Border
Collie History
In
Scotland, when a sheep economy took hold, the sheepdog
was absolutely necessary. James Hogg (1772-1835), a shepherd
and poet from the Ettrick Valley in the Scottish Borders
wrote, "without [the sheep dog] the mountainous
land of England and Scotland would not be worth sixpence.
It would require more hands to manage a flock of sheep
and drive them to market than the profits of the whole
were capable of maintaining."
The
Border Collie probably remains closest in type to the
generic "collie" of auld Scotland, originating
in the border country between Scotland and England. One
of the distinct features of the breed is its ability
to "eye," a hypnotic stare which wills the
sheep to move and turn. The Border was selected for its
finesse at strong-eye, coming to prominence with the
advent of sheep-herding trials, in which the breed excels.
A Border of the early years, "Old Hemp," remains
undefeated in English sheep dog trials to this day. Demonstrating
his loyalty, another Border stood guard over his dead
master for days after the shepherd died while in the
hills with the flock.
These
dogs are often referred to as "farm collies" or "working
collies" and remain excellent working dogs, aiding
farmers and stock owners in sheep-herding. They are superb
in obedience competition. Two types of temperament are
apparent: the workaholic, driven to herd anything and
everyone continuously, or the more laid-back family pet.
Bred
for hill conditions, the Border Collie is outstanding
when it comes to working sheep. Unlike "specialists" of
the past, the Border Collie is able to perform a variety
of tasks. He is born with the instinct to "gather" the
sheep to the shepherd and this trait makes him most useful
on the hill. In Scotland, where the sheep spend a good
part of the year scattered widely on high pasture, a
dog must be able to circle around and gather the entire
flock for routine management like dipping and shearing.
Although
type is distinct, size and coat variations always have
been and are still less important than workability. Along
with that vital quality, trainability is a prime consideration
for the breed.
The
Border is recognized throughout the world. The breed
is highly exhibited in Australia and as part of the AKC
and CKC Miscellaneous Classes. In North America many
are registered within their own working-stock dog organizations,
bypassing the official registries. Many Border owners
fear emphasis on looks and beauty could lead to the breed's
ruin. Instead these people encourage a stronger emphasis
on working qualities. |
