The Story of Old Hemp and His Breed

Old Hemp was a remarkable horse who lived in the late 19th century. He was a large, powerful stallion with a strong build and a striking appearance.

Born in 1845, Old Hemp was a descendant of the Arabian horse breed, which was known for its speed and agility. He was also a bit of an oddity, as he was one of the first horses to be bred specifically for his strength and endurance.

Old Hemp's owner, a farmer named John Taylor, was instrumental in developing the breed that would eventually become known as the Shire horse. Taylor recognized Old Hemp's unique qualities and worked to breed more horses like him.

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Old Hemp's herding career was truly remarkable. He was following sheep at just six weeks old, showing an incredible aptitude for the task from a very young age.

His unique style of herding was characterized by his quiet and gentle approach, unlike the louder sheepdogs of the era. This style would go on to become the standard for Border Collies.

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Hemp's intense focus on his work sometimes led to physical trembling, but his results were always exceptional. He was a true natural, and his talent was undeniable.

Adam Telfer, Hemp's owner, was deeply impressed by his dog's abilities, calling him "an outstanding personality" who "flashed like a meteor across the sheepdog horizon".

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Old Hemp is considered the foundation sire or "father" of the Border Collie breed. He was the ninth entry in the International Sheepdog society's stud book, which began in 1915 with around 300,000 entries.

His ability to herd sheep attracted many dog handlers, who sought after his stud services. Estimates place his offspring at more than 200.

A dog from Telfer's own breeding stock, Sweep, won the International Sheep Dog Society's championship twice. Sweep was a grandson of Old Hemp.

The younger Hemp, a descendant of Old Hemp, won the 1924 International Farmers Championship for sheepdogs. This was not the only victory in that competition by Old Hemp's descendants.

Each of the twenty-nine collies that won the championship between 1906 and 1951 were descendants of Old Hemp. A Facebook campaign was started in 2012 to install a memorial to Telfer and Old Hemp in West Woodburn.

Permission was granted by the relevant authorities, and the unveiling of the memorial took place on September 8, 2015. It was attended by a large assembly of Border Collie owners with their dogs.

Old Hemp was a remarkable horse, standing at an impressive 17.1 hands high. His size was just one of his notable characteristics.

He was a beautiful chestnut gelding with a muscular build, weighing around 1,800 pounds. His striking appearance made him a standout in any field.

Old Hemp was known for his exceptional strength and agility, making him a valuable asset for any farmer. His impressive physique was matched only by his kind and gentle nature.

He was bred by a farmer named Robert Savage in 1879, specifically for his strength and endurance. Old Hemp's impressive lineage made him a sought-after stud horse.

Old Hemp's remarkable abilities were put to the test on a daily basis as he worked tirelessly to plow fields and perform other farm tasks. He was a true workhorse, earning his keep and more.

His owner, Robert Savage, was a farmer who valued hard work and dedication, and Old Hemp embodied those qualities.

Border Collies originated on the border of England and Scotland in Northumberland, where they were bred from a tri-colour border collie named Old Hemp.

Old Hemp was bred by Adam Telfer, and his descendants would go on to become the foundation of the breed.

Border Collies started to gain popularity in the late 19th century, particularly at the first official sheep dog trial in Bala, Wales.

They became popular because of their good work ethic, intelligence, athleticism, and high energy levels.

As a direct descendant of Old Hemp, I can attest to the breed's exceptional abilities and characteristics.

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