Rough Collies

Thank you to the Committee of City of Birmingham for inviting me as a replacement Judge for the Rough Collies, to my two excellent stewards and to the exhibitors for your entry.

On a negative note, presentation let some exhibits down, as did tail carriage, in both sexes. However, teeth were very clean and temperaments excellent.

VD
no entries

PD (2,1)
1st Boyle's Barrenclough Diamond Days - a promising sable/white of 6 months who was pleasing in head due to dark eyes, neat well used ears and good stop, all combining to give a soft but masculine expression. He is nicely constructed, good lay back of shoulders and bend of stifle. Lovely outline when viewed in profile and moved out with confidence, although a tad close at the rear.

JD (1)
1st Flint and Aikman's Highnol Echoes in the Mist for Welanga - A blue merle of good colour who seemed to have other things on his mind, but at 13 months has plenty of time to mature. He has a balanced head with good eye shape and although his ears are a tad heavy, this did not detract from his pleasing expression. Has good reach of neck onto well placed shoulders and good length of back. He is balanced with well angulated rear and moved out positively.

PGD (3)
1st Wray's Takhisis Trick or Treat - and it was a treat to see this tri again. First judged him at 7 months and he is certainly fulfilling past expectations and maturing into an elegant dog, and of course groomed to perfection. He has a lovely wedge shaped head of good length, dark eyes, small semi erect ears set correctly to enhance his soft, but masculine expression. Firm back with rise over loin area, deep chest, well sprung rib cage and good bend of stifles. Standing he makes a pleasing picture with clean elegant body lines and moved effortlessly around the ring, keeping his top line and tail down. Although he was not in full coat, I was pleased to award him BD.

2nd Arrowsmith's Saganan Gundagai - Loved this well presented blue merles colour. He has a good reach of neck, bone and substance nd is balanced throughout. Head handled well and of good length, rounded muzzle, flat skull and correctly placed dark eyes, but would prefer a tighter ear carriage and initially was reluctant to show to advantage. However, in the challenge, he decided to get his act together and covered the ground with drive and purpose RBD.

3rd Philpin's Bahatiview Bojanges for Tudorlyn

OD (5,1)
1st Sargeant's Coarhabeg Sea Hawk - a very well groomed tri and one of the few with correct length of tail. He is of good size and substance. Firm back with rise over loin area, well sprung rib cage, rear quarters showing thigh muscle and strong hocks. I would prefer a more refined head, but it does handle well and is balanced. He deserved his placing due to his sound movement.

2nd Scott's Aniesh Portrait in Blue ShCm - Blue merle, pleasing head type, clean stop and flat skull, no showing fool, but did enough. Standing made pleasing picture and has reach of neck into well laid shoulders, quarters well angulated and muscular. Good confirmation with corresponding easy movement.

3rd Skinner's Nikal It's Gud to be Black

GCD (1)
1st Scott's Aniesh Touch of Black - and this tri was black with full white collar. Balanced head with good eye shape and placement. Reach of neck onto well placed shoulders, adequate bone, neat feet and well bent stifles. Moved adequately although rear movement could be more positive.

VB (2)
Very different in type, but a credit to their owners.

1st Sargeant's Coarhabeg Kaleidoscope - Blue merle, her colour is not her fortune, but I loved her cheeky expression. She has a feminine head with neat ears that she knows how to use, well filled fore face and good under jaw. Good length of back and angulations front and rear, well let down hocks and moved with drive. Hard to believe she is 9 years old. BVIB

2nd Milligan's Ch Alfsden Hakuna Matata ShCm - A little strong in head for me, but I did like the overall make of this tri. Head of balanced proportions, flat skull, expressive eyes, neat ears used to advantage. She is still in good hard condition and considering she is now 11 years young, moved out with an easy stride.

These two girls can still show some of the dogs shown today how to move. Thank you for giving me the pleasure of judging them.

PB (6,2)
Was splitting hairs between 1 and 2, and could have done with two red cards

1st James' Beldones Legend of Love - A very promising sable white baby of 6 months who instantly appealed due to her feminine expression. Lovely shape, good reach of neck, length of back and nicely balanced throughout. Still needs to develop some of the finer head points, but she has alert, well placed ears, as well as dark eyes set correctly, all combining to give the sweet expression I was looking for. Nicely angulated and stood correctly. Very well groomed, attentive to handler and moved as one. Considering this was her first show, she took it all in her stride, well done BPIB

2nd Wray's Beldones Pandora - a more mature 10 month sable/white. Appealing outline when viewed in profile, nicely constructed and presented to perfection, in good coat, and condition. Would prefer a slightly tighter ear carriage, but this did not detract from her melting expression. Everything in proportion, nicely arched neck, balanced conformation and moved well, keeping her top line and tail down. One to keep an eye on as she matures.

3rd Boyle's Barrenclough Golden Pearl

JB (4)
1st Margett's Collingvale Creme Anglaise - Another expertly presented sable/white. Excellent balanced confirmation, nicely arched neck and length of back. Attractive head and expression, but too deep in stop for me. Firm back with rise over loin area, deep chest, well sprung rib cage and rear quarters showing thigh muscle. One of the few to stand correctly, commands attention, showed and moved with style RBB

2nd Philpin's Sassari Snow Shimmer for Tudorlyn - a very well presented blue merle. Another feminine girl with much to admire, elegant shape and of good size and substance. She is nicely balanced throughout with reach of neck and length of back. Although a little fine, her head handles well with good eye placements and neat ears, which she knows how to use, all combine to show off her charm. An excellent showgirl who moved out with effortless stride.

3rd Flint's Highnol Dancing Flame

PGB (6,1)
1st Margett's Collingvale Creme Anglaise

2nd Milligan's Ladnar Mystic Circle with Alfsden - a quality blue merle who is nicely balanced throughout. Her head handles well with no exaggerations, rounded muzzle , flat skull, expressive eyes and ears used to advantage. Has good bone, deep chest and well sprung rib cage. Coat presented in peak condition and moved out with effortless stride.

3rd Skinner's Samhaven Time is Money with Nikal

OB (9,1)
1st Growcott's Jopium Fascinator - This gleaming black tri caught my eye as soon as she came into the ring, and did not disappoint when going over her. She oozes quality and is totally balanced. Head handles well with dark correctly placed eyes and neat well used ears, all giving the desired expression, which can be difficult to achieve in a tri. She has reach of neck, depth of ribs, length of back, and is nicely angulated. Expertly presented, showed and moved with style BB/BOB

2nd Philpin's Tudorlyn Little Princess ShCm - A charming sable/white with clean elegant body lines. Head of good length but would prefer a smaller eye. Has reach of neck, firm back and nicely angulated. Neat well used ears, flat skull and was expertly groomed. Showed and moved to advantage

3rd Davis' Old Golden Gates Francheska

GCB (1)
1st Boyle's Monsolana Madam Blues over Barrenclough (Imp) - A confident blue merle in good condition. Elegant shape with length of back, and nicely angulated rear. Balanced head, although I would prefer a tad more length. Attentive to handler and moved steadily.

Joy Walker