16th January 2026

The Royal Kennel Club launches the Breeding for Health Framework, grounded in science and shaped with breeders, breed health coordinators and veterinary experts. The framework builds on more than a decade of work, reviewing over 4,000 scientific publications on pedigree dog health and follows on from our Breed Health and Conservation plans. We identified issues and we listened to the community which led to us commissioning a report in early 2025. The framework is the result of that report, authored by Dr Alison Skipper, which includes a full review of all 222 Breed Health and Conservation plans in addition to numerous stakeholder interview with breeders, breed health co-ordinators, veterinarians and subject matter experts. Project to be delivered in 2026 are: - Genetic diversity – the creation of a working group representing over 100 breeds - Conformation – the launch of a nose-to-tail veterinary assessment) - Breed-related disease – development of a mandatory health testing process To find out more and read the full report, or a summarised version, please visit the website: royalkennelclub.com/breedhealthframework.

POPULATION ANALYSIS  - as Issued by the RKC

Many of you may not have time to access the latest issue, received by our Health Co-Ordinator, Jo Williams

This is now available on this site (CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD) and make some very interesting reading concening our breed, and some even more interesting figures.

It would be very helpful, should you have comment to direct the DIRECTLY to Jo for compilation and comment as some issues do not make valid points. Jo can be contacted on: jo@mejola.co.uk. or please comment via you Club or even to me, on ca.antoc@btinternet.com

Before reporting on the next Collie event of the year – British RCOTY, I have been reminded, again, by Shelley Skinner of the following;
She would like us all to know of her wonderful 2025, culminating in the gaining of a Veteran Warrant for her tricolour bitch, Samhaven Time Is Money at Nikal, known as Mia. Born in March 2014, she is sired by Ch Samhaven Time Will Tell out of Samhaven On The Money (a daughter of Ch Ladnar Kingfisher) and she did gain her KCSB number during her show campaign. Just in case you were not aware, a VW may be claimed in respect of a dog, aged 7 years and over that has obtained 25 points at General and Group Open shows, so no mean feat as this will involve attending many open shows. Now with this award, maybe Mia can rest upon her laurels.  Mia often accompanied Shelley and her other boy, Ladnar Make It Happen at Nikal who also claimed his KCSB during the year and her 2025 culminated in Shelley’s application via Grand-Father rights to award CC’s being approved!

Now to the main event, organised by British Collie, which was Rough Collie of the Year for 2025. Held, at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel on Saturday. From an original entry of 69, comprising 55 Roughs and 14 Smooths, there were, obviously many absentees due to the horrid weather conditions following storm Goretti which affected not only those in the north of the country but many others in areas not normally affected and also introduced a lot of the “white” stuff to hinder travel arrangements.

The judges for the event were announced as Ms Ally King, (Allyking)Stephen Clark (Derbypark) and from abroad, Weil-Bertie Smeijsters.(Timeless Twilights)  and it actually ended up being quite a Family Affair, so bear with me. All Judges were kept busy and with the Smooths scheduled first, many of the sumptuous rosettes started to leave the tables which aligned the side of the room. Winning for the Smooths was Coldelee Eternal Sunshine (Adult); Blamorder Star Struck By Versatlis (Junior); Ch Oakestelle Artemis VW ShCEx (Veteran).

In Roughs, starting with the Juniors , there were originally  10 entries, 4 of whom did not make the event but fairly local exhibitors, Dave & Sue Randall, with Ladnar Call My Name annexed the title of Junior of the Year. R/Up went to Corydon The Baronet for Miranda, along with Lynmead Designer Tipple for Collingvale and Aaronwell All About Elsa for Jane Margetts and John Congdon respectively. Veterans were headed by Dreamy, Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian for Jo Brooker, followed home by Santaloly’s Sky Amidalas for Hannah Lyall with Barrenclough Heart of Gold JW. ShCEx VW and Ambartr King of the Ring taking 3rd & $th places.

Now to the Adult Males, Caz Waterhouse and Lynmead Royal Lover took this title, followed home by Ch Paulara No Where Man for Luis and Charlene, Lynmead Prince Charming (l/b to winner) and Ann Page took 3 rd with Geosamka Loves To Love at Ithilieam for Sue Harris. For the ladies, l/s to the dog winner, Lynmead Waiting for Love (known as Toyah) and Caz took 1 st place, interesting to note they are both sired by Born To be Quite Famous Lynmead out of Timeless Twilights Sent with Love to Lynmead. R/U was Aaronwell Able Mabel JW with Gataj Exotic Girl for Melissa in 3 rd and Didek Moonshine for Cathbri placed 4 th . For Cathy Proctor. To summarise, both the Top Male, Top Female and 3 rd placed male are all litter mates and to add icing on the cake, 3rd placed Junior is a daughter of the Overall Rough Collie of the Year Winner who was declared as Toyah, Lynmead Waiting For Love.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com