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The New Book of the Dog. A Comprehensive Natural
History of British Dogs and Their Foreign Relatives With Chapters on
Law, Breeding, Kennel Management and Veterinary Treatment was
authored by Robert Leighton. Under his name the
following words appear: "Assisted by Eminent Authorities on the Various
Breeds." London: Cassell & Company Limited (1907). This book has 624
pages.
Leighton's book
did not list the Bearded Collie separately in the
Index, but rather as a subheading under Collie. The entire Collie
section was authored by James C. Dalgliesh.
On page 98, Dalgliesh wrote about "The Working Collie." He began his
words as follows:
"The foregoing quotation from Alfred Olliphant's [sic]delightful
fictional biography of Bob, son of Battle, refers more particularly
to the grey Sheepdog of Kenmuir, but it is a description which may
be applied in general to all the dogs of the Collie strain that
follow their active lives among the fells and dales and on the
wind-swept hillsides of the North. The townsman who knows the
shepherd's dog only as he is to be seen, out of his true element,
threading his confined way through crowded streets where sheep are
not, can have small appreciation of his wisdom and his sterling
worth."
There were two pictures on page 102 representing the Scottish Bearded or
Highland, Collie. First, was Mr. Dalgliesh's own Bearded Collie
named Ellwyn Garrie. Second, a photograph of Lord Arthur Cecil's Bearded Collie, named
Ben (seen immediately below). This photograph was credited to C. Reid of
Wishaw. It is remarkably similar to the 1905 Bearded Collie image on
this website which was also taken by a Mr. Reid. That image was in a
1909 revised version of Steven's Book of the Farm.
Dalgliesh wrote:
"Then there is the Scottish bearded, or Highland Collie, less popular
still with the flock-master, a hardy-looking dog in outward style, but
soft in temperament, and many of them make better cattle than sheep
dogs. This dog and the Old English Sheepdog are much alike in
appearance, but that the bearded is a more racy animal, with a head
resembling that of the Dandie Dinmont rather than the square head of the
Bobtail. The strong-limbed bearded Collie is capable of getting through
a good day's work, but is not so steady nor so wise as the old-fashioned
black and white, or even the smooth coated variety. He is a favourite
with the butcher and drover who have sometimes a herd of troublesome
cattle to handle, and he is well-suited to rough and rocky ground,
active in movement, and as sure-footed as the wild goat. He can
endure cold and wet without discomfort, and can live on the Highland
hills when others less sturdy would succumb. As an outdoor dog he is
less subject to rheumatism than many. His heavy build, powerful
limbs, thick short neck, heavy shoulders and thick skin are
characteristics of all animals inhabiting mountainous countries, and
there is a rugged grandeur about him comparable somewhat to that of
the Scottish Deerhound and the Otterhound from which he may be a
cross.
In 'the Sportsman's Cabinet,' 1803, there is an
illustration of an English Sheepdog, which would pass for the
Highland Collie, and one is tempted to believe that there is some
relationship between the two. Peeblesshire is regarded as the true
home of the Beardie and Sir Walter Thorburn and other patrons of the
breed have for long contributed prizes at the annual pastoral
show in that county for the best bearded dog owned by shepherds. As
one who has had the honour of judging at this fixture, I can say
that better filled classes cannot be found anywhere. In the standard adopted for judging the breed,
many points are given for good legs and feet, bone, body and coat,
while head and ears are not of great importance. Movement, size and
general appearance have much weight. The colour is varied in this
breed. Cream-coloured specimens are not uncommon, and snow white with
orange or black markings may often be seen, but the popular colour is
grizzly grey. Unfortunately the coats are far too soft and the undercoat
is frequently absent.
It has been said that the Beardie is not easily
induced to become a poacher, and that he will pay no attention to
game when on duty. But this I find is not the case. He soon learns
to lift a hare or a rabbit, and when he starts hunting on his own
responsibility he becomes so keen that in many cases he will do
little else.
Ellwyn Garrie, whose portrait is here given, is
a winner of first prizes at important shows. He was out of coat when
the photograph was taken, and therefore does not receive the justice
he deserves. He was bred in the classic vale of Yarrow, by Adam
Scott, the village blacksmith. His sire was Genty and his dam Moss
Rose, both alike good Sheepdogs bred by Mr. Horsburgh, a famous
Peeblesshire breeder.
(Note: Mr. Horsburgh, was mentioned in
an article authored by Major Clifford Owen and published in The
Countryman Magazine in Winter, 1954. This article can be viewed
under the year of 1954. In this magazine article, the name appeared as
"James Horsburgh.)
Audrey Hopwood also mentioned the Bearded Collie in the Old English Sheepdog
chapter.
"The dog was well known in Scotland, too, under the title of the
Bearded Collie, for there is little doubt that this last is merely a
variant of the breed. He differs, in point of fact, chiefly by
reason of possessing a tail, the amputation of which is a recognised
custom in England."
What is most interesting about Hopwood's writings
was his conclusions about the dog held by Henry, Third Duke of Buccleuch.
Mr. Hopwood was not shy about mentioning his displeasure about what
Watson wrote in The Dog Book (1905-1906) regarding the dog in the
Duke's arms being some type of rough terrier. Mr. Watson went to the
trouble to actually photograph himself with one of his own dogs, and he
stated the result was satisfactory beyond dispute, for the relative
proportions of man and dog came out exactly. Watson failed to tell the
age of his own dog.
Hopwood also included the Reinagle painting, and stated it resembled the Himalayan dog. |
