21st May

Breed Notes

Whilst delving through more papers, I came across this article, written by Mum, Aileen Speding on a few memories from years gone by. Some of you readers will recall the names, others will just by-pass but here it is!

“Living in West London (to be precise Acton – hence our affix) and working as an assistant to a local Veterinary Surgeon, my general interest in dogs became an interest in SHOW dogs, when a client, the famous Mr H S Lloyd, gave me a ticket to visit the 1950 Crufts show at Olympia. There, I watched his blue roan Cocker Spaniel, Tracy Witch of Ware win Best In Show for the 2nd time. So in 1953 having purchased our foundation collie, Sherry of Shencolne, a few months earlier, I went to Crufts to watch the collies and as a completely green and starry-eyed novice I reasoned that the BOB would have to be the very best! So when Mrs Nadine George (Beulah) had completed her judging, I edged my way through the crowd and asked Mr A Newberry, handler of his mother’s bitch Silvastarjoy from Shiel, who had won all 6 bitch classes, BB & BOB, the simple question: “Can you tell me what’s good about your bitch?” and only my youth and sex saved me from a knock-out punch!

Having been to a few shows and bred my first litter, Miss D M Young (Ugony), owner of the stud dog I had used, introduced me to Nadine George and I was telling her that I had an enquiry from Belgium for a puppy. Mrs George, a very formidable lady, drew herself to her full height, puffed out her bosom and boomed, “You can’t do that – they eat horses in Belgium so goodness knows what they do to dogs!” Once again, I withdrew, chastened, and gave the dog to my brother.

Nadine was a great personality and one of her favourite Champions, pet name Charlie, ruled the roost at home and all resident visitors had to be in bed before 10pm, at which time, Charlie retired to his bed at the top of the stairs and only allowed Nadine to pass him. On show mornings, if Charlie had been disturbed from his slumbers and had nipped the heels of either herself or a visitor, Nadine would be in high spirits as she considered this a good omen for a successful day’s showing

Before the extensive use of motor cars and motorways, success full collie kennels flourished throughout the UK but only the top exhibitors travelled any distance to the shows, usually by train, As collies became more popular and the number of exhibitors grew, the demand for regional clubs resulted in many new societies being founded, one of which was London Collie Club. When Miss Doris Lowe (Raldas) was secretary, one of their shows was held at Pymms Park in north London and the famous all-rounder, Mr Jimmy Garrow was the judge. This colourful character had been a Shakespearian actor and often sported a voluminous black cloak. On this occasion, judging the Open Dog class, one exhibit would not be handled, showing aggression, for which the owner apologised saying the animal was a guard dog – to which Jimmy announced in stentorial tones, “A Yard Dog – then what is it doing here Madam” and dismissed it from the ring!

Another popular venue was the Lime Grove Baths, in West London, now part of the BBC complex and at one show, Mr Bill Siggers, famous all-rounder and exhibitor of the Ouborough Great Danes was judging and standing in front of the big double swing doors, was also assessing a Brace of Danes when the handler lost control, one dog went to the right of Bill and one to the left and all four, Judge, handler and dogs disappeared out of the doors into Shepherd’s Bush Road. Luckily no bones broken, just dented pride. Bill was a popular Collie judge but his fast-track judging would not be acceptable nowadays.

At one Paignton show, together with Frank Mitchell having travelled down by train with Mrs Cooke (wife of the late Cyril Cooke – photographer), we had to wait until 2pm for judging to start after Bill’s extended lunch break but we still managed to catch the 3.30pm train back to London, a bit out of breath and with Frank still clutching the BCC and a bag of liver bait in his hand as we sank into our seats.

Frank and his Glenmists hit the collie world in the early 1950’s. Arriving at shows on his motor bike with “Sugar” enjoying the ride in the side-car. Ch Rifflesea Reward of Glenmist CDEx, was a wonderful ambassadress for the breed and Frank did much to stimulate interest in working with Roughs in Obedience and Trials, and of course, Sugar, mated to Liberty of Ladypark produced a string of Champions. His Secretary ship of London Collie for over 20 years, his innovations and his support for new exhibitors and judges is well known, but woe betide anyone who stepped out of line.

There are too many wonderful characters to recall them all. There was Mrs Wilberforce (Delwood) who judged, assisting her mobility with a walking stick, with which she controlled the ring and the exhibitors and also indicated her winners, so good temperaments were essential when she judged!

There was Tom Purvis (Danvis) with his trade-mark trilby hat and his dry humour and his lovely Danvis collies who won many top honours at the all-breed shows, including a BIS, RBIS and Group 2 at Crufts. Also Ted Mycroft (Mywicks) a big personality in a small package who piloted his influential Ch Mywicks Meadow Lancer to his many wins including Crufts BOB

Scotsman Harry McLaren, Narragansette, showed and judged in full highland dress and who kept his kennel tripe fresh by hanging them in a fast flowing stream in his grounds.

May Young (Ugony) respected breeder and judge so disliked dogs being groomed in the ring, asked exhibitors to leave their brushes in their show bags, Mrs Milburn (Milburndene) and her richly coloured mahogany sables showed in her carpet slippers. Miss Peggy Osborne (Shiel) had a forceful personality and dominated the Collie Association for many years and alerted us to the problems of CEA. Betty Eglin re-wrote the history books with her Rokeby’s and had so much knowledge of alternative medicine treatments that she shared so generously.

The list is endless, with so many to mention and so many friends made along the way and to one and all, our thanks to whom the Rough Collie owes so much

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)