Breed Notes
17th September 2020

DARLINGTON as we know it has a long and varied history and has had many names. Recorded back in 1783 as Darlington Horse and Foal show, I am not sure of the venue as there are limited records but in 1860 the name was changed to Darlington Horse, Foal and Sporting Dog Society with 163 dogs over 7 breed categories. In 1861, the second show to include dogs and the entry was 81. At the 10th show, in 1868, it must have been a wonderful day out for all as it was recorded that 652 dogs were entered and the show was held at the home of Mr. J B Pease. If the name sounds familiar to you, the Best Puppy In Show Trophy was instigated then and is still on offer today!

During 1869 the venue was changed to Woodside, followed by Pierremont Park (which is now the site of the Memorial Hospital). Visitors amounted to over 16,000. 15 years later in 1875 The Darlington Archives contains a show report and critiques published in The Livestock Journal and Fanciers Gazette

According to the KCSB for 1874, Darlington held a dog show, amongst just 12 other shows listed and again in 1875 with an entry for dog called Rival, owned by Mr. W C Owston from York, his Chief performance was winning a 1st at this show and his breeding was by Bob, out of Bess. Bob, according to the KCSB was sired by a “prize colley out of Guilty. Also listed here, winning 2nd was Venture, owned by Mr. Isaac Dermott from Redcar but no breeding mentioned.

It is interesting to note that in this KCSB for 1875 is a separate section for Sheepdogs and Colleys, Smooth Coated. Listed here, winning at Darlington is Mr. Millburn’s Bob along with Mr. Oldroyds steel gray bitch called Fan.

Shows continued to be held from 1876 to 1880. There is no record for 1881 but in 1882 a show was held but confined to Fox Terriers only and continued until 1885 when Mr. G Krehl’s Eclipse (Champion) won the Champion prize at Darlington. Eclipse was born 11th Jan 1882, sired by Ch Charlemagne out of Flirt. Flirt was a daughter of the famous Trefoil. Also at the same show and winning a 2nd was Highland Chief, owned by Dr W A James from Kirkby Lonsdale, Westmorland. Young Cockie (by Champagne ex Patience) born in January 1883 won a 1st and the silver plate. In bitches, Jess lll owned by Miss R Watson took 2nd in Open; her sire was Moss out of an unknown bitch!

1884 saw the society accept the Kennel Club as its governing body and then held all shows under KC Rules.

In 1900, Darlington received KC Championship Show Status with CC’s on offer for Roughs and on July 28th, Mr. Hugo Ainscough of the Parbold Collies, judged both Rough and Smooth Collies with his winners being Barney The Village Blacksmith winning both Open and Limit but Ellwyn Duchess won Limit Bitch, there is no record of a winner of an Open Bitch class.
Shows continued with some well noted judges, including, Mr. Wheeler,Mr R Tait (Wishaw), Mr. F A Copley, Mr. T Stretch,(Ormskirk) Mr. W E Mason, Mr. J C Dalgleish (Ellwyn) , until 1908 where there is no record for Darlington
It would appear that the Smooth Collies were much better supported in both class and numbers and the Roughs took a second place behind them!

Many of us will recall the show venue of South Park, this was actually used for the first time for a show in 1891  and was in use until 2005, probably the longest venue of any show society and in 1897 Challenge classes were scheduled for a few breeds, including Smooth Collies, but no Roughs!

The Darlington Dog Show Roll of Honour gives some interesting names to ponder, Mr M Singleton, Mrs K J Samson, Mr A Donnelly, Mrs A Reed, Mrs E Dobson, Miss E S Riley-Lord OBE, but two of these names are of specific interest to the collie fraternity, these being both Col R O Gatherall OBE and Mr. T D Purvis. Another name connected to Darlington is that of the late Alan Mather (Rubec) who held the position of President of the society

Col Gatherall was the father of the well known 3 Gatherall sisters, all of whom, including both mother and  father have had the honour of judging at Crufts, 5 in one family!.

Mary, one of the 3 sisters also showed collies for Tom Purvis (Danvis) and one her claims to fame is making up Ch Danvis Dooley (Danvis Dale ex Danvis Derna) and she is also an approved KC judge for the breed.

However, it is Mary’s father, Col Richard Oliver Gatherall, who along with others we have to thank, as they worked so hard with the KC to gain Darlington its current Championship Show Status.

It was not until 1969 that Darlington Show Society was again granted Ch Show status

1970 saw Hazel Collins (Hunt) Rifflesea judging followed by such names as Iris Combe (Tilehouse) Jimmy Tait (Aberthorne), Frank Davies (Franwyns) Pat Mildon (Geoffdon), Diana Cochrane (Duntiblae), Alan Clarke (Lynway), Ada Bishop (Laund) to name but a few no longer with us.

1986 was the year that the official name was recognised as Darlington Dog Show Society and the judge that year was our own Stella Clark (Astrellita) and this was the last year that Darlington, as a one day all breed show was held.

Show venues have changed from South Park, to Newby Hall, and currently Ripon Racecourse where the show seems to have settled in and recently the KC granted it to be one of a few All Breed Shows, with CC’s on offer for all KC recognised CC breeds, long may it continue, under the guidance of current Secretary, David Guy and his wonderful committee and helpers.

From 1991 to the present day, the average entry for Rough Collies is 122, which is much higher than many all breed Ch Shows.
Rough Collies have had some good wins over the years at many of the shows.

In 1996, from a breed entry of 195, a very precocious blue merle puppy bitch took BPIB from breed judge, Carole Smedley and then went on to win BPIS from the late Marion Spavin, this was to become Ch Jasand True Blue, owned and bred by the late Jasmine Round and she was the winner of the prestigious BPIS trophy mentioned above.

In 2001, Sachenda Stand n Deliver, for Sam Bedford now Wrisdale also won BPIB and took Puppy G2 from Zena. The breed judge was Jack Bispham.

Just 10 years ago, local exhibitor/breeder, Angela Harvey took some of her Wicani collies into the Breeders Class and ended up Breeders G2 from Breed Judge Miranda Blake and Group Judge, the late Peter Bailey

Then in 2016, G1 went to the sable, Ch Corydon The Ringleader, who had won through from esteemed judge Frank Kane, on his first appointment for the breed and group judge Steve Hall.

Then in 2017, the multi titled tricolour smooth, Ch / Int Ch Clingstones Hot Shot to Foxearth, owned and shown by Trevor Hayward also took G1

Gael Wilcock from Australia judged in 2018 and her choice for BOB also took the group. This was Gianpaulo Falletto’s Ch Extraordinary Blu di Cambiano, handled by Val Geddes and awarded the group from Jeff Horswell

Carole Smedley (Antoc)