As the emphasis moved from owner to
breeder bitch lines became even more
diverse. Margaret Osborne in her original
research into Collie ancestry lists fourteen
unique Rough Collie families and three
Smooth Collie ones all of which played their
part in the breed’s development at this period.
In addition to those which had emerged during
the late 40s, we can now add Redevalley Dinkie family 3, Seagull, Cedilla, and Old Mill Duchess all from family 5, Eden Ellena family 8 Alphington Carnation family 14 as well as Hewburn Patricia from the Smooth family 1s who influenced both breeds.
The Collie Association having always considered education an important part of their role, were quick to see the need to cultivate these new fanciers, publishing its now famous Handbook, edited by Margaret Osborne, in 1952, this followed by a quarterly newsletter issued free to members, and maintained until well into the next decade.
As war-time restrictions relaxed; publishing houses became interested in providing for the growing band of canine enthusiasts, by producing a new breed of specialist breed book with all editions following a similar format, regardless of breed. Hutchinson’s Popular Dog Publishing Co was the first in this field, and Margaret Osborne’s ‘The Popular Collie’ amongst the earliest breeds covered. ‘The Collie’, which ran to ten editions and countless reprints, as it was eventually titled quickly established itself as the new fanciers’ bible to breeding, showing and breed history, and Hutchinson’s could not have enlisted a more competent author.
