Reprint: Sheltie Article in the Boston Globe (1909)

Text of an October 17, 1909 Boston Globe article

As old as the shaggy pony and the goat-like sheep of its native land is the Shetland collie from the Scottish islands northeast beyond the Orkneys in the chilly latitudes. Horses and cows shape small in those latitudes and the collies from there seem to be in sympathy with respect to size. They are not as large as the typical Scotch collie of the dog shows, but in some feature respects there is a resemblance.

In spite of the absence of obvious breed signs to aid in tracing the cross employed for their being, the Shetland collie is a grippingly interesting dog. He is as hard as the sturdy shores of the Shetlands, as persistent in his work of driving and hording as North sea surf in its smash and roar, while in guarding and watching flocks he is as constant as the love of the Scotch for the plaint of the bagpipe.

Some few months more than a year ago there arrived from over the waters three inspiring representatives of this interesting breed of dogs. They were imported by two Boston gentlemen who were attracted by specimens of the breed seen in Inverness and Nairn, where they were touring northern Scotland. They were so well pleased with what they heard regarding their character and their farm qualities, that arrangements were made in 1907 to get three of the best Shetlands, one male and two females, to be had on the islands.

They are an attraction here in Boston, and at Weymouth, where the sire, the dams and the puppies are kenneled. The dog, an intelligent looking creature, as a glance at the figure lower right will show, is the property of C.E. Hubbard of 443 Beacon St., who also imported the dam of the four puppies of the group in which she is the central figure. The three puppies in the upper group and their dam belong to W.O. Blake of Beacon St. and Weymouth, who, with Mr. Hubbard, is interested in this breed of dogs. All of the seven puppies are by Joco, the dog in the lower righthand corner of the picture, and the two litters arrived the same day. The puppies are about four months old, as hardy as paving stones, and as interesting as things new and novel usually are.

Before being started for this country the three Shetlands were registered in the British stud book. They were recorded as Shetland collies, and quite likely forthcoming dog shows in Great Britain will eventually have the breed listed as one eligible for show purposes. The new arrivals are beautifully set up types, handsomely marked, and long and silk-like are their coats. They do not stand as high on the legs as the typical Scotch collies, but in coat they are quite like them.

The sire and the dams of the “we are seven” family of puppies have symmetrical, nicely proportioned heads, strong well-set teeth, and powerful, punishing, evenly-set jaws. Intelligence blazes like star glints from the eyes of these new-comers and their little ones. Look at the little fellow, second from the left end in the group of five. There’s canny expression for you. He’s got those orbs of his fixes on the picture man, and when the snap of the camera’s trigger release sounded, he growled.

The four puppies in the group of five represent Mr. Hubbard’s new generation of American-born Shetlands. They suggest the collie much more decidedly than Mr. Blake’s three youngsters out of a different mother, shown in the top picture but they are young now and growing.

Note: as you might have noticed, the dogs in the article are referred to as Shetland collies. Shetland collie was the original name for Shetland sheepdogs prior to their official name change in 1909. The American Kennel Club accepted the breed in April of 1911. Below is the full page on which the article appears.