Old Hemp
Encyclopedia
Old Hemp was a stud
dog
considered to be the progenitor to the Border Collie
breed. He was owned by Adam Telfar, and was used as a working dog
to herd
sheep. His style was different from that commonly seen during his era, as he worked far more quietly than the other sheepdogs of the time. This style was adopted and used by other breeders and trainers and became the most common style among Border Collies within a few generations, with his descendants becoming successful international sheepdog champions.
, Northumberland
. Hemp's mother, Meg, was a reticent and very strong-eyed black sheepdog
; while Hemp's father, Roy, was a loose-eyed black, white, and tan sheepdog with a good natured temperament. Unlike many modern border collies, Hemp was a tri-colored dog with only a small amount of white fur on his trim.
First following sheep at the age of six weeks, Hemp grew to have a great ability to herd
. He moved sheep quietly unlike the louder sheepdogs of the era and was far more mild-mannered, although sometimes worked so intensely that he physically trembled; within a few generations his style had been adopted by almost all Border Collies, and became known as the Border Collie style.
Hemp never ceased to impress his owner Adam Telfer. Telfer once said, while talking about Hemp, "he flashed like a meteor across the sheepdog horizon. There never was such an outstanding personality." With that, Telfer continued Hemp's legacy within his own breeding stock. Author and commentator Eric Halsall
was also impressed by his skill. Halsall once said about Hemp, "none who saw him [work] ever forgot him...Almost faultless in [his] work...he was born with such knowledge of his craft that he never required training and went to his work naturally."
While it is not known if Hemp participated in any sheepdog trial
s, a dog from Telfer's own breeding stock, Sweep (a grandson of Hemp), won the International Sheep Dog Society
's championship twice. Another dog named Hemp was later bred and owned by Adam Telfer, who had descended from Old Hemp. The younger Hemp won the 1924 International Farmers Championship for sheepdogs. This was not the only victory in that competition by Old Hemp's descendants, of the twenty nine collies that won the championship between 1906 and 1951, each and every single one was descended from Old Hemp.
Stud (animal)
A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...
dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
considered to be the progenitor to the Border Collie
Border Collie
The Border Collie is a herding dog breed developed in the Anglo-Scottish border region for herding livestock, especially sheep. It is the most widespread of the collie breeds....
breed. He was owned by Adam Telfar, and was used as a working dog
Working dog
A working dog refers to a canine working animal, i.e., a type of dog that is not merely a pet but learns and performs tasks to assist and/or entertain its human companions, or a breed of such origin...
to herd
Herding
Herding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group , maintaining the group and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those. While the layperson uses the term "herding", most individuals involved in the process term it mustering, "working stock" or...
sheep. His style was different from that commonly seen during his era, as he worked far more quietly than the other sheepdogs of the time. This style was adopted and used by other breeders and trainers and became the most common style among Border Collies within a few generations, with his descendants becoming successful international sheepdog champions.
Life and herding career
In September 1893, Old Hemp was born to Adam Telfer's two dogs in CamboCambo
Cambo is a village in Northumberland, England. It is about to the west of the county town of Morpeth at the junction of the B6342 and B6343 roads...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
. Hemp's mother, Meg, was a reticent and very strong-eyed black sheepdog
Herding dog
A herding dog, also known as a stock dog or working dog, is a type of pastoral dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds developed for herding...
; while Hemp's father, Roy, was a loose-eyed black, white, and tan sheepdog with a good natured temperament. Unlike many modern border collies, Hemp was a tri-colored dog with only a small amount of white fur on his trim.
First following sheep at the age of six weeks, Hemp grew to have a great ability to herd
Herding
Herding is the act of bringing individual animals together into a group , maintaining the group and moving the group from place to place—or any combination of those. While the layperson uses the term "herding", most individuals involved in the process term it mustering, "working stock" or...
. He moved sheep quietly unlike the louder sheepdogs of the era and was far more mild-mannered, although sometimes worked so intensely that he physically trembled; within a few generations his style had been adopted by almost all Border Collies, and became known as the Border Collie style.
Hemp never ceased to impress his owner Adam Telfer. Telfer once said, while talking about Hemp, "he flashed like a meteor across the sheepdog horizon. There never was such an outstanding personality." With that, Telfer continued Hemp's legacy within his own breeding stock. Author and commentator Eric Halsall
Eric Halsall
Eric Halsall was an English countryman, author and television presenter. Best known for his fourteen year run as a commentator on BBC TV series One Man and His Dog.-Early life:...
was also impressed by his skill. Halsall once said about Hemp, "none who saw him [work] ever forgot him...Almost faultless in [his] work...he was born with such knowledge of his craft that he never required training and went to his work naturally."
Legacy
Hemp is considered the foundation sire or "father" of the Border Collie breed. The International Sheepdog society began its stud book in 1915, with Old Hemp being the ninth entry, out of around 300,000. Old Hemp's ability to herd sheep was what attracted many dog handlers. Estimates place his offspring at more than 200, due to his stud services being widely sought after. His medium sized stature and rough coat are commonly seen in the breed today as many of his offspring continued to keep many of his original traits.While it is not known if Hemp participated in any sheepdog trial
Sheepdog trial
A Sheepdog trial is a competitive dog sport in which herding dog breeds move sheep around a field, fences, gates, or enclosures as directed by their handlers. Such events are particularly associated with hill farming areas, where sheep range widely on largely unfenced land...
s, a dog from Telfer's own breeding stock, Sweep (a grandson of Hemp), won the International Sheep Dog Society
International Sheep Dog Society
International Sheep Dog Society was formed with the intention of increasing interest in securing the better management of livestock by improving the shepherd's dog. This remains the intention today. Without a good working dog, the shepherd's work on both the hills and the lowlands would be...
's championship twice. Another dog named Hemp was later bred and owned by Adam Telfer, who had descended from Old Hemp. The younger Hemp won the 1924 International Farmers Championship for sheepdogs. This was not the only victory in that competition by Old Hemp's descendants, of the twenty nine collies that won the championship between 1906 and 1951, each and every single one was descended from Old Hemp.