HISTORY OF THE COLLIE BREED
Written and edited by: Adrienn Zöldhelyi (2023)
The kind in England
The origin of the word collie is somewhat uncertain, probably referring to a breed of Scottish black-headed sheep. Long-haired collies (commonly known as Scottish sheepdogs) are descendants of herding dogs from Scotland and Wales and, according to recent research, from Ireland. (The name Irish spotting, i.e. the white markings of collies, may refer to the Irish origin.) The English met these dogs at fairs, and they began to mix them with their own sheepdogs and hunting dogs, greyhounds. A couple of collies entered the royal court in the 1840s, and Queen Victoria became their enthusiastic patron and then their breeder. He even erected a statue of his favorite dogs. Because of this, they quickly became popular in noble circles. They began to be presented at dog shows in the 1860s.
Old Cockie (born: 1868) is considered the ancestor of modern long-haired collies. We do not know his parents, his owner - Mr. White - was never willing to reveal who he came from. Due to its sable color, it stood out from the mainly black collies. Old Cockie had a remarkable show career and made a huge impact on the breed. Almost every longhaired collie alive today can be traced back to him.
Old Cockie (1868-1882)
sable white male
Breeder: Mr. Johnson, owner: Mr. White
In 1874, The Kennel Club began to register "Scottish Collies", and then a few years later to register "Scottish Collies". At that time, the name collie applied to even more British sheepdogs - identical in certain features.
The first long- and short-haired collie standard was published in 1881 by "The Collie Club" (as the first breed club) immediately after its establishment. In fact, this is when the breed was officially born. After that, the selection and conscious breeding of collies based on appearance began. Kennel names were only used from the second half of the 1880s, although this was mainly typical of larger kennels. In the following decades, there were still many kennel names or dogs from "unknown parents" without registration.
The famous English breeders of the 1880s and 1890s founded collie breeding throughout Europe and the United States. Mr. Thomas Herbert Stretch -Ormskirk, and Mr. William E. Mason –Southport his kennel was very decisive.
Southport kennel sable white dogs, breeder and owner: Mr. William E. Mason (England)
Tolna World Newspaper, 02.11.1913.
Collies in literature and on the screen
Everyone knows Lassie. Or from novels or movies. Many believe that Lassie was the first long-haired collie on the screen, and that her name and character were coined by novelist - and collie breeder - Eric Knight.
The word “lassie” was actually a fashionable term of Scottish origin in the 1800s, meaning; young girl, little girl. The name Lassie dates back to the 19th century. In the 19th century, it was given with preference to thoroughbred female horses and other purebred animals, especially bitches. Collies with this name are often found in early pedigrees.
'Lassie, the heroic rescue collie' first appeared in a literary work in 1859 (Elizabeth Gaskell: Half Brothers). The true story of Lassie - the life-saving collie - was documented in World War I. The sailor saved by the dog later told the story in many places, which turned into a real myth. This story of the hero was then published in many books, short stories, and newspaper articles.
However, Eric Knight was not only inspired by written materials. The first dog movie (Rescued by Rover) also featured a long-haired collie. The short story of Rover the rescue dog was brought to the screen in 1905 in England. Blair, who played the main character, appeared two years earlier for one scene, but became a real star after the film Rover. In the following years, he appeared in several similar blockbusters. Blair's death at the age of 14 was reported by almost every newspaper of the time. They said goodbye to the first dog movie star with emotional lines and long memories.
In the 1910s, dog films also began to be produced in the United States, also starring a heroic child rescue collie (Jean and the Ragdoll, 1910). After Blaire and Jean, several of their peers appeared on the screen. Until 1921, almost only collies appeared in dog cinemas. Many games and documentaries were made about them, which brought enormous popularity to the breed from here and beyond.
Full article: The first dog movie stars (akutyanemolvassa.hu)
Movie scene: Rescued by Rover (1905)
The collie in Hungary
According to my current knowledge, the domestic breeding of collies began in the 1890s. The domestication of the breed is closely intertwined with the history of Hungarian equestrian sport. The naturalization of both noble breed horses and noble breed dogs can be linked to Hungarian historical families. The aristocracy consisting of passionate riders and hunters - such as thanks to the Counts of Königsegg - the famous one was covered in our countryCh. Southport Perfection(descendant of Old Cockie, b. 19 Feb. 1892), andCh. Cheviot Royali.e. "Champion Jack" (born 5 January 1897).
The two prize-winning English collies (after the United Kingdom) visited almost every corner of the Habsburg Empire. After their homeland, they also covered Austria, the Czech Republic and Moravia, as well as the Kingdom of Hungary. Around this time, it was a common practice for breeding dogs - both males and females - to change owners frequently in order to promote breeding. In keeping with the customs of the time, the descendants of the famous cover dogs in many cases carried on the name of their famous ancestor in their name, e.g. By Ch. Southport PerfectionPrince of PerfectionandBarwell Perfection, or after Ch. Cheviot RoyalElda RoyalandStone Royal.
The first breed description in Hungarian was published in 1899, which also included the standard published by the English "The Collie Club". A photo by Ch. Cheviot Royal was used as an illustration.
"Among the Colli breed dogs, the Colli male shown in the attached picture, »Cheviot Royal«, really achieved a great record among 12 other males. At this year's luxury dog exhibition, »Thur Favorit «- He won the first prize. In addition, he won several other prizes at the exhibition, such as the first prize and champion winning class, the first sales class prize. »Cheviot Royal« with dark white collar, foot and instep. Bred by Mr. Watson of Sasselby Floss after the Scotland Flee, he is a very good type dog with a very good head, correct expression and very good ears. This male has already won many awards in England." - Zoological Papers, 10.10.1899.
"Scottish Sheepdog (Collie) sire 'Champion Jack', which has 22 first prizes and several gold medals in England; He won 5 first prizes in Vienna, and their mother was awarded in Pest. You can get a 4-month-old male for 30-36 kroner, a female for 24 kroner, an imported Russian greyhound of excellent beauty for 240 kroner, all of the best pedigree. Raska Ferencz, manor officer: Pruszkán, Trencsén m." - Public plots - 23.03.1901
The aforementioned Pruszka settlement was the center of the Oroszlánkő manor, which belonged to the county of Königsegg. During this period he is the owner of the manorcount Ferencz Königseggvolt. The manor was famous for its thoroughbred horses and its lordly hunts. At first, only hunting dogs were bred on the estate, then collies and Russian greyhounds were also bred. Matters and tasks related to dogs were managed by the manor officer, Ferenc Raska. At the end of the 1800s, a fairly large collie farm may have been operating in the town of Pruszka in Trencsén county, as 30 collies were advertised for sale in the summer of 1901, due to the "farming out".
Postcard from the collection of the Zemplén Museum (1894)
Zoological Papers, 10.10.1899.
The role of English riding colonies in Tata and Alagi in domestic collie breeding
The XIX Towards the end of the 19th century, a number of English equestrian professionals arrived and settled in the Tata center of the Eszterházy estate - at the invitation of count Miklós Eszterházy. Among themHenry Milne, the famous horse trainer, prominent member of the English colony in Tata. In addition to their noble horses, the English also brought purebred dogs from their country, including collies. The thoroughbred horses arrived at the estate on the Esterházy estate's own railway line. In all probability, along with the horses, dogs were also transported to Hungary in the wagons.
According to my research so far, the first collie proven to have been born in Hungary came from Henry Milne's Tatai collie breeding.Rob-Roy(sable white male, born August 1898) was a well-known dog of the time, who was the first in 1900At the Budapest International Exhibitionwon an overwhelming victory. Its ownerCount Pejacsevich Albert- was a landowner (Irinyi-puszta), basement stable owner, trainer and gentleman horseman - who maintained close relations with the English colonies.
"The collie... At our exhibition last year there were seven specimens, about which in the May 31, 1900 issue of Hunde-Sport und Jagd, Kammerer says: seven specimens were entered, all of which were weak, except Count Pejacsevich's Albert Rob-Roy, which belonged to Astley also won his full approval." - Capital Newspapers 1901.09.01.
The young male members of the Pejacsevich noble family of ancient Slavonian origin immediately threw themselves into horse breeding and equestrian sports as soon as Count István Széchenyi initiated their naturalization. In the Batthyány manor in Alagon (Dunakeszi), count Elemér Batthyány created a racetrack and training center, where one of the stables was owned by the Pejacsevich family. The equestrian life in the basement had many members of English nationality, a complete English colony lived here. Trainers, jockeys, livestock specialists. Not only English horses but also English dogs were bred on the basement estate. In addition to collies, the Pejacsevich counts bred greyhounds, spitz and fox terriers.
Collies were present among many members of the English colonies in Tata and Alago, where Count Pejacsevich's stable was located.Thomas H. Buckenham, – the show jumping champion of the Monarchy, famous trainer – who was a member of the English colony in Tata and then in Alagi, also engaged in collie breeding. A newspaper article from 1912 ("An afternoon at John Reeves'") reports in detail how and under what conditions the famous English horse trainer John Reeves - who had already been a part of Hungarian equestrian life for half a century - lives in Alago: "The house of the autumn master is a real English environment. The garden, the house are English... Of course, a collie cannot be missing, just like English pots, caricatures and fireplaces." - Hunting and Competition Magazine, volume 56, 03.08.1912.
Count Pejacsevich Albert
(1875–1941)
basement stable owner, master rider, one of the first Hungarian collie breeders
Film Theater Literature, 05.09.1941.
Rob-Roy
sable white male, born August 1898
Breeder: Henry Milne - Tata, owner: Count Pejacsevich Albert
Zoological Papers, 1901.08.01.
The son of the world-famous Tata horse trainer Henry Milne with a collie.
Tata, 24 October 1916
Henry Milne English Equestrian History Museum / antikvilla.hu
At the above-mentioned exhibition in Budapest in 1900, there were a total of 7 named collies, in addition to Rob-Roy, e.g. Agela (trans. Riedel Herbert), Terbli (trans. Dezső Grünhut), and Elda (trans. Ferenc Batka).
Dezső Grünhuthe was a very wealthy stable owner in Budapest. His vast fortune came from his international shipping company that imported automobiles. He had many foreign (mainly English and American) interests related to his company and horses. In addition to English thoroughbreds, he also dealt with English dogs, breeding collies and English cocker spaniels.
Herbert RiedelLieutenant Kecskemét was also a dedicated rider. As a member of the officers of the imperial and royal 13th Jász and Kun hussar regiments, he regularly participated in military horse races. He bred thoroughbred racehorses and collies.
Ferenc Batkacan also be linked to Kecskemét. He had a huge estate in Felső Alpár, where they mostly grew grapes and bred animals. Based on my research so far, I believe that Riedel Herbert and Ferencz Batka were also nobles.
According to a breed presentation published in 1900:
"The collie is a very good-natured, quiet and loyal dog. So far with us, Count Albin Pejacsevich,József Wagnerand Grünhut is bred by Dezső.” - Zoological Papers, 30.12.1900.
In addition to those mentioned above, collies were also bred in the Szentegat estate. The estate of Szentegát, a nobleman of Jewish origin, is certainBaron Rezső Biedermannand was in the hands of his family. A world-class educational model farm operated on the huge estate, where the most modern techniques were used in crop cultivation and animal husbandry. Their thoroughbred racing horses and dogs were imported from England. Hunts were regularly held in the huge forests of the estate. The Biedermann family - like the other nobles - did a lot to improve the prosperity of the area, to increase education and the standard of living.
Ferenc Bakitscollie breeder from Székesfehérvár, also connected to the aristocracy of the time, the artistic and art-loving elite. Mr. Bakits - before he moved to Fehérvár when he retired - was a recognized voice and piano teacher at the National Royal Hungarian Academy of Drama. He then opened his own music school in downtown Budapest. In addition, he played an active role in the musical life of the capital. He maintained excellent relations with famous actors and aristocratic families. After the highly educated pianist's death in 1901, his collie breeding was carried on by his son, János Bakits. Most of their stock was imported from England. "Pure-breed Collie imported from England from thoroughbred parents, four-month-old male puppy for sale at a cheap price. Székesfehérvár, Zöldfa utca 4., Bakits.” - Budapesti Hírlap, 1901.09.01.
collie at the 1900 Budapest International Dog Show
Zoological Papers, 01.02.1901.
collie at the 1900 Budapest International Dog Show
Sunday Gazette, 1900.
"Our picture shows the collie family of József Wagner, a breeder from Budakalász."
Zoological Papers, 30.12.1900.
The Vöslau kennel
The 19-20. at the turn of the century, collies came to Hungary mainly from England, Scotland, as well as Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The domestic breeders maintained very close relations with the Austrians and the Czechs in the period before the war. They often changed their dogs, mostly using the same bloodlines.Anton Ditewas born in a breeder's kennel in Prague, e.g. two collie bitches, Elda Queen, and her brother Elda Royal. They came from thereMór Gutmann (Moritz Ritter von Gutmann) near Viennato the Vöslau kennel, then to Hungary. Mór Gutmann - who was active in both Austrian and Hungarian cynological life - imported more than a dozen collies from England, as well as the ScottishOlvestonfrom kennel (breeder:Mr. James C. Dalgliesh), some of whom later came to Hungary together with their descendants.
"As we learned from knight Mór Gutmann from Vöslau, the enthusiastic Collie breeder, several well-known and award-winning Collies presented our Hungarian breeders with Scottish sheepdogs, which gave the domestic Collie breeding a great boost." – Breeding Notice, February 1903 / Vol. I Number 2
In 1903, 11 collies (5 males and 6 females) came from the Vöslau kennel to Hungarian breeders.
Rohonczy Gedeon (Török-Becse) - male "Lord Patrick" and female "Erica Queen",
count Orssich Levin (Varasd) - "Lord G." kant and "Fanny T." bitch (Heather Heropuppies),
count Pejacsevich Albert (Irinyi-puszta, Rákos-Palota) - "Stone Royal” kant (Darkey's litter brother),
Mária Franz (Bars) - "Darky" sang, "Elda Queen” and “Meta Hope” (Balgregie Hopedaughter) bitches,
Horse trainer Thomas H. Buckenham (Tata) – “Charley Royal” kant, “Felicitas” and “Elda Royal” got bitches.
(Mór Gutmann kept his four racing horses in Tata, the horses were trained by Thomas H. Buckenham.)
"We would also like to thank the noble-minded member of our association for boosting Hungarian cynology, which is so close to his heart."
The same issue of the Breeding Notice also mentions other import collies:
"The material of our collie breeders in Hungary has also been enriched by the fact thatbaron Frigyes Borna collie of excellent noble blood imported from England, which we believe will also be used for breeding purposes." (Several litters were born in famous kennels whose main profile was not collie breeding, such as Frigyes Grafi's vizsla and baron Frigyes Born's fox terrier breeding. Compared to their main breeds, the number of collie litters in these kennels was negligible.)_cc781905-5cde-3194 -bb3b-136bad5cf58d_"Mihály IbrányiCaptain Hussar of the Home Guard has also become an enthusiastic supporter of this breed, and apart from the two Collies imported through the Association, as we hear, he is thinking about new imports." – Breeding Bulletin, February 1903 / Vol. I Number 2
The 1905 oneBudapest International Dog Showfour of the five collies presented were presented by the Vöslau kennel. The biggest attraction is an English import male,Ch. Mountjoy Marksmanvolt. In addition to him, another male named Young Perfection, a Scottish imported female, won a prizeCh. Olveston Daisy, as well as a Csipke v. A bitch named Vöslau. The mentioned dogs were all owned by Mór Gutmann's kennel in Vöslau, who offered the two import champion dogs for sale. In addition to them, the collie gelding of Lázár Rusa named Cary was also awarded in the same place.
"There is a 2-year-old male dog named Ch. Mountjoy Marksman in the Collie group of the exhibition, his color is white, gold and brown. This fine dog was bred in England. She has already won a lot of prizes and her price is now 12,000 kroner, Ch. Olveston Daisy's price is 3,000 kroner." - Tolna's Világlapja, 29.10.1905.
sable white male, born June 12, 1903
Mountjoy Manifesto x Mountjoy Modesty
Breeder: J. Hancock (England)
Károly Monostori: Breeding, 1909, photo: Károly Monostori
Russia Hungarian Breeding Association
Breeding Notice
1903/5. number
collies on the front page
From a private collection