American author, journalist, and dog breeder Albert Payson Terhune (1872-1942) is well renowned for his endearing canine tales, especially those involving the collie Lad. Terhune was born in Newark, New Jersey, on December 21, 1872, and he grew up to love dogs. Terhune began his writing career as a reporter before rising to prominence as a prolific author. He wrote for a number of periodicals and newspapers, becoming well-known for his articles on outdoor and adventure-related subjects. But it was his canine tales that won him widespread recognition. "Lad: A Dog," one of his most well-known works, was released in 1919. With the enormous popularity of this compilation of tales centered around a Rough Collie named Lad, Terhune became recognized as a top writer of dog books. Due to the book's popularity, Lad stories were written, including "Further Adventures of Lad" (1922) and a number of others. Terhune was a writer as well as a Rough Collider breeder on his Sunnybank estate in New Jersey. He bred champion Collies, and his dogs frequently provided inspiration for his novels. He raised champion Collies. The writings of Albert Payson Terhune honour dogs for their bravery, loyalty, and intelligence by showing them as devoted family members and friends.
