Collie Facts History of Breed Page

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Until relatively recently, Collies - which are divided into two varieties, Smooth and Rough - were the working dogs of humble shepherds. These shepherds saw no need for pedigrees or stud books, if indeed they were capable of keeping them. Thus, the origin of the breed lies buried in the ancient history of herding dogs from Scotland and northern England.

The first illustrations of dogs bearing a resemblance to the Collie appear in Thomas Bewick's The History of Quadripeds (ca. 1800). Bewick described the Rough as a "shepherd's dog" and the Smooth as a "ban dog." The Roughs of the time measured only 14 inches at the shoulder, had shorter, broader heads and were usually black or black with white. Smooth Collies were principally drovers that guided cows and sheep to market and did not guard pastured animals. The Smooth was said to be much larger and descended from the Mastiff - not the modern breed of that name, but a generic type of dog.

In the early 19th century, fanciers took an interest in Collies and started keeping written pedigrees. The breed began progressing rapidly, gaining stature and refinement. Old Cockie, a dog born in 1867, is credited with stamping characteristic type on the Rough Collie and with introducing factors that led to the development of the sable color. A short time later Collies of almost every imaginable color were seen, including red, buff, mottle of various shades and a few sables. The most prevalent colors, however, were black, tan and white, black and white (without tan) and what is now called blue merle but was known then as tortoise shell.

Early Collie pedigrees were relatively brief. The first volume of the English stud book showed 78 "sheep dogs and Scotch Collies" registered as of 1874; 15 had written pedigrees, but only three extended beyond sire and dam. Nevertheless, in 1860 the first classes for Scotch Sheep Dogs were offered by the Birmingham Dog Society at England's second dog show. Both varieties competed in the same classes.

Shortly thereafter, Queen Victoria saw her first Collies while visiting Balmoral. She enthusiastically began sponsoring the breed, creating a surge in its popularity. Collies soon found themselves not only the indispensable helpmates of the humble shepherds, but also the treasured companions of the royal and rich.

By 1886 Collie type was fixed well enough that subsequent British breeders have never seen fit to change the height and weight established in their standard. Except for coat, the Smooth Collie has always been bred to the same written standard as the Rough. The American standard has undergone numerous clarifications over the years, but it remains fundamentally unchanged from the 1886 version except for recognizing that Collies have become slightly larger and heavier oh this side of the Atlantic.

The breed was first exhibited in the United States at the second Westminster Kennel Club show in May l877, 17 years after its ring debut in England. Classes were offered for "Shepherd Dogs, or Collie Dogs" and a few specimens were entered. Great interest and excitement were generated the following year, however, when two Collies imported from Queen Victoria's Royal Balmoral Kennel were entered at the show. Soon Collies were the prized possessions of the wealthy and socially elite. Kennels were established by J. P Morgan and his contemporaries, and many fashionable estates on New York's Hudson River and Long Island had Collie kennels. English dogs were imported for exorbitant prices. Interestingly, the tables were turned a half century later when American Collies began to be exported, this time to Japan, where the breed had become highly desirable. Collies imported from England had become exceedingly rare by that time.

The Collie Club of America was organized in 1886, two years after the establishment of the American Kennel Club. The second parent club to join the AKC, it is very active in promoting the interests of the breed.

Today's typical Collie is not a working dog, but it is an able and devoted family dog with a particular affinity for small children. Elegant and beautiful, loyal and affectionate, self-appointed guardian of everything within its sight or hearing, the Collie is an ideal companion.