THE COLLIE 57 



more classical ; and scientific cultivation and careful selec- 

 tion of typical breeding stock have achieved what may be 

 considered the superlative degree of quality, without appre- 

 ciable loss of stamina, size, or substance. 



Twenty years or so ago, when Collies were becoming fashion- 

 able, the rich sable coat with long white mane was in highest 

 request. In 1888 Ch. Metchley Wonder captivated his 

 admirers by these rich qualities. He was the first Collie for 

 which a very high purchase price was paid, Mr. Sam Bodding- 

 ton having sold him to Mr. A. H. Megson, of Manchester, for 

 530. High prices then became frequent. Mr. Megson paid as 

 much as 1,600 to Mr. Tom Stretch for Ormskirk Emerald. 

 No Collie has had a longer or more brilliant career than 

 Emerald, and although he was not esteemed as a successful 

 sire, yet he was certainly the greatest favourite among our 

 show dogs of recent years. 



Mr. Megson has owned many other good specimens of the 

 breed, both rough and smooth. In the same year that he 

 bought Metchley Wonder, he gave 350 for a ten-months' 

 puppy, Caractacus. Sable and white is his favourite com- 

 bination of colour, a fancy which was shared some years ago 

 by the American buyers, who would have nothing else. 

 Black, tan, and white became more popular in England, and 

 while there is now a good market for these in the United 

 States the sable and white remains the favourite of the 

 American buyers and breeders. 



The best Collie of modern times was undoubtedly Ch. 

 Squire of Tytton, which went to America for 1,250. A 

 golden sable with quality, nice size, and profuse coat, he had 

 an unbeaten record in this country. Another of our best 

 and most typical rough Collies was Ch. Wishaw Leader. 

 This beautiful dog, who had a most distinguished show 

 career, was a well-made black, tan, and white, with an enor- 

 mous coat and beautiful flowing white mane ; one of the most 

 active movers, displaying quality all through, and yet having 

 plenty of substance. He had that desirable distinction of 



