|
There are two varieties of Collie, the rough-coated being by far the more familiar.
However, many fanciers have increased their breeding of the smooth-coated variety and many smooths of excellent type are now
being exhibited. Although the exact origin of the Collie remains an enigma, both varieties existed long ago in the unwritten
history of the herding dogs of Scotland and northern England.
Since sheepherding is one of the world's oldest occupations,
the Collie's ancestors date far back in the history of dogs. The smooth Collie, which for as long as there have been written
standards for the breed has been bred to the same standard except for coat, was considered principally as a drover's dog used
for guiding cows and sheep to market, not for standing over and guarding them at pasture. Until the last two centuries, both
varieties were strictly working dogs without written pedigrees. Their untutored masters saw no need for pedigrees, if indeed
they were capable of keeping stud books.
From early in the 19th century, when some dog fanciers began to take interest
in these dogs, and the keeping of written pedigrees began, the breed progressed rapidly, becoming not only larger in stature
but also more refined. The dog "Old Cockie" was born in 1867 and he is credited with not only stamping characteristic type
on the rough Collie but he is believed by usually reliable authorities to be responsible for introducing to the breed the
factors which led to the development of the sable coat color in the Collie. A short time later Collies were seen of almost
every imaginable color, including red, buff, mottle of various shades, and a few sables. At that time the most frequently
seen colors were black, tan and white, black and white (without tan), and what are now called blue merles, but which were
known then as "tortoise shell."
Collie type was well enough "fixed" by 1886 so that the English breeders have never
seen fit to change the height and weight established in their standard at that time. Numerous clarifying changes have taken
place in the United States standard over the ensuing years but except for recognizing that the Collie has become slightly
larger and heavier on this side of the Atlantic there is no fundamental difference, even today, from that 1886 description
of the ideal Collie.
Being no longer in great demand as a herder, today's Collie has transferred these abilities to
serving as a devoted family dog where he shows a particular affinity for small children. For many years his general popularity
has placed him among the top twenty of the favorite dogs registered by the American Kennel Club. Elegant and beautiful in
appearance, loyal and affectionate in all his actions, self-appointed guardian of everything he can see or hear, the Collie
represents, to his many admirers, the ideal family companion.
The Collie has been the beneficiary of "good press."
Its parent club, The Collie Club of America, Inc. was organized in 1886, two years after the establishment of the American
Kennel Club, and was the second parent club to join the AKC. Very active in promoting the interest of the breed, the parent
club now has a membership numbering well over 3,500 and its annual specialty show attracts over 400 Collies from all over
the United States. Great impetus to the breed's popularity was provided by the famous Collie stories of Albert Payson Terhune.
His Lad: A Dog was followed by many more volumes that have been eagerly read by several generations of Americans.
More recently, the television exploits of "Lassie" brought to children and their parents a strong desire to have for their
very own "a lovely dog like that."
|
