The club controversy was reflected by the struggle of breeders to fix and perpetuate the proper type and size. The smaller breeds intermingling with the working Collies - brought in faults quite contradictory to true Collie type. Small spaniels were undoubtedly responsible for contributing undesirable wavy coats, low ears, large round eyes, gay tails, long bodies, and desirable calm, devoted dispositions. Little yellow Iceland dogs with smutty muzzles and pricked ears made their mark on the breed. To offset these influences, crosses with modern Collies were resorted to --this introduced a new set of faults along with an undeniable set of virtues derived from long generations of breeding for perfection in Collie points. The chief drawbacks, whose results we are reaping today, were legginess, loss of substance, excess size, and imbalance. At the same time, the breed was given great impetus in the improvement of head properties, especially in type, skull, and expression. While the breed is still suffering somewhat from this inescapable method of its improvement, it is likewise reaping the reward of now having within the breed all the points inseparable from the correct Collie, enabling breeders to produce substantial, beautifully balanced little dogs, with weather-resisting Collie coats, Collie type and expression, and Sheltie size, charm, and character.
The breed characteristics common to all Shelties can be used for two purposes pertaining to their working propensities or their companionship qualities. It is their nature to obey, willingly and naturally, with few or no lessons needed, an instinct coming no doubt from the many generations of obediently trained dogs behind them. The instinct to guard property or places and to give watchdog warning makes them invaluable for work as farm helpers or home protectors, a heritage of the constant vigilance required to protect the crofters' cottages, flocks, and herds from invaders of all kinds. Their ability to run swiftly and gracefully, and jump with agility over obstacles, makes them a delight in fields and woods as well as in farm work. But what most endears them to everybody is their devoted, docile natures and their keen and all but human intelligence and understanding- |