Breed Notes
30th October

In 1931, many adverts for Collies, both Rough and Smooth were included in Our Dogs. With grateful thanks to Vince Hogan, who has sent copies to me for inclusion in these notes.

I am not sure that some of the wording, included would be acceptable today but here is a sample of some of those advertising.

Tom Stretch, Ormskirk, advertised Ormskirk Rutland at stud for a fee of £2.2 shillings and also had a few dogs and puppies, of the highest quality and pedigree were also available.

A Mr. Askew from Geddington, Kettering advertised a tricolour bitch, by Whitelea Whats-Up ex Hallwood Sally for sale. She had been mated to Lucas of Sedgemoor and the price was a mere £4 4 shillings and the reason for sale was that the owner was “LEAVING”

Another for sale by the same gentleman was a Sable & White bitch, a Sure Winner by Grimsby Sepoy by Seedley Sepia and would be sold “cheap” and a Tricolour bitch, no further details was also looking for a good home as she was also a winner

A Mr. Jones from Clifton, Llandyssul offered a grand litter of well bred collies, correct, straight and healthy. Dogs 12s 6d whilst bitches were 8s and 6d.

Mr. Archer, Whitelea Collies of Ripley, Derbyshire offered 2 Sable & White dogs, a year old at £6 each. These were extra well bred and the first wire or letter gets the approval against cash.

Tom Jessup of Stickney, Boston offered a “High Class sable and white collie bitch puppy, certain big winner, dam Hall Lane Pride, sire Delwood Kelpie. 50 shillings was the asking price, lovely bitch due in use with full service

Also in the “Collie Chatter Column” contributed to by: Mr. W Baskerville, who lived in Crumpsail Green, Manchester and Mr. R H Roberts from Stamford Hill, London, covered reports from Bath Ch Show, where Mr. F W Ball (Backwoods) judged, awarding CC’s to Freshfield Flair, born July 1928 sired by his Backwoods Farrier out of Walsden Mischief and the BCC to Eden Edith, born in Sept 1929 and previously known as Prevalent Fulton. She was sired by Eden Electric out of Pelton Fairy and won her 3rd CC on the day. According to the report, the first 6 in Open dog were in splendid form and condition, “making a sight for the Gods”. These also included Saltaire Selwyn and Eden Examiner.

Mr. F W Ball went to a show at Cheltenham, and although no CC’s on offer, brought out a new star in the form of Backwoods Fascination who won all her classes (5) judged by Mr. J Bennett. Blackpool also was reported upon, yet to gain CC’s but according to the authors, Mr. F E Swann was judging for the fifth time and yet again received a good entry with new collies from Laund, Backwoods, Seedley and Wellcroft kennels. The star of this show was Laund Symbol, “a charming bitch puppy who went through all her breed classes and also annexed several first prizes in strong variety classes judged by Mr. W J Nichols.  A male called Blue Blend (Lucas of Sedgemoor ex Haycroft Penwiper), was mentioned “ a pleasure to see Blue Blend, which many times has missed winning owing to a lack of interest asserting himself and showing his best, topped his classes”
Finally in this report, it stated that Mr. George Archer, from his sick room had recently sold his Danesbury Romper (Whitelea What’s-Up ex Whitelea Woody) to a Mr. Lane of Laithland, and as he is already a big winner he should still be capable of continuing his successes for his new owner and which we trust, will be realized!

Amongst the Ch shows listed for this year, included, Crufts Great International Dog Show Society (more on that next week), Manchester Dog Show, Ayrshire Agricultural Association, Taunton & District Dog Association, Bournemouth Canine Association, Leeds Dog Show Association, Richmond Dog Show Society, Belfast Dog Show Society, Scottish Kennel Club, Kennel Club Show at Crystal Palace, Metropolitan and District Canine Society (also held at Crystal Palace), Bristol Kennel Association and lastly Birmingham Dog Show Society.

Now to bring us more up to date, should you be looking at reading the Rough Collie Breed Standard (and why not?) take a look at a new version, produced by Miranda Blake (Corydon) This was introduced for a recent Hands On Learning Day, held at Corydon, and shows, with photos and outline drawings, the finer points of our breed. It is available to download, FREE, from our Collie Life Web site, or direct from Miranda on  mirandacorydon@gmail.com  Thanks indeed for producing this document which is a single sheet of A4, printed back to back. Anything that helps with the learning and understanding of our breed is certainly an asset.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)