Afghan Collie

The Afghan Hound is a tall, elegant sighthound that presents an aristocratic appearance with no trace of coarseness or plainness. Males typically stand around 27 inches at the withers while females measure approximately 25 inches, with both sexes weighing between 50 and 60 pounds. The breed possesses a distinctively refined head with a long, narrow skull that balances evenly with the foreface, and a slight but perceptible stop. The eyes convey an exotic Eastern expression, appearing to gaze into the distance, while the long ears are set low on the head and covered with luxurious silky hair. The jaws are strong with a scissor bite, and the nose is preferably black though liver is acceptable in lighter-colored dogs. The Afghan Hound's most striking feature is its magnificent coat, which consists of thick, silky hair that is very fine in texture. The hindquarters, flanks, ribs, forequarters, and legs are well covered with this flowing coat, while the ears and all four feet are heavily feathered. A distinctive characteristic is the short, close-fitting hair that forms a smooth saddle along the back in mature dogs, contrasting with the longer coat elsewhere. The breed is crowned with a prominent topknot of long, silky hair that adds to its regal appearance. The coat should be shown in its natural state without clipping or trimming, and all colors are permissible except merle, though white markings on the head are considered undesirable. Additional distinctive features include very prominent hipbones, large feet with thick pads that served as shock absorbers on rocky Afghan terrain, and a tail that ends with a characteristic ring curl. The hindquarters are powerful and well-muscled, often appearing as high or slightly higher than the shoulders, creating the breed's unique silhouette. The legs are straight and strong, providing the foundation for the breed's remarkable speed and agility. When moving, the Afghan Hound displays great style and beauty, carrying its head and tail high with an elastic gallop that demonstrates tremendous spring and power in its smooth stride.

The Border Collie is a well-balanced, medium-sized dog of athletic appearance that displays gracefulness, power, and agility in equal measure. Males typically stand between 19 and 22 inches at the withers, while females range from 18 to 21 inches, with weights generally falling between 30 and 55 pounds depending on build and gender. The body is slightly longer than tall, with a length to height ratio of approximately ten to nine, creating a rectangular silhouette that conveys both strength and nimbleness. The hard, muscular body gives an impression of effortless movement and endless endurance, qualities essential for the breed's demanding work as a herding dog. Two coat varieties are permissible in the Border Collie, both featuring close-fitting, dense, weather-resistant double coats. The rough variety has longer fur with feathering on the forelegs, haunches, chest, and underside, while the face, ears, feet, and fronts of legs remain short and smooth. The smooth variety is shorter over the entire body and typically coarser in texture, with only slight feathering. Neither coat type is preferred over the other, and proper texture is considered more important than length. The topcoat is either straight or slightly wavy and coarser than the soft, short, dense undercoat. The breed appears in all colors and combinations, with no preference given to any particular pattern, though white markings should not predominate. The Border Collie's head is proportional to its body, with a moderately wide skull that is flat between the ears and tapering slightly to the muzzle. The breed's most distinctive feature is its keen, alert expression, created by medium-sized, oval eyes set well apart. Eye color typically matches the coat, ranging from various shades of brown to blue, with some dogs having eyes of different colors. The ears are medium-sized and set well apart, carried erect or semi-erect. The feet are compact and oval-shaped with deep, strong pads and moderately arched toes, designed to handle the varied terrain the breed encounters during its herding work.