The Collie

By O. P. Bennett

Originally published in Washington 1924, and republished in a revised and up-dated edition in the same year, this extremely scarce early work on the Collie is both expensive and hard to find in any edition. VINTAGE DOG BOOKS have republished the revised edition, using the original text and photographs, as part of their CLASSIC BREED BOOKS series. The authors were highly respected figures in the dog world with Dr. Bennett being President of the Collie Club of America, and C.H. Wheeler being an expert on the history and origins of the Collie in the United Kingdom. Both men realised the great need for a modern volume on the Collie. This resulted in a work giving a fuller and more complete history of the breed than was hitherto available. They also took up the question of breeding in a more thorough manner than any other work of its kind in existence. The book's three hundred and fifty six pages consist of ten comprehensive chapters, illustrated with rare vintage photographs of Collie Champions for the period beginning circa 1874 through to 1923. Over two thirds of the work is devoted to detailed records of individual Collies. Although published in the U.S.A., the content is evenly divided between British Collies and their history, and their American cousins. Chapters include: - Origin - History - Blue Merles - American Collies - The Typical Collie - Breeding - Foods and Feeding - Kennelling - Exhibiting - Common Ailments. This is a fascinating read for any Collie enthusiast or historian of the breed, and also contains much information that is still useful and practical today. Many of the earliest dog breed books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. VINTAGE DOG BOOKS are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Dec 3, 2012
• ISBN: 9781447487173

Book preview

THE COLLIE

ORIGIN

As to the origin of the Collie, the theme probably provides an interesting problem on which for the imagination to play; but, though several theories have been advanced, the absence of any reliable data on the matter leaves the mystery unsolved.

Being devoid of the slightest trace of satisfactory information to offer encouragement for strenuous research the petrified fossil must remain in its inextricable obscurity and the inquiring mind has perforce to be content with substituting conjecture for positive knowledge, and to remain in bewildering uncertainty on the point.

As we approach times less remote, a glimmer of light assists our investigations which enables us to discover proof sufficiently conclusive that the essential material from which our present ornaments of the Collie race have been evolved was a product peculiar to the Highlands of Scotland.

True enough, the mountainous districts of Wales provide ground for speculation as to the probability of the Collie having been fostered and cultivated in those regions; but, although Welsh shepherds have made astounding advancement in the working qualities of their sheep dogs since trials were instituted in Wales on October 9, 1873, we are confronted with facts, borne out by a very reliable authority, that until round about the year 1828 the Collie, or gathering dog, as he was then called, was unassociated with Wales.

Abundant evidence has been adduced that the Collie, in its usual vocation of shepherd’s assistant, in the Highlands of Scotland, is a canine species of distinct type and of immeasurable distant antiquity.

At this point more light may be reflected on the subject by interpolating the remark that the work required of sheep dogs embraces many duties varying as certain conditions demand.

For instance, the general run of work that the restricted areas of low lying districts exact is, as a rule, that in which heavy slow sheep are concerned, therefore not providing scope for the exercise and display of the critically fine points of a dog’s capacity of intelligence, whereas on the other hand the most intricate pieces of work, with the little nimble ovine species indigenous to the Highlands of Scotland have to be executed at a considerable distance from the shepherds, by reason of which a dog’s intelligence, obedience and agility are put to the most severe tests.

It is therefore only reasonable to suppose that in accordance with the nature of things, the Scotch stock-owners have, for many generations past, exercised intelligent care in the breeding of Collies by selecting for the purpose those possessed of the most valuable attributes to fit them for their all important duties.

No further explanation is needed to emphasize the suggestion that, as regards the early progenitors, of which our modern show Collies are the worthy scions, was of Scotch composition.

With these premises in view our curiosity should find repose in the conclusion that to the Scotch shepherd is the credit due of being the means of founding one of the most handsome, sagacious, and docile of animals that have been given to become the faithful companion of mankind.

C. H. W.

CH. COCKSIE

CH. CHARLEMAGNE

CH. PORTINGTON BAR NONE

HISTORY

In dealing with the history of the Collie in its elevated sphere as a show specimen, it is thought expedient to form a chain with connecting links that furnish items of interest in regard to its advancement from its natural, humble servility to that of the petted companion of the great, and onward to the present period.

It is a trite saying that every dog has its day, a proverb that has been borne out by various breeds of our four-footed friends which have made rapid flights to the altitude of public favor.

The sheep dog prior to the year 1860 was, except from the shepherds’ point of view, looked upon slightedly as belonging to an indifferent section of the canine race, and was commonly referred to as the cur dog.

It was in the sixties, whilst Her late Majesty Queen Victoria—a great lover of animals—was on a visit to Scotland that she became enamoured of the faithfulness, sagacity, and devotion of the Collie, which led to a member of this meritorious race being recognized as worthy of a place amongst her collection of much cherished canine pets.

This episode marked the epoch of the Collie’s day and gave it the impetus that assured its destiny. From that time forward its popularity grew rapidly and, for many subsequent years, it flourished not only as the animated ornament which served to complete the out-of-doors equipment of the leaders of fashion but, as that of the fashionable household pet of the majority of dog lovers. It became a common sight to see the fashionable Collie companion, spick and span, well groomed, revealing a life of luxury, fulfilling, with all the alacrity of satisfaction, the mission of accompanying its owner on his customary ambulations. This propitious aspect of the Collie’s existence was indicative of continued felicity; but a check to the favorable omen seemed imminent. A remark was given currency obviously by people who had not seen the light turned on to the Collie’s many good qualities, the docile ones in particular, that Collies were inclined to be stupid. The stain that such a slur leaves on its trail must spring from either misconception or prejudice and is not easily effaced.

Those whose lot it has been to have the pleasure of the companionship of a well-trained Collie will possess familiar knowledge of the many invaluable features that are deeply seated in the grain of our canine friend’s constitution.

Despite misleading suggestions or innuendoes, of a defamatory character, the progress of the Collie as a companion of mankind has been phenomenal.

If fashion was the great factor that conduced in no small measure to this rapid ascendancy to the sublime sphere of dignity, the facts which have been set forth—the outcome of experimental proof—afford conclusive evidence of the many qualifications that combine to warrant the promotion of the Collie to such an atmosphere of general favor.

As an attending sequence to the spirited development, in order to cope with the immense demand, great activity was astir in the pursuit of Collies. Their haunts were vigilantly searched in quest of the most handsome specimens, the majority of which were dislodged by the influence of the auric charmer.

An argument that is frequently used with the object of disconnecting our present celebrities with their more generally admitted sheep tending brethren is based on the fact of the disparity that exists in regard to handsomeness in appearance.

Since it has been pointed out that the most handsome specimens had been segregated to take up their tenement in the more aristocratic sphere, it is reasonable to expect as a natural consequence that, following this process of weeding out, the preceding generation of working dogs would fall short of the highly valued ornate attributes.

This gap will surely continue perceptible until the existing race of workers are governed by rules as to their breeding for points of beauty.

The fact that many of the off-shoots of fashionable pedigree stock are to be found performing in a creditable manner the same class of work as was the lot of their early progenitors, is proof in itself that, in course of time, the plain-looking working Collie will be supplanted by animals which can justly claim the dual attributes, having regard to handsomeness and utility.

To recur to the early period of the Collie boom, a novel feature is presented. At this era the fanciful taste was for dogs, in color black and tan with little or no white, the absence of white being a much prized feature, which accordingly fixed a higher estimate of monetary value. The erroneous belief went forth that, as regards color, the lack of white denoted purity of breed, and even at a period hardly so remote the same misconception was prevalent in the United States.

However, the effect of demand and supply was soon brought into play and the much sought for article was made to order.

It may be readily conceived that as the result of the quickening of the pulse, breeders and dealers found the Collie industry a remunerative pursuit, in evidence of which there are men living today whose proud boast is that, for many years, their livelihood and that of their wives and families, has been entirely derived from that avocation.

This conspicuous vivacity in the dog business incited the enthusiastic dog-dealer to resort to the inditing of amusingly highly colored advertisements of which the following is a fair sample:

A pure Scotch Collie for sale, color a beautiful glossy black, lovely golden tan markings, long flowing mane and tail; a perfect lady’s pet.

By reason of this lucrative condition of dog affairs, the skill of the dog-stealer was industriously exercised. In the district of Birmingham hundreds of Collies have been stolen and no tidings of them ever discovered. This predatory activity reigned for many years unchecked, and many show specimens were amongst the victims; some of them noted prizewinners. The strange part of the proceedings was that none of these meritorious ones were afterwards seen on the show bench. Quite a quantity of them were of a qualified class and, whilst a vigilant eye was ever alert, not even a single recovery rewarded the diligence.

It has often been whispered that Collie breeders have had recourse to the Gordon Setter in their productive operations, and as far as the remark applies to a class outside the exhibition category, it may be within the limit of truth; but as regards the show Collie’s extraction, the suggestion has no basis for such assumption.

Having linked up pretty much of the interesting matter concerning the growth in popularity of the Collie as a companion, events surrounding its progress as a show dog furnish connecting links which exhibit striking illustrations of the industrious efforts exerted, and the amount of money expended in the endeavor to attain the coveted eminence in view. The appellation Collie as applied to the Scotch sheep dog, seems to have blown here with the wind of fashion, for previous to the sheep dog having chanced on genial ground, and become the petted companion of the great, the race was known, at least in the Midland Counties of England, by the name of the Scotch sheep dog only.

The show of the Birmingham Society held in 1861 was the first to provide a class for the breed, and this was scheduled as a class for sheep dogs of both sexes. This Society retained sheep dogs as their class title until their 1895 show, when the section was classified as Collies.

Little interest centers in the specimens exhibited at this Society’s shows during the ten subsequent years. The competitors were a varied lot.

Besides the few whose names figure in the basis of established pedigrees, a small number of specimens were presented, whose outstanding features were very long coats, and such manes and frills that are not so conspicuously distinguishable in our present day Collies; others with coats of moderate length suggested a sort of intermingling of the rough and smooth varieties. The prevailing colors were black and white (without tan); black, tan and white; and merle.

Some very fine specimens hailed from Scotland, possessed of characteristics that were distinctly Collie; but they failed to gain a position in the prize list. They were black and white in color—a coloring that is practically extinct as regards the present generation of show specimens.

At these early shows it was by no means an uncommon sight to see placed for competition specimens that were tailless, and others with half-tails; but the Old English sheep dog was rarely presented.

A fact that is little known by the younger generation of Collie fanciers is that at the period afore-mentioned there existed quite a large number of sheep dogs exact representations of the Collie, except that some were tailless, and others half-tailed.

In breeding from dogs of this stamp tailless, half-tailed and full-tailed puppies frequently appeared in the same litter.

No better proof can be advanced of the unfathomable effect of heredity than that of tailless puppies being occasionally born in litters that are the issue of up-to-date Show Collies.

To return to the early shows, these exhibitions increased in number rapidly. Dog shows were held in many country townships; often in conjunction with agricultural shows.

The then shining light of the dog world were those which affected the sporting breeds: the Shepherds dog being regarded by sportsmen as a very commonplace member of the Canine race. The Sheep Dog section was occasionally tacked on to the Sporting Dog Judges Classes, with the result that decisions arrived at were often inconsistent in the eyes of the champions of the breed.

However, at these small shows now and then a smart specimen turned up, and more often than not fell at the cost of a moderate sum into the hands of variety team owners whose aim it was to furnish successful competitors in a great number of classes.

This condition of affairs reigned for a considerable term, successful exhibitors resting content with the opportunity afforded of obtaining their show Collies by purchase at a moderate cost, rather than by relying upon the outcome of breeding experiments.

In 1874 Mr. W. W. Thomson of Surrey was busy in the field of competition, and during his career as an exhibitor, many important prizes were the guerdon of his efforts. His best show nominations were not, however, of his own breeding: they were of the unknown pedigree class, such that he acquired by purchase.

The most eminent of these exhibits were Old Hero, Marcus and Thomsons Bess.

Mr. Thomson was a much respected fancier whose services as judge were for many years in frequent request.

Mr. S. E. Shirley, the founder, and for many years president of the Kennel Club, was also very active in Collie circles about this era.

The best of his celebrities were Trefoil, Tartan and Tricolor (by Twig ex Bess) and Hulakin (by Trefoil ex Kit). These were bred on Mr. Shirley’s estate in Ireland.

A very celebrated prize-winner in these days was Old Cockie, exhibited by Mr. W. White of Sherwood Rise, Nottingham. Other important prize winners with claims to distinction as sires were Mr. J. S. Skidmore’s Carlyle (by Perthshire Bob ex Old Lassie); and Mr. H. Lacy’s Mec (by Mr. Haskett’s dog ex Mr. Gerrard’s bitch, both sire and dam being Scottish).

With the addition of Wright’s Scott, Bailey’s Jack, Walker’s Scott, Stanley’s Sir Walter Scott, Buckley’s Tramp, Ashwin’s Keep, Tonlinson’s Scott, Carr’s Glenn, Maxwell’s Scottie, Megson’s Chieftain, Brackenbury’s Scott and Ayres’ Laddie, the basis of the pedigrees of the male side of show Collies is arrived at.

As regards the basis of the female side the most potent factors have been Ashwin’s Lassie and Meg, Charles’ Lassie and Meg, Wheeler’s Lufra and Old Bess, Captain the Honorable E. Digby’s Nellie, Bissell’s Gyp, Bagshaw’s Crixsey and Kelpie, Hunt’s Lassie, Weaver’s Liff, Ayres’ Nell, Williams’ Braw Lass, McQuiston’s Flirt II, Birch’s Sinico, and While’s Nell.

In giving a description of the sires that form the ground-work of the pedigree line of the present generation of Collies, Old Cockie stands out pre-eminent as the most important factor.

Old Cockie. This truly handsome Collie was born in 1868. His presence was an ornament to the Collie section of shows, in which he often successfully tried conclusions with the pick of his race. In this connection his tally of prizes was an important one, including first and cup at Birmingham two successive years, first and cup at Nottingham two years in succession, the Mayor of Maidstone’s Cup at the Southern Counties Show, and the Carlisle Border Counties Champion Cup. In color Cockie was a rich sable and white on neck, white frill, tip of tail and legs and feet; the latter slightly ticked with specks of brown. In size he was of the medium order, sturdy in build and his well-proportioned body was set upon legs and feet that were strong in bone and sound. He had a plentiful supply of the desirable class of coat, to the density of which a full under coat contributed. The coat was very full on neck and shoulders, forming a handsome mane and cape.

Unfortunately there are no photos of Cockie in existence except some taken after he had reached the age of ten years; consequently the portrayal of him in the declining stage of his life leaves much to conjecture as to the facial beauty points with which he was endowed in his palmy days. Suffice it to say, his head, placement of eye, and expressions were praiseworthy; no suggestion of heavy eyebrows; no railway lines up face with veins showing each side; but consistent in both length and shape, and correct in finish of fore-face. His ears were moderate as regards size and if not carried so high as those of some of the more modern productions, they were natural and carried semi-erect; a carriage which gave a more artistic finishing touch to the picture than do the tampered with prick ears.

Cockie’s greatness as a show dog was just about equalled by the influence for good he exerted as a sire. His name looms pre-eminent as that of the progenitor to whom, as regards color, the sable Collie owes its existence.

For reasons already made obvious, little opportunity was afforded his generative capabilities until he had reached the age of eight years, when, even at this advanced age abundant evidence of the fortunate event of his destiny is clearly demonstrated by the many inlets at which Old Cockie blood enters the combination which comprises the fashionable strain.

A mystery surrounding this dog’s antecedents will, it seems, forever remain unsolved. Many inquiring minds have striven for enlightenment thereanent, and much cajoling has been given rein in order to induce his owner Mr. White to disclose from what he gained possession of this historic monument; but all efforts to this end proved abortive.

On August 18, 1875 Old Cockie was offered for sale by auction at the Midland Counties Horse Repository, Birmingham.

His handsome collar contained 21 plates on which were engraved the names of shows where he had been victorious.

He was described as the best specimen of a Collie ever exhibited; at any rate the winner of more prizes. Further, that he was the winner of upwards forty prizes. Mr. G. Dean Tomlinson of Belgrave Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, a very intimate friend of the writer, and a most enthusiastic upholder of the Collie, was the purchaser.

This event determined Old Cockie’s retirement from the show ring, and he lived a life of serenity till his death in August, 1882.

Mec. An eminently distinguished prize-winner was born in the year 1870. In color he was black and tan with white on chest and a very faint white line up face.

A fine upstanding dog, nicely shaped, and distinctly good in legs, feet and movement.

He was well provided with coat which, in habit, was inclined to be wavy. Although his head was pretty long, and nicely modelled, his eyes were particularly dark, and the expression, that of distrust, distinctly antithetic to the kindly expression of his formidable rival, Old Cockie. Moreover Mec’s ears, if not what might be termed large, were slack in carriage.

Hero. In his day a very notable dog of whose antecedents little was known. In color he was black and tan with white on chest. No faults are attributable to his body, legs, feet and coat, as they were his virtues. The most valuable characteristics of the Collie are head points; in these, Hero’s deficiency lay, the tendency being to coarseness, the face finishing too square at muzzle, and the expression sullen, whilst the ear tips were carried too much over. The services of Hero did not attract much patronage for the reason of his potency in stamping his