History & FAQ's about Border Collies
The Border Collie is a herding dog breed developed in the Anglo-Scottish border region for herding livestock, especially sheep. It is the most widespread of the collie breeds.
Typically extremely energetic, acrobatic, and athletic, they frequently compete with great success in dog sports, in addition to their success in sheepdog trials, and are often cited as the most intelligent of all dogs.
The Border Collie is descended from landrace collies, of a type found widely in the British Isles. The name for the breed came from its probable place of origin along the Scottish English borders. Mention of the "Collie" or "Colley" type first appeared toward the end of the 19th century, although the word "collie" is older than this and has its origin in Lowland Scots dialects. Many of the best Border Collies today can be traced back to a dog known as Old Hemp.
In 1915, James Reid, Secretary of the International Sheep Dog Society in the United Kingdom first used the term "Border Collie" to distinguish those dogs registered by the ISDS from the Kennel Club's Collie (or Scotch Collie, including the Rough Collie and Smooth Collie) which originally came from the
same working stock but had developed a different, standardised appearance following introduction to the show ring in 1860 and mixture with other
breeds.
Typically extremely energetic, acrobatic, and athletic, they frequently compete with great success in dog sports, in addition to their success in sheepdog trials, and are often cited as the most intelligent of all dogs.
The Border Collie is descended from landrace collies, of a type found widely in the British Isles. The name for the breed came from its probable place of origin along the Scottish English borders. Mention of the "Collie" or "Colley" type first appeared toward the end of the 19th century, although the word "collie" is older than this and has its origin in Lowland Scots dialects. Many of the best Border Collies today can be traced back to a dog known as Old Hemp.
In 1915, James Reid, Secretary of the International Sheep Dog Society in the United Kingdom first used the term "Border Collie" to distinguish those dogs registered by the ISDS from the Kennel Club's Collie (or Scotch Collie, including the Rough Collie and Smooth Collie) which originally came from the
same working stock but had developed a different, standardised appearance following introduction to the show ring in 1860 and mixture with other
breeds.
Arrival in New Zealand and Australia
In the late 1890s James Lilico of Christchurch, New Zealand, imported a number of working dogs from the United Kingdom. These included Hindhope Jed, a black, tan and white bitch born in Hindhope, Scotland in 1895, as well as Maudie, Moss of Ancrum, Ness and Old Bob. It is unclear whether Hindhope Jed was a descendant of Old Hemp. Born two years after him, she is mentioned in a British Hunts and Huntsmen article concerning a Mr John Elliot of Jedburgh:
Mr Elliot himself is well known for his breed of Collies. His father supplied Noble to the late Queen Victoria and it was from him that the McLeod got
Hindhope Jed, now a champion of New Zealand and Australia. At the time of her departure to New Zealand, Hindhope Jed was already in pup to Captain, another of the then new "Border" strain. Hindhope Jed had won three trials in her native Scotland, and was considered to be the "best to cross the equator"
In 1901 the King and Mcleod stud, created by Charles Beechworth King of NSW, his brother and Alec McLeod of Sydney, brought Hindhope Jed to Australia, where she enjoyed considerable success at sheep dog trials.
Mr Elliot himself is well known for his breed of Collies. His father supplied Noble to the late Queen Victoria and it was from him that the McLeod got
Hindhope Jed, now a champion of New Zealand and Australia. At the time of her departure to New Zealand, Hindhope Jed was already in pup to Captain, another of the then new "Border" strain. Hindhope Jed had won three trials in her native Scotland, and was considered to be the "best to cross the equator"
In 1901 the King and Mcleod stud, created by Charles Beechworth King of NSW, his brother and Alec McLeod of Sydney, brought Hindhope Jed to Australia, where she enjoyed considerable success at sheep dog trials.
Notable Border Collies:
Throughout the years there have been dogs who have made significant impact on the border collie we know and love today, Here are a few of them.
Old Hemp (1893 - 1902)
Bred & Owned by Adam Telfer. A tri-colour dog, was born in September 1893 and died in May 1902. Sired by Roy, a black and tan dog, and his Dam was Meg, a black-coated, strong-eyed dog. Hemp was a quiet, powerful dog that sheep responded to easily. Undefeated at trials and one of the most notable stud dogs in Border Collie history.
Old Hemp sired more than 200 dogs, and countless number of bitches. Many shepherds used him for stud for his looks and impeccable working ability and Hemp's working style established what we know as the Border Collie style. Almost every pure Border Collies alive today can trace an ancestral line back to Old Hemp.
Old Hemp sired more than 200 dogs, and countless number of bitches. Many shepherds used him for stud for his looks and impeccable working ability and Hemp's working style established what we know as the Border Collie style. Almost every pure Border Collies alive today can trace an ancestral line back to Old Hemp.
Old Kep (1901)
Born in 1901, Old Kep was a very kind and friendly dog. One of his contributions to the breed was his "Eye" which resulted in 45 first place wins at trials. Don (ISDS #11), a son of Old Kep, was exported to New Zealand where he contributed to the breed considerably.
J.M. Wilson's Cap (1937)
Born in 1937. (ISDS #3036). He was also known as "Wartime Cap" due to his living during World War II. Due to the war he never got to compete, but he fathered 188 registered Border Collies. His offspring were great trial dogs, including his son, J.M. Wilson's Mirk (ISDS #4438), International Champion in 1950.
Wiston Cap (1963 - 1972)
Wiston Cap on ISDS badge
Wiston Cap
Bred by W. S. Hetherington. Born in 1963. ISDS #31154. Descendant of J.M. Wilson's Cap. Trained and handled by John Richardson, Cap was a biddable and good-natured dog, and winner of the International in 1965. Wiston Cap was a prized stud dog that produced countless off spring. He had a significant effct on the history of the breed, and his bloodline can be seen in most bloodlines of the modern day collie. He died in 1972.
His bloodlines all trace back to the early registered dogs of the stud book, and to J. M. Wilson's Cap, whose name occurs sixteen times within seven generations in his pedigree. Wiston Cap sired three Supreme Champions and is grand-sire of three others, one of whom was E. W. Edwards' Bill, who won the championship twice.
He is the dog that the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) badge portrays in the characteristic Border Collie herding pose, obviusoly taken rom this very photo.
His bloodlines all trace back to the early registered dogs of the stud book, and to J. M. Wilson's Cap, whose name occurs sixteen times within seven generations in his pedigree. Wiston Cap sired three Supreme Champions and is grand-sire of three others, one of whom was E. W. Edwards' Bill, who won the championship twice.
He is the dog that the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) badge portrays in the characteristic Border Collie herding pose, obviusoly taken rom this very photo.
Gilchrist's Spot (1960's)
(ISDS #24981). A Great-grandson of J.M. Wilson's Cap, and winner of the Scottish Nationals in both 1965 and 1966. His descendants were champions in trials in the '70s.
