To be clear, the Border Collie as recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC) is the same breed. While the AKC and UKC use slightly different language in their breed standards, both emphasize the Border Collie’s athleticism, intelligence, balance, and strong working instincts.

We found it interesting, then, when someone on a breed forum referenced four “types” of Border Collie, each named after a highly influential dog that shaped the breed’s development: We thought it is worth sharing here.

They are the Northumbrian type (Old Hemp), Wiston Cap type, Nap type, and Herdman Tommy type.

Breed fanciers will instantly recognize the name Old Hemp—almost all current Border Collies are said to be able to trace their lineage back to him. Bred by Adam Telfer and born in 1894 in Northumbria, England, Hemp is thus referred to as the Northumbrian type. His mother was a reserved black lass, and dad was a good-natured tricolor, and together they produced a truly exceptional dog who fundamentally transformed the working sheepdog world. Unlike other sheepdogs of his time, Hemp worked sheep quietly and calmly. He had a keen, instinctive understanding of how sheep would move, and positioned his body accordingly. His quieter, more efficient style set a new standard for herding dogs. Indeed, it was said that the charismatic Hemp was born knowing his craft and never needed to be taught.  It’s reported that Hemp sired over 200 puppies in his lifetime; indeed, between 1906 and 1951, every winner of the International Sheep Dog Society’s championship was a direct descendant of Old Hemp!

 

Perhaps less known than some of the dogs we’re mentioning in this post is Herdman’s Tommy. Born in 1903 and a grandson of Old Hemp, Tommy was a powerful and intelligent Border Collie with a rough black and white coat and tan markings. Renowned for his strength and keen mind, Tommy was also famously hard-headed and not inclined to submit well to orders. This made him a challenge even for experienced handlers. Despite this, he achieved major wins early in life, including the International Shepherd’s Cup and both the Supreme International and Scottish National Championships before age four. Tommy’s greatest contribution to the breed is his lasting genetic influence—he’s a cornerstone ancestor for much of the modern working Border Collie population, passing down his trademark power, determination, and spirited temperament to generations of top trial and working dogs.

Next up is Whitehope Nap born in 1951. A foundational sire in Border Collie history, Nap was renowned for establishing the only smooth-coated “Nap type” among the classic Border Collie lines. He was celebrated for his speed, power, agility, and adaptability—traits that made him and his descendants exceptional in both traditional sheep herding and modern dog sports like agility. Nap’s physical characteristics, including a smooth, weather-resistant coat and a more square, athletic build, made his line especially popular in the United States for working cattle and excelling in competitive herding trials. As a prolific sire and a great-grandson of the influential dog Cap, Whitehope Nap’s legacy is seen in countless working Border Collies today, particularly those dominating ranch work and agility competitions, marking him as one of the breed’s most accomplished and influential sires.

Supporting the fact that breeding matters, we move on to Wiston Cap (for whom the Wiston Cap type is named) one of the most famous working Border Collies of all time, and the great grandson of Whitehope Nap.

He was so highly regarded that his image is still part of the UK’s International Sheep Dog Society logo.  Born in 1963, Wiston was less than two years old when he became the youngest Border Collie ever to win the International Supreme Championship in trialing. A near telepathic bond with his owner, John Richardson, was evident, as was his fabulous temperament.

Wiston Cap’s combination of speed, athleticism, good temperament, and superb responsiveness made his type and bloodline highly prized—so much so that an estimated 90% of working Border Collies worldwide have him somewhere in their pedigree. A prolific sire with around 187 litters to his name, Wiston Cap is said to have passed on his larger size, blockier head, and more extensive white markings on the collar, chest, and forelegs to many of his offspring.

Tempting as it is to refer to these dogs as the ‘Fab Four,’ the title is taken, so we call these dogs (and our post) the Founding Four.

Image: Border Collies by Tanja Mikkelsen | Dreamstime