Ski-Collie

The American Eskimo Dog is a striking Nordic-type breed that comes in three distinct size varieties, each sharing the same beautiful proportions and characteristics. The Toy variety stands nine to twelve inches at the shoulder and weighs approximately six to ten pounds, while the Miniature measures twelve to fifteen inches and weighs ten to twenty pounds. The Standard variety is the largest, standing fifteen to nineteen inches tall and weighing twenty-five to forty pounds. Regardless of size, all American Eskimo Dogs present a compact, well-balanced body that is slightly longer than it is tall, combining strength with agility and alertness. The breed's most distinguishing feature is its magnificent double coat consisting of a dense undercoat and a longer outer coat of straight guard hairs that stand off from the body. The fur forms a pronounced ruff around the neck and shoulders, creating a lion-like mane that is more noticeable in males. The coat color is preferably pure white, though white with biscuit cream markings is also acceptable. The legs are well-feathered down to the hocks, and the profusely coated tail is carried loosely over the back when the dog is alert. The coat requires regular maintenance but sheds naturally and should never be trimmed except for tidying around the feet. The head exhibits the classic Spitz characteristics with a softly wedge-shaped skull, erect triangular ears set slightly back on the head, and medium-sized oval eyes that are typically dark brown. The expression conveys intelligence and alertness, with a bright, keen quality that is highly valued in the breed. Black pigmentation on the nose, lips, and eye rims provides striking contrast against the white coat. The American Eskimo Dog moves with a bold, energetic gait that covers ground efficiently while demonstrating the agility and endurance that made this breed a star performer in traveling circuses during the early twentieth century.

The Collie is a lithe, strong, responsive dog that carries no useless timber and stands naturally straight and firm. Males measure twenty-four to twenty-six inches at the shoulder and weigh sixty to seventy-five pounds, while females stand twenty-two to twenty-four inches and weigh fifty to sixty-five pounds. The breed presents an impressive, proud picture of true balance with every part in harmonious proportion to the whole. The deep, moderately wide chest demonstrates strength, the sloping shoulders and well-bent hocks indicate speed and grace, and the refined face displays remarkable intelligence. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers, with a straight back that slopes slightly from the withers to the tail base. Two coat varieties exist within the breed, each with distinct characteristics. The Rough Collie possesses an abundant double coat that forms the crowning glory of this variety, with a straight, harsh outer coat and a soft, furry undercoat that nearly hides the skin. The coat is especially profuse on the mane and frill around the neck, with well-feathered forelegs and heavily coated hindquarters above the hocks. The Smooth Collie has a short, hard, dense, flat coat with good texture and an abundant undercoat. Accepted colors for both varieties include sable and white, tricolor with black, white and tan markings, blue merle with silvery blue mottled with black, and predominantly white with colored markings. The Collie's head is perhaps its most distinctive feature, bearing a general resemblance to a well-blunted lean wedge that is smooth and clean in outline. The skull is flat on top with parallel planes formed by the top of the skull and the top of the muzzle, divided by a slight but perceptible stop. The almond-shaped eyes are medium sized and set somewhat obliquely, conveying the breed's characteristic sweet expression. The ears are three-quarters erect with the tips folding forward when the dog is alert. The moderately long tail reaches to the hock joint and is carried low with an upward swirl at the end when the dog is relaxed.