Breed Notes
23rd April

Again more sad news to report as Miriam Phillips, a name very well known in Wales has passed away. Miriam and Don had the small kennel of Mirlyndon Collies which they showed with small success. Miriam was an early member of the Collie Club of Wales and always supported them in their early days.

Their small kennel housed a few winners based on Hillandale breeding and produced stock by the Mybern’s kennel, Lisa & Peter’s Ch Pelido Double Fantasy and local breeders, Pauline and her late husband, Brian Skyrme when they used the Crufts winner Ch Emryks Runaway

Here is food for thought! How would you feel if the Rough Collie was not able to represent the breed in the group or be confirmed as a Champion?

Well, for all of you out there, unless we are very careful this could happen and we become a Cat 3 Breed, (High Profile Breed) where Breeds in Category 3 are designated ‘High Profile Breed’ status and are required to undergo a BOB Veterinary Health check prior to competing in the Group. 

For more information, please read KC Show Regulations F1. 16 (j)  -
Before confirmation of a Best of Breed/Best Any Variety Not Separately Classified award and where appropriate a Champion award, for breeds designated by the Kennel Club as a category 3 breed, exhibitors are required to present their dogs for examination to a General & Group Championship Show veterinary surgeon. The result of the examination shall be final.
A new KC Breed Health Survey is shortly to be conducted, involving all Breed Health Co-Ordinators and if the following points of concern already listed for our breed are added to, then Cat 3 could well be the future!!!

The current issues are: Excessively small eyes, Cow Hocks, Weak Hindquarters, Incorrect dentition and overly narrow jaw.
Perhaps some breed clubs could approach the RCBC to contact the KC to ask if the Cow Hocks and Weak hindquarters could be combined. That would be just 4 Points of Concern.

However, newly reported issues, reported by CC awarding judges include Nervous temperaments, Overweight and Excessive coats

Our Breed is precious to those who care and I for one would hate to see our breed falling into this category

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)