Breed Notes
3rd March 2023

I do hope you were all able to access the BBC/KC item featured on the BBC News channel on Sunday, where our own Miranda Blake featured, along with Bill Lambert for the KC and “Roger”. If not, it is available on various platforms on social media or ask a friend as I am aware many of you tuned in to see this
The reasoning for this feature is the concern in the decline in registration numbers for our breed. The more mature amongst us will recall not only registration numbers and show entries fondly. If the numbers continue to decline, we, as a breed will find ourselves classified as an “AT RISK / AT WATCH, or worse VULNERABLE” breed. I understand the figures to be Under 300 fall into the Vulnerable Category and 300-450 are at Watch/Risk, which is where we shall find Rough Collie shortly!
As a summary and no figures were quoted during the interview, so here is food for thought!
1992 saw 3649 registrations (average show entry 198)
2002 saw 1377 with 138
2012 has 943 with 108
2022        421 with the last quarter to be published show entry    78 average
The repercussions for this decline will be many, including possible loss of classes at many shows, then the loss of main awards for those that show. Loss of Breed Clubs and so the list continues..................
As breeders/exhibitors and judges, should we not be asking ourselves the reasons for this decline? Also what can be done to promote our breed. I ask you all to consider these facts and to do all you can to help
Maybe the general public do not recall the “Lassie” films; after all they were many years ago! Nearly every adult recalls having a Collie in the family but perhaps due to environment/finances/ and general apathy for the breed, newer “modern / rare” breeds are more to the liking of the buyer of today.
At least Miranda did encourage people to have a rough, stating many positive facts including the ease of grooming and its virtues – well done and many thanks Miranda and Roger - great job well done. Thank you on behalf of the Rough Collie.

Before reporting on other news for this week, thanks to Secretary, Christine Biggs, I now have the results of the SAC classes judged by Gill Whitaker at the recent Yorkshire Collie Open Show
Puppy, with 5 entries saw first place going to Miranda and Corydon Agatha Cristal; Post Grad went to Koczkodan Midnight Sun JW, a smooth and Open to Corydon Pol Roger.

London & Provincial held an Open Show last Saturday at Bletchingly Village Hall, Redhill, Surrey, followed by their AGM and thanks to Di, I now have a catalogue and hope that with time constraints, I have correctly interpretated – apologies if not!
L&P are headed by Secretary Di Collino, who was also Show Manager, ably assisted by Committee Members, Treasurer, Peter Stillwell, Gina Stillwell, (Cup Steward), Marianne Benton, Janine Hanson, Alexis Swain and Miss J Hopper. Paddy Hendrick, Chairman was un-avoidably absent.
Scheduling both Roughs and Smooths the judge for the day was Simon Burton (Glencorrie) with Georgina Howard (Casatentola) for the SAC Classes.
However, perhaps it is a sign of the times as the overall entry received was poor as there were just 24 entered! Many of whom were owned by members of the Committee
There were just 7 males for Simon and his first class, Veteran went o Wicani Altitude at Imaginist and Di Collino. Gataj Lightning Flash won MP for the Perrott family from Somerset. Kenzduo Mythical Nights took Puppy for Sharon Harrison. Ann, Valerie and Sue Howard won Yearling with Ladnar Dreamchaser. Wicani Invoking Spirit beat Camanna Careerchanging for Maqueeba in Limit and Open went to Pedro and Marianne Benton, officially known as Ch Brooklynson El Dorado.
Best Dog went to Pedro; RBD to Wicani Invoking Spirit in the ownership of Di Collino, Keith and Angela Harvey, BPD was Kenzduo Mythical Nights and BVD to Wicani Altitude at Imaginist.
There were a few more ladies present (17) and winning Veteran was Pedro’s kennel mate, Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle for Marianne, MP to Blamorder Any Dream Will Do, another owned by Di Collino. Winning Puppy was Princess Jessie The Third – who is owned by Mr D Riddell. With no Juniors or Yearling, Post Grad was next with Tudorlyn Alice In Wonderland winning for Linda Philpin who then won Limit with Tudorlyn A Kind of Magic and no Open ladies listed to compete.
Best bitch went to Marianne and Ch Brooklynson Jayne Russell, RBB to Tudorlyn A Kind of Magic  and BPB to Princess Jessie The Third. Marianne was also BOB and BVIB. BPIB was the dog puppy Kenzduo Mythical Nights.

Simon also judged the Smooth entry with BOB to Ch Oakestelle Venue De Milo winning again for Marianne, BB was Abby Lusty and Blamorder Ice Cream Dream and BP to Coldelee Jupiter Rises with Blamorder for Abby.
So, now to BIS and a clean sweep for Marianne who won with the Veteran, Ch Brooklynson Jayne Russell of Oakestelle, and a lovely message from Marianne to say this is the 3rd time she has won BIS at L&P.
RBIS to Blamorder Ice Cream Dream and BPIS to Kenzduo Mythical Nights for his owner, Ms S Thomas, and his details are as follows, sired by Wicani Invoking Spirit out of The Girl Wears Diamonds, bred by Mr M Bradbury and born 23rd April.
Georgina Howard judged SAC classes for both Roughs and Smooths and found her Rough winners in Blamorder Any Dream Will Do, who won Junior; Tudorlyn A Kind of Magic won PG and the Open winner was Ch Brooklynson Jayne Russell of Oakestelle.
I have no news, yet of the AGM following the show any changes will be reported later.
I do, however have AGM news from Morag McCarte, Ayrshire CC Secretary to say other than the Treasurer, who is now Michelle Mitchell, replacing Marian McBride, who stays on Committee, all other Office Bearers remain as before. Thanks Morag

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)