28th May

The Quarterly issue of the KC Breed Records supplement (January to March 2020) is now available, and it is a much thinner version than we are used to! Perhaps a reflection of the current situation we all find ourselves in, but, what an interesting one. So if you do have a copy, take some time out and read and digest its contents!

As you may be aware, this document records all births/transfers/exports and imports. Along with the issue of CC’s, KCSB Numbers / Junior Warrants and Champion Certificates along with names of all dogs who have been through various KC Health Checks.

We have had 2 Champions confirmed, Arklethill Helena and Aqualita Dr No, with 2 JW for Lynmead Lemonade for Collingvale and Ingledene Mercury Risin. 8CC’s have been confirmed along with 10 new KCSB numbers
Our Breed shows just 23 litters recorded with a total of 105 new registrations, compared to 120 for this time last year.
These figures are for those dogs born Oct/Nov 2019 to February this year and also shows 84 Transfer of Ownerships and 22 Name changes.

However the number of Importations is 13, these are from Italy, Romania, Hungary and 3 from France all of whom were born between June 2019 and October 2019.

What I did notice is that just one owner has brought 7 new pups (approx. 50%) of the total number, including 3 litter mates!   Another brought in is a half-sister to one already owned by the same person, so the breeding is very similar
Having had some time to study the pedigrees of all these imports, apart from a couple who are progeny of dogs previously exported, so bringing back in lines of use  for future breeding.

What struck me was that most of those carry bloodlines already available here in the UK, is it because people are not understanding pedigrees or the assumption that because it has come from abroad, it is better! Look at the dogs already here in the UK, at least you can see all the relatives and know the relative virtues and faults beforehand.
Finally, there is one very disturbing factor in these imports and that is colour.

I noticed that puppies now in the UK are the result of a Merle to Sable mating. These have been KC registered as the colour they are, so in one litter there is a Blue merle and a sable. I noted that the dam is Ch Sable bitch and the sire is a grandson of a UK Champion, and whose dam is a full sister to an established top winner in the UK.

I do understand that “accidents” can happen even in the very best of kennels and the subsequent offspring have been registered in the past under the KC as CNR - Colour Not Recognised.

Offspring from the resultant litters many appear to be true to colour (and at this moment I am not prepared to go into full genetics) but there are issues which may well occur in later litters, such as sables with blue/flecked eyes. Tricolours who have just the smallest patch of blue on them, who, when mated to a sable can often produce some issues
Food for thought?

Back to other records in the BRS, there was just the single export to Hungary and just 5 collies have been recorded using the KC/BVA schemes for CEA/RPED and GPRA. Only one dog is recorded as going through the HD Scheme. The DNA schemes for CEA/CH; DM and MDR1 have just 2 collies recorded.

As it now appears to be the norm! So many shows being cancelled, I am not even going to try and update you all, although grateful thanks to those Club Secs, who have let me know of their arrangements. It is appreciated, I for one, would not like to start and plan the show calendar for 2021 as it appears we are going to be out and about (Covid-19 willing) nearly every weekend. Wishing you all the best and thanks again, to all, who have let me know changes.

Rough Collie Breed Lunch. "Cancelled until 2021, new date pending, any query, please contact me

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)