On 15th February 2017 we made that heart-breaking decision to give my precious Lucy sleep. She had made such an impact to our lives, from her first big win at 7 months old, winning Reserve Best in Show at Lancashire & Cheshire Collie Open and her retirement at 10 years old winning Best Veteran in Breed at Border Union.

In the years in between she won the kennel’s first Challenge Certificate in 2006, with a further 4 and 7 Reserves, and went on to many Best Veteran awards once she past 7, including 2 wins at Crufts. Twice she was the winner of East Anglian Collie Club’s Veteran of the Year, the second time also taking Reserve Collie of the Year.

3 days stand out in particular; Darlington 2007 where she won her third and crowning CC, becoming the kennel’s first champion, British Collie Club Championship show 2008 where she won Best In Show, and her one and only trip to France in 2014 where she not only won her veteran class but went on to win Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show from an entry of 213 collies from all over Europe.

She only had the one litter, but I am proud that her legacy lives on through her daughter, Ellie, and subsequent generations.

Sleep tight sweetheart x

Panda is my big, loveable clown; a joy to own both in and out of the ring. Initially a slow starter, as an adult he has been consistently well placed.

In 2008 he won his first RCC at Belfast, with his older sister BOB. In 2011 he won 2 further RCC's at National Working and Pastoral and East Anglian Collie.

Panda has truly been like a fine wine, and has been a constant winner in veteran classes. In challenges for Best Veteran he often had to challenge Lucy, with her coming out on top, but since her retirement he has won several Best Veteran awards at both open and championship shows. He was also runner up at the East Anglian Collie Veteran of the Year, to his sister!

At the age of 9 he won his 4th RCC at Ayrshire Collie; an unforgettable day. This was quickly followed by a magical Best in Show at British Collie Club's Christmas Open, a super end to a super year. 2016 got off to a great start with Reserve Best Dog and Best Veteran in Show at Collie Association Open and Best Dog, Reserve Best of Breed and Best Veteran in Show at Yorkshire Collie Open.

2nd September 2020 was one of those days we all dread. Made more difficult due to Covid, our vets found us a quiet space in their garden where we were able to say goodbye to my favourite boy.
So many achievements in the ring, never quite got his title but he was every inch the champion in my eyes. He was such a showman and never had an off day in the ring. He simply loved people and loved showing and was loved by many. A late bloomer, he won countless Best Veteran awards, and at Breed Club Open shows so many Best Dog, Reserve Best Dog and 5 Best in Shows, even at the age of 10 he showed no signs of slowing down.

His final appearance in the ring was at British Collie of the Year where he won the Veteran competition aged 11 ½ years old, to much applause and quite a few happy tears.
At home he was an absolute joy; very gentle and kind and loved his walks out with mum. He was the first of my boys to donate blood, and even made the local news promoting the services of Pet Blood Bank. Countless dogs owe their lives to my wonderful boy. He loved visitors and ‘sold’ many a puppy for us as prospective buyers simply fell in love with him.
Sleep well Panda

Takhisis Trick or Treat - Harry 1RCC
Ch Beldones Black Illusion x Takhisis Lady Natasha
Hips 3:6

Rehoming Harry is probably one of the hardest decisions ever, but he didn’t like showing and wasn’t over happy being in a pack of noisy football lovers. It was a chance conversation with a friend when I realised I had to find him a loving home and I had just the couple in mind, them having loved and lost Harry’s grandmother the year before.
He had experienced some success in the ring, especially at open show level but it was at home where he really made his mark, being the perfect walking companion with the sweetest nature. He was used at stud a few times and I’m lucky that there are some of his offspring with established kennels.
Here, I have his daughter Lily to continue the generations that go back to my foundation bitch, Aberhill Lady Luck at Takhisis who I bought all those years ago.
Enjoy your retirement Harry, my gentle boy.

Beldones Pandora - Charm
Ch Beldones Black Illusion x Icing Sugar Des Beldones, Hips 5:4

When I was looking at a sire for Duchess, I saw and fell in love with Charm. A very sweet natured girl, she appealed for her fabulous shape and her kind expression. She was 7 months when she joined us and settled in very quickly. A big thank you to Brian and Odile for entrusting me with another of your girls.

Her show career has been consistent, rarely has she been out of the top 3. Her highlight as a puppy was Best Puppy in Show at Irish Collie Ch, qualifying her for the British Collie Junior of the Year where she came 4th.
As a junior she has also been well placed, with Reserve Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show at Midland Collie.

She has taken time out to produce a gorgeous litter of 4 by Geko De Midland Valley. Here she is with her daughter, Amy, taken the day after she won her mid limit class at Crufts 2018.

Charm (Beldones Pandora) and her daughter Amy (Takhisis Aphrodite) - March 2018

Above photo taken March 2018

Her success continued winning limit bitch at Collie Club of Wales and Working and Pastoral Breeds of Wales. She was well placed at all shows attended before losing her coat. Following a short break, she returned to the ring by winning her classes and Reserve Best Bitch at both Yorkshire Collie and London & Provincial Collie open shows. She then came into season and produced a lovely litter of 6 by my own Harry, Takhisis Trick or Treat.

Above photo June 2018

As she’s got older, Charm has decided she prefers to stay at home. Sadly, she suffered a pyometra in early 2020 and so found a perfect retirement home in Northern Ireland

Takhisis Lady Grace - 'Grace'
Camanna Casanova x Takhisis Lady Natasha
Hips 5:6