The Collie is a breed of dog that was developed and molded by the requirements of a harsh livelihood in an environment that was unforgiving.  It is generally accepted that Scotland and Northern England gave this breed its beginnings, and even though the Collie of today is a pretty dog, pretty certainly would not have been enough for the earning of a livelihood back then.  The Collie probably got its name from the black faced sheep that were known as "Colleys".  Other animals that the Collie helped to herd were pigs, goats, and cattle.  They may have even been used as a hunting dog as well.  A dog of that time period had to earn its keep, it's only in the modern world that we have 'couch potatoes' for pets.
     The Collie's popularity with the aristocracy began with Queen Victoria of England.  She adored this hardy breed and kept the Collie in her kennel at her Scottish retreat, 'Balmoral'.  It became quite fashionable to own a Collie, even though it's history was that of farm work and little, if any, pedigree, due to its association with aristocracy.  It first appeared in the show ring in December of 1860, in Birmingham, England.  It was in 1870 at a Birmingham Dog Show, that one of the most important dogs in Collie history appeared.  Old Cockie placed second (out of 14) in the sheepdog class.  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'.
     As a show dog in America, one of the first shows the Collie made an appearance in was the Westminster Kennel Club Show of 1877.  The American Kennel Club, it must be remembered, was established in 1884 and became the registration body for all purebred dogs in America.  Several of the A.K.C. founders were Collie breeders, who went on to form the Collie Club of America on August 26, 1886.
     In the United States, it was the British imports that dominated the show rings from 1900 until 1940.  World War II caused a cessation of importing dogs and the U.S. breeders had to depend on the bloodlines that they had established previously.  This time era also saw the end of the old time professional kennel managers, many of whom had been brought over from Europe because of their knowledge of dogs.  The late 1930's are often referred to as the "Golden Age of Collies", as this was the time when the American Collie became established, and independent of European imports.

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