With Collies established as one of the
Untied Kingdom’s more popular show
breeds, and most shows scheduling Collie classes, exhibitors came to rely more heavily on stock especially bred for the purpose. Interest from America, where wealthy exhibitors competed for the best of British exhibits, encouraged many serious entrepreneurial fanciers to join Collie ranks, including such famous names as Tom Stretch, ORMSKIRK, and Hugo Ainscough, PARBOLD, who extended the collie’s main focus of activity North Westward. Other enthusiasts to join the Collie fraternity included Mr Sam Boddington, METCHLEY who purchased Mr Charles Wheeler’s entire stock, and Mr W. L. Chance, GREAT ALNE, both based in the Birmingham area, whilst Robert Tait, WISHAW, kept Scottish interest alive. But perhaps the period’s most import convert to the fancy was Mr A. H. Megson, whose desire to own the best, and ability to pay high prices for what he fancied, earned him a unique place in Collie history.
