Having judged the Rough Collie on many occasions around the world at international championship show level including breed specialties, I was excited when I got the opportunity to judge them in the UK. My interest in the Rough Collie accelerated when I met my partner. This manifested in me passing the B.A.D. Co owning the top winning Rough in Ireland and handling to CC and group level in Ireland. Obviously, I don’t consider myself a specialist but feel I have some level of expertise on the subject. I often wondered why the RC does not regularly feature at group or BIS level as they used to do.. Most of the dogs I judged today showed that at times they could move in a sound manner with good reach and drive. However, personally I feel it is the character of the breed in general and lack of confidence that stops them competing at this level. Quite a few today moved soundly but hesitantly as if lacking social awareness. This in my opinion, is what is holding this beautiful breed back. Not the lack of structural quality. Type and quality were mixed but I was very pleased with my main winners. Thank you for a super entry.
VD (2) 1 Lynmack Starman at Lemivee (Mills). 8 yr sable, of good size and balance, head well proportioned, enough neck. Good bone all through. Moved soundly. 2 Barrenclough Diamond Days JW (Boyle) similar style to the winner but a little shorter in body. Pleasing head, neck and shoulders. Moved true.
MPD (2,1) 1 Sweetmint’s What A Buzz at Gataj (Imp Nor) (Lockyer) well balanced Tri with enough masculinity. Head is well proportioned with correct expression, ear set correct when he used them. Good length of neck with decent shoulder and upper arm. A touch narrow at this time but should develop. Balanced body shape. Movement a little erratic today.
PD (5) 1 Avonfair Aloysius (Mitchell & Mitchell & Jordan) liked this boy a lot. Well put down in beautifully conditioned coat. Well balanced and typical. Moved soundly with good reach and drive. Best puppy dog. 2 Takhisis Daggers at Dawn (Wray-Ramsden) different style than the winner but an upstanding young boy, who is balanced and soundly made. Well presented. 3 Kourika The Gigolo (Blaikie)
JD (4) 1 Brilyn Worth The Wait (Hawkins) medium sized sable who presented well . Good eye and ears when he used them. Decent shoulders good length of back. Moved soundly although can be a touch close in the rear. 2 Triburle The Joker (Collins) similar style to first. Expression not as well defined, medium in size and moved parallel both ways. A touch out of coat today. 3 Didek Once in A Blue Moon (Farthing)
YD (2) 1 Gataj Turn Back Time JW (Lockyer) an almost 2 yr old sable, of good size with decent bone. Quality although. My preference would be for a slightly more masculine head but he had very nice expression and good ears. Back line is firm with well muscled rear quarters, moved soundly 2 Sassari Smudge (Walton) a tri of different style to winner. Head of good length, a little open in eye but with good colour. Balanced body shape. A tough straighter in front than first.
PGD (7) 1 Triburle Bluebolero (Collins). Upstanding blue Merle with a masculine head of good length, eye and expression are correct, maybe a touch more stop would make his head perfect. Loved the fact that he had a super under jaw which so many lacked. Great length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders with correct return of upper arm. Super bone and feet. Correctly proportioned body type with strong well muscled hind quarters which he used to advantage. Handled well enough but I feel he could have been allowed to express his character a little more to give greater benefit. Put down in super condition with full harsh coat of clear colour. For me, he was the comfortable winner of the dog CC and only the outstanding young lady was capable of knocking him off his perch today. 2 Takhisis Lysander (Chaplin) a male who also impressed, well made sable who was sound all through. I liked his head for length and expression. Firm body lines that were well conditioned. Sound on the move both ways. 3 Chelborn’s Gambling List (Cronk)
LD (6) 1 Barrenclough Diamond Dawn at Myjacks (Pullin)very good sable, correct for type, balance and masculinity. Head was clean with well set ears and correct eye. Well constructed body shape, in good coat and well presented. 2 Ingledene Dark Moon Risin over Detillio (Tilley) an almost 3yr old Tri who presented well. Long clean head. Well filled, correct ears, a touch full in eye but dark in colour. Well off for bone and standing on good feet. Moved soundly with good ground coverage. 3 Lillyway Lemon and Lime (Hogg)
OD (9,1) 1 No More Heroes Du Clos De Sea-Wind JW (Imp Fra) (Shipp) a well made and balanced 5 yr old sable in excellent condition. Head was of good length, would Benefit from a touch more strength of under jaw but he was masculine. Lovely neck and front assembly. Correct length of back with well balanced rear quarters. Moved true both ways. Presented in top form. Res DCC 2 Beldones Toucher Du Bois (Hawkins & Foy) a medium sized male, correct expression with good eye, bite and pigment. Head is balanced but would benefit from a touch more length. Well bodied and in good coat. Moved soundly. 3 Chelborn That’ll Do (Cronk)
VB (5,1) 1 Ch Beldones La Vita Bella for Hanvale JW (Walder) beautiful 7 year old sable, well balanced and feminine love her head and expression. Long neck leading into well laid shoulders, good upper arm and tight elbows,correct length of body. Well presented in good coat. Moved better than most of the youngsters. Close call for the reserve CC. 2 Monsolana Love Style over Barrenclough (Imp Rus) (Boyle) 7 year old tr with pleasing head,Good neck and firm top line. Moved soundly but a little close in the rear. 3 Santaloly’s Sky Amidalas (Lyall)
MPB (2) 1 Thistlewing Gold Mist (Welsh) A raw baby with a pleasing head. nice expression And correct ears.Moved true. 2 Chantique Sent from Heaven for Lillyway (Growcott) another pretty female, who carried a little too much weight today and spoiled her outline. Lovely head and expression, good dark well set eye. Body was correct. Moved ok.
PB (7) 1 Aaronwell Able Mabel (Congdon) Just Wow! The last thing I thought I would be doing today, was to give a puppy a CC. This precocious young lady could not be denied it. Her head was feminine with enough strength. Eyes, ears and expression were so correct. Her long, well arched neck flowed cleanly into well laid shoulders. Balanced all through. She stood on good bone and tight feet. Her top line is firm, good spring of rib with the best hind quarters. All of which made up my ideal Rough Collie. To watch her move was a delight, confident and long striding, she kept it up throughout each challenge. Her Owners and breeders should be very proud. BCC, BOB and BPIB 2 Hanvale Patsy Stone (Walder)another quality female, feminine head with good expression and neat well set ears. Coat in pristine condition. Moved soundly with confidence. Unlucky to meet todays star. 3 Avonfair A Million Dreams (Mitchell & Mitchell & Jordan)
JB (7) 1 Beldones California (Hawkins & Foy) sable of good type, well balanced all through. Pretty head piece, body of correct proportions and soundly put together.. 2 Skabona If I Saw You in Heaven for Chelborn (Imp Swe) (Cronk) very nice Merle who ran the winner close. Lovely type. 3 Timeless Destiny Star Actis over Barrenclough (Imp Pl) NAF TAF (Boyle)
YB (3) Not an easy decision but felt these two sisters lacked sufficient merit. 1 Withheld 2 Withheld 3 Withheld
PGB (7) 1 Avonfair A Million Lovesong (Mitchell & Mitchell & Jordan) pretty sable of pleasing type. Good head and expression. Looked a bit full in body today which spoiled her outline on the move. 2 A Touch of Blaze for Lexcol (Swain) honest tri, well made and moved true, eye shape could be a little less open. Spoils her expression 3 Riverside Song Ice Cream Girl (Imp Rom) (Patman)
LB (8,2) 1 Ladnar Izadorable (Randall)b/m of good size. A little plain in head but nice expression. Super coat in good condition. A touch more leg length would give balance. Moved well with good reach and drive. 2 Lillyway Lemon Breeze (Growcott)nice tri of good type. Moved soundly and in good condition. Slightly lacking in coat today 3 Riverside Song Xtra Sweet at Rahlissa (Imp Rom) (Tame)
OB (9,1) 1 Artzaiak Strawberry Rose for Salsina (Imp Esp) (C & J Llewellyn) really liked this feminine but well bodied sable. Gorgeous head with well set ears and expression. Strong neck and firm top line. Coat was harsh and in full bloom. Movement was true but she just lacked the verve and drive of the CC winner but her type and quality was sufficient to happily award her the Rcc over a very good veteran. 2 Gataj Good Time Girl (Lockyer), another quality animal from this kennel. Her head wasn’t quite as detailed as the winner but body shape and type is very similar. She too could have done a little more on the move but a quality class on the whole. 3 Beldones Magical Bliss (Hawkins & Foy)
