National Working and Pastoral Breeds Premier Open Show 15/2/2025
Smooth Collies
I am extremely grateful to the society for this judging appointment and even more grateful to the Smooth Collie Exhibitor’s for their entries and well turned out support on the day. I Enjoyed my day immensely. The dogs all coped very well in the bustling noisy hall and on a very shiny surface , marked with bright lines and with no mats. I always feel this breed is at it’s best outdoors, it took a few exhibits some time to show more typical and true collie movement and I noted a few instances of splayed feet , perhaps also attributed to by the surface. Overall I was happy with dentition and tail length and very satisfied with temperament.
Puppy d/b
A really lovely start to the day, puppies full of promise. 1st Geddes’ Texforrier The Whole Shebang (imp fin). BPIB and BOB. I was pleased to see this puppy later be shortlisted to the final 6 in a very large pastoral group. I really liked this 9 month old tricolour girl. Feminine but of a good size. Maturing well and nothing out of proportion or over done. I really liked her overall shape, touch of elegance and movement. Her head is a lovely wedge, nice fill to muzzle and well placed , shaped and sized eyes and ears which were well tipped creating a lovely collie expression of intelligence and gentleness. A strong, crested neck flows into Correct lay of shoulder allowing length in her reach. She is made of good bone and muscle throughout. Hocks well let down with a good bend of stifle. Balanced in angulation front and back allowing for Excellent movement in all directions, she strides out smartly with movement which is light and easy showing convergence whist maintaining a strong topline.
2nd Benton’s Blamorder Double or Quits of Oakestelle. 9 month old blue merle of good colour and another super baby. This puppy is a little finer than the first, feminine and sweet due to a lovely eye and gorgeous expression. She has overall a good head piece in terms of shape and head planes , ears well placed and tipped. Strong, well arched neck and well bodied for her age. Excellent muscling in the thigh and good angulation front and back. Just couldn’t match the movement of 1 today but I do not doubt has a very bright future.
3rd Brown’s Blamorder I Dreamed a Dream at Wystry.
Junior d/b
1st Howard’s Shulune Imperial Inkheart with Casatentola. Masculine 16 month old blue merle dog, all male. Head is balanced and very nicely , classically wedge shaped, love the fill to his muzzle and foreface. He has good eye shape and placement with a very pleasing expression. Ears could be a touch higher but nicely tipped, they were very mobile with the noise in the hall. Front legs are made of good bone, he has retained substance as he develops and standing on good feet he is just needing to body up as currently due to his age he is needing to fill more in the forechest and ribs. Muscle in the legs is good with excellent rear angulation , allowing easy movement. His movement won him the class, tracking in well front and back. However he was Less together on the move in the challenge which cost him.
2nd Cole’s Shulune Imperial Rum Punch. Litter sister to 1, Beautifully feminine and elegant young tricolour. So much to like about her. Super head , balanced and of correct shape with parallel planes and good amount of filling to foreface, lovely dark eyes full of inquiry. Ears were very well placed and tipped. Well made front holding a strong, well arched neck and of good quality bone. Well bodied and muscled with good rear angulation. Movement took time to come together and I would love to see her outside where I think she could turn the table on her brother easily.
3rd Thomas Blamorder a Side Hustle with Mournebrake.
Post grad d/b
1st Rodger’s Blamorder Mischief Maker with Jerdoni. 2 year old sable male, I preferred his head shape and movement. Wedge shaped head of good length and well filled muzzle and under jaw although I would prefer a sweeter eye. Strong body and bone, standing on strong straight legs, good ribbing and a nice sweep over his loin , well muscled thighs and well bent stifle and strong hocks, maintains a good top line.
2nd Thomas’s Blamorder Side Hustle with Mournebrake. Just a baby at 9 months old so not the maturity of 1. Nice male , currently a little broader in head with slightly lower set ears, that being said they tip nicely. Body developing well, would not like to see him get any longer. Shoulder placement slightly forward. Better rear angulation. Moves ok but can be a bit wide.
3rd Metcalf’s Koczkodan
Open d/b
1st , RBOB . Martin’s Sturtmoor Arceus’s Legacy JW. 20 Month old sable and white male. Masculine and still maturing , won the class as I preferred this exhibits eye and expression and the movement of this lad. He is of good proportions and balanced. Head of good length , however I would like more length and fill to the under jaw. Nice dark eye with a warm, kind expression. Ears placed well and nicely tipped. Well made front and rear, bodying up well with a strong and supportive loin, decent muscle in his thighs. Moves well in all directions with good front extension and rear drive, parallel hocks, keeping his topline and looking effortless.
2nd Seager Blamorder Magic Maker with Freejack JW. 2 year old, mature sable and white male. Stronger made throughout. Very masculine. Great length to head and filling in fore face and jaw, parallel head planes but a little deep through head and muzzle and a smaller, broader set eye than I would like which takes away from his expression. Cheeks could be cleaner with less flews. Super ears set well and tipped nicely. Made of very good bone and in super condition, strong well developed body, good depth of chest. In the rear I would like a little more bend of stifle and a bit more drive. One hock was a little bit stiff which reflected in his movement.
3rd Benton’s Ch Oakestelle Venus De Milo VW Shcex.
Stacy Steven ( Cambrogan ) |
