In these most difficult times, some Breed Club Secretaries are taking advantage of the lull in show activities to review their judging lists and new criteria as issued by the KC in line with the JEP (Judges Education Programme- Shows) which replaces the old JCF

One such club is Ayrshire Collie, under the guidance of Irene Green, who can be reached on irenegreen2702@gmail.com or by telephone on 01290551307.

Anyone currently on the ACC listing, who has changed their details (Phone/email/address etc) should contact Irene as soon as possible, or if you wish to update your current CV, or to their name removed please let Irene know and as soon as is possible as the ACC committee will review and re-issue new listings. Also any new requests for inclusion to the listing should also be forwarded along with a CV of your current judging experience.

Due to the “re-vamp” of the KC Website, which does not appear to functioning as they intended, so perhaps it will improve in certain areas, the latest BRS was issued. Not that I am sure how an early issue of this publication would help all the teething problems of the new website!

This issue covers just 2 months from July – August and is somewhat thinner than the volumes we have received in the past and for those who purchase it, I do feel that perhaps £8 is rather a lot of money for very little information!

In the 2 month period, just 13 litters were recorded with 66 new registrations and some of these were born back in May. Most of those registered are by existing breeders, obviously taking advantage of the “Lockdown” and lack of shows to breed new stock.
Probably due to the Covid restrictions, and the time taken to record new imports, there are only 3 new ones, these are from Poland, Luxembourg and Romania and now belong to Mrs Tomas-Zgoda, Wilma Brodie and Melissa Lockyer.

Only 4 name changes are recorded but 71 transfer of ownerships including some who originated abroad, were imported and now have new homes.

Good news for those of us who have older dogs, as I expect many of the Veteran classes (if and when shows start up again) will be filled, and our breed has another Veteran Warrant to record. This is for Gill Whittaker and Jopium Magical Dream – well done

Now to the limited records of health testing, 6 collies had hip scores recorded with scores ranging from 4 to 8 in total, a good average.
DNA test for CEA/CH involved 3 collies, with one affected and 2 clear, whilst another 2 were tested for DM, resulting in 1 carrier and 1 affected. 4 collies tested for MDR1 with 2 clears, 1 affected and 1 carrier, whilst another 3 were also DNA tested clear for PRA.

Our breed registration figures were lower, only 69 but remember this is just for 2 months, but does give a current running total of 404 to date.

Sad news concerning some special collies who are now running up on the Rainbow Bridge. First, Noel and Christine Collins lost “Choco”, a tricolour who tried to leave early in his life but with loving care and a special diet, Choco Pops du Domaine des Emeruades at Triburle (Imp) JW lived a great life having been born in April 2007. Sired by Fr Ch Velours Noir du Clos de Montamer out of Tessy du Clos des Trois Sapins he was born in France and bred by Mr Cyril Duchazaubeneix. Choco was used at stud sparingly but he is GS of Sandy Blackmore’s RCC winning Derbypark Dame Edna at Magenta and is also behind a few of Derek & Val Brown’s Mertrisa kennel, he was a character at Triburle and will be missed.

Another who is sadly missed is a gentle sable lady, known at home as Ellie, who was Phreelancer Phond Memories. Royally bred with Ch parents and born in June 2012, so was just a young 8 years. Bred and owned by Lene Newman, she had a good show career, winning 2 CC’s, her first, at Darlington in 2018 from Gael Wilcox (Brentland) and her 2nd at Manchester 2019 from Gwen Beadon (Myriehewe) along with 3 rcc wins from Viv Anderton, Steve Barrett and Nick Smith. She had 3 litters with a few going back to Lene’s home country of Norway and Phreelancer Famous Words, who made his mark in Estonia with his Champions title but one daughter, Phreelancer Faith Hill, has stayed here in the UK and has showed potential both as a show winner and in the whelping box. It is always sad to lose a collie but especially sad when they are members of the household.

Carole Smedley
Antoc