The Collie world, during the last decade of the
Victorian era, achieved an unprecedented popularity,
American fanciers in particular paying unparalleled
sums for anything that could boast a major British
prize, encouraged many new fanciers to join Collie
ranks, with Mr H. E. Packwood BILLESLEY - the
Pollock brothers DOON - Mr A. H. Moore LEEK -
Mr J. Agnew OLD HALL - Mr F. P. Brearley PORTINGTON -
Mr F. Barlow YARDLEY - Mr J. C. Dalgleish ELLWYN
and A. Dunmore IRTHLINGBORO’ amongst the more
famous. Smaller kennels, frequently little more
than satellites of their mentors, mushroomed
throughout the country to supplying the more prominent kennels with suitable show specimens. This mirrored by a sudden surge of interest in regional breed clubs, often functioning outside Kennel Club control, and although only the Irish Collie Club continues to flourish today a number did run highly successful well attended shows, a minority enjoying Championship status.
Perhaps not surprisingly in such a popular breed the decade produced a considerable number of exceptional wins and records. For Rough Collies the first Cruft’s (1891) was particular significant with Christopher and Grace III [later known as Ch Sefton Grace, and still the breed’s most successful show bitch] annexing both the Dog and Bitch Challenge Class, forerunner of the Challenge Certificate, the only litter siblings to ever share the principal honours at a single show.
