In particular it is her approach to illustrating the influence
of significant male and female breeding lines, by tracing
them through direct descendents that is, in my opinion,
unique and takes the reader, however unwillingly, on a
voyage of discovery they are unlikely to forget. But
perhaps the book’s greatest strengths are in the numerous
appendices, covering such diverse subjects as Post-War
Challenge Certificate Winners with their breeding, colour,
owner and breeder, all neatly categorised into the collie
families first identified by the author some seven or so
years prior to publication. Lists of successful Sires and Dams with their Challenge Certificate winning offspring, suggested Diet Sheet, and Breeding Term Arrangement contract, plus perhaps the most detailed Index to be found in any canine book.
The Popular Collie’s worth encapsulated in Miss Phyllis M. Grey’s LADYPARK ‘Dog World’ review which read:
“Margaret Osborne has filled a long-standing want and written the best book on the Collie that we have ever had. It is brilliantly written, exceedingly readable and a joy to the Collie enthusiast.”
Or the even more glowing, if restrained, ‘Shooting Times’ reviewer’s opinion stating:
“A complete and authoritative book written by one of the foremost experts on the breed in this country ... essential reading for anyone interested in the Collie, whether they are novices or experienced breeders.”
