Scottish Kennel Club May 2024 (October Show)
Rough Collies
Judge – Bev White
Dog CC & BOB – Phreelancer Chill Factor for Elshajo
Res Dog CC – Afterglow Invocation
Bitch CC & BOS & Best Veteran – Ch Phreelancer Phaith Hill
Res Bitch CC – Skabona If I Saw You In Heaven
Best Puppy – Takhisis Daggers at Dawn

Thank you so much for your wonderful entry – I enjoyed judging your dogs very much.

Firstly, some general observations from today’s entry for your interest. Disappointingly, too many are still very weak in hindquarters with cow hocks very prevalent. Better conditioning and exercise may help improve this; also pay attention to how your dogs stand in the ring – it’s not just about a pretty face.
Some had slack pasterns – again, exercise and conditioning may help. Many fronts were too narrow – no chest and some lacking ribbing.  Quite a few with shallow underjaws and an overbite.

Very surprisingly, quite a number too full in eye. Predominantly in the shorter headed dogs – more length of foreface and less depth of stop may help?
As a long time collie owner and particularly when I judge, I always have certain phrases from the introductory paragraphs of the breed standard foremost in my mind. The phrases are: ‘Appears as a dog of great beauty, standing with impassive dignity, with no part out of proportion to the whole, giving the appearance of working capability’; ‘Physical structure on lines of strength and activity’; ‘Expression most important’. These are the key features that guide me when I assess your dogs.
I was so happy with my main winners. These dogs to me ooze quality and fit the breed standard so well, particularly those opening statements quoted above.
Finally, I would have moved your exhibits more today, but was very conscious that the May show entry was following on from me and I needed to be time efficient. Thanks to my helpful steward for supporting me in this.

Minor Puppy Dog (2,0)

1. Lockyer’s Salsina’s Red Hot Crush with Gataj. A very promising puppy to start the day. He has a decent head for his age with well developed back skull and a clean foreface. Lovely dark, well set eye and good ears giving a sweet expression. Lovely neck leading to good shoulders, good length of back and good hindquarters. He moved well as his construction suggested he might.
2. Scott’s Chantique Kingdom of Heaven. Another very nice puppy just not as ready as the winner. Clean head with a lovely expression thanks to his well placed, dark eye and ears used well. I find him a little short all over for my taste – shorter head, shorter neck and shorter back. He moved well.

Puppy Dog (5,0)

1. Wray- Ramsden’s Takhisis Daggers at Dawn. Well grown s/w dog and the soundest in the class having a really good construction. Very good reach of neck, well angulated in front and behind, a very good length of back, strong hindquarters and nice turn of stifle giving an elegant outline. His head needs to finish as yet and his ears lift. Sweet yet masculine expression but a darker eye would enhance. BPD and BP.
2. Lockyer’s Prince of Sunlight Thrilled by the Difference at Gataj. Another promising youngster who moved well. Not as well angulated as the winner but developing as you would want for this age. His head although needing to finish is clean and his expression very appealing, with lovely dark eyes and well used ears.
3. McEntee’s Paulara Perfect Addition for Gerian.

Junior Dog (4,0)

1. T Daggers at Dawn – repeat
2. Waterhouse’s Lynmead Royal Lover. Completely different type to the winner and winning this place on movement. Heavily coated and presented to perfection, he appealed for his clean, well balanced head and sweet expression. Good reach of neck, developing angulations, good length of back and nice sweep to the croup and tail.
3. Brooker’s Starlenga All About Majic for Corisian.

Yearling Dog (2,0)

1. Blake’s Corydon The Baron. Smaller stamp of male but still masculine. Very well constructed with a pleasing outline, very good reach of neck, very good length of back, very well angulated in front and behind, would prefer a longer tail. He has a balanced head, flat back skull and moulded foreface with the right amount of stop. Very sweet expression thanks to his dark, correctly shaped, obliquely placed eyes. Ears correctly set and well used. Moved well, covering the ground easily.
2. Lockyer’s Gataj Turn Back Time. A well balanced and soundly moving dog. His construction is good but not the elegance of the winner. His head is clean, but his beautifully dark eyes could be more obliquely placed. Ears are rather wide set.

Post Graduate Dog (5,1)

1. Hainie’s Gemheid Trouble Shooter. Very pleasing balanced outline to this dog. Very good angulations and moved fairly well but toed in in front. Good strong bone and substance. Very good reach of neck and length of back. His head is clean, well placed stop, nice ear, dark eyes could be more expressive and sweeter, but his expression is pleasing. Easy winner in this class.
2. Taylor’s Thistlewing Firedancer at Bryany. Male needing to mature and develop in bone and body. Appears as overlong in body just now.  His head pattern is pleasing but his ears are heavy and wide set, and his eyes could be darker and more almond shaped. Moved well.
3. Crawford’s Stregato Foolish Guy

Limit Dog (9,3) A super class.

1. Harvey’s Afterglow Invocation. A quality dog. Elegant outline thanks to super crested neck, correct length of back, rounded hind quarters with good bend of stifle and long sweeping tail. Correct in front and rear angulations, good ribbing and chest. Gorgeous dark shaded sable coat, which is heavy, but which fits his outline perfectly emphasising his dignified appearance. His head is clean with a good length to foreface, flat back skull with correct depth, correct stop and clean cheeks. Eyes are dark, almond shaped and obliquely set. On the move he was rather erratic but glimpses of correct collie movement – light and effortless were frequent. A well deserved res CC.
2. Welsh’s Thistlewing Smoky Quartz. Unlucky to meet the winner today. Another really well constructed, quality male with bone and substance. Super reach of neck, correct length of back and good hindquarters, long tail giving the most elegant outline. Good chest and ribbing. Head is clean with good back skull and moulded foreface. Good stop and lovely dark, almond shaped eye obliquely placed. Ears a bit heavy. Moved out well and definitely workmanlike in nature.
3. Raven’s Corydon Ice Imperial.

Open Dog (9,6) Fabulous class

1. Bluck’s Phreelancer Chill Phactor for Elshajo.  My notes say stunning. I have watched this male since he was a puppy and judged him in the AVNSC classes at a general open show a few years ago. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to go over him again today. He has now reached maturity and was shown in full (fitted!) coat put down to perfection, giving what for me is the picture of elegance and dignity. Today he gave me the complete, balanced package I was looking for. His head is in proportion with his body. His elegance starts from the crest behind his ears which develops into a super reach of neck, correct length of back, sweeping hindquarters and long tail. Very good bend of stifle and hocks strong and powerful – no weak hindquarters here. Excellent front angulations with sloping shoulder and correct upper arm. Well developed in chest and ribbing. He has the bone and substance required in a dog required to do a day’s work with no trace of cloddiness or coarseness. His head is so well balanced; clean, no depth or flaring. Moulded foreface and flat back skull allowing correct set on of ears which were well used. His expression is so sweet yet masculine. Dark eyes which are medium sized, almond shaped and obliquely set as required. Correct depth of stop correctly placed. Good underjaw. Moved effortlessly round the ring, covering plenty of ground. In profile he shows superb reach and drive, whilst coming towards and away from me, his movement was precise, showing strength and a clean pair of heels. His quality shone out and I was delighted to award him the CC and BoB, giving him (subject to KC confirmation) his well deserved title.
2. Skalin’s Int Ch DK Ch Lit Slo Ch Nu Ch Skabona Mix’n Match. So unlucky to meet the winner today. Another quality male with the elegant lines I look for in a collie. Very well balanced with super reach of neck and good length of back. Very good front angulation and good bend of stifle. Well balanced head with moulded foreface, flat back skull, correct stop and good underjaw. Beautiful expression.  Light and efficient movement, covering the ground with ease as a collie should. Lacking a little coat and bone today. I see he has a number of overseas titles and I think he is worthy of a UK title too. Just pipped today by two in-form males.
3. Cronk’s Chelborn That’ll Do.

Veteran Dog (2,0)

1. Benton’s Ch Brooklynson El Dorado Shcex. Youthful veteran at 7 years and still in fantastic condition. Movement is light and effortless, covering the ground well thanks to his excellent construction. Well angulated in front and behind, super reach of neck and correct length of back. Long tail. Good bone. He has an elegant clean head with good stop, moulded foreface and flat back skull. Ears a bit heavy and I preferred the expressions of the top winners but make no mistake, this is a quality collie who is fit for function.
2. Mills’ Lynmack Starman at Lemivee. Smaller male with shorter head, neck and back than I prefer. Not as well constructed as the winner. Moved fairly well.

Special Beginners Dog (1,0)

1. Shorten’s Thistlewing Andromeda at Bracoisla. A decent enough male with fair construction enabling him to move well. Good neck and fair angulation. Back a little short. His head is rather deep through, and I found his eyes a bit round and light for my taste.

Good citizen Dog (1,0)

1. T. Andromeda at B – repeat.

Minor Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1. Welsh’s Thistlewing Gold Mist. What a delightful baby – full of promise. Has all the essentials to make a very good adult.  Already is well developed with a lovely reach of neck, well laid shoulders and upper arm, good length of back although bum high today. Nice bend of stifle, good bone and substance but totally feminine. Her head is clean with very expressive dark eyes. Ears a bit heavy at the moment. She moved very well. One to watch, I think.

Puppy Bitch (5,0) A good class.

1. Walder’s Hanvale Patsy Stone. A very well put together young lady with a bright future, I’m sure. She has a clean, balanced head with very good back skull, moulded foreface and correct stop. Her ears are correctly set on and used well. She has a beautifully shaped and placed eye giving a very sweet expression. Very good reach of neck and correct length of back. Good bone. Well angulated in front and with a good bend of stifle. Moved well, covering the ground but not quite the freedom of movement of the dog puppy in the challenge for BP. BPB.
2. Walker & Ritchie’s Starlenga Billy Holliday. Very attractive tri with so much to like. Rather unsettled today and once she learns the ropes, I’m sure she will demand attention. Super reach of neck which she uses well. Front angulation is good, and she has a good length of back. Lovely bone. Her well balanced head is very clean, and she has the most lovely expression thanks to her dark, well shaped and placed eyes, good stop and good ears. She moved well.
3. Lockyer’s Gataj Pink Glitter.

Junior Bitch (8,2)

1. Cronk’s Skabona If I Saw You In Heaven. Quality blue merle bitch, wonderfully clear, silvery blue. Very feminine with excellent construction and good bone. Well laid shoulder and upper arm. Good chest and ribbing. Very good length of back. Lovely sweep to the hindquarters finished by a long, correctly carried tail. Very good bend of stifle. Balanced head with flat back skull, correct stop, moulded foreface. No trace of coarseness. Beautiful expression thanks to correctly placed almond shaped eyes, correctly set on and well used ears. She floated round the ring, certainly giving the impression that she could do a day’s work. I loved her. Res CC.
2. Quince’s Oakley Ice Queen for Karafaye. Unlucky to meet the winner. Another beautiful blue merle bitch with the most beautiful head and expression. Elegant outline with very good reach of neck, correct length of back but appearing bum high at the moment.  Super bone. Needing to develop in chest and ribbing yet – very much a junior but she will only get better. Most beautiful head and expression and another great mover.
3. Whitaker’s Siluto Blueberry Mist.

Yearling Bitch (4,1)

1. Whitaker’s Siluto Blueberry Mist. Moved up from the last class. Smaller bitch with some developing to do but she has the essentials to make a very nice adult. Well handled to get the best out of her, she showed well using her neck and ears and moved effortlessly around the ring. Her colour is very good – clear and silvery blue. Well constructed with good angulations. Clean in head with a very pleasing expression. She needs time but I believe will repay that patience.
2. MacDonald’s Brilyn Look at Me. S/w who is a little short all over for my taste. I would prefer more length to her head and neck, and she was another who was too high over the hind quarters. She has a pleasing head with a lovely dark eye which could be more obliquely set. A little down on her pasterns but stepped out well.
3. Raithel’s Roughrigg Ragga.

Post Graduate Bitch (9,4)

1. Blackburn & Jones’ Erjon Evolving Beauty. Quality s/w bitch who took my eye for her correct balance and femininity. So well constructed, with well laid shoulders and upper arm, good bone, chest and ribbing, very good length of back and rounded hindquarters leading to a long tail, correctly carried. Head is very clean with no trace of depth. Beautiful expression. Correct stop and obliquely set, almond shaped eyes. Ears correctly set and well used. Moved so well, covering the ground well. Close up to the top winners.
2. McEntee’s Lynway Sun Blossom at Gerian. Well presented s/w bitch with a clean head and the darkest of eyes which could be more obliquely set to advantage. Very good construction with a good reach of neck and length of back. Well angulated and moved well, covering the ground easily.
3. Hobkirk’s Chantique Sugar Moon.

Limit Bitch (10, 2)

1. Walker & Ritchie’s Starlenga Nina Simone. Delightful and beautifully coloured blue merle who when she uses her neck presents a lovely picture. Well constructed with good length of back and good bone. A wealth of well presented coat. Her head is clean with moulded foreface. Ears on top. Beautifully shaped and placed dark eyes giving a very sweet expression.  She moved well.
2. Melvin & Jopson’s Lillyway Lemon Sparkle at Nithview. Very feminine s/w bitch of good type. Lovely neck and length of back with a super clean head and very pleasing expression. Well angulated and good bone. Moved very well.
3. Quince’s Thistlewing Celtic Soul for Karafaye.

Open Bitch (7,2)

1.  Newman’s Ch Phreelancer Phaith Hill. A top quality girl whose balance and outline screams breed type. So well made with beautiful, sweeping collie lines starting from that wonderfully crested reach of neck, correct length of back, rise over the loin and well rounded and angulated strong hind quarters.  Well laid shoulders and upper arm, placing her well boned legs under the body. Good chest and ribbing with plenty of heart room. Very good bend of stifle and long tail correctly carried. Correctly proportioned head with flat back skull and correctly placed stop. Moulded foreface and no hint of depth in profile. Clean in lip line and with a good underjaw. Her expression is divine with perfectly shaped and placed dark eyes. Her ears are correctly set and well used. Her movement is light and effortless, her side gait is fabulous with wonderful forward reach, and she shows a clean pair of heels going away. There is no excessive lift or drag and her footfall is precise. Shown in full coat which is beautifully presented and enhances rather than hides her elegant outline. A fantastic representative of the breed and a clever brood too as I realised she is mother of the dog CC. Clever breeding – well done. CC, BOS & Best Veteran.
2. Iley’s Call Me Dreamer in Blue for Ileyda Della Verde Scozia JW. Very pleasing and feminine blue merle bitch of super colour. Very good neck and length of back. Very well angulated and good bone. She has a clean head with correct stop. Pleasing expression. Moved very well.
3. Lockyer’s Gataj Good Time Girl.

Veteran Bitch (4,2)

1. Brooker’s Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisan. Evergreen oldie now aged over 10 years but whose condition and movement belie those years. Lovely outline and dripping in coat. Her head is still so clean, and she has not lost her wonderful expression. Congratulations to her owner for looking after her so well.
2. Shipp’s Ch Gillyflower Della Buca Delle Fate. Very feminine bitch only just into veteran. Well constructed and with a lovely shape, she was out moved today.

Special Beginners’ Bitch (5,0)

1. S. Blueberry Mist – repeat – Best Special Beginners
2. Mills’ Hanvale Edina Monsoon. A very promising puppy with all the essentials and very similar in type to her sister who was first in puppy bitch. Just a bit bum high today. Lots to like about her including her very clean head and sweet expression. Good reach of neck, length of back and well angulated. Moved very well.  
3. MacDonald’s Brilyn Look at Me.

Good Citizen Bitch (2,1)

1. T Celtic Soul for Karafaye. A very well constructed bitch with lovely neck and length of back. Well angulated and with good bone. Feminine expression with expressive eyes. Moved really well.

Bev White (judge)