History of the Border Collie

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The Scottish Border Collie has faithfully served its masters over many generations of sheep farming in Scotland. This is a dog with supreme intelligence and a natural instinct and motivation to work sheep - the dog is indeed a workaholic! Loyalty to its owner is paramount to the Border collie. Its skill has made it in huge demand throughout the world wherever sheep are farmed. It is truly the working partner of the Scottish shepherd and, as such, commands the deepest respect from its owner.

		Dogs have been part of man's life since time immemorial but the first "modern" reference of a dog working sheep in a similar manner to today's Border collie was made in 1570 by Caius in his "Treatise of English Dogges". The first mention of the name "collie" was in 1617 when the habits of a certain Scottish bishop, who was inclined to visit his flock on the chance of a free meal, were likened to those of a "collie dog".

There are several theories about the word "collie". Some say it comes from the word "coley" meaning black- the dominant colour of the dog; some say it's from the Welsh "coelius" meaning faithful; while others say it is from "colley", which was a primitive type of Scottish sheep.

Border comes from the link with the Border country between Scotland and England, and also Wales and England. These were, and still are, both areas where large sheep populations can be found. They were also areas where sheep "rustling" was common practice, and there were none better for this than the Border collie, a "silent" worker with a black and white camouflage coat for night work.

The first sheepdog trial was held in 1873, and in 1906, the International Sheepdog Society was formed and written records instituted. The society currently registers over 7000 dogs a year. Finally in 1976, the Border collie received Kennel Club recognition and the first dogs entered the show ring. Today, the Border collie very much dominates the obedience and agility sections at dog shows throughout the world, not least the famous Crufts dog show in London.