The North of Scotland Sheepdog Club

Saturday 13th April 2024

I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge Rough and Smooth Collies at the above show I had a wonderful day and thoroughly enjoyed your hospitality.  Thank you also to my stewards who kept the ring running smoothly. Most importantly though I would like to thank the exhibitors for allowing me to access their beautiful Collies I know only too well how much work goes into getting their dogs ready for a show along with the ever rising costs involved I really do appreciate each entry.  

ROUGH COLLIE

Minor Puppy. (1/1)

Absent.

Puppy (2/0)

1st - M Mitchell - Avonfair A Million Dreams - 9mths S/W bitch  
A lovely puppy who has been doing very well and I can see why she was presented and groomed to perfection.  What struck me most was her sweet expression which comes from a dark correctly placed eye topped of with neat ears which she used to her advantage her head was balanced I would however preferred more length in head. Good reach of neck, level top line with required rise over the loin. She moved well for one so young with correct tail carriage a worthy BPIB pleased to see her awarded RBPIS.

2nd - J Milne - Stregato My Highland Dancer - 10mths Tri Dog
I liked his overall shape lovely length of head and fill of muzzle, neat ears and correct placed slight stop.  Strong neck of good length flowed into a firm top line.  He needs to develop in chest which will come as he matures.  Movement was a little erratic due to his exuberance. He had a very friendly disposition which was lovely to see.  I will be interested to see how he develops he has plenty of time on his side. In the end first placed Puppy was more together on the move. 

Special Yearling (4/2)
1st - J Barr - Roughrigg Ragnfrid - 17mth S/W bitch
Two litter sisters who were very much alike not much to separate them.  This girl had a very feminine outline which was covered in a well presented fitted jacket.  Her head handled well with a correctly placed stop the sweetest of eye dark in colour, clean through the cheeks I would have preferred a tighter ear set.  Her length of back is slightly longer than height which the standard asks for good turn in stifle.  Moved well in all directions. 

2nd - D Haslam-Craig - Roughrigg Ragga (bai) 17mths S/W bitch
Most of the comments above applies a well presented girl who was attentive to her handler. Good bone and feet. Moved well around the ring.  Nice moulding to fore-face, scissor bite, dark eye but a little deeper in stop than her sister. Harsh fitted coat covered a well balanced outline.  In deciding between them I preferred the head properties of number 1.

Novice (2/1) 
1st - J Milne - Stregato My Highland Dancer 

Graduate Dog (2/0)
1st - C Taylor - Thistlewing Fire Dancer at Bryant 2yrs S/W dog
I judged this lad when he was a junior I liked him a lot then my opinion has not changed in fact he has improved as I hoped he would a young male who excels  in breed type nothing out of proportion.  A beautiful head of two parallel planes with a well placed stop clean through the cheeks the softest of expression came from dark almond eyes topped of with ears of correct shape/size.  Good length of neck, strong level top line. He had deepened in chest, moved well in front when moved at a faster pace.  Coat fitted his outline tail long and carried correctly at all times.

2nd - C Shorten - Thistlewings Andromeda at Bracoisla 2yrs S/W dog
A young lad who was very attentive to his handler.  Good length of neck and level top line but shorter in body than 1.  Head pattern was also shorter but was balanced super rounded muzzle dark eye well used ears.  Moved well in all directions around the ring due to being more at one with his handler.  Lost out to 1 as I preferred his length and elegance in shape.

Limit Dog (3/0)
1st - C Taylor - Thistlewing Fire Dancer at Bryany
2nd - H Swinton Raven - Corydon Ice Imperial  3yrs B/M dog
A very honest young male he had excellent height to length proportions. Super bone the tightest of feet. Lovely fill to muzzle eye dark well placed ears set well correctly tipped giving a gentle expression.  Strong arch to his neck.  Good turn to stifle which enabled him to move well from the rear but lacked a little in forward reach.  Coat was well presented harsh to the touch super dark tan markings but would have preferred a clearer blue. 
3rd - Thistlewings Andromeda at Bracoisla

Open Dog (3/0)
1st - B Welsh - Thistlewing Smoky Quartz - 2yrs S/W dog
Another male I have judged before he was at that time immature so had to settle for a second place but today I was delighted to see how much he had devolved he caught my attention as soon as he entered the ring.  His head was a delight to go over every inch a male but has the sweetest of expressions smooth through the cheeks well rounded muzzle scissor bite.  In good body tone strong arch of neck, depth of chest. Strong straight legs, well bend to stifle and strong hocks allowing him to move with a light but purposeful gait.  His rich mahogany coat finished the picture of a dog fit for purpose I had not hesitation in awarding him BOB so wonderful to see him being awarded BIS.

2nd - W Brodie - Shanaburn Country Road 2yrs S/W dog
Unlucky to meet 1 today there was a lot to like another young male who I am sure will have a bright future.  He was well balanced but shorter all through than 1.  Well filled muzzle, correct eye neat well used ears.  Good length to neck strong top line well set and held tail. Moved with drive from the rear not as smooth in front as wasn’t as settled on the move as 1.  Beautiful dark mahogany coat straight and harsh to touch finished off with a large white collar giving an impressive looking male. 
3rd - Thistlewing Fire Dancer at Bryany

Graduate Bitch (6/1)
1st - I Gee - Ingledene Powdered Sugar 2yrs B/M bitch
I have awarded this girl BOB before and I have not changed my thoughts on her.  She has the most elegant shape which was easy to see today as she was wearing her summer jacket however she has nothing to hide. A well filled muzzle so clean through the cheeks, two level balanced parallel planes. Lovely length to neck which followed through to length of back and tail.  Nice spring to rib good angulation front and rear which allowed her to move freely in all directions.  I had no hesitation in giving her this class. Pleased to award her Best Bitch and BOS only loosing out to the male due to him being more finished today.
2nd - D Haslam-Craib - Roughrigg Ragga
3rd - B Welsh - Ingledene Sno Dream At Thistlewing 

Limit Bitch (3/0)
1st - M Mitchell - Avonfair A Million Lovesong 2yrs S/W bitch
Beautifully presented as is expected from this kennel mother to BPIB.  Shown in excellent coat which fitted her outline she had a pleasing head correct scissor bite, rounded muzzle I was drawn into her soul with her sweet expression with her super dark almond eye.  Deep chest strong neck blended into the desired level top line.  Straight front legs and neat feet good turn to stifle allowing her to move well in front and rear.  I did consider her for BB but preferred the length to height ratio of the winner. 
2nd - W Brodie - Quintessa Sofia My Golden Love And Victory For Shanaburn (IMP Belgium) 4yrs S/W bitch
Very similar to the winner of the class also shown in good coat and condition. Head was balanced with neat ears dark obliquely set eye. Good length of neck strong top line with rise over the loin.  Moved with purpose especially in the rear tail was carried correctly at all times. On deciding the placings for this class I preferred the expression of 1.
3rd - C Taylor - Elshajo As If By Magic of Bryany 

Open Bitch (4/1)
1st - B Welsh - Thistlewing Magic Lady - 3yrs S/W bitch
This young lady was just starting to grow her new coat what she had was of the correct texture ,there was plenty of undercoat just needs to add some length.  She had the desired height to length ratio which gave her an air of elegance her head was of the correct proportions super fill in muzzle dark eye and ear placement came together to give a lovely soft and kind expression.  Good length of neck firm top line tail of correct length. Stood on well rounded bone angled well front and rear.  Moved well but was carrying a little weight which affected her front foot placement. 
2nd - L Yule - Ingledene Nite N’Gale 6yrs Tri bitch
What struck me at first glance was her flowing lines from head to tail she has an elegant shape which comes from the correct length in back. Her head planes where of equal length giving the desired wedge shape.  Not keen to use her ears but when she did she looked alert with one third tipped.  Neck was of good length to balance the length in body and tail to match.  On the move she was unsettled which affected her front reach although her front angulation suggested she would have reach however I was able to see her rear movement which had plenty of drive. 
3rd - C Taylor - Elshajo As If By Magic of Bryany 

Veteran (2/0)  
1st - L Yule - Ingledene Gold Lace 9yrs S/W bitch
You needed to get your hand on this girl to appreciate her construction I could see as she stood in the initial line up she had strong straight hocks, well padded feet and well of for bone.  Her head was of a good length, good underjaw, slight stop with well placed and shape eye.  She had an abundance of coat but underneath she had a good front assembly with nice turn to stifle.  On the move she was sure footed steady and precise in her foot placement.  It was her strength in hocks and movement that won her BVIB.
2nd - W Brodie - Egnigma Blue Della Buca Delle Fate Via Shananburn 7yrs B/M bitch
Shorter in head than 1 with a more defined stop but head was balanced correct scissor bite, eye placement and ear carriage.  Strong neck and level top line would have liked a little more breadth in chest.  Coat just starting to come in what she had was of the correct texture and presented well.  Moved well. 

SMOOTH COLLIE

Open (2/0)
1st - C Shorten - Glencorrie Stella Bark At Bracoisla  6mths S/W bitch
What a super puppy she took my eye as soon as she walked into the ring.  Such a lot to like for one so young and will only get better as she matures.  Her head is still developing but even at this age she has a flat skull slight stop and well tipped ears which she used non stop.  A well filled out chest excellent angulation in front with an equally impressive rear which allowed her to move effortlessly around the ring her gait light and smooth I could have watched her all day.  I have no doubt she will have a bright future ahead of her. Pleased to award her BPIB & BOB.
2nd - T Kennedy - Shandlmain Serene 3yrs Tri bitch
Another quality bitch with so much to like her head was balanced with a slight stop correct shape, placement of eye, ear carriage.  Strong arched neck, depth of chest level top line with required slight rise over loin. Round bone and arch to feet.  Movement was purposeful covering the ground with ease.  It was a very close decision between these two but it was only the ease and lightness of footfall in 1 that separated them in the end.

Judge - Lorraine Quince

Karafaye Rough Collies