Nancy Telfer and her Border Collies, 1943
Telfer is old Scottish name that has cemented itself in the border region beginning with the Norman conquest, through the era of the Border Reivers along with other Border Collie surnames like Turnbull, and into the very foundation of the Border Collie breed. The storied Old Hemp was born to Adam Telfer in 1893, and border collies have stayed in the family for generations since.
When Dave at Little Heelers wrote about the Formakin Canine Stars (which also include a couple of talented border collies), he included a video of the dogs in action. Also on that video site I found a video from 1943 which features Nancy Telfer a Northumbrian trainer of sheepdog champions:
SHEEP CHAMPION TRAINER – Video – British Pathe.
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Chris: The year I was born 1943. So only 5 Border collies left after the war. Had not read that anywhere about Border Collies. I would love to see a deeper dicussion of comprehensive discussion on this writing.
Strange I heard directly in a very strong Scotish accent in a Border Collie Traditional Herding trial /luncheon/meetings “No NO NO NO! do not let the AKC registry close our genepool” He was told it was going to happen. He replied, “Americas will bred red to red and the Border Collie will end up with all those autoimmune problems again” “We know what is going to happen.” The room suddendly beame too small for comfort as his voice boomed with emotion and his face turned apple red. Others from abroad were joining in to push him on with anger in their tones.
“Everyone will then believe the Border Collie is just a sickly dog”. These discussions were taking place just prior to the Border Collie being taken into AKC registry.
I learned from this meeting that the name of the Border Collie of today was once just called collie. The prefix was added to disquish the working collie from the show collie. Also, “Arrogant Americans Collie People that was our name and others” “They should have chosen thier own name for a breed that could not last ten minutes or even have presence with sheep.” Believe me I was more than uncomfortable, and I was looking for the exit door. His point of view any variety that could work and herd was a collie. Wonder what he would have said, if he saw the herding rabbit? As I attempted to understand his anger and emotion. A dog that was a show dog should have had to be named something else. His feelings seems to center on health,thrifty, and working herding dogs regardless of pedigree or breed. It seems like a Hunter’s point of view …if it can’t hunt ..it is not a hunting dog.
The subject of genetic and developmental differences of the variety of herding canines and issues facing each variety with similar issues is truly back to basics in my opinion and studies. Our eyes deceive with differences but you can not deceive molecular and genetic evidence just as you can not deceive a hunter whose dog won’t hunt or a Shephard whose dog won’t herd or can’t.
Border Collies story however seems to start with Old Hemp (1863). Collie story begins with Old Cockey whose partenage was guarded to the grave. (1868)?. Described had a full white collar -unusual white trim legs that were ticked brown like a spaniels. He was not only a show dog but a working collie?
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No longer do we have to guess with odd ball descriptions such as irregular white markings and odd liver colors- in addition to siring first white collies. We have scientific evidence FACT.
Differences are so slight with knowledge in genetic and molecular evidence before us. If we look just beyond our own noses at BC Museum photos. If we look at and comprehend genetic evidence findings. If we look at the posting updates as of January, 2012 Coat Color of Dogs/brindle pattering to fully grasp the merle gene- semi lethal dominant dominant modifiers over a semi lethal gene such as harlequin Tear down the miss understandings of old terminology. Such as confusing issues of white factor, piebald, irish patterning, double merle, double dilute, white merle with a new understanding of what genetic and molecular science lays at our feet with all our collie breed varieties for the New Art of Breeding Fine Collies and healtier ones.
The information is on the internet. Take the time read the updates of genetic evidence.Read the research on MITF and White Spotting in Dogs. Great Minds and wonderful people to know talk about ideas and concepts.
Because we in my personal studies are alot closer than kissing cousins the collie and the Border Collie. We have the Aussie, Shetland Sheepdog, the Corgis..and so on…this is a very large family. Family members do fight but science is ending many differences.
Now think the next time you look at the old photo of Cockey…or Lassie… Ugh that looks like a Border Collie? Look at the descendants of Hemp/ Cockie Just like the remarks regarding the first Lassie..Ugh “Look at those big ugly eyes” or “….can’t stand to look at a normal eye” Does anyone realize that his parentage bloodlines have been identified? It is my understanding that could even relate to the Royal Kennels of England? The collie that capture the hearts in America. A family story that begins in the Wild Bill Buffalo show era to Hollywood. How the first Lassie was to be a tri show dog to a bad sable collie who chased bikes. I hope to be able to read this story of a life time written by a true educated professional and researcher, educator, and journalist. She worked several years putting together the Weatherwax Family story told in dictation by the son of the man who shaped the American dream to own a collie. Man and his dog are wonderful stories and so are the history of our breeds but scientific evidence is a breeding tool that every responsible breeder should embrace from my personal studies thus far as science unravels the secrets of healthy, and thrifty canines.
Kathy