The Kennel
(about the Shetland Collie, the 1. show specimen outside the Shetlands, origin myths...)

The Field, The Country Gentleman's Newspaper, 12.10.1907
(and the same article in Field and Fancy, 12.10.1907)
The Field, The Country Gentleman's Newspaper, 28.12.1907
(and the same article in Field and Fancy, 28.12.1907)

   

The Field, The Country Gentleman's Newspaper, 12.10.1907, Page 654:
"Although the variety has never been recognised as a distinct breed, visitors to the Shetland Islands have returned with information about a dwarf collie which is quite common there, and typical of the bigger variety in every respect excepting in size. One can imagine a diminutive dog of that character being attractive in appearance, although it must be admitted that those who saw the only specimen which is known to have been shown in London as a Shetland collie were greatly disappointed by its appearance, which was not at all of the type associated with the present-day collie. It was shown at one of the toy dog shows held at the Royal Aquarium just before the demolition of that famous and popular venue for dog shows, and it had been sent south by Lady Aberdeen. That the dog came from Shetland there could be no doubt, for its handler gave us full particulars of its breeding and pedigree; but it never would have passed as a replica of one of the handsomest varieties identified with Scotland. It was almost currish in head, its ears were proportionately big and badly carried, and it had neither the disposition nor the kindly expression of the collie. It may have been a bad specimen, of course, and the owners in Scotland who are now agitating for the recognition of the breed may have more typical dogs to show. The formation of a club and the setting up of a standard of points is talked about, while a sensible suggestion is that the best specimens should be got together and shown in a non-competitive class at the exhibition of the Scottish Kennel Club at the end of the month. Permission to do that should be granted very readily, and as the Duchess of Sutherland, Lady Aberdeen, Mr. C. F. Thomson, the widely known Inverness exhibitor of Scottish terriers, and other prominent supporters of dog shows in Scotland are known to be interested in the variety, an application for official recognition of the Shetland collie by the granting of distinct classification should be successful."

The Field, The Country Gentleman's Newspaper, 28.12.1907, Page 1133:
"The meeting of men interested in the dog which is known as the Shetland collie was not held during the show of the Scottish Kennel Club at Edinburgh as was suggested, but that the variety has admirers in Scotland and that there are men who believe in its purity of descent is proved by the announcement that classes for the breed have been included in the catalogue of a show which is to be held in Scotland next week. The fact that Lady Aberdeen benched a dog described as a Shetland collie at one of the last shows held at the Westminster Aquarium has already been mentioned in these notes, and since then Mr. J. H. Jacques, the hon. secretary of the Collie club, has been making inquiries about what he terms 'this alleged new breed,' and by pure accident he has succeeded in obtaining what he has the soundest reason to think is authentic information as to the origin of the breed, which is being given separate classification for the first time. His story is that about twenty years ago a lady on leaving Lerwick for the mainland left a King Chalres spaniel on the island, and from him were descended a mongrel race bearing a certain resemblance to a collie, being 'little dogs with long ears and settery tails.' That certainly seems to be a very likely story until another one is heard, and undoubtedly everthing depends on the evidence which present owners of the variety can bring before the Kennel Club as to the origin of the breed when application for registration is made. A very clever dog which is now giving a performance at one of the London music halls is far more like a toy collie than the dog shown by Lady Aberdeen as we remember it, although it is some years since quite a diversion was caused by its appearance at a London show."


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