BATH CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW – 2017
ROUGH COLLIES

My grateful thanks to Ben Ford and his excellent team for the invitation to judge my home breed, rough collies, at the Bath Championship Show. The weather was brilliant for us mere humans but some of the dogs suffered from the heat. Exhibitors were invited to wait in the shade until it was their dog’s turn to be seen. Not all took advantage.

The entry of 113 was the joint highest in the Pastoral group with only 12 absent. This was my 15th home appointment in the breed but my first since judging them at Three Counties five years ago where my BOB won the group. Sadly, there has been a rather disturbing decline since, so I travelled to Bath with a little trepidation. I have had the honour of judging collies abroad three or more times a year since Three Counties where the good ones have been really good.

However, no cause for concern! I was flattered by a really good representative entry where I found the quality in depth most rewarding, particularly in the well-filled limit and open classes in both sexes. The puppies, too, were particularly pleasing with some really nice babies on show. My only general concern is that a several collies have low set ears which detracts from expression, and others tended to toe in rather badly which affected placings and with some, the required ‘slight, but perceptible stop’ was absent.

My grateful thanks to my excellent stewards Stan Roberts and Graham Smith who kept me on track to finish in time to take on my second CC breed of the day, Leonbergers.

ROUGH COLLIES:

Dogs

MP (1) 1 Humphrey’s Shasam Sign Of The Times, homebred eight months s/w, son of Samhaven Just In Time who went BIS after I awarded him his first CC, I feel an attraction to a lot of his offspring, this lad being no exception, really nice head, clean, good ear carriage, lovely dark eye, sweet expression, good front, excellent legs and feet, Beautifully presented, good overall make and shape, very good shoulder for a youngster, good rear construction, strong loin, good bend of stifle and let down of hock, enabling sound movement.

P (5). Quality class. 1 Grainger’s Samhaven Sound Track, homebred from two champions to whom I’ve awarded CCs, this being another Justin s/w son who looks set for a bright future. Has the most gorgeous head, balanced, clean to handle, good skull, correct ear carriage, good stop and muzzle, beautifully shaped dark eye with super expression, well arched neck into very  good shoulder, good depth of chest, strong well boned forelegs, good pasterns, very good feet, good topline, strong in loin, well developed thigh muscles, good turn of stifle and strong let down of hock, all set to produce correct movement with good drive from rear. Very good showman, beautifully presented in full coat, most pleasing temperament, very sound. BP; 2 Foy & Hawkins’ Beldones Tom Wood, homebred s/w who, at nine months, has great potential and unlucky to meet 1. This boy also has a lovely clean head to handle, balanced, good skull and well used and placed ears, dark eye, alert intelligent expression, lovely overall make and shape, excellent rear construction, well developed thigh muscles, well let down hocks, good feet, excellent presentation, very sound and positive on the move with good drive from rear, lovely temperament; 3 Wray’s Takhisis Dream Weaver, another homebred s/w turned out in the best of order, just needs to strengthen up but very good overall construction, very sound, lovely temperament, completed a trio of quality puppies.

J (5) 1 Shipp’s Tremaro Celtic Son JW, homebred s/w rising 18 months who has followed on from a successful puppy career, excellent presentation, most appealing head, balanced, clean to handle, good dark eye, intelligent alert expression, good ears, arched neck into good shoulder, straight forelegs, strong pastern, neat feet, good length of back, strong in loin, well developed thigh muscles, good turn of stifle and let down of hock, very confident on the move, sound, lovely temperament; 2 McEntee’s Gerian Sunconnection, ultra sweet homebred s/w of instant appeal, turned out in best of order, nice clean head to handle, expressive dark eye, good shoulder and overall shape, moves with drive and animation, superb temperament, sound; 3 Lockyer’s Gataj Beau Of Surprises, homebred tri.

N (4,1a) 1 McEntee’s Gerian Sunconnection, homebred s/w, just out of puppy, second in JD; 2 McLaughlin’s Moondance De Cabrenysset for Brihow, French import, upstanding b/m, bit raw at present and full of himself but has qualities, decent head, good dark eye, nice expression, good overall make and shape, turned out in the best of order, needs to settle on move but sound, nice temperament; 3 Rust’s Jotars Moon’N Starz.

PG (12,3) this class had a lot of very nice dogs who were toeing in, whether through the heat making them lazy or what, but with the quality on parade, their chances became limited. 1 Page’s Lynmead Amalie Bring Me Back JW, love this s/w who is a good contender for his title. Awarded him a puppy group last year in good company, has instant appeal, always expertly presented and shown, quality head, clean to handle, well placed ever-alert ears, good skull, stop and muzzle, lovely dark well shaped eye, sweet masculine expression, nicely arched neck into very good shoulder, good legs and feet, good topline, very good rear construction enabling good drive and side extension, very sound, kind sensible, intelligent temperament, very fit boy, considered him in the final shake-up but not yet match principal winners; 2 Blaikie’s Kourika Kosta Koffee, homebred tri in sparkling condition, nicely balanced head, good dark eye, sweet but masculine expression, well turned out in full coat, good overall construction, good depth of chest and length of back, good turn of stifle, thighs well developed, seen him perform better, needs to sharpen up on move but sound, pleasing temperament; 3 Collins’ Triburle Triple Trouble.

L (13,1) very strong class. However, some lovely exhibits had rather low set ears which spoiled the overall expression.1 Tipper’s Tiganlea Too Good To Be Forgotten, homebred s/w, just three and a bit, his name is very prophetic! Seen him in better coat but only emphasised his correct shape, won this class with a bit in hand where his movement was quite stunning. Beautifully turned out, quality head, clean, good skull, correct ears, good stop and muzzle, nice well placed eye with affectionate, intelligent expression, arched neck into very good shoulder, good depth of chest, strong forelegs, pasterns and feet, good length of body, good topline, very good rear construction, good turn of stifle and let down of hock, thighs well muscled and developed, so very sound, in total harmony with handler on the move, art lesson in fitness and movement, joy to watch. Considered for top honours but those that made it were also bang in form. He should get there; 2 Congdon’s Monsolana Velvet Blue for Aaronwell, interesting b/m import rising five, bags of quality, excellent presentation, pleasing colour, very good overall make and shape, good skull, well used ears, good stop, very pleasing eye, sensible, loving expression, well arched neck into good shoulder, good depth of chest, strong legs, very good feet, good topline, excellent rear, let down of hocks, thighs well muscled, very sound mover, likes his tail but kept at acceptable level, very appealing lad, ticket material; 3 Telford’s Glenbowdene Shades Of Gold JW, homebred s/w, another sired by the CC winner whose quality shines through on this beautifully turned out lad, quality head, lovely dark eye, intelligent expression, superb temperament.

O (9,1) well, here we are at the business end of affairs, pleasure to judge. 1 Foy & Hawkins’ Int Ch/Eng Ch Beldones Double Diamond, homebred s/w nearing veteran but looks like a three year old, fabulous presentation, shown in full coat, always on his toes, demanding attention. Wouldn’t mind a few Double Diamonds while watching him move! I found him quite stunning, expression to die for. Such a quality head to handle, lovely skull, correctly placed ever alert ears, excellent stop, good muzzle, well shaped and placed dark eye, loveliest of kind, endearing expressions, full of intelligence, always alert, well arched neck into super, well angulated shoulder, strong forearms and pasterns, excellent feet, terrific body, depth of chest, strong in loin, excellent topline beneath that full coat coverings, excellent rear, turn of stifle, let down of hock, strong well developed and muscular thighs, very good tail, moves for England (or France!), such excellent drive from rear, correct and straight, good side and fore extension. Superb temperament and sound throughout. CC. In the challenge he matched his daughter faultlessly, but her beautiful charms won her through; 2 Collins’ Chelborn Soul Desire for Triburle, bred in the purple, those qualities clearly passed on. Expertly turned out s/w, unlucky to meet 1, matched him in so many departments. Beautiful head to handle, another with very good ears, skull, stop and muzzle, clean under the eye, correct wedge, dark well placed eye, just loved his expression, kind, intelligent, alert, responsive, well arched neck into very good shoulder, body well covered, strong in loin, very good rear construction, well developed muscular thighs, good turn of stifle and let down of hock, enabling eye catching drive on the move, correct and straight, good front and side extension. A lovely character, superb temperament, very sound. RCC; 3 Geddes’ Ch Ingledene Spirit’s Arise JW, homebred tri not disgraced by upper two, deserved his place by excellent construction, condition, presentation and excellent movement. Lovely sensible, intelligent temperament, so very sound.

V (2) 1 Scott’s Aniesh Portrait In Blue ShCM, homebred b/m, sired by my Windsor CC winner, lovely lad always knocking on the door, have seen him win well but never handled him before, pleasantly surprised. Good construction and overall make and shape, good neck supporting pleasing head, nice dark eye, intelligent friendly expression, good tan markings, good depth of chest, straight legs, body well covered, very good presentation, good rear, turn of stifle, let down of hock, easy mover, very sound, sensible temperament; 2 Cronk’s Chelborn Decision, homebred s/w from champion parents, just creeped into veteran, in excellent condition, coat beautifully presented, most pleasing head, eye and expression, like 1, good overall make and shape, good depth of chest, strong forelegs, pasterns, excellent feet, animated on the move with good drive, super temperament, sound.

Bitches:

MP (7) Fantastic class of babes, every one full of appeal, none out of place. 1 Humphrey’s Shasam Sign Of The Times, litter sister to MPD winner, same qualities, ultra feminine, beautifully balanced head, dark well placed eye, exquisite expression, excellent presentation, well handled, excellent feet, strong legs, very good rear construction, impressive on the move at such a young age; 2 Randall’s Samhaven Hopeful Ladnar, excellently presented b/m of very good colour, clean head to handle, correct well used ears, good dark eyes, endearing expression, good depth of chest, good topline, well developing rear, moved well, just needs to tighten up in front, but then she’s only eight months. Super temperament, very sound; 3 Foy & Hawkins’ Beldones Barley Sugar, homebred s/w, just six months, performed admirably on her debut, not phased by the occasion and grew in confidence throughout, no problem being handled, trained for the occasion, very pleasing head, eye and expression, confident on the move, sound, gorgeous temperament;

P (6,1) 1 Gladwell’s Monsolana Love N Kiss Jotars, awesome imported b/m of fabulous colour, make and shape, beautiful presentation, lovely head to handle, clean, balanced, good skull, excellent ear carriage, very good stop, lovely sweet eye, ultra feminine expression, well arched neck into very good shoulder, strong legs and pasterns, excellent feet, very good rear, turn of stifle, well muscled and developed thighs, confidently handled to exhibit such correct and true movement. Bit of a character, has excellent temperament, sound as a pound. BPB; 2 Newton & Patterson’s Chelborn Double Desire for Darahill, super s/w sired by day’s DCC winner, really attractive, excellently presented babe with lovely attitude, really clean head, good skull and ears, good stop, correct dark eye, ultra feminine expression, in good body and coat, strong legs, tidy feet, good rear, confident mover, sound, unlucky to meet 1; 3 McDade’s Fridens Captivation with Lyndale, beautiful import, bred from champion parents, nicely presented, pleasing head, just needs to build on confidence and get her act together on the move. It should come.

J (7,1) Gladwell’s Monsolana Love N Kiss Jotars; 2 Boyle’s Arklethill Helena at Samhaven, homebred s/w, beautifully prepared, sired by day’s DCC winner, quality lady so unlucky to meet 1 but has credentials to make her name, lovely clean balanced head, nice to handle, good skull, correct ears, well placed stop, excellent dark eye with ultra feminine expression, excellent make and shape, well coated of correct texture, good neck into well angulated shoulder, strong straight legs, good pastern, excellent feet, good depth of chest, good topline, strong in loin, good rear, very sound, positive mover, lovely temperament; 3 Ware’s Bella Bimba Della Buca Della Fate at Wassail, beautiful s/w developing well, good overall make and shape, lovely eye, feminine expression, well turned out, sound on the move, lovely temperament.

N (5) 1 Randall’s Samhaven Hopeful Ladnar, second in MP; 2 Jashika Shine Like a Diamond, lovely make and shape, well presented, sweet eye and expression, good depth of chest, good bone, good turn of stifle, sweet and sensible girl, moves well, sound; 3 Lockyer’s Takhisis Hope And Dreams with Gataj, s/w, this owner had five entered and presentation was faultless on all of them. This exhibit came up from VHC in the strong puppy class where not disgraced and again stood her ground in this class, ultra feminine with good temperament. Moved soundly.

PG (13,3) 1 Margetts’ Collingvale Chardonnay, homebred s/w of four years, meditating on whether to drop her coat. Excellent presentation, good overall make and shape, nicely arched neck supporting balanced head, clean to handle, good skull, well used correct ears, lovely dark eye, ultra feminine expression, very good shoulder, good depth of chest, good legs, pasterns, tidy feet, good depth of chest, good length of back, good hindquarters, well muscled thighs, strong hocks, positive mover, good drive from rear, lovely temperament, sound; 2 Scott’s Chantique Sugar Plum Fairy, homebred s/w, ultra feminine, instant eyecatcher, and knows it! In full bloom excellently presented, lovely clean head to handle, balanced, good skull, correct ears, very good stop, well placed dark eye, melting expression, good neck into well angulated shoulders, strong forelegs and pasterns, very good feet, in good body, depth and breadth of chest, good topline, strong in loin, lovely rear, turn of stifle, let down of hock, muscular thighs, very sound mover, good drive from rear, overall a lovely lady with discerning character and temperament, ran 1 very close; 3 Gladwell’s Golden Compass Of The Kimewopark with Jotars, imp, well constructed feminine lady who completed a trio of quality girls.

L (16,2) Excellent class. 1 Randall’s Ladnar Inkheart JW, homebred two year old tri in super bloom, close fitting jacket excellently presented, the black coat on the body glistening in the sun, lovely make and shape, looks good from all angles, super clean head, flat skull, correct ever alert ears, good stop, excellent dark eyes, ultra feminine expression, good neck into correct shoulder, straight well boned legs, excellent feet, good depth of chest, good topline, well constructed rear, well developed thighs, well muscled, good turn of stifle and let down of hock enabling very good thrust from rear, very sound and comfortable on the move, sensible endearing expression, looked good in the lineup; 2 Congdon’s Haute Couture Des Beldones, French import sired by day’s DCC winner, really sweet, well presented s/w, seductive expression, she knows she’s good, unlucky to meet 1, showed her quality  head off, excellent ears, good stop, lovely dark eye, ultra feminine expression, in good body and coat, strong legs, good rear construction, excellent mover; 3 Cronk’s Chelborn Kiss’n Desire, homebred three year old s/w from champion parents, clearly inherited their qualities with lots going for her, beautifully prepared in full coat covering strong body and depth of chest, well arched neck supporting lovely clean, balanced head, lovely dark eye, feminine expression, sound on the move, lovely expression.

O (15) Superb class full of quality ladies, pleasure to judge them.1 Foy & Hawkins’ Ch Beldones Fit For Fun, homebred s/w daughter of DCC winner who just shone. Entered the ring like a queen, and left it with another jewel in her crown. She’s good - and knows it, swans around with that air of nonchalance. Absolutely delightful. Her dad’s got a super head, and so has she, clean and balanced, flat skull, correct ears, perfect stop, most gorgeous dark eye and seductive expression, well arched neck into very good shoulder, good front and depth of chest, strong forelegs and pasterns, very good feet, in excellent body covered by excellently presented coat of correct texture, strong in loin, good topline, very good tail, well developed thighs, good turn of stifle, strong well let down hocks, and boy, could she move. Comfortably, effortlessly with great drive from rear. Showed her socks off, pleased to award her the CC and, in the challenge with her sire, her charisma won her through to BOB. Beautiful; 2 Wray’s Beldones Duchess Of Dreams JW, beautifully presented s/w job in hand, pulled out all the stops. Has the quality to make the top house, so very feminine, lovely clean head to handle, balanced, good stop, correct well used ears, very good stop, good dark eye, sweetest of expressions with a bit of mischief thrown in for good measure, like 1, excellently prepared coat, good neck into good shoulder, strong legs and pasterns, neat feet, good topline, strong in loin, really good back end, turn of stifle, let down of hock, good thigh muscles, nicely combined to produce excellent movement, showed her head off nonstop. Very sound, lovely soft temperament; 3 Walder’s Ch Heart Of Gold De Cabrenysset for Hanvale, imp, I love this s/w bitch, now five, surely at her best, perfectly prepared in full coat of correct texture, as her name says, she has a heart of gold with her delightful temperament and attitude. Lovely clean head to handle, balanced, good skull, correct ears, well arched neck into good shoulder, well boned and muscled throughout, in good body, strong in loin, very good back end, well muscled thighs, so sound and true on the move. I’ve seen her put more into her showing but by now the sun was right overhead. Nevertheless, she did sufficient to gain her place. Very sound.

V (4) 1 Hawkins’ Ch Brilyn Platinum Lustre, homebred b/m in the peak of condition, ultra feminine – and knows it! Most delightful head, eye and ultra feminine expression, looks good from any angle, sets herself up well, coat a lovely colour, good neck into correct shoulder, strong legs, good depth of chest, in good body, particularly good backend enabling good thrust from rear and effortless movement. Just love her. Personality plus, certainly the quality of platinum. Exceptionally outstanding in the challenge to win the RCC. 2 Margetts’ Amalie Let Me Be at Collingvale JW, always liked this s/w, like 1, ultra feminine, lovely balanced head, clean to handle, good skull, very good ears, very good overall conformation, well boned and muscled, good length of back, good stifles and hocks enabling sound workmanlike movement, completely sound, endearing temperament; 3 Arrowsmith’s Saganan Dancing For Joy, gleaming tri just into veteran, very well shown to earn her place, balanced head, good eye, lovely expression, well angulated body, well boned and muscled, just flowed on the move, very sound, lovely temperament and attitude.

Geoff Duffield (Judge)