Breed Notes It is not often that I am minded to review books, especially when they are about my own breed, but bear with me, as I have come across one of the better booklets concerning grooming of the Rough Collie. Back to the book, starting with the main essentials, this covers the minimum “Tools” needed which is useful if you are on a limited budget but more so if you are intending to replace or renew. Shampoos are also mentioned but do remember that although some are based in Denmark, within the UK, it is possible to obtain these or a UK equivalent. A section on bathing the Collie shows and describes the easiest way to do this and also suggests that you do not need a massive budget by way of blasters etc as both of these ladies used a simple hairdryer in their early days. Detailed descriptions, along with close up photo’s follow on Brushing, with suitable brushes, the correct way! Following on are sections on trimming front and back feet. The section that I found most interesting was Ears, a pet hate of mine is when I see far too many specimens with long dead hair surrounding the ear, a Collie’s ears should be seen, placed on the top of the skull (Not halfway down!) and trimmed to enhance the important expression. Other sections cover nail clipping, Teeth care and cleaning. All in all, in my opinion this booklet is definite Xmas present for anyone. Now to the main event of the weekend, the Collie Association Championship show, held at Coventry, a show I had every intention of attending, but Mother Nature decided that it would not be as many of the local roads leading out were flooded, so it was another “Stay at Home” day and thanks to Julie Growcott who kept me updated whilst not only showing her own dogs but I think she was also the Official Show Photographer. Firstly Secretary had news from the venue that their normal hall, the Arena had been double-booked so arrangements were made to use the Main Hall which although good does not have the same friendly atmosphere. Then, with 48 hours to go, a message from the approved judge for bitches, Mike Morgan (Baiodora) withdrew, saying that he was not in the best of health and was planning to return to the UK from Spain but this too it was not be. Therefore, a KC Approved substitute judge had to be found, at very short notice in the form of Valerie Geddes (Ingledene) who last judged the breed at Lancs & Cheshire in 2021. The overall entry was good, with 108 Roughs for Sam Wrisdale (Sachenda), Val Geddes (Ingledene) and a small but quality entry for Tan Nagreecha who judged the smooths. Sam last judged in 2021 at Midland Collie where she officiated over the ladies. Today, her choice for the Dog CC, his, 9th was the sable, Ch Samhaven Ballahanna Banjo owned by Alison Grainger and bred by Liam Kelly. He is sired by Ch Samhaven Sound Track out of Samhaven From The Top Drawer and he was born in January 2018, He won the Open class full of Ch’s and CC winners. Taking the RDCC was also from the same class. This was Kourika King Pin, a blue merle owned and bred by Robin Blaikie. Sired by Moondance de Cabrenysset for Brihow out of Ch Kourika Karrizma. Other class winners were: Veteran, Ch Jopium Stole My Heart at Lingwell and Brenda Cooney; he is sired by Jopium Heart n Soul out of Jopium Velvet Touch. Tiganlea Top Notch (Ch Born to Be Your Quite Famous Lynmead ex Marilake Remember Me at Tiganlea) won the strong MP class of 8 for John & Caroline Tipper. Avonfair Spellbound with Salsina (NAF) for Jayne & Carl Llewellyn won Puppy sired by Magical Moon of Lowlands Green Valley for Chantique out of Salsina Secret Love Song at Avonfair. Junior went to Thistlewing Smokey Quarts and Brenda Welsh (Karafaye Scotch Blend at Thistlewing ex Thistlewing Spell On You won Junior. Ladnar Dreamchaser (Ch Ladnar Mustriharder ex Fata Churchina Ladnar di Cambiano won Yearling for Sue Howard, Ann Newton & Valerie Patterson. Sam Parnham and her Caribbean Blue Sky Actis to Samante (Karibbean Light Silpion Valaquenta ex Pol Ch Blackfire Actis won Graduate. Post Grad was another win for John & Caroline and Tiganlea True Hero by Chantique Stardust out of Tiganlea Too Good To Be True. Brian and Odile took Mid Limit with Beldones Touchier Du Bois by Honky Tonk Man of River Tweed out of Beldones Enable. In Bitches, Val had a few more absentees, due mainly to the change of judge but she still had some well filled classes but heading the ladies was Ch Gillyflower Della Buca Delle Fate who took the CC, from Open. Handled, as usual by Rob Shipp, this is her 4th CC. Bred in Italy she is sired by More and More Della Buca Della Fate out of Rather Be Della Buca Delle Fate. The RCC went to Brian and Odile, who won with Beldones Magical Bliss, a daughter of Ch Roughrigg Rag n Bone Man out of Beldones Corradina and she won from Yearling. Carole Smedley |
