tracked down rodents, while various other trailed game birds. In Britain, the categories became SCOTTISH traditionalized as: ", Ter- riers, Slowhounds [a now-extinct spe- and what would one day be Scotland. cialist in hunting over marshlands], Originally from the shores of the Large [mastiffs], and Caspian Sea, they brought the Indian [used in the ‘sport’ of bull-baiting]." DOGS and Arabian-wolf-descent dogs with In the 16th century, the British them. breeds became more deliniated: sheep- Dogs were with the Romans who dogs and watchdogs (called marched into ancient Gaul. Gallo-Ro- Bandogges, Tynkers, and Mooners). man development from that point ap- The hunting dogs were “, peared to encourage separate breeding Gazehounds, Lymeers, Tenneblers, of working dogs and companion dogs. Harriers, and a number of .” With the fall of Rome and the dis- There were also various , set- integration of the existing agricultural ters and pet breeds. civilization, dogs were often aban- By the end of the Renaissance the doned and became wild animals again, love and ownership of dogs had per- Introduction even spawning legends of monsters and meated all classes of society. Hunting One of the most interesting sights at a Scottish Highland Games is the flash of a running around a small flock of bewildered sheep, driving them through various ‘gates’ in a dem- onstration of the ages-old art of Scot- tish sheepherding. Some games even have areas set aside to exhibit the vari- ous Scottish breeds (The Ligonier Highland Games near Ligonier, PA does a fine job of this).

A Brief History of Dogs The dog is referenced over forty times in the Bible’s Old Testament, confirming the species’ long-standing affiliation with man. Paleolithic Age rock paintings show dogs hunting with men. This association has benefited A , Fran, working the sheep. both humans and dogs. Food and shel- Photo Courtesy Of Richard Whorton ter is exchanged for loyalty and work as guard, warrior, herder, or simply a werewolves. By the year 1000 A.D., in was very popular and many companion. nobility had revived the domesticated small hunting-dog breeds appeared to All dogs are thought to have dog for use in hunting. Shepherds also fill the needs of hunting small game: evolved from ancient wolf breeds. returned to their ways of using sheep- terriers, spaniels, and scent-hounds. Large northern wolves (sub-arctic) led dogs, although some would say they Mastiffs and other large-dogs, once to both and large and small dog breeds, never stopped. used for war, were disappearing due terriers being part of the smaller off- Near this time, classification of to the lack of large game on the island. shoot. From the smaller wolves of In- groups of breeds became established: Their place in society broadened dia and Arabia come the hounds and pointers flushed game, hounds drove with the 1800’s and the Industrial the . stags into the open for other dogs to Revolution. People had the time and Celts dominated northern Europe chase, greyhounds were employed for resources to enjoy the pasttime of and the British Isles since the 5th cen- hunting hare and deer, and mastiffs “showing dogs.” Mechanisation also tury BC. They were responsible for were used to bring down large quarry. reduced the need for dogs' working introducing dogs into the British Isles Forerunners of the family skills and they were selected more for

AUTUMN 1997 5 looks and other aesthetic tastes. These Dogs, trained to detect certain sounds Club recognized Scottish breeds. two forces produced a great shift from and alert their owner to them. Therapy Herding / Working Group : This animals prized for their talents and dogs are used with great affect to alle- group includes sheepdogs, guidedogs, strengths to ones who conformed clos- viate stress, reduce loneliness, and and watchdogs. , Bor- est to an established ideal. counteract nervousness and depres- der Collie, Collie (Rough), Collie The first was held in sion. Some even explore outer space. (Smooth), and the Britain in 1859. That led to the publi- (Laika, a small Russian dog, was the all belong in this group and have, in cation of a book of “standards,” or defi- first dog into space in 1957). many ways, set the standard of ability nitions of what the recognized breeds Great Britain remains the largest for other breeds to attain. were supposed to look like. This al- exporter of dogs in the world. Spread / Sporting Group: The lowed judging to be done more uni- along with their empire-building, many gundogs accompany hunters after formly. The book detailed 35 breeds, breeds around the world are derived feathered game. They track it, point showing the steady growth of special- from their stock. Some nations to it, flush it, and retrieve the dead prey. ization of type. staunchly promoted their own Both the Golden and the Gor- The British Kennel Club was indiginous breeds. Nonetheless, the don belong in this group. Be founded in 1873 to preserve the Brit- French continued to replenish their aware, the action-name of the breeds ish breeds and improve them with se- packs from Great Britain, particularly doesn’t mean they don’t range into lective breeding with foreign breeds. from breeders in Scotland. Dogs were other talents. By August of 1897, the number of rec- surely part of the complex network of Group : These are hunt- ognized breed was 274, a clear indica- ties between Scotland and France ing dogs that trail by sight or scent, i.e. tor of the show dog trend. known as the Auld Alliance. sighthounds or scenthounds. The Scot- But dogs still had their work to do. tish Deerhound, a sighthound bred to Dogs were put to work in World War I hunt stag, is a fine example of the as patrolling guards, medicine and The Scottish Breeds group. message carriers, and trench rat hunt- Terrier Group : A terrier is a dog The that “goes to ground”. The name is ers. By World War II, more creative (AKC) recognises fourteen breeds of and cruel methods were devised. The derived from Latin, terra, meaning dog as being of Scottish origin: earth. Good terriers must have good Russian Army would keep dogs half- Bearded Collies, Border Collies, Bor- starved and train them to enter armored feet, good teeth, and a punishing jaw. der Terriers, Cairn Terriers, Dandie They hunt burrowing animals such as vehicles to find food, attacking any en- Dinmont Terriers, Golden , emies they found inside. In the Viet- fox, , otter, weasel, hedgehog, Gordon , Rough Collies, Scot- stoat, rats, and more, either killing them nam war, dogs were used to flush en- tish Deerhounds, Scottish Terriers, Sh- emy troops out of cover and to locate in their burrows, dragging them out, or etland Sheep Dogs, Skye Terriers, barking to alert the hunters of the lo- mines and explosives. Smooth Collies, and West Highland cation of the prey. In the last 50 years, dogs have White Terriers. We will examine each Truly a breed of long lineage, stat- been used in more and more useful of these proud breeds, their history in ues of early terriers were dug up along ways. They are used in rescue opera- Scotland and America, and the ways Hadrian’s wall and Covetina’s Well. tions, like those performed after the that they impact our lives today. The , , Dan- 1985 Mexico City earthquake. Many Although exact classifications die Dinmont Terrier, , have been put into the service of blind vary between the dog societies of dif- , and the West Highland people as Seeing Eye or Leader dogs. ferent nations, the following is a sum- White Terrier are all Scottish Terriers. Some are even trained as Hearing mary of modern, American Kennel Border Collie Society of Herding / Working Group

America Bearded Collies or Beardies Promoting the welfare of the versatile Border Collie http://www.duke.edu/~awho/bc/bcsa.htm One of the oldest of the Scottish herding breeds, the bearded collie has Considering a Border Collie? been in much the same form since the 1500’s. The Beardie has been known Please be careful! Border Collies can be a handful! by many other names including High- land Collie, Mountain Collie and Hairy For a free Buyer’s Guide send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Mou’ed (mouthed) Collie. A popular BCSA, 815 Royal Oaks Drive, Durham, NC, 27712 story suggests that the root of the breed was started by two Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and another dog from a ship

6 U.S. SCOTS Magazine out of Gdansk in 1514. Originally celling in obedience and agility com- instinct to “gather” the sheep to the Beardies were common near the bor- petition. They are also used as Search shepherd and this trait makes him most der areas of Scotland and England. and Rescue dogs. useful on the hills and moors of Scot- The Highland Clearances which The Bearded Collie usually stands land. They have the tendency to “clap” followed the Battle of Culloden in 21 inches at shoulder and weighs 50 or go down and face the sheep with 1745 had a great impact on the breeds lbs. They are particularly reknown for their belly close to the ground. When of dogs in Scotland. They marked a working rough terrain, climbing fences, the dog drops down and fixes its stare massive shift to raising sheep in the rocky Highlands rather than subsis- tence farming. In addition to the huge “Border Collies. Are they truly smarter flocks of sheep driven north from En- than chimpanzees? Cuddlier than a koala? gland, it also brought an influx of long- More dedicated than Batman’s valet? Can coated herding dogs which appear to they change course in mid-air? Drag Nell have gotten “in the mix”. from the tracks and locate the missing The Bearded Collie is not an “eye” microfiche? Yes. I believe they can.” breed, i.e. they don’t use a stare to force excerpted from Border Collies by Baxter Black: sheep into submission as the Border cowboy poet, former large-animal veterinarian. Collie does. The Beardie will use his barking as a tool. His instincts are also not attuned to herding sheep. More and even jumping several feet in the on the sheep, he is producing a very commonly, the Beardie is seen with air. predatory profile. The Border Collie’s cattle as a drover’s dog. Border Collies crouch is almost its signature. Due to Like most dogs, the Beardie was Border Collies are an amazing the long distances the dogs are required owned by the common shepherd or breed. Their skills and instincts make to drive, they are often separated from cattle drover. By 18th century, they had them a popular sheepdog across Scot- their handlers. Independence and in- also become popular with the aristoc- land and around the world. They are telligence are required for a dog to be racy. But with industrialization and still a quite necessary part of today’s effective in this situation. political upheaval in the late 19th cen- modern sheepfarming. A Border Col- It was no accident that the Border tury and early 20th, the hard-working lie can separate a ewe from a flock and Collie found its way to America. As Beardie faced possible extinction. drive it to the lambing pens better than expansion pushed open vast grass- World War I almost killed off the line any other method. It is much more dif- lands, sheep herds soon followed. as they lost almost all the kennels that ficult to do the work without them. American ranchers would import sheep had been actively breeding them. The They appeared by the shepherd’s from Scotland and hire shepherds to breed was kept alive by the shepherds side in the border areas between Scot- and drovers of Peebleshire for their land and England. It is probable that own work. they most closely resemble ancient Breeders came back into the scene working sheepdogs of Scotland. by accident. In 1944, one Mrs G.O. Although they are best known by Willison of England asked a Scottish their white and black coats, border col- farmer to find her a Shetland Sheep- lies can have many different coat col- dog. The farmer, who may have had a ors. In general, though, the black and Copyright 1997 FrostFire Farm Action Photos low opinion of English dog sense, sent white is preferred and shepherds often work the flocks. Naturally, the dogs her an extremely fuzzy, droop-eared, select black and whites for breeding came with the men. They became im- brown puppy. Only after falling in love over merle or tan dogs. portant parts of the western ranch in- with the dog did she identify its true The border collie is said to have a dustry. It was said that it took seven breed and start the breeding line that “magical eye”, i.e. the power to con- mounted gave us almost every breeding line con- trol sheep simply by staring at them. men to move 1,000 head of cattle; the tinuing today. It may be that this ability is a remnant same number of sheep could be driven This is not to say that all Bearded of the Border’s wolf ancestry. If this by a single herdsman with one good Collies would have disappeared with- is true, the Border Collie is an amaz- dog. The dogs used were Border Col- out the intervention of the breeders, but ing balance between killer and protec- lies. they would not have maintained the tor. The wolf in him awakens ancient There is a serious debate, to be general conformity of appearance and instincts in his sheep, who freeze or polite, between those who raise bor- size as they do today. flee; the dog in him uses these re- der collies (or any other breed for that Today, it is rare to see a Bearded sponses to direct the flock according matter) for "show" and those who Collie working as a herder. They are to the wishes of his owner. breed them for work. The working most often family pets with some ex- The Border Collie is born with the shepherds decry the shape of the show-

AUTUMN 1997 7 standard specimens who have retained McNabs Stockdog Registry. They have earned little if any instinct for the work. The their place as a popular cattle and sheep This is an unusual addition to the dog show enthusiasts contend that their dog up and down the California coast. list, but one that is uniquely Scottish- breeding efforts have saved many American. The McNab was developed breeds from extinction and promoted in Northern California by Alexander Rough and Smooth Collies strong, disease-free dogs. McNab and his family, Scottish immi- The Collie was born of the herd Border Collies have recently ap- grants who reached California in 1868. lands of Scotland, an animal coura- peared in the popular media with the The McNabs had emigrated from the geous and intelligent. The Collie most delightful movie, Babe (1993), the tale Grampian Hills. Back in Scotland they likely originated as a cross between of a pig who learns to herd sheep with had been neighbors of the McKinsey Roman-origin sheepdogs and the border collies. family who raised ‘Fox Shepherds’ or indiginous British Isles breeds. Soon ‘Fox Collies’. It was this breed of dog after 1800, planned breeding began in that Alexander brought to America. He earnest. A cross with the Borzoi bred two of these Fox Shepherds to around 1830 produced an efficient Basque sheepdogs producing a cross herder who was streamlined, with a known as the McNab. He bred for a longer head and a richer coat. Prior to short-haired dog to better tolerate the 1800, the was smaller heat of Mendocino County. and more colored like today’s Border The McNab’s strengths are some- Collie, doing the day to day work of what different than the Border Collie's, gathering and guarding sheep. The a close cousin. Rather than using the was primarily a drover’s ‘eye’ and ‘clapping’ like the border dog and much larger. It would be used collie, McNabs would either 'head' or to drive the stock to market. 'heel' the sheep. This makes him a more The name “collie” may have de- forceful dog compared to the more rived from the Anglo-Saxon word for subtle border collie. black - “col.” Scotland’s black-faced The McNab is a registered, work- sheep were once called “colleys.” The A young McNab ing stockdog with the National dog that herded those sheep was called They have been popularized by sume that the original Norse settlers many books, television programs, and brought along their dogs as well as their movies such as Lad: A Dog by Albert small sheep, cows and horses. There Payson Terhune and Lassie Come is archaelogical evidence of such dogs Home by Eric Knight. dating from before the transfer of the Collies are regularly winners of Shetland Islands to Scotland. medals and awards for their heroic When Scottish breeds of larger deeds in defense and protection of their sheep began to appear in the Shetlands, wards and masters. Some served in there was also the infusion of blood- World War II with the British and lines from the Rough Collie and Bor- A smooth Collie, copyright 1996, the Dog Homepage American armies. Some serve as der Collie ancestors. Crossbreeding search and rescue dogs in mountain- with dogs from the visiting fishing a “colley dog.” William Shakespeare ous areas including Switzerland. Oth- fleets is also often mentioned as a fac- used the word in its meaning of black ers are used for drug detection in cus- tor in the Sheltie’s makeup. in reference to the “collied night”, i.e. toms zones. The Sheltie was started from black night, in A Midsummer Night’s Collies retain their original herd- working collies from the mainland bred Dream. Others say that the word col- ing instincts. Dogs who have never with small, heavy coated dogs. There lie is derived from the Gaelic tongue, seen a sheep their whole lives will is also Yakki blood, the Icelandic dog since the word for a whelp or puppy is gladly herd what is available to them: who came with whalers from cuilean in that ancient language. the other dogs of the home, random ani- Greenland who’d stop at Shetland The smooth Collie is exactly like mals, or the neighborhood children. ports. The Yakki was black with white the rough in all ways but its coat. They Reknown for openness and affec- or tan markings and standing at about still are double-coated, the soft, thick tion which make him a superb Therapy 14 inches. Other breeds may have undercoat to protect against tempera- dog, the Collie is a friend to patients in jumped in the gene pool off a visiting ture extremes, and the outer coat to pro- nursing homes and hospitals. Collies yacht or fishing vessel. The British tect the under. The Smooth Collie is don’t do well as guard dogs as they Navy also would call at Shetland ports sometimes called the “wash and wear” make friends far too easily. and the sailors were eager to take pups collie. of the small dog home with them. Two Collies can easily herd 3000 Bred to keep up with the wild and head of sheep. The more aggressive Shetland Sheepdog or Sheltie agile Shetland sheep, the Sheltie also dogs are put on herding cattle or horses, had to work on a minimum amount of so as not to damage the wool with their The Shetland Islands are a land of food. These factors were selected over rough skills. Working field Collies are brooding, barren beauty. Their misty appearance, size, or the ability to in- brave enough to scare off most range reputation gives them prominence in timidate lazy stock (the Border Collie’s predators and strong enough to kill many European mythologies. At times, “eye”). They may have been used as them when necessary. Shetland Sheepdogs were called much to keep wild sheep out of the Collies will not run and crouch “peerie”s, or faerie dog. They were crofter’s gardens and hayricks as they like the Border Collie, but wait and originally known as Shetland Collies were to herd flocks. circle to correct any problems with the or “Toonies”, another word for croft As visitors came more frequently herd. They are large enough to be eas- or farm. to the Shetlands, a small export trade ily seen by the sheep and use their pres- The noisy bark was the weapon of in the small dogs developed. Fluffy ence to their advantage at all times. the "Sheltie" against larger marauders dogs were prized and breeding began The popularity of collies rose with and their alarm across the moors. Ex- to edge towards a uniform long-coated the patronage of Queen Victoria (1837- ceptional agility enabled them to move appearance. 1901). During visits to Balmoral, her fast across rocky outcroppings that Near the end of the 19th century, Scottish castle, she fell in love with the would frustrate most other animals. the original stock breed was disappear- rough Collie. Immediately it became They lived at the croft, showing their ing due to indiscriminate breeding. proper to own and breed Collies, the core nature as a companion animal, Rough collies were imported to bol- same dogs that had been simple work- eager to be in our presence. ster the original Sheltie stock. Other ing dogs not good enough for the show There is a different opinion of the breeding efforts occured but the “Col- ring the year before. origins of the dog. Some say the root lie crosses” won out over time, espe- By the year 1900, the Collie had stock was probably Scandinavian herd- cially in the show ring. They were first made its way into hearts and kennels ing dogs from the same stock as the recognized by in in America in large numbers. The most Norwegian Buhund or the Icelandic 1909. famous American collie fancier was J. dog. The Nordic herding dogs are During the years around the World Pierpont Morgan, a financier and in- rarely mentioned in the history of the Wars, breeding was a difficult pursuit dustrialist. breed, but there is every reason to as- due to lack of time, energy, and funds.

AUTUMN 1997 9 By way of the American servicemen around 1000 B.C. and other believe Gun Dog / Sporting Group who were stationed in Britain, Ameri- that the Celts used the dog and brought Golden Retrievers can breeders gave practical and emo- it with them when they invaded the tional support to the Scottish breeders. British Isles. There is also some ques- There are many stories about the Today, the sheltie is uncommon as tion as to whether the Scottish Deer- origin of the . One a and has become prima- hound is a predecessor to the Irish says that in the 19th century, Sir Dudley rily a family pet. They are popular in Wolfhound or vice versa. Marjoribanks, first Lord Tweedmouth, many of the Scottish immigrant coun- Known only as the Deerhound in had purchased Russian circus dogs to tries (America, Canada, Australia) as its native land, it is recognized as the breed as trackers and gundogs on his well as having a strong following in Royal Dog of Scotland. In the Middle Scottish estate, Guisachan, in Japan. Old working instincts benefit Ages it was the exclusive possession Inverness-shire. A bit of them in obedience trials, and their of the noble class. There were even crossbreeding was the only dilution of warm, friendly nature make them ex- laws against commoners owning them. the line. The dogs mentioned looked cellent Therapy Dogs as well. Stolen deerhounds were often the jus- like pale Pyrenean Mountain dogs. Their sheer popularity threatens tification for vicious feuds.Many be- A contradictory explanation is that them as demand outpaces the ability lieve that the dog of the Scottish King the Goldens were begun from yellow of responsible breeders to supply Crathlent, stolen by the Picts in 288 AD pups of Flat or Wavy-coated Retriever healthy and genetically strong puppies. was a forebearer of this noble breed. litters. Under those conditions, there are those A war ensued over the theft. The stories were resolved by a who, seeing the profit potential enter Deerhounds were the prize hunt- descendant of Lord Tweedmouth who the business without sufficient knowl- ing dog of Clan Chieftains, hunting the produced detailed breeding records. It edge or care. They are labeled "Puppy Highland Stag. Deerhounds were pro- appears that the breed was begun with Mills" in the dog community. vided by the Earl of Athol for Mary, a yellow Brighton Retriever and a The similarity to the full-grown Queen of Scots, on a hunt that he ar- Tweed Water-. That pairing rough collie is unmistakeable and was ranged for her enjoyment in 1563. produced the foundation of the breed, the basis for some of the original ken- After the dismantling of the clan hier- pups of medium gold color with wavy nel club standards “Must look like a archy after 1745, the breed almost died coats. The bit about the Bloodhound collie, only shorter”. The breed name out. The introduction of guns into hunt- may have occured after the breed had was changed from Shetland Collie to ing made the situation even worse. been established, but that still isn’t cer- Shetland Sheepdog due to protests It was saved in the 19th century tain. from the Collie breeders. To its ad- by Lord Colonsay and a revival in the Goldens are primarily gundogs; mirers it is known as “Sheltie”. sport of deerstalking. These factors fed that is, track, point, flush game and Coloring of Shelties is always a a popular revival of the breed. The retrieve dead prey. They are strong to mix of black, white, and tan. The sable statue of Sir Walter Scott on Princes push through the heavy brush common sheltie has tan as the predominant Street in Edinburgh depicts the Scot- color. Like many dogs who face the tish poet and novelist with Torm, a natural elements, it is two coated: a . His oft-repeated soft, wooly undercoat and a harsher eulogy to his dog, Maida, was that haired coat on top. The wooly coat Scottish Deerhounds “are the most per- insulates them from hot and cold fect creature of Heaven”. weather and the topcoat sheds the rain Fast, powerful and fearless, the like a roof. The face of a Sheltie is Deerhound clearly shows that it was quite expressive and impish. The ears bred to hunt stag in the Highlands. It is and tail are a truer testament to their a sighthound which means it uses its mood. vision to track a stag and not its nose. An adult Deerhound can easily weigh one hundred pounds and stand nearly Hound Group three feet at the shoulder. Their coats once had lots of colors but narrow- minded breeding has left us with the Scottish Deerhound dark gray coat as the dominant color. Brother to the Irish Wolfhound, They resemble greyhounds in body some say the Scottish Deerhound is de- with a long, ragged and harsh coat. scended from Pictish dogs. The actual Deerhounds have had their admir- origin of the breed is under doubt. ers in many places. Lt. Col. George Some say the Phoenician traders Armstrong Custer owned and hunted brought a very -like animal with three Scottish deerhounds. Golden Retriever, copyright 1996, the Dog Homepage

10 U.S. SCOTS Magazine in Inverness-shire and their coat allows more common modern role as compan- and raised in the northern English coun- them to work well in cold water. When ion and family dog. ties of Westmorland, Cumberland, and trained properly, they excel at field At times, the can Northumberland. work, tracking, retrieving, and swim- be seen to circle rather than to point Some evidence of the Scottish as- ming. the game. This can be blamed on a bit sociation of the breed can be found in Goldens have a unique habit of of Collie in its blood, introduced by the earliest known picture of a Border responding to speech with the lifting the Duke of Gordon to take advantage Terrier. A painting done in 1820 shows of a paw. They’ll also use it to get your of an excellent nose and skill in hunt- a Border Terrier at the feet of a Mr. attention. The retrieving instinct is ing game found in a collie on his es- William Jardine of Dumfrieshire, Scot- strong and true in the breed and they tate. land. It was identified as a separate need no instruction to begin to bring breed in the mid-19th century. you “presents” when they return to you. Terrier Group The Border Terrier defends scat- The Golden is almost “ludicrously tered farms against a serious menace, friendly,” making him a rotten guard Border Terrier hill foxes. It also hunts other vermin dog. including badger, marten, and otter. One of the most popular breeds in There is quite a bit of controversy Their coats can be red, grizzle and tan, America, they are one of the best about these terriers and from whence blue and tan, or wheaten. Double- breeds to compete in obedience due to they originate. One popularly held coated to withstand weather and attack, their willingness to please and their in- opinion is that they come from the their owners take pride in the working telligence. They also make one of the Cheviot Hills, which points to an En- skills of the dog and resist breeding for best Seeing Eye Dogs. glish origin. An astute observer aesthetic goals. They are fast enough brought up that the boundaries have to follow a horse and strong enough to changed in the last two centuries mak- take prey to ground and underground. ing that flat statement dubious. Many Border Terriers have found their Gordon Setters believe that they are drawn from the place in the hearts of Brits and others The Gordon Setter’s first appear- “gutsy dogs of Scotland.” Be that as it around the world. They appear on ance dates back to 1620 when it was may, today the dogs are primarily bred many jacket covers of James Herriot’s described as a “black and fal- “All Creatures Great and low setting dog.” This el- Small” books and they have egant hunting dog was val- an unusually strong follow- ued by Scotland’s sporting ing in Sweden. nobles throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. They Cairn Terrier were also once known as the Black and Tan Setter or Scot- The Cairn Terrier devel- tish Setter. He was the pride oped on the Isle of Skye and of the Duke of Gordon’s ken- the northwest coast of Scot- nels in the late 1700s and land about five centuries soon became known as the ago. They are related to “Gordon Castle Setter”. Scottish, Skye, Dandie Din- Daniel Webster imported the mont, and West Highland first collection of these dogs White Terriers. Early on, to America in 1842. there was a lot of interbreed- They are the largest and ing between the Cairn and most powerful of the setter West Highland White Terri- breeds. They are strong and ers. endurant, rather than swift. They are named after a Working equally well on land cairn, or a pile of rocks com- or in water, their solid pads mon to many Scottish farms. on the dog’s paws make it This so aptly describes the ideal for rough, stubble-filled western coast and western is- fields. They are highly intel- lands of Scotland that there ligent and do not need to be can be no doubt its origins retrained at the start of a new are there. Scottish chieftains hunting season. Working would use them to root out with the hunter for centuries vermin that would hide in the prepared the Gordon for its ancient piles of stones, or

AUTUMN 1997 11 cairns. Cairn terriers were sent as gifts from James VI, son of Mary Queen of Scots, to the King of France around The Dandie Dinmont was the first 1600. breed of Terrier to have a specific First known breeder was Captain name. The name’s origins come from Martin McLeod of Drynock, Isle of a popular book of the early 19th cen- Skye, who set up kennels in Dunvegan tury. Sir Walter Scott’s novel Guy Castle. Captain MacLoed was a great Mannering was published in 1815 and Highland sportsman and an enthusias- described a group of terriers owned by tic otter hunter. He maintained a pack the character, Dandie Dinmont, and the of silver grey Short-haired Skye Terri- name stuck. ers for forty years before emigrating to Canada in 1854. The Drynock strain was kept alive by Mr. John Macdonald, Bridge of Ose Kennels, Isle of Skye. Mr. Macdonald was a gamekeeper to the Clan Chief MacLeod of McLeod, Dunvegan Castle, for more than forty years. In Dandie Dinmont Terrier. 1917 he wrote that he and his brother Photo courtesy of John Paterson had had this Drynock strain for the last seventy years. The Mackinnons of The breed is probably descended Kilbride was another kennel of good from the Skye Terrier with other terri- Short-haired Skye Terriers. These ter- ers mixed in. A bit of in riers were descendents of an old breed its blood gives it distinctive low, large owned by Farquhar Kelly of ears and a curved back. They were Drumfearn, Isle of Skye in the seven- known to have been in the border coun- teenth century. All of these strains try in the 17th century. They were bred played a part in the early lines of the to destroy farm vermin and are breed’s pioneers. reknown for their ability to hunt bad- Mrs. Henry F. Price imported the ger, a particularly fierce opponent. first Cairn Terriers to the United States They make good guard dogs as they in 1913 and owned the first Cairn reg- distrust strangers and have a loud bark. istered by the American Kennel Club. Unlike many other Scottish Cairn Terriers are a joyful and ener- breeds, the Dandie Dinmont is rarely getic breed. Their instinct to dig into seen outside the British Isles. They burrows is alive and well as any Cairn have a long and low body with over- owning gardener will attest. Like most sized head and topknot of hair. Their of the original working breeds, today recognized colors are mustard and pep- far more are companion animals. They per, a tribute to the names of the dogs are long-lived dogs, with few health in Scott’s novel. problems, and many live well into their late teens. They are also quite sturdy, Scottish Terrier and are much tougher than their small size suggests. A famous example of a Formerly the Aberdeen Terrier, Cairn Terrier is Toto from the Wizard the Scottish Terrier is descended from of Oz. the old Scotch Terrier. Breeding for The coat of a Cairn is shaggy, show has drastically changed it from rather long, and waterproof. They its origins producing a short-backed, stand short with large heads. Coat low to the ground animal. The Scottie’s color can vary from brindle (black hairs distinctive look is one of the finest and interspersed with the other fur color) most recognizable of all the terriers. to almost any other color, except white. Scotties are scrappy little dogs, They are very loyal and human- attributed with all sorts of stereotypi- oriented. They are also “talkers,” cal Scottish attitudes: devoted but not growling and grumbling to get their very openly affectionate, full of dig- point across. nity and willing to fight over it.

U.S. SCOTS Magazine famous Skyes was Greyfriar’s Bobby, where it resided. The terrier was ex- the dog of a poor Edinburgh shepherd. pected to bark constantly to tell the When the shepherd died, the dog fol- hunter where it was going, so that the lowed the body to its grave and it earth could be dug and the prey cap- stayed there for 10 years, never losing tured. Sportsmen had little regard for its devotion for the man. A monument a dog without a “good voice”. The to the faithful dog now stands at the terrier’s lusty bark is quite evident to- gravesite in Edinburgh. day. Also known as a “Westie” or West Highland White Terrier “Highlander”, the West Highland or Westie White Terrier is closely related to the A Scottish Terrier, copyright 1996, The Dog Homepage The West Highland White Scottish, Dandie Dinmont, Cairn, and Terrier’s origins are in Poltalloch in Skye Terriers. Their white coat easily The Scottie is an excellent digger Argyleshire where they were bred by distinguishes them from the game, be and vermin exterminator. His body is Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm in it foxes, rabbit, or other vermin. As is muscular and powerful. His thick the mid-nineteenth century. It is leg- typical of the Highland Terriers, the double coat insulates him and protects end that Colonel Malcolm accidently Westie was bred as a small hunter with him from the bites of his prey. The shot one of his terriers while hunting great courage and etermination. They coat’s colors are actually quite varied, and decided to breed for the white coat, went into the lairs and holes of the fox including steel/iron gray, brindled or to avoid the same mistake. The Duke or the otter. His double coat protects grizzled, black, sandy, and wheaten. of Argyll also bred them at about the him from the teeth of his foe and the One of the best known Scottish same time. harsh elements of nature. Their Terriers was Fala, the dog owned by In 1774, Oliver Goldsmith de- anatomy gives them an energetic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. scribed the terrier as a small rough- bounce in their walk. They are also favorites in advertising, haired hound, bred not only to fight the An attractive pet, the Westie is especially for single malt scotch labels. fox and badger, but to “give notice” of also quite popular in the show ring. Skye Terrier ADVERTISING IN U.S. SCOTS The Skye Terrier has had many names before “Skye” became the stan- Now accepting classified ads dard. They were at times called the Isle $5.00 for 25 words; $0.20 per additional word. Name, address, phone number, of Skye Terrier or the Highland Ter- and email address free. rier, Glasgow Terrier, Clydesdale Ter- rier, Fancy Skye Terrier, Silky Skye Full Page - 10" high by 8" wide, $75.00 per issue, $270.00 for 1 year Terrier, or Paisley Terrier. Half Page - 5" high by 8" wide, $40.00 per issue, $144.00 for 1 year Skye Terriers are native to the Isle Quarter Page - 5" high by 4" wide, $25.00 per issue, $90.00 for 1 year of Skye west of the Scottish mainland. Business Card - 2" high by 3.5" wide, $10.00 per issue, $30.00 for 1 year It was bred with a long coat to protect it from the teeth and claws of its prey. Advertisements are preferred on diskette in Pagemaker 5.0 format or a common It was nimble and strong to be able to graphics format like BMP, JPG, or GIF. Printed ads are accepted. All advertising clamber over rocks and dig out prey. must be paid in advance of publication. One year is four consecutive issues. Their wooly undercoat protected them Make checks payable to U.S. SCOTS in U.S. Funds. from the harsh Hebridean weather. Their appearance is not as refined as some of the other terriers, but the Skye is a true working dog. Their coat can be black, blue, dark or light gray, silver, platinum, fawn, or cream. Breeders have been reluctant to tamper with the look or temperament of the breed as evidenced by the motto of the Skye Club of Scotland which is “Wha daur meddle wi’ me.” The Skye became popular under Elizabeth I when it was known as a “barbarous breed”. One of the most

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