The story of the Border collie
As we know every dog's ancestor is the wolf and we only have information about the border collie and its predecessor
from the middle ages so we do not negotiate the past. Although we need to mention and if you see this dog you maybe notify
that its magic. Many properties of the wolf can be observed on the border collie work. That patient and careful approach to the
prey which helps to stalker the herd, that stealth and crept moving and its magical look which used to the prey all of these properties
belongs to the ancestors. Its hipnotical look has really strong and it is able to get the herd to going the right way. The herding style
is really unique, with its look and special sneaking moving can easily control the assigned animals from poultry to cattles.
Is there something special in its look or just simply know telepathy I do not know but the point is they are mastered in herding.
Have a lot of energy and they can run more than 80kms in a day if neccessary during the job.
But we do not rush so much, start at the beginning.
At the beginning
The ancestors of the british, australian and new Zealand dogs - original named as "shepherd dogs" - seem to be the romans or vikings carried of to the British islands but unfortunately there is not any written notice. Mainly because that time these dogs are belongs to the poor people who can not read or write so they can not write any breeding information for the future. Some old paintings and archeology refer and yarn to this supposition. So every sheepdog ancestors can be back to this "shepherd dog" from the collie to bobtail through border collie and bearded collie as well.
The human one of the oldest subsistence activities the farming and animal husbandry so the goat and sheep herds
and cattles are the symbol of the richness from old time. These animals keeping in massive numbers can not be
imagine without dogs because a flock sometimes can contain 1000 - 1500 sheeps and shepherd could not control so large
number herd alone. Dogs are usually working in pairs and they stand on the opposite side of flock and try to keep animals
in one group. They were sneaking and moving lightning-fast if neccessary and shepherd flock to the right way. If many dogs worked
together they could do their job smoothly and take care of the flock extremely outstanding.
The story of the shepherd dogs is going so far on the timeline on the British islands these dogs were sufficiently
strong, forceful and persistent during the heavy work. These dogs story tightly interweaved with the sheep-breeding so
they were got "shepherd dog" name for this reason. The different celtic clans have the own typical dog-type which got
name from the local place.
Where did the border collie name come from?
The word of "border" refer to their emergence place called Border Country which is located in the British-Scotland borders.
You can watch it on the map to get an exact location about the place.
The word of "collie" was originated from Scotland, it means "shepherd dog" in Scottish dialect. Unfortunately the real root was
shrouded. Maybe it came from the "coalley" word which means "black" or the Welsh "coelius" means faithful or the "colley"
which is a Scottish sheep breed but these three versions only based on guesses and depends on viewpoint.
This somewhere rocky, mountainous-hilly region is really wet and cold climate create really harsh conditions
for those who live here. The Border collie adapts to this inclement weather. In the uninhabitant or sparsely populated
territory the sheeps were let out to the field at the end of winter and only gather them at autumn again to
clip or slaughter or sale them. So sheepdogs have the duty for every days which is really challenging for dogs.
Fortunately the island was free from large predators and noone endangered the livestocks so the sheepdog did not
need to be robust and stronger, it could be fairly enough to fast, beany and teachable. These dogs were definitely and
incredible trained and indefatigable. They coat was thick and water-repellent. Hard and muscular body imply endurance.
During breeding farmers and shepherds main viewpoints were the dogs' temperament and intelligent the look was not so
important and neglected in the work because they keep them to herding not their look. So these dogs need to be mighty
intelligent, creativity and learning because sometimes shepherds leave them alone with the flock and sheepdogs must converged
sheeps and eagered to do herding.
The border collie most important goal is to serve the owner, the shepherd and and accomplish every request. These unique
characteristic developed through centuries because many times dogs forced to herd back the flock from the mountain completely
alone so they needed outstanding creativity. Sometimes they did not eat days and even overcame predatory nature and
not harm sheeps and even take care of them as the flock is theirs.
Sheepdog at work
Due to this Border collie was always an active dog, not sleeping a lot because the over-relaxation disturbed them and they
would like to do something to lose their excess energy. It is a lively and quick four-footed and bark really rare. Rather listen and
watch. A kind of contemplative and interested dog, hardly blinking but remark everything , every small part of the view
to evoke and use it if neccessary. So you need show a trick only a few times and it will know and use and do not repeat the trick
many times.
Sheepdogs in the middle ages
With the industrialization and many wars in England in the 12th - 16th century the wool industry was beginning to
develop and both flock and sheepdogs value were significantly increased. Sheeps and flocks number raised in that time.
Shepherds and farmers interested in flocks and dogs in the best condition and satisfy the market as much as possible.
In England and Scotland were evolved different but still similar dogs because flocks visited every corner of the island with
shepherds and dogs. The four-footed was excellent condition and could controlled well and easily, their size was medium,
maneuverability and withstanded the harsh weather and their coat provided protection against the wind and the undercoat
helped to defend them from water. Owners selected dogs by availability for work and did not interested in how the dog look alike.
They got a really creative, lively, curious and cooperative dog in 1500's.
First presence and the first herding competition
Picture from a book written by Thomas Bewick
At this time, in 1570 John Keys wrote a book called Canibus Britannicus and he mentioned these sheepdogs as border collie.
Although the first border collie representation was only appeared in Thomas Bewick's book at the beginning of 1800's
called The History of Quadrupeds. Robert Burns scottish poet was wrote excellent the border's characteristics too.
Shepherds were always incredibly prouded to their dogs's abilites. These proud leaded to the first herding competition
in 1873. This race was organized by Mr. Llyold Price in a town Bala in North Wales. There were many shepherds qualified
their dogs to win on their strength, especially knowledge and show this kind of dogs's abilities.
Maybe I do not have to say many people visited to the town and fame of the dogs were spreaded so quickly and their
popularity was rapidly raised.
The race itself takes place to carried 100 wild sheeps to the London's Alexandra Palace where they separated and some animals
took to the further corner of the park and then released. The dogs need to herd them to a small pen in the middle of the park.
Sheepdogs completed successfully the job and everybody admire these dogs worked by hand and whistle signals.
The competition winner was Mr. James Thompson's dog called Tween. Tween acquired giant glory. This popularity and proud
could create other new races: in 1874 in Scotland then 1876 in England. Finally organized competitions regulary and
the prizes were handed over by Mr Thompson's widow, Mrs Thompson.
In the 19th century Queen Victoria meet a collie during one of her journey and she became ardent believer at once. Breeding of border collie was speeded up from this time.
The first real border collie, Old Hemp
Old photo from Old Hemp
Today's border collies story started with Old Hemp. Old Hemp borned at September, 1893 in Northhumberland and the breeder
names was Adam Telfer. His mother, Meg a little low-key but argute, black sheepdog and his father, Roy a black-white-tan colored
dog with really great temperament. In fact Hemp was a kind of tricolor dog who had mainly dark coat and only end of the legs, his face
and chest carried a little white fur. Hemp was exactly fitted nowadays Border collie standard: had long, black-white-tan coat, small ears
half up. His withers was 21 inch (53,3 cm).
Old Hemp was so unique and talented dog and later he became one of the most famous sheepdog in the world. He began
herding when he was six week old and knew everything what he needed to knew, he did not need to learn anything because
knew everything about herding, it is in his blood. Those who saw this remarkable and amazing dog never forgot him because whirl
everybody.
Worked as incredible fast and silently and so much determination sometimes he pushed his physical limits. On that day when Old Hemp died
in May 1901, a small doggy, his successor, Old Kep borned who won herding competition 45 times.
The ISDS and the Kennel Club
In 1906 shepherds of Border Country established the International Sheepdog Socitey (ISDS) which is still working nowadays. From that time they jot down every information about the breed into the breeding book.
The ISDS leaded their own register from 1955 and shepherds' dogs just named as "working sheepdog" in a long time and only distinguished the coat types which are the followings: short, long or bearded. Mr Reid, the first secretary of the Society gave the name "border collie" to the breed in 1976. Mr Reid knew the best dogs were originated the british-scottish border and he was Scottish too so use the name "collie" instead of "sheepdog". It is just a personal note but the "border collie" sounds better than the "border sheepdog", I guess but yes, everything is depends on the point of view. The ISDS establish a really simple reason to enhance the interests of shepherds and their profession's appreciation and help to handle flocks by better sheepdogs staff. The main aim of the society to control and improve the quality of the breed because without a good working sheepdog the shepherd can not work not even hilly nor plain fields. The ISDS register is still the first source regarding to the working sheepdogs' pedigree. Invaluable help for those breeders who want to continue working towards excellence in breeding working sheepdogs. The ISDS only register its members as "working sheepdog" because they are not deal with the breeding questions. As the old shepherds they are interested in the work of the dog not the look. If an ISDS dog's owner would like to qualify the dog in a dog show they need to register four-footed in the Kennel Club which is happens as border collie.
Border collie obedience work
After the second world war the popularity of obedience increased and these competitions won by border collies. But these
races organized by the Kennel Club so somehow they need to register dogs here. There was so many negotiations in 1960 and then
Kennel Club decided to register only those dogs as border collie which already registered in the ISDS but only enroll them to the obedience
register. Dogs without ISDS register number only enroll as working collie or working sheepdog.
Obedience work
(draw from celestriastars.deviantart.com)
So many people opposed the desicion but Captaion Whittaker, chairman of ISDS agreement with the directorate
accepted the decree to preserve the good relationship with the Kennel Club. Although this agreement caused a lot
of problems later.
This was began with many farmers not registered their dogs inter alia they needed to be member of ISDS and they did
not want to spend for this only then they would like to qualify dogs to herding competitions.
So the ISDS to did not lose the excellent bloodlines registered adult dogs too if those performed a given herding exam. Although the rules only allowed this if the givan dog's parents are already registered but they usually forgot this and registered every dogs who succeeded the exam.
In 1963 when ISDS and the Kennel Club negotiated each other how to accept border collie as a new breed there was
an interesting situation because Australia has already a Border collie standard and released own prizes called
Challenge Certificate.
Harry Glover, an international judge decided to take control to own hand and termanite this ambiguous situation.
Established the Border Collie Club of Great Britain because Kennel Club only accept a new breed officially when
it is required by a specialist club and attach to the breed standard. Many people thought ISDS need to do this but they
registered dogs as "Working sheepdog". In 1979 formed another breed club called Southern Border Collie Club and
then Kennel Club called together the three mentioned society to deal with the standard and other important
questions. So the situation resolved and borned an old-new breed officially called border collie. After these session
in October, 1980 accepted the official standard and issued the first CC name to this breed on the Cruft's in 1982.
They would like to ask Glover to award prizes but due to his sickness he deputized by Mrs. C. Sutton who gave the first
CC name at males to Tilehouse Cassius of Beagold and at females to Tracelyn Gal. Both dogs became to Show Champion later
namely in the National Working Breeds Championship Show in Malvern, 16th, July, 1982. They acquired the neccessary third
CC name here.
Tilehouse Cassius
They did not want to be the border breeding only based on appearance so just those border collies get the Show Champion name
who prove as sheepdog and perform a given herding exam.
The first Show Champion male, Tilehouse Cassius breeder, Iris Combe was started to breeding border collies with a concept to
merge innate abilities with beautiful appearance. Visited sheepdog's competitions and markets for years, watched many dogs'
register as long as she find the proper lines which would like to be merge to implement her ideas.
Although she had dogs but they were not registered and that time that was neccessary and the registration was decisived and not the
dogs' working abilities so she had to found ISDS-registered dogs.
Her ideas told to Barbara Houseman, the ISDS first woman board member who said Will and Barbara Carpenter has a litter that Iris would
like but not sure Carpenters give her any puppy.
Iris Combe had many excitement and fear when visit Carpenter's farm to Gloucestershire. Dogs and owners welcome her but as expected
Will did not want to sell any puppies to her,
Brocken Sweep of Tilehouse
fortunately Barbara who knew the current complex situation (such as registration problems) influenced Will to sell a tricolor boy to
Iris. It was Brocken Sweep. The appropriated girl was the black-white Fly from George Lloyd breeding. This girl was bought by Barbara's
help too. Tilehouse Cassius, the first Show Champion male was this pair's descendant and his litter-brothers were Show Champion too.
Although there was borned a lot of Show Champion border collie at the dog breeder and they needed to do herding exam in vain to get the
title, Iris Combe still believe the king and queen of this breed who fulfill their original job and win the blue ribbon with best herding dog,
symbol of the Supreme Sheepdog Champion.
Recently
In United States acknowledged as official breed in 1st October, 1995 and two bitches arrived this year to Hungary and after a year
later the first male too.
Border collie population in Hungary does not unified neither appearance nor behaviour but we have some dogs with great abilities.
Although here this dogs both working dogs and pets in the same time. But border collies are not unified in any country yet. For example
their size are really different but this is not so important as their herding instinct.
Christine Charpentier and her dogs
Of course we can not require from anyone to keep sheeps - anyway I would like :) - but the British Shepherd dog Club in Hungary usually
organize ability tests and herding competitions and these events are good for everyone to test their dogs and they help to train and execise.
There are some kennels here in Hungary where dogs do their original nap in every day and not only herd sheeps and poultries but cattles too.
Next to the herd border collie really good at agility: the french Christine Charpentier was the world champion in 2000.
The border collie is the king of all shepherd dog even today. They carry their magical skills and herd instinct in their genes and due to this they win agility races regularly but they are good at other dog sports such as flyball or frisbee and if owner continue their education they can be easily become excellent pathfinder, rescue or therapy dog.
Motion picture from Agility
Border and the frisbee
Flyball, a great and fastball game
sources:
http://www.bordernorthwesthungary.hu/bordercollie.html
http://www.hazunkkorul.info/bordercollie.html
http://montam.hu/htm/tortenelem.html
http://cranberrycottage.hu/content/view/29/57/1/1/lang,hu/
http://www.dogsey.com/border-collie.htm
http://kutya.hu/Cikk.aspx?id=5288
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Hemp