simba Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 Some random books I came across. Pg 533 of Modern Practical Farriery (1875) has an essay on the collie, which is interesting. http://www.archive.org/stream/modernpracticalf00mile#page/n635/mode/2up "In days gone by the collie was regarded as a representative of all that is mean and servile; but within the last ten or twelve years he has been raised above the plebian level, and adopted as a fit companion for lords and ladies of high degree, and has become an essential member of the fashionable establishment, more so as an ornament than for any special services he is expected to render." "Such work (referring to use of collies as gundogs), however, is taking him from his path of duty, and ought to be discountenanced by any shepherds." http://www.archive.org/details/practicaltrainin00wick Practical training of the shepherd dog (1891) "The show collie, being untrained, is losing intelligence, and a good judge can readily distinguish the untrained dog from the intelligent and well-taught, by the fatuous look the idle life of the former develops. The breeding for show alone is having a deteriorating effect on the collie." The author suggests placing show dogs 'of improved appearance' in the hands of shepherds, and the drafting of clever, good-looking dogs from those shepherds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted October 20, 2011 Report Share Posted October 20, 2011 ".... the fatuous look of the idle life ..." I love that phrase. Jovi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simba Posted October 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2011 ".... the fatuous look of the idle life ..." I love that phrase. Jovi It's exactly what's being said here now. Why do people try and breed border collies for show or 'pets'? It's been done already- the rough collie came out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simba Posted December 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 I'd also take it as 'it wasn't just Lassie'- this has been happening to what would become the rough collie since the 1890s at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geonni banner Posted December 19, 2012 Report Share Posted December 19, 2012 “A sheepdog with a strong olfactory nerve is useless, and one that inclines to retrieving is invariably a fool among sheep.” This was worth the price of admission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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