket..listen for a yelp)
Test to see if its a muscle injury (squeeze the muscles quite firmly.. listen for yelp)
Not sure how you can test the dog for a nerve entrapment.
Also in place of yelp, dog may bite.
Appropriate treatment depends on whether it is ligament, muscle or cartilage that is injured…
References :
November 20th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Consider seeking a vet that practices chiropractic and acupuncture. Some vet schools also have physical therapy departments.
References :
vet tech
November 20th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
You say 'in case he has RSI'. Does this mean that you haven't had a proper diagnosis yet from your Vet? If so I would be pushing my Vet for an accurate diagnosis before trying any other treatments just in case the problem is aggravated.
I really feel for you and your dog. I have Borders and I know how much they love to be active.
Do you know if there is a dog swimming pool anywhere near you? If there is you could ask your Vet whether swimming might be beneficial.
I wouldn't recommend letting your dog do any river, lake or sea swimming in case he does any harm scrambling up muddy banks or over rocks but the hydrotherapy pools for dogs are excellent (as long as your Vet says its OK).
If your dog is insured and your Vet recommends hydrotherapy you might be able to claim the cost of sessions on your insurance.
Good luck - I hope you see some improvement soon.
References :
November 20th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Have you considered trying a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement appropriate for dogs? Holistic vet sites online might have some info.
References :
November 20th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
you can buy a bottle of this liquid from the pet shop called hip rite, its mostly moisture it wont cure it but it will help
References :
November 20th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
it is so sad when this happens. Yes it is common. Too much activity can cause this. Agility should be kept down to twice a week due to this problem occuring. All I can suggest is lots of attention, give him things to occupy his mind instead of his body. Try hiding things around the house for him to find, activity balls, even try doing obedience with him, but keep it to a minimum. He will get better, there's not alot else I can suggest. Sorry x
References :
training canine behaviourist
November 20th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
my dog has problems with her joints and walks badly i put her on glucosamine tablets which i got from a health food shop they were about £7 for 90 tablets and are recomended by vets after a month we saw a big improvement i give my dog 750mg a day she is about the same size as a border collie they are worth a try good luck the tablets which i forgot to mention are 1500mgbut i only give her half atablet
References :