THE HISTORY OF THE BEARDED COLLIE
By K. Suzanne Moorhouse

The history of the Bearded Collie is much more difficult to write that the history of breeds such as Golden Retrievers which can trace their pedigree's back to the original dogs of the breed. Beardies were shepherd and drovers dogs and as such, did not have pedigrees written down.

Mrs Willison in her book on the breed suggested that three Powlish Lowland Sheepdogs had a strong influence in the development, but this is strongly denied by Major Logan in his history in my book "Talking about Beardies". The only thing that can be said about Beardies with any degree of accuracy is that they are a breed that has evolved slowly over the centuries as a working dog.

Beardies were also popular as a show dog as early as 1897, at the Edinburgh show of the Scottish Kennel Club where there were well filled classes. This was the first official SKC show, but there were many shows that put on classes prior to this date in Scotland. There was a standard, not official, given by D.J.Thompson, editor of the Scottish Fancier and Rural Gazette, at around this time, which seems to have been the first one there has been any trace of, it is as follows:
THE SKULL flat, broad, and rather heavy over the eyes, covered with long hair of hard texture.
THE MUZZLE heavy, of moderate length, tapering slightly to the nose, which is black.
THE EYES, moderately full, vary in colour according to the colour of the dogs coat. A Wall or "china" eye is peculiar to the mirled [sic] colour, but a dark brown eye is what is generally seen. Light yellow eyes are objectionable.
THE EARS, which droop, are of moderate size, well covered with hair, and carried close to the head.
NECK of medium length, thick and well covered with hair, chest very deep, shoulders oblique.
LEGS - The forelegs straight, with plenty of bone and muscle, heavily covered with rough hair, and hind legs also heavily covered with hair.
FEET oval, toes arched and close, sole well padded.
BODY more short and compact than that of the common collie, chest deep and wide, the ribs well sprung. There should be no inclination to droop in hindquarters.
TAIL of moderate length, bushy, and carried low.
COAT very profuse, hard and wiry in the outer coat, with a tendency to waviness or curl, inner coat, short, soft and close.
GENERAL APPEARANCE - A big, rough coated clumsy - looking dog, with a rather large head, sleepy look, and a peculiar action when running.

The first World War prevented the breed progressing for a time, till Mrs Cameron Miller developed an interest and showed her dogs extensively, notably Balmacniel Jock. Jock was born 27th February 1926, sire, Rover, dam Ninewells Nell. Mrs Cameron Miller acquired him in 1928, also Jock's son, Balmacniel Rook, who was shown even more extensively from the Orkney Islands to Crystal Palace in London. Between January 1929 and December 1934 Mrs Cameron Miller registered 55 dogs and bred 10 litters, but in 1938 these were not being shown any more, classes were taken off and the second World War came in 1939, to once again put a stop to all dog shows.

Mrs Willison was the next person of note to get interested in the breed. She had ordered a Sheltie puppy to do obedience and was sent a brown beardie instead in 1944. She was eventually registered as Jeannie of Bothkennar. Mrs Wilson was so taken with her new puppy and her great intelligence, she resolved to try to find a dog to mate her to. She had to try for some time as she had no success. Then eventually, one day, Mrs Willison had gone down to Brighton and decided to take a swim in the sea. There on the beach was a beautiful Beardie dog. His owner was emigrating, so she was only too happy to let Mrs Willison take his dog, who became Bailie of Bothkennar and sired the first litter to be registered since 1935.

I find this bit very co-incidental as Rory, my first beardie also came into my family in very much the same way, my father met this man in the local pub, who was emigrating as well, so was looking for a home for his beardie, so as my family was between dogs at that moment, Rory came to live with us, all of which happened in 1938, was he one of Mrs Cameron Millers? we shall never know, but the timing is certainly right. Rory died in 1947, so long before my interest developed in the breed, but when I showed Rory's photo to Mrs Willison, she very much regretted she had never known about him, as he was an excellent specimen of the breed.

Mrs Willison had many set backs in the early years, puppies died from distemper, a common occurrence in those days, and bad luck seemed to dog her every move. But she had the tenacity to keep on trying and by 1955 things had definitely taken a turn for the better. Puppies were being born and surviving, new people were coming with an interest in the breed, mainly Captain Owen who owned a dog called Ridgeway Rob, who had a great influence on the breed.

I obtained my first show Beardie from Mrs Willison, Barberry of Bothkennar, later I added my prefix and she became Ch. Willowmead Barberry of Bothkennar. From the same litter, Mary Partridge took Barley, who became Ch Wishanger Barley of Bothkennar. The commencement of both Willowmead and Wishanger lines. Ridgeway Rob was the sire and Bra'Tawny the dam of the litter.

The Bearded Collie Club, the first for the Breed, was founded also in 1955. The first show for the club was an Open Show, which was held in 1959.

The breed progressed slowly, Mrs Willison had to give up all her dogs in 1964, her two youngest champions Bravo and Blue Bonnie, went to Mrs Jenny Osborne of the Osmart prefix. I had to retire from both breeding and showing due to family reasons in 1961, and did not return to the ring until 1968, although I had kept my dogs. Mrs Betty Foster, "Bredon Beardies" had come into the breed in the late 50's, and had Janet Martineau, "Jaymji". Both very keen on the working side of the breed. Betty with sheep and Janet with obedience. Both are still active in the breed to the present day.

The breed continued to progress slowly but surely and the aim of 150 dogs registered in 3 years was achieved to apply to the Kennel Club for CC status. Crufts 1959 was the show where CC's were awarded for the first time, post war. 1959 was also the year I went to East Africa to visit my sister for a five month holiday so missed all the summer show season, and consequently the chance to win CC's!!!

1972 saw the first club Championship Show, so things were steadily progressing. The entries at shows continuing to increase, as did registrations, so more clubs were started and eventually we now have 6, Southern, Eastern, Northern, Scottish and Midshires as well as the original Bearded Collie Club.

Many dogs have been successful in both the show ring and as producers, just a few that spring to mind are of the Bothkennars, Bravo, Blue Bonnie, Barberry and Barley are the names that can be found in most pedigrees. Osmart Bonnie Blue Braid made a great impression on the breed and really helped to improve, a still somewhat mixed bunch of dogs. Edenborough Blue Bracken made a great impression in America and Canada, with Misty Shadow of Willowmead, also at the same time, Brambledale Balthazar produced a great many excellent movers and really super temperaments.

Over the last 20 years, Pepperland Lyric John at Potterdale had made the most impact, he was certainly used extensively at stud and produced a great many superb dogs and bitches. Potterdale Philosopher also made his mark by stamping his type very strongly. For a type that has, and still is, breeding very true, I must return to my own Pure Magic, Star Attraction, Wish Upon a Star line. This line is still producing identical clones in each generation, now in its fifth generation.

In bitches, Tamevalley Easter Somg of Potterdale was Top Bitch CC holder for years, till her daughter Potterdale Classic of Moonhill took it from her. Classic also won BEST IN SHOW AT CRUFTS, the only Beardie ever to do so. Easter Song produced a great many top winning offspring.

Edelwiess of Tambora and Broadholme Cindy Sue of Willowmead, along with Cala Sona Loch Aber were amongst the top producers with several Champion offspring each, throughout the sixties, who really made their mark on the breed all over the world. In the seventies, Blumberg Hadriana at Potterdale, Breckdale Pretty Maid and Dutch Bonnet of Willowmead are the three that I recall best.

Throughout the eighties a very prepotent sire was Ororas Frank, a dog that produced a definite type pf excellent movers and many champions. At the moment the ALL TIME BREED RECORD HOLDER is POTTERDALE PRIVILEGE with 43 CC's.

There are many more dogs of note, far too many to mention all of them, but all have helped to make the breed what it is today, in an excellent state, worldwide, with quality of sufficient merit to win Best in Show, anywhere in the world.