Cumberland Sheepdog History
The Cumberland sheepdog is an extinct dog breed posited to be an early relative of the Border Collie and Australian Shepherd. Although little information exists in regards to this breeds early history or usage it was said to be the favorite breed of Lancelot Edward Lowther, 6th Earl of Lonsdale, and that the breed had been in his family for more than a hundred years.
For reasons as of yet unknown the breed began to fall out of favor toward the end of the 19th century and by the beginning of the 20th century the majority of existing members were being referred to as Border Collies and in fact may have been absorbed into the latter breed.
Cumberland Sheepdog Description
Cumberland sheepdogs were black with white blaze, chest, feet and tip of tail. Height was about 20 inches and weight ranged from 40-50 pounds,featuring a black coat trimmed on the chest, feet, and tip of tail with white. Additionally the working style described also mirrors that of the modern Border Collie which is known for being a working breed with a ‘strong-eye’; meaning that it typically works in a silent but intense fashion with its front shoulders low to the ground using its eyes to control livestock by staring them down.
Whether or not the modern Border Collie is in fact one in the same as the now extinct Cumberland Sheepdog we may never know, but the overlapping areas of development and similar working style and appearance lend credence to the theory that there is definitely a connection between two.
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