What primary shift in agricultural practices led to the drastic reduction of the traditional Scotch Collie population?
Answer
Moving away from small family farms toward more industrialized operations.
The population decline of the versatile Scotch Collie was closely tied to sweeping changes in how agriculture was conducted in North America. As farming transitioned from utilizing small family operations, which required an all-around worker capable of varied tasks, toward larger, more industrialized operations, the specific utility of the multi-purpose farm collie diminished. This shift meant less demand for a dog that could handle herding, guarding, and general farm oversight, further compounded by the rise of specialized herding breeds and the formalization of the show Collie.

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