Working collies in Scotland met up with some old native Welsh breeds to form the Welsh Sheepdog, also called the Welsh Collie. The coat may be short or fairly long, and the ears are pricked, but usually folded at the tip. First and foremost, the breed has always been known as a herding sheepdog. In fact, pure-bred border collies can be traced back to Old Hemp to this day. The word “collie” comes from an old Celtic word that translates to “useful” which is a pretty accurate description of a border collie. No record of the breeds genealogy was kept during this period, so it’s tough to pinpoint an exact date. I cannot say for certain, but I believe the border collie history begins as early as the 1800’s, being previously named a welsh sheepdog, then overtime inheriting the final breed name as a border collie. The border between England and Scotland, the Anglo-Scottish, is where their name is said to have originated. Traditionally they were often used as droving dogs to take cattle and sheep to markets locally or elsewhere in Britain. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Over many decades the Welsh sheepdog has largely been replaced for working sheep in Wales by the Border Collie, a standardised breed. However, it is thought by many that an ancient Welsh staghound, known as the covert hound, or gellgi, that was kept by Welsh noblemen for use on the hunt may have formed part of the foundation stock. Border collie history dates back as far as the 1800’s. These were an early type of Welsh sheepdog, higher on the leg and more racily built than the modern day breed. We explain how to train your puppy among other useful tips to owning the smartest breed in the world. Many breeders believe that this breed is responsible for the making of modern Welsh Sheepdog. Welsh sheepdogs are more commonly known as Welsh collies, however these are the same breed. In the 1800’s there was a lot of cross breeding with border collies. He was a wildly sought after stud dog, producing over 200 offspring during his short seven and a half years of life. The breed is very similar with a few distinctive differences. The transformation over time only changes slightly, but it’s interesting to see where exactly they were derived. The full history of the Welsh Sheepdog is not fully known and has become more a thing of legend than something that can be relaibly tracked back to a specific source. It has been referenced to be very similar to a welsh sheepdog in stature and in performance. At one time there existed many sheep-herding dogs peculiar to Wales; during the 18th century Welsh drovers taking sheep for sale took with them five or six Welsh sheepdogs as "herders on the narrow roads, guards against highwaymen, and providers of game on the route". The ancient pure breeds of black-and-tan sheepdog and Welsh hillman were almost extinct, and were scarcely ever seen working. Herdinginstincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. They went declining in early 20th century because other breeds were preferred more. The welsh sheepdog is still around today, but there are very few. The international sheepdog society started a stud book back in 1915, including him as their ninth entry. Like other types of working dog, Welsh sheepdogs are normally bred for their herding abilities rather than appearance, and so they are generally somewhat variable in build, colour and size. Over time, the breed has been transformed into how we know them in today’s modern world. Welsh sheepdogs are usually of loose-eyed action, not fixing the stock with their gaze like the strong-eyed (de) Border Collie. The original secretary of the ISDS, James Reid, may have been the first person in history to recognize the border collie breed. They are known to have a strong guarding instinct as well as instincts to circle a large herd of livestock. However, by the 1940s the group had decreased to two or three breeds only. Welsh collie is the name given to a cross-breed between the two. His style is what set him apart during his era. The border collie history was born officially with Old Hemp. Lucky for owners like myself, the breed has not changed a whole lot over time. Now that they are listed, you can find an AKC registered puppy on their site. Believed to have been established in the 19th century, the Welsh Sheepdog was developed in Wales. Welsh sheepdogs are most often used for herding sheep, but also readily work cattle, goats, and even horses and pigs. It is believed that the Gellgi or "covert hound" is its earliest known ancestor. The welsh sheepdog is still around today, but there are very few. Like other types of working dog, Welsh sheepdogs are normally bred for their herding abilities rather than appearance, and so they are generally somewhat variable in … Old Hemp is know to be the “Father” of the border collie breed. That is given that you can keep up with their high energy level. © 2020 Backseat Border Collie Powered by Border West Marketing | All Rights Reserved. However, they have became more domesticated and make terrific household pets. The Welsh sheepdog (Welsh: ci defaid Cymreig, pronounced [kiː dɛˈvaɪd kəmˈrɛɨɡ]) is a landrace of herding dog from Wales. Some believe that the cumberland sheepdog absorbed into a border collie. They were found in both large and medium-size. In the early days of this breed the Welsh Sheepdog would have fullfiled a dual role, in that it would have been both a herding dog as well as responsible for protecting … The Welsh Sheepdog Society is the Original Home of true to type Working Welsh Sheepdogs, Welsh Sheepdog breeders and the Official Welsh Sheepdog Registry However, in more recent years, efforts have been made to maintain the indigenous Welsh sheepdog as a distinct variety. They are extremely active and intelligent, and therefore need much exercise and mental stimulation, if they are to be kept as pets. The Welsh sheepdog's life span is 12–15 years. Sadly, no historic breeding records of the Welsh Sheepdog were kept, so the purity of their line was in question. The early 1900’s saw the beginning of Sheepdog trials as a way to let the breeds compete against each other to measure the dog's overall ability. Adopting a new border collie puppy was one of the most memorable moments in our... Sign up for our newsletter, Backseat Border Collie Gazette! It is said to be related to the Border Collie and Australian Shepherd breeds. Welsh sheepdogs can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, rally obedience, flyball, tracking, and herding events. Once farmers realized how loyal, hard-working, and intelligent they were, then they became popular in many other countries. There were no dog show classes for the Welsh sheepdog as it was purely a working breed. In the 1940s the Welsh sheepdog was still common throughout the north and central Welsh counties. Cumberland Sheepdog was known prior to 1899 before becoming completely extinct. Welsh Sheepdog may grow 6 cm / 2 inches shorter than Dutch Shepherd. Some would argue, myself included, that they were around long before but under a different name. Prior to their recognition, they were listed under a miscellaneous category for over 50 years. He also wrote many papers on the working sheep dog, and was quite fond and enthusiastic towards them. There is very little information noted in history on this herding working dog. Mention is made in Welsh legal manuscripts dating from the thirteenth century of a herding dog that also guarded its livestock; this may relate to the Welsh Sheepdog, although there were many types of dog used on the farms of the regi… Therefore, I am able to have a very active dog, while also having the privilege of experiencing her undying loyalty. Welsh sheepdogs that exhibit basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in stock dog trials. Welsh Sheepdog may weigh 7 kg / 15 pounds lesser than Dutch Shepherd. The history of collies dates back to the 19th century. The Welsh Sheepdog, aka welsh collie, dates back to the 1800’s. The Welsh Sheepdog, aka welsh collie, dates back to the 1800’s. No definitive written history exists for the breed, and its origins are quite unclear. Under protest, the border collie was finally added to the American Kennel Club as their own category in 1995. Few things have changed in terms of a border collies instinct to herd. It was from these early herding dogs that the modern Welsh Sheepdog evolved. This very playful dog is the breed of Sheepdog native to Wales. No record of the breeds genealogy was kept during this period, so it’s tough to pinpoint an exact date. Throughout the 1800’s there were many sheep dogs that helped the shepherds tend to the livestock. In herding activities, it did not normally work low to the ground in "the showy manner sometimes seen in the work of the working [Border] Collies", as British dog fancier C. L. B. Hubbard put it in 1948. They are known to have a strong guarding instinct as well as instincts to circle a large herd of livestock. The type best known in Wales at that time was mostly descended from the old black-and-tan with an infusion of working Border Collie blood. I believe they were originally a welsh sheepdog, or some other type of herding dog, and over time they became who we know them to be today. It was variable in type; approximately 18 in (46 cm) in height, but the weight ranged from the lighter built, leggier dog of North Wales at 35 lb (16 kg) to the more solid 40 to 45 lb (18 to 20 kg) dogs of Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire.