Collie Club of Wales – Open Show
Saturday 22nd October 2022

Thank you to the committee for their kind invitation to judge at their October Open Show. Having owned Rough Collies for just over 20 years, to judge my first Breed Club Show today was an honour and a privilege. I was very happy with my entry of 28 Rough Collies, which was in line with reduced entries we have seen across the board of late.

That said, the quality of the exhibits was very high and I thank each and every exhibitor for entering in what I know are challenging times for many at the moment. There was a lovely, friendly atmosphere throughout the day.

The hard working members of the committee should be commended for their organisation, excellent catering on the day, and a lovely selection of raffle prizes. Granted, the quantity of food would probably have fed a 4 day General Champ Show! Thank you also to my ring stewards, Marina, Stefani and Abby. Presentation of the exhibits today was generally excellent. However, the importance of dental hygiene is something that I would like to re-iterate.

Class 1 – Minor Puppy Dog (3,1) 1. Lockyer’s Very Special Angel Silvestre at Gataj (Imp Bel) NAF TAF A lovely start to my day! 6 ½ month old golden sable of good size with an appealing soft but very definitely masculine expression. Good length of head and adequate underjaw. Nicely sized eye and set. Ears well set and used to his advantage. When stood and viewed in profile he has a pleasing outline with a good length of back to a well angulated rear. Well off for bone. Lovely length of neck, He moved well with good drive from the rear and excellent muscle control for one so young. Presented in immaculate condition, sound temperament and well schooled. Was my pleasure to go on to award him BPIB and I’m sure he has a promising show career ahead. BMPD/BPD/BPIB 2. Congdon’s Aaronwell All About a Blue 6 ½ month old blue boy of good colour. Correct head proportions, with good underjaw. Eyes of good size and placement. Reluctant to use his ears to his advantage. He was a little unsettled today, possibly overwhelmed by his surroundings in the hall. On a different day, in a different environment I’m sure this would not have been the case.

Class 2 – Puppy Dog (1,0) 1. Congdon’s Aaronwell Ain’t He a Saint 11 month old shaded sable with a sweet, masculine expression. Well filled foreface and good length of head. Nicely sized, dark eye. Ears correctly tipped. Good reach of neck, well laid back shoulder. Nice level topline. Moved OK, but not a fan of the floor surface.

Class 3 – Special Yearling Dog (1,0) 1. Lockyer’s Gataj Out of the Woods 22 month golden sable in full coat. Good clean head with well set, neat ears. He has a nicely sized and shaped eye, giving a lovely soft expression. Good length of back with correct topline. Well angulated to the rear. Presented in the same spotless condition as the other exhibits from this kennel today. On the move, he was light on his feet, covering the ring efficiently and unphased by the floor surface. I was happy to be able to go on to award him BD and BOB, and he was subsequently awarded BIS by Mrs Collins against the smooth. On the day, the movement of both my BD and BB was excellent but this boy got me with his expression. BD/BOB/BIS

Class 4 – Novice Dog – No Entries Class 5 – Post Graduate Dog (1,1)

Class 6 – Limit Dog (1,1)

Class 7 – Open Dog (3,1) 1. Shipp’s No More Heroes du Clos de Seawind JW (Imp Fra) 5 year old golden sable in full coat, which was excellently presented. Well proportioned clean head. Lovely sized and set eye. Correctly tipped ears. Well laid back shoulder and adequate length of back. Today, on occasion had a tendency to tuck his back feet under which affected his outline when stood. However, he moved very well. Light on his feet, moving with drive. A lovely quality dog, I was happy to award him Reserve Best Dog and Reserve Best of Breed. He then went on to Reserve Best in Show RBD/RBOB/RBIS 2. Benton’s Ch Brooklynson El Dorado 5 year old sable presented in spotless condition. Lovely outline and shape when stood, he is well angulated front and rear, and has a good length of back. Clearly well exercised and in superb muscular tone. He has good head proportions and excellent underjaw, but for me lacked the softness in expression of (1). He moved well, but did play his handler up a bit today by enjoying himself a little too much but showing great character.

Class 8 – Veteran Dog or Bitch (2,0) 1. Patman’s Pick Pocket via Samhaven 8 year old sable dog in great condition for his age. Good length of head. Dark, well sized and placed eye and good stop. Well laid back shoulder, good length of back and rise over the loin. Good angulation to the rear, but lacking a few furnishings. Moved well, but a little over happy with his tail today. BVD/BVIB 2. Skinner’s Samhaven Time is Money with Nikal 8 year old tri bitch who is definitely ‘mummy’s girl’ and so responsive to her handler. She has good head proportions, correctly tipped ears. Good length of neck and a nice outline when stood. Moved well, but pipped to the post by (1) on expression today. BVB

Class 16 – Minor Puppy Bitch (2,1) 1. Shipp’s Tremaro Kind of Magic 6 month old very promising baby in the process of growing her adult ‘dress’. Well proportioned head, with good eye size and set. Correct ear set and tip, although a little up and down at this age. Wonderful long reach of neck, good length of back with a level topline. Moved well today, with good reach and drive and just needs to tighten up her rear movement, which will come with age. She was a little overwhelmed by her surroundings, but I would like to commend her young handler for the calm way in which she dealt with this, and constant re-assurance in the ring. BMPB

Class 17 – Puppy Bitch (1,0) 1. Congdon’s Millubie Essence of Magic (Imp Ser) NAF TAF 11 month old tricolor presented in excellent condition, with an absolutely jet black coat. Beautiful sweet expression, nicely sized and placed eyes. Neat tight ears, which for me could have been a little more tipped today. Amazing length of neck, set off by a big white collar. Lovely length of back. Good angulation to the rear, neat well placed back feet. Moved well, with reach and drive. Unlucky to meet my BPD today, but a quality bitch with I am sure a promising future. I liked her a lot. BPB

Class 18 – Special Yearling Bitch (3,0) 1. Lockyer’s Gataj Good Time Girl 22 month sable with sweet, feminine expression. Good head proportions but for me I would like a little more underjaw. Neat, correctly tipped ears. Well arched neck, good length of back to rise over loin. Good rear construction, just tucking her back feet under on occasions today. Moved with effortless free flowing movement. 2. Ross’s Most Majestic Timeless Touch at Samshernik (Imp Hun) 15 month sable who took a little while to settle in the ring today, but again sympathetically handled. Good length of head, adequate amount of underjaw. Good length of back and well angulated front and rear. Moved OK, but I preferred the expression and movement of (1) on the day today.

Class 19 – Novice Bitch (1,0) 1. Ross’s Most Majestic Timeless Touch at Samshernik (Imp Hun)

Class 20 – Post Graduate Bitch (4,0) 1. Lockyer’s Gataj Honey Bee 2 year old sable bitch with soft, sweet expression from a nicely sized eye and neat alert ears. Well arched neck, good length of back and nicely angulated to the rear. Neat fitting coat, presented in immaculate condition. Moved well, with good reach to the front and totally unphased by her surroundings and the floor surface. Had a touch of the fidgets for her handler in the challenge, but I was pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch based on her soundness, expression and movement. RBB 2. Congdon’s Riverside Song Instant Karma from Aaronwell (Imp Rom) NAF TAF 17 month old blue bitch who really appealed to me. Good head proportions, lovely oblique set eye and very sweet expression. Lovely reach to her neck, set off by a flashy white collar. Good length of back, lovely markings and level topline. Sound construction both front and rear. Moved well, but was not quite so keen on the indoor venue and didn’t get up to speed. Would love to see her outside on grass. 3. Edwards & Bluck’s Paulara Lucy in the Sky for Elshajo

Class 21 – Limit Bitch (4,1) 1. Patman & Grainger’s Samhaven Sound Effects 4 year old shaded sable not in her full wardrobe today but clearly of lovely type. Clean wedge head of correct proportions, nicely sized and set eye, neat ears which she used well. Good length of back coupled with a shapely neck made for a good outline when viewed stood in profile. Moved well for her handler. 2. Edwards’ Top Less Goldmania (Imp Ukr) 5 year old golden sable presented in good condition and clearly devoted to her handler. Good length of head, correct amount of stop and good underjaw. Well constructed front and rear. Good length of body compared to height. Moved well. On the day today, I just preferred the eye and expression of my class winner. 3. Erjon Elegant Annie at Samshernik

Class 22 – Open Bitch 1. Beare’s Jemspark Maid in Secret 6 year old golden sable who has a real ring presence and is totally at one with her handler. Beautifully proportioned making for a lovely outline when stood. Feminine head, dark eye, and correctly tipped, medium ears which she used well. Well laid back shoulder, good spring of rib, nice rise over the loin and excellent rear angulation. Her movement was effortless and free flowing. Very light on her feet, real drive from the rear, and with a well held topline. It was my pleasure to award her Best Bitch. BB/BOSIB/BOSIS 2. Shipp’s Gillyflower Della Buca delle Fate (Imp Ita) 5 year old sable who has the most beautifully rich coloured coat, and presented in spotless condition. Balanced head with a soft, sweet expression. Lovely tight ears which she really uses well. Well angulated front and rear. Moved OK, but unlucky to meet my class winner today.

Simon Walder (Hanvale