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History of The Border Collie

Please join us for a quick journey as we discover the fascinating history of the Border Collie.

 One of the oldest breeds of dogs, the Border Collie has been used for many years in England and Scotland as the primary working dog for shepherds and farmers. 

A breed of large, tricolor herding dogs that protected the sheep was recorded in history books as far back as 36 B.C. 

Border Collies and many other dog breeds descended from these dogs.

Numerous books will tell you of how the Border Collies herded reindeer for their Viking masters!

 In reality, these were Spitz-type dogs.  Crossing the Romans bigger herding dogs and the Vikings Spitz-type dogs produced an intelligent agile herding breed.  It became very popular to cross these two breeds.  The evolution of the Border Collie as we know it today resulted from this.

Very similar to the Border Collie trials you see today, shepherds held the first sheepdog trials in Bala, Wales in 1873. 

The International Sheepdog Trials Society, formed in 1906, was the first organization to institute set rules for the dog trial competition.  These are the same standard set of rules used today. In 1915 James Reid, the Secretary of the International Sheepdog Society, granted the name of Border Collie to this much loved breed of dogs.

Famous Border Collies

Two famous Border Collies called Wiston Cap and Old Hemp certainly had a great influence on today’s Border Collies.

The dog that we see in the featured herding pose on the International Sheep Dog Society badge is a dog named Wiston Cap.  He had the distinction of being the most popular used stud dog in the early history of the Border Collie breed.

His line is seen in a large percentage of today’s pedigrees.  Jock Richardson trained and handled Wiston Cap, who was a good natured, obedient champion animal.  This Border Collie not only fathered three Supreme Champions, but in addition Wiston Cap was grand-sire to three more.

Old Hemp was born in 1893 and died in 1901.  He was a tri-color dog bred by Adam Telfer.  His parents were Meg, a well regarded herding, black coated dog and Roy, a black and tan dog.  The sheep responded well to this powerful yet quiet dog, that was less vocal and stealthier in his herding behavior. 

The modern Border Collie herding mannerisms came from the working style of Old Hemp.  His line, like Wiston Cap’s, has established the traits of the breed to this day.

Sheep And The Border Collie

Huge flocks of sheep are found in the United States, Australia and New Zealand living in mountainous, rough terrain - and working dogs, such as the Border Collie , are still required to move these sheep. 

These dogs actually go over the backs of the sheep while herding them if necessary.  It would be impossible, on foot or horseback, to herd these sheep. 

The Border Collies’ most outstanding characteristic is their love and desire to work above everything else. 

 They give the sheep the ‘eye’, which is an intense stare into the sheep’s face while the Border Collies head is lowered.  They have an almost uncanny way of knowing where and what the sheep will do next, and are always one-step ahead. 

Their ability to problem-solve and work both in conjunction with the shepherd, as well as independently when needed, have made them a mainstay of the livestock industry in many countries. 

No longer just a farming dog, the Border Collie is also used as a very popular  family pet and companion, as well as an agility and obedience trial dog.

 Thanks for visiting us and we hope  you enjoyed learning a little about the history of the Border Collie.

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