I found a collection of old videos depicting border collies at work, circa the 1920's - 1950's. I find it intriguing to look back at the dogs of those early days, particularly in light of discussion about the border collies' future.
Anyhow, I thought I'd share! I think I can only paste in clickable links, but the videos are all very short, only a minute or two each, so I hope you will enjoy.
First:
"Sheep Dog Trial" 1920
The earliest footage I could find. First half of this 33 second clip is a long-distance of horses doing something, then we get a bit of a rather animated handler and his dog urging sheep into a 3-sided pen. Interesting at least for the fact it's a glimpse of sheepdogging 92 years ago!
Second:
"Sheep Dog Trials" 1926
These sheep want to go anywhere but in a straight line!
Third:
"Clever Animals" 1926
Not as much action, but of interest is that several dogs in the line-up appear to be of a bearded border collie type. And some nice work at the shed, towards the end.
Fourth:
"Canine Skill" 1934
This is filmed in Australia, a champion sheepdog named "Blue Maid." It's hard to say exactly what she is: she works more upright, looks border collie-ish, but ...?? The narrator say she's the product of generations of breeding in the Outback, so ... I guess this is another branch on the border collie tree.
Fifth:
"Here's Segacity!" 1936
Another interesting look at early BCs, as well as pen work - with no gate and no handler standing at the pen! (And a brief interview with Mr. Sandy Miller of Ayrshire, who won 8 times out of 9.)
Sixth:
"International Sheepdog Trials" 1936
How many of us would like to try penning, whilst on one knee and nowhere near the gate?
Also, there was a lady amongst the line-up, this time. Wonder if she was a handler or just holding the dog during the line-up.Seventh: "Sheepdogs Show Their Mettle" 1941
A silly bit of narrating, but a nice look at some nice dogs, including one that's nearly all white.
Eighth:
"Sheep Dogs" 1942
A bit of brace work, mother-son team Nell and Ben near Peebles on the Scottish Borders.
Ninth:
"Sheepdog Trials" 1954
Just a bit more looks at dogs. Now the pen-work is as we know it, with the gate and a handler holding the rope.
And that's that! I hope you enjoyed this little trip in the Way-Back Machine.
Cheers ~
Gloria
