AWFA Standard
Sojourner's Jacob
A farmcollie is an athletic, agile dog. He should be the size most appropriate to the jobs he must do. His body shape is balanced with no exaggerated features.
He has a double coat, which may be rough or smooth and is acceptable in any color. A rough coat should be of medium length. The coat sheds easily in the summer and does not mat. Dirt and burrs are not a problem for him as his coat seems to almost clean itself so he requires very little grooming.
His ears may be prick, tulip, or rose.
A “dudley” (pink pigmented) nose is not desirable.
He is not incessantly active, nor does he lie around and do nothing. His activity level is appropriate to his responsibilities and environment.
He is a gentle dog, but is capable of great force when necessary and does not hesitate to show appropriate hostility when his master or his master’s posessions are threatened.
He thinks on his own and posesses a large measure of common sense, but he is willing to learn from a master who will take charge.
A farmcollie is a multi-purpose worker. He is a herder, hunter and guardian, and he shows a strong desire to assist his master in a wide variety if tasks.
He can be trusted not to bother livestock when his help is not needed. He is capable of gathering or driving and often moves animals on his own when he sees the need. He knows where each animal belongs and works to keep them there.
He is protective of all members of the family and all livestock he knows to be “his”, and will defend them against any perceived threat. He guards his master’s home and posessions.
He is a good hunter and tracker. He trees prey, repeatedly notifying his master with a distinct "treeing" bark, and holding the prey there for an extended period of time unless another more pressing responsibility calls his attention away from the tree. He regularly eliminates pests such as mice, rats, rabbits, and groundhogs. He can be trained to hunt certain types of prey for his master.