The British Collie Club – Championship Show 4th March 2023
Dogs

Many thanks for inviting me to judge the males at the above show.  I was pleased overall with the exhibits I had.  A few points to note – Teeth, even youngsters had dirty teeth! Tails – if t must be waved in the air, at least make sure it's brushed! And thirdly, is there a new trend for excess hair around the ears and on the skull?  To me this makes the head look way too deep and in many cases the ears were hardly visible! That said, my winners were a joy to judge, especially the open class.  Small observation, throwing a ball around often helps the other exhibitors......

Veteran Dog (2)

1.  Cooney’s CH. JOPIUM STOLE MY HEART AT LINGWELL. Favorite of mine, and I have awarded him a CC in the past.  He has a lovely shape, balance throughout, with immaculate presentation.  Head handles well, no coarseness at all.  Well placed stop, lovely eye-shape giving a melting expression.  has good length of neck and back, nice bone and good feet.  Moved soundly enough in the class, if somewhat lacking in enthusiasm.  Always stands and shows for his owner, just needs that bomb to be strategically placed! In the challenge he had more drive, but the younger lads just had the edge.  Best Veteran Dog and then Best Veteran in Show, well done!
2. Boyles BARRENCLOUGH DIAMOND DAYS JW.  Preferred overall shape of winner. This lad has enough bone and good presentation.  Nice head, with correct eye shape and pleasant expression, good ear carriage. Drops off a bit on the backend, and rear movement a little slack.

Minor Puppy (1).
1. Perrots GATAJ LIGHTENING FLASH, 8 mth old.  Pleasing pup, needs to grow into himself.  good length of neck and back, giving good shape.  has a nice head, correctly placed stop, well shaped eye.  Lacked a bit in underjaw.  Exuberant on the move, good front angulation, needs to tighten in the rear.  Shown in good coat and condition with a little more ring training will improve his chances.

Puppy (4, 1 abs)

1.  Lockyers GATAJ TURN BACK TIME, such a cutie!  Already a born showman, with a happy disposition.  He has a lovely balanced shape, enhanced by excellent presentation.  Well rounded muzzle. Correctly placed stop, lovely almond eye and good ear carriage. Nice lenghth of neck, good deep ribs.   He has good bone, lovely feet, and moved well for a youngster.  Great to see him enjoying his day out, I thought he was delightful and well deserved Best Puppy Dog.
2. Walker & Ritchies STARLENGA JUST AS WELL.  Liked this lad, similar characteristics to 1, who has the advantage of being more show savvy.  Another with excellent bone and substance, I prefer a less extreme eye.  Lovely profile outline, need to settle into the job in hand.  Excellent presentation, once he settles will trouble the best.
3. Clark’s RIVERSIDE SONG UNBELIEVABLE GUY AT STAVODS (Imp. Rus)

Junior Dog (3, 1)

1.  Lockyers GATAJ THE DARK SIDE, balanced tri, with a good expression, coming from well shaped eyes, nice ear placement and good stop.  Lovely construction, and moved well.  Colour detracts a bit, but presentation again excellent.
2. R.S. Unbelievable Guy (Imp Rus)

Maiden Dog (3, 1 w/d)

1.   G. Turn Back Time
2. R.S. Unbeleivable Guy

Novice Dog (3)

1.  G. Turn Back Time
2. R.S. Unbelievable Guy
3. Fielding's LILLYWAY LEMON CRUSH

Graduate Dog (7,1)
1  Brodie’s SHANABURN COUNTRY ROAD.  Overall made a nice picture, I was  drawn to him for his balanced outline with enough bone, and good presentation.  Like his eyeshape, nicely placed       ears.  Would like him a shade bigger all round.  Moved out very well, both here and in the          challenge.
2. McCartes ROUGHRIGG RED ALL OVER.  Very nice dog, maturing well.  My preference is for a smaller eye, but he has a well placed stop and good ear placement.  I like cleaner about the ears, and so much hair makes him appear deep through.  Shown in good coat and condition, strode out nicely, just needs to tighten in rear movement. 
3. Brookers CORISIAN PARISIAN MAGIC.

Post Graduate Dog.  (3,1)

1.  Dix’s BARRENCLOUGH DIAMOND SKIES.  Pleasing head properties, another with good length of neck and back.  Shown out of coat, but what he had was nicely presented.  Stood and showed well, ears a little wide set.  Has good bone and substance, moved OK, but stood himself well.
2. Gautrey’s LILLYWAY LANDWIND.  Nice shaded s/w, head handles nicely, good stop, well shaped eye and good ear placement.  Nice depth of chest, stood well.  Movement OK, let’s not mention the tail

Mid Limit (4)

1.  Lockyers GATAJ OUT OF THE WOODS JW,  eyecatching s/w of nice proportions.  Eye placement a little flat for me, but did not detract from epression.  Well placed stop, nice ear carriage.  Good depth of chest, good length of back.  Stood nicely, with tight feet.  Good bend of stifle, and neat hocks.  Moved out well with exccellent tail carriage.
2. Turner’s CHANTIQUE MAGICAL MYSTERY, lovely headed dog, with well placed stop, good eye shape and lovely ear carriage.  Another with too much hair on top of head and around ears.  Nice length of neck and back, good ribcage.  Nicely boned with good tight feed, nice bend of stifle.   Good rear movement, front could be tighter.
3. Boyle’s BARRENCLOUGH HEART OF GOLD.

Limit Dog (4, 1)   I felt the ring was too small for these adult dogs.  

1.  Hawkins & Foy’s BELDONES ROCKET MAN.  Lovely shape, enhanced by excellent presentation.  Good head, well placed stop, dark well shaped eye.   Good dentition, nice underjaw.   Ears a bit heavy but were well set.  Nice length of neck and all in proportion, bodywise.  Moved well, easy winner of this class.
2. Fuller’s HANVALE ARTHUR SHELBY WITH DAMOS .   Shown out of coat, but what he had was well presented.  Overall he was a bit square for me.   Head has enough stop, well shaped eye, good ear placement.  Rear movement OK, but out at elbows coming towards me.
3. Growcott’s LILLYWAY LEGACY.

Open Dog (7).   Absolutely thrilled with this class.

1.  McCann’s CH. OAKLAND BLUE STYLE DU CLOS DE SEAWIND AT ZOLKHAN (imp. Fra).  The most stunning blue merle.  Constantly showing for his owner and always stands perfectly.  No need for any alternative attracting, he only has eyes for her.  To me, he is just reaching his prime, and has never looked better.  Every hair is brushed and brushed again.  His lovely moulding in foreface, correctly shaped eye, well placed stop gives the expression to die for.  Good width of chest, plenty of heart room, lovely ribcage, lovely tight feet.  He has plenty of bone and substance but retains elegance.  Correct bend of stifle and neat hocks.  Even the change of handler to be moved didn’t put him off his stride.  Moved out really well, and I felt the best mover here today.  Shows himself off calmly and quietly, delighted to award him the CC, then over the moon he was awarded BOB, and ultimately Best In Show.   Well done!
2. McCarte’s CH. ROUGHRIGG RAG N BONE MAN.  Close run with winner, I think this dog looks better for having less coat than he usually does!  I liked his overall balance, and he showed a treat for the ball across the ring, just as I looked at him. Has a great expression,  coming from lovely head properties, well placed stop, dark almond eyes, and super ear placement.  Good strong neck, onto well placed shoulders, nice legs and feet.  Good bend of stifle and neat short hocks.  Another with excellent presentation.  Moved out really well, with plenty of drive, in the challenge he just floated down the extended ring, and I was pleased to award him the Reserve CC.
3. Blaikie’s KOURIKA KING PIN. 

Christine Collins
(Judge)