Difference between revisions of "James Loggie"

Latest revision as of 21:50, 5 July 2021

James Alexander Loggie (b. 17 October 1873, Braintree, Essex, d. 15 May 1947, Aberdeen) was raised in the Aberdeen area. He married Flora Gibson at St Nicholas, Aberdeen, on January 9, 1895. (ref);Moving to Lerwick, he was the proprietor of the Royal Bar and the Queens Hotel, both on Commercial Street. Three of the five Loggie children were born in Lerwick.

His Flora, a 19-foot Shamrock class racing boat built by John Shewan of Garthspool, won the local regatta in 1904 and 1905. He was denied a repeat win and possession of the cup in the following year by taking second to Flora's sister boat, the Seamew, owned by Mr. Bruce of Sandlodge. (ref)

In the political arena, Mr. Loggie made unsuccessful bids for County Council representing Northmavine North in 1904 and Lerwick Town Council in 1909. He was elected to Town Council and to County Council representing Nesting and Lunnasting in 1910, and retained his County seat in 1913, only to resign one week later.

Mr. Loggie championed the cause of the Shetland Sheepdog and was the first secretary of the Shetland Collie Club when it formed in 1908. He penned an article about the breed, fitting it out with the following resume:

That the Shetland Sheep-dog is now a distinct breed of dog no one can deny. It was originally known as the "Shetland Collie" or "Toonie Dog". The dog took its title from the fact of its being used to drive the sheep off the township, croft, or what is known in Shetland as the "Toon." Many years ago, when large sheep farms were established in Shetland, shepherds from the mainland brought with them Scotch Collies and gave the progeny to the crofters: but in-breeding and the want of keeping up fresh blood soon caused the breed to become diminutive. Few people, who have not visited Shetland, are aware of the conditions of these crofts; very few of them have fences or dykes to protect their crops, or to divide the arable land from the hill pasture; and in seasons when the hills are scarce of pasturage, the sheep come down and feed off the stacks of hay and corn in the stackyard, and also eat the turnips and cabbage growing around the house. When this occurs the dog has a duty to perform, and is used to drive the sheep back to the hills, and need not be accompanied by its master when once it gets the order to go. When dipping seasons come round, the owners of the sheep on the hill scattald meet on a given date with their dogs and combine to drive the sheep to the dipping places appointed. This is known locally as "caaing" or "driving."

The Shetland sheep, although small, are very wild, and they require a good deal of handling to bring them together. They are very agile, and a five-foot wall does not deter them from getting out if they want to. The Shetland crofter grudges keeping a large dog, principally on account of the food it requires, while the smaller one suits his purpose.

Years ago, when Greenland whalers called at Shetland on their way home to land the members belonging to those Islands who formed part of their crews, they brought with them what was known as the "Yakki" dog, called after the natives of Greenland, who are known among whalers as the Yaks. Distinct traces of this dog (which was found very useful among crofters) are still to be found among the Island dogs. These Yakki dogs were bred with the Shetland dogs, and some of the strongest characteristics of the breed are often seen in the present day Shetland dog, namely, the black muzzle, large prick ears, and heavy brush of a tail, which is invariably carried high, combined with a somewhat foxy appearance. The height of these dogs is usually from 14 to 17 inches, but fashion, as in several other breeds nowadays, demands that these dogs should be bred smaller, not for utility but for pets. This undoubtedly can be done, but like the building of Rome, cannot be expected in a day. In consequence of this desire for smallness, alien blood has been introduced, and with very unsatisfactory results, which have brought discredit on the native dogs. Fortunately, by the formation of two Specialist Clubs, the interests of the breed are now being more carefully looked after. In breeding, type is of the utmost importance, and Collie character must be most carefully kept in view. Meantime, the best and most typical specimens exceed the standard of height which is being tried for; but once type is properly fixed, height and weight may be arrived at. The colours usually met with are black and white, black and tan, black - tan and white, black, sable, and sable and white. They are very affectionate and faithful, and no kinder of more lovable dogs exist. They attach themselves readily to children, and are never treacherous. They require very little food or attention. They are very hardy, and can live in outdoor kennels when required to. They are not very prolific, having generally litters of about three or four; strange to say, females invariably predominate, being generally two to one. They are very fleet and can stand a hard day's running well. In 1908 the Shetland Sheep-dog Club was formed at Lerwick, followed by the Scottish Shetland Sheep-dog Club in 1909. The combined membership of the two Clubs number about 130. In 1909 the Kennel Club in London agreed to recognise the breed, and registered the titles of both Clubs. The Shetland Sheep-dog Club's standard height (to which breeders were to aim at) was about 12 inches, and the weight 14 lbs.; while the Scottish Shetland Sheep-dog Club's standard of height was the same but that of weight was 12 lbs, Since the formation of these Clubs, the breed has been largely taken up, and classes have been given at many of the principal shows, which have been well supported.

The Clubs have done a great deal to popularize the breed and to stamp out alien blood. Any dog showing signs of Spaniel blood should be carefully barred.

The Shetland sheep is a very small animal, only half the size of the Scotch black-faced sheep. It is not, therefore, necessary to have so large a dog to herd and keep them in bounds as is required in the Highlands. The Shetland Sheep-dog is purely a crofter's dog, and those who own from ten to thirty Shetland sheep will not have any other. Those shepherds, however, who have from three to seven hundred black-faced ewes have larger dogs.<ref>Beryl Thynne, The Shetland Sheepdog, The Illustrated Kennel News, London, 1916 (first monograph of the breed).</ref>

Loggie's Lerwick Kennels, described as housing twenty-five individuals in 1908, produced some outstanding early representatives. Lerwick Jarl was a prominent winner at Crufts in 1910 and the little female Zesta was a sensation in 1912. Lerwick Olaf was sold to Lady Aberdeen, another early enthusiast. Lerwick Rex, born in 1910 and exported to the USA in 1912, became the first Champion for the breed in 1915. The first British Champions, Clifford Pat and Woodvold, were both grandsons of Jarl.

Mr. Loggie emigrated to Brisbane, Australia, in 1914 and returned to Scotland in 1928. He died in 1947 and is buried in Logie Coldstone.

He unsuccessfully contested the Northmavine North seat in the 1904 County Council election.

Political Career

Lerwick Town Council

• Lerwick Town Council Election November 1910

Zetland County Council

• County Council Election December 1910
• County Council Election December 1913

External Links

Bayanne genelogy page