THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG

CLUB OF SCOTLAND

The Club's History, (1932 - .....)

By Lew and Margaret McWilliam

Chapter Four

By mid-November, 1936 an interesting article under the pen name 'Doondale' had appeared in the dog press. The author was drawing comparisons between Shetland Sheepdogs and Old English Sheepdogs by saying that they had both been "bred for beauty at the expense of all else" and that they should be classed as "companions", rather than "Utility" dogs as he had previously stated. He further criticised them because, "even in summer they have such heavy coats that no liberties can be taken with whins and thistles, and that they cannot even be exercised except on a pavement, for fear of damaging their coats". However, within the week and hot off the press came the reply from the pen of none other than the Rev. Buchanan. More like a surgeon than a minister he dissected 'Doondale's' arguments with - "his criticisms should interest this club since his (Doondale) most recent experience of bobtails has been in Scotland" and "to class them as 'companions' only can surely mean that 'Doondale' only sees them at shows, dressed-up and 'pipeclayed' and does not see them in their working garb on farms and giving satisfaction by their work". Rev. Buchanan continued with his attack - "'Doondale' cannot expect us to run our dogs through heather if we want to show them at their best. And if he is criticising them because they are not working specimens - would that famous breeder of clydesdale horses who stays near 'Doondale's' home, yoke two of his best stallions to a plough? Yet the clydesdale is bred for ploughing. He also criticises them because they are too big. Might not the same be said of the clydesdales? We see the pedigree clydesdale stallion so large, that he would have difficulty in getting between the shafts of a cart. Yet his purpose is to breed better working cart-horses. The pedigree animal requires to be larger than its working prototype. Perhaps Mr. H. A. Tilley will allow me to quote from a letter he has written me? After speaking of show specimens being two inches taller than working specimens, he says "If the standard was two inches less, then in due course the bulk of the stock would get too small and weedy". The authors do not know whom 'Doondale' might have been, except that he dabbled in Old English Sheepdogs amongst other breeds for a short while and that Miss Betty Davidson owned 'Doondale Judy' which she showed with only moderate success.

Within a month of this article appearing came the sad news that Miss Davidson's foundation bitch 'Eskgrove' had died and although she was almost ten years old, she had appeared looking fit and well at the S.K.C. show in September and at the club show at Ayr in April where she actually came out as Best Bitch. However, Miss Davidson was given Mr. A. R. Davidson's good bitch 'Thyrza' in her place and within five months she had won the first of her three challenge certificates at the Big Breeds Canine Society championship show on May 4th, 1937 under breed specialist Miss E. Flint. Her other two certificates came shortly afterwards at Harrogate Kennel Association show, September 4th under Mrs. M. Sheffield and finally at the Metropolitan and Essex Canine Society show, December 9th under Miss E. Palmer. This was a very popular decision - not only was Miss Davidson and indeed all of Scotland delighted at this result but also her many friends and competitors throughout the length of Britain. Her moment of triumph was the just result of many years of hard work and total dedication to the breed in Scotland. She had reluctantly accepted the position as President in 1936 and also stood in as acting Secretary and Treasurer whilst the Rev. Buchanan was on a working holiday for three months in Palestine. Her friends and neighbours admired her as did her housekeeper and kennel maid, Miss Craik, who recalls travelling to some shows with her and who was treated more as a companion than an employee. Miss Davidson's father was an 'elder' in the local 'kirk' and Betty sometimes joined him to sing in the choir. However, her great love was first and foremost her beloved bobtails. Her house 'The Grove' is a beautiful sandstone villa completely surrounded by a seven foot sandstone wall, and the timbers throughout, including the large front gate, are of the finest oak. The large enclosed back court is half lawn and half flagstone and the original outside kennel is still in place but now used as a wood store. Access to the back court can only be made through the 'Dog House' which is a gable extension with doors leading to the dining room and front garden. The 'Dog House' still has the original kennels intact and still referred to by the present family as the 'Dog House'. The dining room has a floor of flagstone and originally contained benches for the dogs. The front garden too was originally divided up into sections to accommodate the dogs and the level is about three feet higher than the outside roadway. Local eye witnesses can recall seeing rows of bobtails looking over this seven foot wall not fully realising that the dogs were on a 'higher' standing. One of her dogs -Bobbin, had her right front leg amputated after a car accident outside 'The Grove' and although she managed to get around fairly normally, she was fitted up with a metal pin leg. Her best chum 'Chance' would tease her into playing by tugging on the pin leg and she lived a full and happy life.

At the Glasgow championship show in February, 'Thyrza' was just beaten for the challenge certificate by another Scottish dog which also was to become a champion. This dog was none other than 'Dinah of Woodburn' owned by Mr. and Mrs. Nicol of Greenock and bred by the Rev. Buchanan. The Pickhurst cup for best junior and the Tilley cup for best of breed along with other specials were on offer at this show which had nine classes not including brace and team and was judged by Miss Smailes. Dinah's litter brother Cairbre Mac Ana Life, owned and shown by Rev. Buchanan won the dog reserve certificate whilst Mr. Tilley with his 'Shepton Desire' won the dog certificate thus preventing a 'clean sweep' for Scottish dogs. A similar situation occurred at the Scottish Kennel Club show with Mr. H. G. Sanders awarding the dog certificate to Rev. Buchanan's 'Cairbre Mac Ana Life' and reserve certificate to Mr. J. Ramsay's 'Imitation'. Reserve bitch certificate to 'Thyrza' and Mr. Bowers 'Perfect Lady' winning the bitch certificate. This was Cairbre Mac Ana Life's second certificate, his first was won at Harrogate three weeks earlier. However, by April the following year 'Cairbre Mac Ana Life' along with his young stable companion 'laran Mac Cesh Corran' were sold by Rev. Buchanan to Mrs. Schloss of Mobla Kennels in Baltimore U.S.A. The former dog became an American champion within five weeks but unfortunately his young companion died shortly after arrival in Baltimore. At the club's fifth annual show held in conjunction with Ayr championship show, Mrs. Keith Gibson judged a good entry and Mr Ramsay's 'Imitation' won the presidents trophy for best of breed whilst Miss Davidson's 'Thyrza' won the MacMillan trophy for best opposite sex. Rev. Buchanan's 'laran Mac Cesh Corran' won the Cromdes cup for best puppy and Mrs. Johnson's 'lollan Eachtach' won the Maclay rosebowl for beginners. Another two shows supplied classes for bobtails. The first of these was at Paisley, where Miss Davidson's 'Doondale Judy' won the graduate class and 'laran Mac Cesh Corran' the open class under judge Mr. A. R. Davidson of Dalkeith Park, and Miss Davidson's 'Thyrza' won a first in a strong variety class. Two classes, graduate and open were classified at the Caledonian Canine Club show in Edinburgh and judged by the famous James Garrow. A total of six challenge certificates were won, not to mention all the other awards such as reserve certificates, by Scottish exhibitors in 1937, making it by far the most successful year in the history of the breed in Scotland considering that only twelve sets were available throughout the United Kingdom and these were - Crufts, Glasgow, Kensington, Bath, Big Breeds, Taunton, Richmond, Harrogate, S.K.C., Metropolitan and Essex, Birmingham and the K.C. These shows remained the same for 1938 except that Taunton was dropped and the L.K.A. was added.

The club's fifth A.G.M. was held at the S.K.C. show in Edinburgh where Miss Betty Davidson retired as President with Mrs. Nance Maclay being appointed in her place and Mr. J. Ramsay proposed as Vice-President. The committee consisted of Dr. McKerrow, Mr. G. Gourlay-Dick, and Mrs. B. D. Smith. Mr. A. R. Davidson remained as Kennel Club representative and honorary auditor, and the Rev. W. B. C. Buchanan as honorary Secretary and Treasurer. Some concern was expressed as regards to the club's open show in 1938 due to uncertainty about the Ayr show. Concern was also expressed regarding the fact that five important shows were to be held within sixteen days. Three of these - the Big Breeds, Cheltenham and Bath follow each other on successive days on May 4th, 5th and 6th. New members to the club included Mr. J. Adams, Blantyre, Mr. J. Scott, Cambuslang, Mr. A. Broomlaw, West Kilbride, Miss McDougall, Grantown-on-Spey, Mrs. Aspin, Dulnain Bridge and Mr. J. Foster of Elgin.

Mrs. Nance Maclay, the new President, had earlier in the year presented the club with a new trophy. This trophy - a hallmarked silver rosebowl on a Queen Anne style rosewood plinth is the second most valuable trophy in the club at present. It was originally presented to the 'best dog or bitch' owned by a member of the club who had not previously won a first prize in the breed at a show guaranteed by the club' it was thus originally a beginners cup. Mrs. Maclay had earlier donated a cup to the club which was won outright and the whereabouts of this cup and the MacMillan cup are now unknown. Mrs. Maclay was married to a nephew of Lord Maclay, who belonged to a wealthy Renfrewshire family. Mrs. Maclay was a charming lady who was always very particular of her appearance. She originally stayed at 'Glenfoot' - a spacious modern bungalow near Balfron which has now been converted into boarding kennels and riding stables. After a short stay in the 'Black Bull Hotel' in the nearby village of Killearn, she moved to her final home at 'Herons Court' which is a beautiful stone cottage with matching outbuildings forming a U-shape with a courtyard to the rear. This gravel courtyard provided an ideal environment for bobtails to work and play out of sight, and away from the road. The whole complex is situated in several acres of woodland gardens and spacious lawns and includes a bubbling stream which flows into the river 'Endrick' at nearby 'Gartness' - famous for its salmon leap. These idyllic surroundings were to be the home of Mrs. Maclay and her 'lucky' dogs for almost thirty years. However, after the death of her last bobtail and her retiral from the club, Mrs. Maclay bought a black standard poodle called 'Phillip' which she found easier to handle and manage during these latter years.

At the Glasgow championship show in February 1938, Mr. J. Ramsay's 'Imitation' was given his first challenge certificate by the judge Miss E. Flint. 'Imitation' was purchased in 1936 from Mr. F. Chapman in England and was Mr. Ramsay's first and only bobtail. Although it was suggested that he carried 'beginners luck' he soon laid that myth to rest when he went on to win his other two certificates at the L.K.A. show in May and at the Kennel Club show in December that year, thus making him the second of our Scottish champions. 'Imitation' was renowned for his superb coat but sadly he was only used at stud a few times.

Due to a problem with the Ayr championship show, the club's open show was moved to Perth. Despite Perth being a championship show in its own right and being a handy venue, the turnout was poor for the judge Mr. F Lord to go over, and the show disappointing. The usual club trophies and specials were offered and nine classes including brace and team scheduled. Miss Davidson's champion 'Thyrza' was best of breed and Mr. Ramsay's Imitation' best opposite sex whilst Mrs. Nicol won best puppy with 'Grey Boy' which she later exported to America. Mr. John Clark judged three classes of bobtails at a joint Caledonian and Dick Veterinary College show in Edinburgh on May 25th and a special Empire Exhibition Show in Glasgow was held where three bobtail classes were judged by Mr. J. W. H. Beynon on August 24th. There were nineteen dogs at the S.K.C. show for judge Captain S. E. Bower to go over. Quality was of a high standard and once again three of the four chief awards stayed North of the Border with Mrs. Nicol's 'Dinah of Woodburn' gaining her second challenge certificate and two reserve certificates going to champions 'Thyrza' and 'Imitation'.

The annual general meeting of the Club was held at the S.K.C. show in Waverley Market and showed the club was in good shape with the highest ever membership of fifty-two. However, with two extra shows during 1938, it had to pay heavily in guarantees to the tune of £9.17s.2d. leaving a balance of 2s. 4d. Mr. J. Ramsay was appointed President for 1939 and Mr. G. Gourlay-Dick, Vice-President, with Mrs. Nicol, Mr. Bruce and Mr. J. Clark, committee and Dr. McKerrow as Kennel Club delegate. It was agreed at this meeting that since Perth was unsuitable due to distance and time of year, the club's open show should be moved back to Ayr. This decision was all the more important since Ayr had become a one day show and had consistently attracted high entries throughout the years and there was also a chance that an extra pair of challenge certificates would be sanctioned by the Kennel Club due to an increase in registrations within the breed. The decision was also influenced by the club secretary Mr. Buchanan who had vigorously campaigned both publicly and privately for Ayr to be chosen. On December 2nd the secretary wrote "Last week I put forward a plea that, in view of the increase in registrations and also the new scale of registrations qualifying for certificates, which had been sanctioned by the Kennel Club, the change might be applied right away to our breed and another pair of certificates granted, and that these should be for the club's annual show at Ayr on April 26th. Hardly were my notes in press than there came the most welcome news that this had been granted, and that challenge certificates would be on offer at the club's annual show in 1939. While it is pleasing for all that we should have thirteen pairs of certificates instead of twelve, it is natural that the members of this club should feel particularly gratified, this being in a sense, recognition of the increasingly sound position that the breed and the club have attained in the country. Ayr is a show that is easily accessible from the south, and has formerly attracted a good number of bobtail competitors from there as well as from Scotland, and with certificates it only remains now to make it such a success that this hard won position be not lost in the future." Just six years after its formation and with championship status granted, the club had come of age.

By January 1939, the Kennel Club had realised that registrations were, at 257, much higher than they had estimated and therefore took steps to reinstate Taunton to championship status, thus making a total of fourteen pairs of certificates for 1939. However, they need not have bothered, for only nine of these championship shows were held as the world went to war. The first championship show that year was Glasgow and at this show Mrs. Nicol's 'Dinah of Woodburn' was awarded her third certificate by the judge Rev. W.B.C. Buchanan thus making her the third champion in Scotland. The club's first championship show was held at Ayr on April 26th with Miss Florence Tilley awarding certificates for the first time. Unfortunately, no Scottish dogs were top winners with champion 'Thyrza' the highest placed at third in open bitch. Mrs. D. M. Gardner, Helensburgh, and Mr. & Mrs. James Muirhead, Bridge of Weir, had recently joined the club. The latter managed to attend only one show with their new puppy before war was declared. However, after hostilities had ceased they founded the 'Knockanlyn' kennels which are still in operation at present. Dr. McKerrow was to have judged the breed at the S. K. C. show, Edinburgh on October 4th and 5th. This was Dr. McKerrow's first championship show appointment although he had judged the club show before it had championship status. Unfortunately the show was cancelled as war intervened and his only consolation was in the news that 'Segda Mac an Dav' which was bred by him and sold to Mrs. Schloss of Baltimore had become an American champion. During the next six years, the club was placed on a 'care and maintenance' footing, and suspended its subscriptions. Dogs were exported or sold, some were put to sleep and others, where possible, were 'put out to walk'.