Old Hemp
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Other name | Hemp |
|---|---|
| Species | Canis familiaris |
| Breed | Border Collie |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | September 1893 |
| Died | May 1901 |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Working dog |
| Known for | Progenitor of the Border Collie |
| Successor | Herdsman's Tommy |
| Owner | Adam Telfer |
| Parents | Roy (sire) Meg (dam) |
| Offspring | Old Kep |
| Weight | 45 lb (20 kg) |
| Height | 21 in (53 cm) |
Old Hemp (1 September 1893 – May 1901) was a stud dog considered to be the progenitor to the Border Collie breed. He was owned by Adam Telfer, 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.
In September 1893,[1] Old Hemp was born to Adam Telfer's two dogs in West Woodburn, Northumberland.[2] 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.[3] Unlike many modern border collies, Hemp was a tri-colored dog with only a small amount of white fur on his trim.[3]
First following sheep at the age of six weeks,[4] 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,[5] although sometimes worked so intensely that he physically trembled;[6] within a few generations, his style had been adopted by almost all Border Collies,[7] and became known as the Border Collie style.[8]
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."[1] With that, Telfer continued Hemp's legacy within his own breeding stock.[1] Author and commentator Eric Halsall was also impressed by his skill. Halsall once said about Hemp, "none who saw him ever forgot him ... Almost faultless in work ... he was born with such knowledge of his craft that he never required training and went to his work naturally."[9]
