Scottish Collie

　　The Scottish Collie is a smart and spirited star dog. Some dogs gain people's affection through a petite and beautiful appearance, while others earn their owner's trust with thoughtful intelligence. The Scottish Collie obviously belongs to the latter. Its alertness, intelligence, and diligence leave a deep impression, truly deserving the title of a star dog that can accompany humans for a lifetime.

　　Key Points for Selection: Male dogs over one year old showing cryptorchidism; lacking the characteristic Scottish Collie temperament; missing more than five teeth; extremely incorrect tooth occlusion especially overbite; monorchidism; significant head defects; obvious curling of the coat; tail curled over the back when walking; erect ears or ears drooping less than 3/4 length should be cautiously selected.

　　1. For first-time owners, it is best to refer to introductory information about the Scottish Collie before purchasing a puppy, to have a basic understanding of the breed's physical traits and intrinsic characteristics, so you can be informed during the purchase.

　　2. Puppies should neither be too young nor too old; choosing a 2–3 month-old puppy is the most suitable, as puppies of this age are easier to train.

　　3. Select a healthy puppy that is energetic, has bright eyes, a beautiful appearance, and no diseases. Never choose the smallest puppy in the litter, as such puppies are often congenitally weak and harder to raise.

　　4. Choose puppies whose body shape basically meets the breed’s characteristics, with the following specific requirements:

　　① The skull should be flat, head wedge-shaped, muzzle not pointed, nose black, and the front teeth in a scissor bite.

　　② Ears small, eyes small, both dark chestnut brown. Eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and anus must be clean without dirt. Tongue color should be bright, and no saliva residue in the puppy’s mouth.

　　③ Chest deep and back firm with a lion-shaped back. The dog should not have a sway back, as dogs with this condition are unhealthy, at least infested with parasites.

　　④ Legs straight, strong and powerful; feet oval; hock joints relatively low.

　　⑤ Tail set low; tail long hair like a flag, usually hanging down, but raised when excited. Tail should never be tucked. Even when you pick up the dog, the tail cannot be tucked.

　　⑥ Double-layered coat: upper layer long and coarse; undercoat soft and dense; the chest and neck have abundant feathering.

　　⑦ Coat colors should be light yellow, black and white, blue-gray and black, or a mix of black, gray, and white in three colors. Puppies’ coat underfur must be even, with bright and distinct colors, indicating good health.

　　⑧ Good at running, gait light, flexible, agile and free. Body size and walking posture should have no adverse signs. Neck and limbs should be correct. Check if movements are responsive and whether the spirit is not lethargic.

　　⑨ The body should be robust, not too weak.

　　5. When deciding to purchase, be sure to ask the seller for the dog's pedigree certificate and related technical information, as these certificates and materials are important references for future care and breeding. Knowing the bloodlines of the sire and dam can help avoid inbreeding and reduce the risk of inferior offspring. Also ask for vaccination certificates and signed transfer certificates between buyer and seller. There should be no skin abnormalities beneath the coat. Then call the Scottish Collie or whistle to see if there is a response; a response shows the dog is alert and at least has good hearing. Then offer it some food from several options to see if it eats.

　　Many dog sellers do not feed the dog before selling; when buyers arrive and offer food, the dog becomes active. Observe the dog longer if possible, preferably see it defecate and urinate, especially ensuring stool is not loose (except for unweaned puppies). Finally, ask the owner whether injections have been given, where the dog usually sleeps, and what it usually eats. Usually, dog sellers do not vaccinate dogs because of high costs but will claim they have. Usually, sellers only give one serum injection (often domestically produced and costing about 8-10 RMB), so even unhealthy dogs do not show symptoms in the short term.