EACA Open Show
April 2025 - Show 1 - Best in Show

I was asked to judge Best in Show at the East Anglian Collie Association Open Show on the 13th April 2025. I have to write that at this point I consider this to be an afront to the breed judge. She judged Smooth and Rough Collies but for some extraordinary reason was not allowed to judge the best of them. Why????

Anyway, when the time came for me to perform the rains came so they did not approve either.

My choice for Best in Show was a Smooth Collie with the longest name I have ever seen. She was a four year old tricolour import owned by Ms A French and had this name INT CH INDIGO AURA AGREE TO DISAGREE WITH Breckamore. She is rather nice and fully deserved this win. Like all Smooth Collies she moved very well and was in excellent condition. Her head was well balanced but could have been a bit cleaner in type. I had to be quick because the rain did mean it. This was evidently her first show in this country,

My choice for Reserve best in show was a really lovely blue merle bitch puppy by  the name of WICANI BELLISSIMA ROSSCHELL owned by the partnership of Miss M Davis and Mr J Walsh. I could not consider her for the top prize as she is only 6 month old. But she has all the essentials. She is a lovely colour and is built beautifully. She moved extremely well for a puppy of her age, She needs to obviously grow on and I hope that she continues in this condition. She is a little bit more than promising. I awarded her Best Puppy in show as well. I will keep my eye on her as she develops

Best opposite sex went to the only Smooth Collie dog entered  but I did like him. He was owned by Mr & Mrs A & M Wensley. He is a three year old tricolour by the name of CH CONSTELLA HAZT COSMIC JIVE JW. Very well made dog that had a gleaming coat and showed all how to move.

Best veteran was a 7 year old sable and white dog owned by a Miss G Moore. His name  ASTROMELIAS ULISES VIA CAPRIOARA. Yet another import. Why so many as we used to lead the World in the quality of our stock? He is quite a dark shaded sable that moved with drive. He out moved the opposition which is hardly surprising as he is only just eligible for this class. But he looked good and he has a nice head. I found him just a little short in the back.

Why so many imports? Are exhibitors not able to buy stock in this country? Are they satisfied that the imports pedigree is correct, or do they not care? What is wrong with buying your next show puppy from UK Breeders? Are they planning to breed from their imports or are they just interested in winning prizes? What I do know is that they are not good for the future of the breeds in this country. You only have to look at the puppy I awarded reserve best in show to realise that what the importers are doing is not right. They are not going to buy this quality from overseas.

 John Blake (Corydon)