I would like to thank the West of England Collie Society for inviting me to Judge the Males at their championship show. A friendly and welcoming committee made for a relaxed atmosphere which prevailed throughout the day.
My numerical entry was excellent but slightly marred by absentees not unexpected probably due to the warm weather we have been experiencing and the young males are probably ‘changing their clothes’ not the best time of year for collie coats!
I have concerns about the number of dogs with a very deep stop producing a very strong back skull and losing refinement very untypical and needs watching!
The quality was high in the latter classes. I was pleased with my line up.
Veteran Dog. 6 (2 absent)
1st Cronk’s ‘Ch Chelborn Kiss’N Tell’ Tricolour, a favourite of mine standing four square on a loose lead relaxed and enjoying his day. He is balanced in body with a good reach of neck enhanced by a jet black coat and a huge white collar all presented in excellent condition. He has a soft sweet expression emanating from a correct dark eye. His skull has gained a little too much strength for me but topped with with good ear carriage. He moved with excellent reach in front but without drive from behind carrying his tail correctly.
2nd Walder’s ‘Ch Hanvale Dougie Howser’ a sable again presented in pristine condition and showing steadily he too has a sweet soft expression with a nice dark eye, adequate neck and correct length of body, he lacked upper arm and shoulder angulation making his front movement stilted but moved well behind.
3rd Growcott’s ‘Chantique Simply Smashing with Rusforth’
Minor Puppy Dog. 1 (abs)
Puppy Dog. 2
1st Tipper’s ‘Tiganlea Troublemaker’ Sable pup who really didn’t want to be here today a nice type of collie good body shape moving soundly although reluctantly!
He has a nice shape head and eye good ear set, really needs to grow on.
2nd Hulls ‘Lizmark Morning Glory’ Bright golden sable bit difficult to assess as he insisted on wriggling but only a baby, he is refined with decent shape moved erratically. One that would benefit from some ringcraft.
Junior 13 (7 abs)
1st Collin’s ‘Chelborn Soul Desire for Triburle’ Elegant huge coated pale sable presented in tip top condition showing non stop, he has refined head of good length with the correct oblique eye placement and topped with the neatest of ears, good reach of neck and a decent length of body which is nearly hidden by his huge mane covering his shoulders almost meeting the coat over his rump giving the appearance of a dipped topline but it is an optical illusion and is confirmed on handling. He moved steadily with excellent tail carriage but he is a little narrow all through and his hind movement needs improvement.
2nd Ross ‘Tremaro StarTouch at Samshernik’ rich sable expertly presented, showing well, he has a nice eye in a balanced head a quite strong in backskull for his age therefore his ears are a little wide set. A decent proportion of body for height moving steadily with good tail carriage but lacking front reach and extension.
3rd Smedley ‘Antoc Soul Mate’
Special Yearling Dog. 8 (2 abs 1 w/d)
1st Shipp’s ‘Tremaro Catch A Star’ Rich coloured sable in good coat, he has a nice eye set correctly in a balanced moulded head topped with neat ears used well, adequate length of neck which would benefit from a little more arch, well proportioned body with correct angulation fore and aft, moved soundly but could have a tad more enthusiasm, it was very hot inside so I made allowances for this.
2nd Ross ‘Tremaro Star Touch at Samshernik’
3rd Smedley ‘Antoc Soul Mate’
Maiden 3 (2 abs)
1st Smedley’s ‘ Antoc Soul Mate’
Elegant rich coloured sable in good coat, refined head with a nice eye and correct stop. Excellent neck and body proportions a little narrow all through but at only 13 months and with everything in the right place can only improve with time.
Novice 3 (1 abs)
1st Collin’s ‘Chelborn Soul Desire for Triburle’
2nd Wright’s ‘Pelido David Weir’
Graduate 10 ( 3abs 1 w/d)
1st Shipp’s ‘Tremaro Catch a Star’ I understand this win gives him h is JW well done.
2nd Telford’s ‘Glenbowdene Shades Of Gold JW’ slightly shaded sable of nice proportions decent neck and length of body and showing steadily, he has a nice eye set in a moulded one piece head with the correct stop Good ear placement and well conformed with the necessary angulation front and rear needed to obtain correct movement and carried his tail low.
3rd Well’s ‘Collingvale Crunchie at Terelimon’
Post Graduate 7 (3 abs)
Disappointing class . This is a Crufts qualifying class! In my opinion the dogs present lacked breed quality and were lacking in sufficient merit , after deliberation and a decision I didn’t take lightly I decided to with hold all awards.
Mid Limit 8
A nice class
1st Coulson ‘Coarhabeg Rider In The Sky over Bluchip’ Upstanding blue dog of the most excellent shape, his elegant outline enhanced by a good reach of neck topped by his lovely head smooth and moulded a soft sweet expression exuded from his almond dark eyes, all supported by a good underjaw. Standing he looked a picture completely balanced. Super angulation to his shoulder and with a good bend of stifle and short hocks his movement was sound and free complemented by his long low tail carried correctly all covered by a fitting very clean beautiful coloured and nicely marked blue coat, completing a lovely dog. Very pleased to award him the Reserve C.C in good company .
2nd Liversidge and Cronk ‘Rosschell It Started With a Kiss at Chelborn’
Again an upstanding tricolour dog no denying his sex, nice outline balanced and covered with a jet black coat which was well presented, he has a lovely head smooth and moulded beautiful eye obliquely set and topped with good ears. Moved soundly .
3rd Well’s ‘Collingvale Cast A Spell over Terelimon’
Limit 11
1st Foy and Hawkins ‘Beldones Black Illusion’ What a stunning tricolour dog of 3 years just coming into his prime. Not a big dog but oozes quality.
Superb moulded smooth head balanced by a correct stop an exquisite dark obliquely placed eye creating an expression that you have to get right with a tri, enough underjaw and a well filled backskull with no flaring, all topped by the neatest of correctly placed and tipped ears. When using his arched neck and ears he looked at me with the most melting yet masculine expression. His shoulder has perfect angle with upper arm. Good bone and neat tight feet. Having the correct length of body and height ratio with the required rise over the loin his rear angles are spot on. Very good muscle tone (lacking in so many) and neat short hocks. All covered by a fitting well presented jet black coat.
As his very correct conformation would suggest on the move he really came into his own absolutely floated around the ring keeping his topline and with a light effortless stride his feet hardly touching the ground . For me the complete package and delighted to award him the C.C .
2nd Blaikie ‘Willowdene Double Or Quits at Wassail’ Another tri dog although a tad smaller than 1st he is a nice dog in fabulous condition with a nice head and eye. Excellent conformation enabling him to move with drive,just wish he had a little more length and height to his outline.
3rd Jackson ‘Sassari Mister Solitaire’
Open 15 (4 abs)
1st Blackmore’ Magenta Monet’ Super mature sable of nice type expertly presented, he has a nice moulded head balanced and with a sweet dark eye although for me I would prefer it slightly more oblique nevertheless a nice expression, he stood and showed well on a loose lead very attentive to his experienced handler, he has correct conformation enabling to move soundly with propulsion and drive. Demanded attention and could never be overlooked a nice boy.
2nd Foy and Hawkins ‘Int Ch Beldones Double Diamond’
Qaulity sable in presented in tip top condition and showing non stop, he possesses a lovely head refined and without coarseness lovely ear set right on top, good neck with good shoulders,would prefer slightly better length of body but he has an excellent hind quarter with neat short hocks, moving soundly and with the correct tail carriage .
3rd Loaders ‘Redola Hotshot’
Wendy Smith