| "Old Cockie" |
| Quote from Mr. Charles H. Wheeler "The Dog Book" by James Watson 1905 |
From "Collie Breed History" by Lee Weston
"Of the names of the progenitors, the first to claim attention is Old Cockie,
a grand dog, who in his day had no compeer, although occasionally in the
show ring he had to give way to his inferiors. Besides being a handsome
show dog, he had the reputation of being a capital worker with sheep.
"Old Cockie was born in the year 1868 and was the winner of upward of
forty prizes, including first and cups at Birmingham and Nottingham two years
in succession, the Border Counties Champion Cup at Carlisle, and the Mayor
of Maidstone's Cup at the Southern Counties Show. On August 19, 1875, he
was sold by auction at the Midland Counties Repository, Birmingham, the
hammer falling to the bid of Mr. D. Tomlinson who in a short time afterward
sold him to Mr. J. Bissell, the age of the dog being then nine years or
thereabouts, and the first litter begot by him for this owner marked the
commencement of the show success of the Great Barr Kennels.
"Old Cockie was a medium-sized dog, as compared with some the giants
of the present day, very compactly built, and sound in the legs and feet. His
head was consistent in length, and certainly true collie in type, ears semi-erect,
coat on body not extra long but very dense, being well supplied with a
wet-resisting undercoat, and the habit of his coat was such that it formed a
distinct mane on the neck and a cape on the shoulders. In colour he was a
rich sable, with white marking, and it is an absolute fact that, at the present
time, every Collie of the sable colour date back to Old Cockie as the introducer
of the colour."
"Of the names of the progenitors, the first to claim attention is Old Cockie,
a grand dog, who in his day had no compeer, although occasionally in the
show ring he had to give way to his inferiors. Besides being a handsome
show dog, he had the reputation of being a capital worker with sheep.
"Old Cockie was born in the year 1868 and was the winner of upward of
forty prizes, including first and cups at Birmingham and Nottingham two years
in succession, the Border Counties Champion Cup at Carlisle, and the Mayor
of Maidstone's Cup at the Southern Counties Show. On August 19, 1875, he
was sold by auction at the Midland Counties Repository, Birmingham, the
hammer falling to the bid of Mr. D. Tomlinson who in a short time afterward
sold him to Mr. J. Bissell, the age of the dog being then nine years or
thereabouts, and the first litter begot by him for this owner marked the
commencement of the show success of the Great Barr Kennels.
"Old Cockie was a medium-sized dog, as compared with some the giants
of the present day, very compactly built, and sound in the legs and feet. His
head was consistent in length, and certainly true collie in type, ears semi-erect,
coat on body not extra long but very dense, being well supplied with a
wet-resisting undercoat, and the habit of his coat was such that it formed a
distinct mane on the neck and a cape on the shoulders. In colour he was a
rich sable, with white marking, and it is an absolute fact that, at the present
time, every Collie of the sable colour date back to Old Cockie as the introducer
of the colour."
| Foundation Collie 1868 - 1882 |
| Old Cockie was a Collie of uncommon color during his time. Though he was not the only sable coated Collie, he was one of the first, if not the first sable Collie exhibited. Tan and red Collies had been mentioned at least fifty years before Old Cockie. |
| Old Cockie was not used extensively until he was over eight years old. He produced sables that helped to establish the color in the breed. Meg was bred to Old Cockie to produce Maude (sable daughter) and she produced Effie, Trevor, Flirt, Topper, Bell and Ch Charlemagne, when bred to Trefoil. |
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Most show Collies trace their pedigree back to Old Cockie, or to his grandson Charlemagne. It was
through these two dogs that the sable color was established, and the head piece became that of a
balanced and smooth look.
Old Cockie was ahead of his time for the finish of the foreface, and his ears were tipped naturally. It is
recorded that Old Cockie's expression was thought to be of 'surpassing sweetness'.
through these two dogs that the sable color was established, and the head piece became that of a
balanced and smooth look.
Old Cockie was ahead of his time for the finish of the foreface, and his ears were tipped naturally. It is
recorded that Old Cockie's expression was thought to be of 'surpassing sweetness'.
| Old Cockie lived fourteen years, the last few years as a cherished and pampered companion of Mr. James Bissell. |
| Black and tan, Tricolour and Blue Merle were the usual colors of the Collies of long ago. Old Cockie introduced the very pleasing sable color, which was rare at the time. As rare, as the color is in Border Collies today. |
| We hope you enjoy the information on these vintage dogs. We are always looking for more information and more photos of vintage and white dogs. Contact our webmaster HERE Thanks for visiting us! |
| Pedigree Unknown |
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Excerpt from "THE COLLIE by O.P. Bennett, 1942
"Old Cockie", 1868-1882
This truly handsome Collie was born in 1868.
His presence was an ornament to the Collie section of shows, in which he often
successfully tried conclusions with the pick of his race. In this connection his tally of prizes
was an important one, including first and cup at Birmingham two successive years in
succession, the Mayor of Maidstone's Cup at the Southern Counties Show, and the Carlisle
Border Counties Champion Cup.
Unfortunately, no photos of him are available of him before age ten.
In color, "Cockie" was a rich sable and white on neck, white frill, tip of tail and legs and feet;
the latter slightly ticked with specks of brown. In size he was of the medium order, sturdy in
build and his well-proportioned body was set upon legs and feet that were strong in bone
and sound. He had a plentiful supply of the desirable class of coat,
to the density of which a full under coat contributed. The coat was very full on neck and
shoulders, forming a handsome mane and cape. His ears were moderate as regards size
and if not carried so high as those of some of the more modern productions, they were
natural and carried semi-erect' a carriage which gave a more artistic finishing touch to the
picture than do the tampered with prick ears.
"Cockie's" greatness as a show dog was just about equalled by the influence for good he
exerted as a sire. His name looms pre-eminent as that of the progenitor to whom, as
regards color, the sable Collie owes its existence.
He was described as the best specimen of a Collie ever exhibited; at any rate the winner of
more prizes. On August 18, 1875 "Old Cockie" was sold at auction to Mr. G. Dean
Tomlinson, Birmingham, England.
This event determined "Old Cockie's retirement from the show ring, and he lived a life of
serenity till his death in August, 1882.
* Cockie was sold once more to Mr. J. Bissell, who was his last owner, and with whom he
lived out his life.
More about Old Cockie.
"Old Cockie", 1868-1882
This truly handsome Collie was born in 1868.
His presence was an ornament to the Collie section of shows, in which he often
successfully tried conclusions with the pick of his race. In this connection his tally of prizes
was an important one, including first and cup at Birmingham two successive years in
succession, the Mayor of Maidstone's Cup at the Southern Counties Show, and the Carlisle
Border Counties Champion Cup.
Unfortunately, no photos of him are available of him before age ten.
In color, "Cockie" was a rich sable and white on neck, white frill, tip of tail and legs and feet;
the latter slightly ticked with specks of brown. In size he was of the medium order, sturdy in
build and his well-proportioned body was set upon legs and feet that were strong in bone
and sound. He had a plentiful supply of the desirable class of coat,
to the density of which a full under coat contributed. The coat was very full on neck and
shoulders, forming a handsome mane and cape. His ears were moderate as regards size
and if not carried so high as those of some of the more modern productions, they were
natural and carried semi-erect' a carriage which gave a more artistic finishing touch to the
picture than do the tampered with prick ears.
"Cockie's" greatness as a show dog was just about equalled by the influence for good he
exerted as a sire. His name looms pre-eminent as that of the progenitor to whom, as
regards color, the sable Collie owes its existence.
He was described as the best specimen of a Collie ever exhibited; at any rate the winner of
more prizes. On August 18, 1875 "Old Cockie" was sold at auction to Mr. G. Dean
Tomlinson, Birmingham, England.
This event determined "Old Cockie's retirement from the show ring, and he lived a life of
serenity till his death in August, 1882.
* Cockie was sold once more to Mr. J. Bissell, who was his last owner, and with whom he
lived out his life.
More about Old Cockie.
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