Border Collies Pictures - History
Border Collies are the descendents of herding dogs used in many countries to help shepherds manage huge flocks of sheep and other cattle. The Romans must have brought some of their herding dogs to Great Britain where they later crossed with Nordic breeds. Nordic herding dogs were evidently bigger than the Border Collie of today and are said to have used various herding techniques. Thus, all pastoral dogs of the past had different styles and appearance.
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Eyewitness Peak Performance
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As time went by, some herding dogs vanished giving way to more efficient breeds. Shepherds welcomed the strongest species capable of working in temperate to cool climate and skillful enough to manage a great number of cattle. Realizing that a shepherd's work would be impossible to handle without a true, hard-working assistant, breeders eagerly improved physical abilities of a pastoral dog rather than its appearance. As a result, the Border Collie emerged as one of the most widely used breeds of sheep dogs.
The Border Collie originated from other Collies; among them being the Scotch and the Bearded Collie. Some historians claim that the blood of the Spaniel could have been added to produce the Border Collie.
Border Collies Pictures - Success in Trials
Border Collies have been well known to farmers as early as the 1700-1800s. However, no earlier than in the end of the 19th century, did the breed taste fame. After the first official sheep dog trial held in Bala, Wales, fanciers of all sheep dogs were eager to win the competition. Old Hemp, a Border Collie from Northumberland, England, won the trial in 1894 and continued his success later on. He is considered the forefather of all modern Border Collies.
Although a collective appearance of Collies had already existed, it was Old Hemp who contributed greatly to a notion of how a Border Collie should look. The winner of prestigious competitions weighed about 45 pounds and stood approximately 21 inches at the shoulder. His color pattern, black and white, is still preferred by many Border Collie lovers. Semi-erect ears and straight coat are mentioned in the modern breed standard. In other words, Old Hemp became a certain model for Border Collie breeders.
Border Collies Pictures - Official Recognition
The Border Collie was often referred to simply as a sheep dog. However, breed fanciers agreed to name the dog "the Border Collie" with assistance of James Reid, a Secretary of the International Sheep Dog Society (
ISDS). The name was chosen probably as a sort of a tribute to Old Hemp, the dog bred in a border area of England and Scotland. Hence, since 1915 the breed has been called "the Border Collie."
The ISDS, together with the efforts of many Border Collie lovers, promoted the breed not only in Great Britain, but also in other countries. The Border Collie appeared in the United States in the 1800s. It spread quickly in areas traditionally involved in sheep and cattle farming. The same can be said about Australia and New Zealand.
The AKC accepted the Border Collie into the AKC Miscellaneous Class in 1955. The AKC was not willing to recognize the breed since there was no sole appearance. Dogs were bred for working qualities. At the same time, the idea of AKC membership did not attract Border Collie fanciers. They feared the breed would eventually lose its highly valued herding abilities once it started to be shown and bred for looks.
Yet, time has clinched an argument between the AKC and the Border Collie lovers. In 1995, Border Collies entered the Herding Group of dogs.
Border Collies Pictures - General Information Links
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Dowland Border Collies
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American Border Collie Network - Contains information on herding and trials. Also includes a picture gallery and an area for questions and answers.
Animal Research Foundation - Border Collies - Breed information promoting the Border Collie through education.
Border Collie - General information on the Border Collie.
Border Collie Photo Calendar - Information on the breed.
Border Collie Standard - History and characteristics of the Border Collie.
Border Collies as Working Dogs - Information on Border Collie activities, plus pictures and videos. Germany.
Border Collie Breed Profile - Border Collie breed profile, description and links to breeders, clubs, articles, mailing lists and more.
Border Collie General Information - History, physical characteristics, maintenance, and other information.
Border Collies at Work - Features information about herding, sports, health, behavior, and dog names. Screen saver available for download.
Border Collies in France - French site dedicated to the Border Collie.
Dog-O-Mania - Border Collies - Information on the Border Collie, plus links to breeders, clubs, and rescues.
Life of a Working Sheepdog - Get this video on the working Border Collie. Pictures and reviews.
Mainline Border Collie Centre - Check out the classes offered at this training facility in England. Read articles, get tips on diet and grooming, and learn about breeding.
Meine Border Collies - German site dedicated to the Border Collie in agility, flyball, and other activities.
Schafscheucher Border Collies - Pictures of working Border Collies from a breeder located in Germany.
Sheepdog-L - Subscribe to this email list for a discussion of training, trialing and working Border Collies, examine an archive and check out health tips.
The Border Collie - The Border Collie in brief, plus breeder search and clubs links.
The Border Collie in Denmark - Contains information about the breed and a picture gallery.
Working Border Collie Magazine - Contains sheep and cattle dog training articles, profiles, features, and news. Includes a breeders directory, sample articles, and subscription prices.
Working Border Collies Territory - Web page about two Border Collies providing information about the breed, action herding pictures and a puppy photo diary of their youngest Border Collie.
