Some news for you concerning the position of our Rough Collie Breed Health Co-Ordinator. Following notification from our previous BHC, Sophie Wray-Ramsden, (thank you Sophie for all your work) the breed clubs were notified by the RCBC and following nominations, a vote was held and Congratulations are due to Gwen Beadon who has just been appointed to this role and she is now the Point of Contact recognised by the KC for our breed. However, all breed clubs are entitled to appoint their own HC for any issues that may arise and it is hoped that contact for any issues will be forwarded to Gwen for future changes and discussion and possibly gain approval from the KC
Gwen can be contacted on: gwenbeadon@gmail.com or via Mobile on 07877340450 and even by using WhatsApp which links through to her mobile.
However, this now leads me into an interesting position and your comments as owners, breeders are welcomed either here, or via our BHC or even on social media pages. (If you must)
So, my understanding, that CONTRARY to the comments I have seen and read, our Breed, the Rough Collie,  IS A RELATIVELY HEALTHY BREED compared to many and has few serious health issues and is a long-lived breed with a breed average of 12+ years.
Yes, there are various health issues in all breeds and we have been aware of many since the recognition of Eye Issues back in the 1960 period when some kennels were castigated, and even gave up breeding, but once schemes became available for testing our “eye health” improved and at one time, we did completely eradicate some more serious issues as PRA and CPRA. Much of this was achieved using visits to recognised Eye Specialists with litters of pups and adults
With progress testing via DNA evolved and issues that arose (and still arise unfortunately) schemes to test your collie pups and parents of future litters are now available and we are all advised to make use of them, if only to prove to prospective puppy buyers that we are testing to provide healthy pups especially as the future of our breed could depend on it. With the current cost of puppies surely all reputable breeders should be making use of them, the cost of selling a tested puppy and having a clear conscience should weigh upon all
This leads me to my next comment, as we are all aware, there are many schemes for testing, often by the use of a DNA Cheek Swap and following on from the recent announcement by our KC, I for one cannot see any advantage in using this “new set of tests” as advocated. My reasoning for this is as follows:
A certain KC approved laboratory offer to breeders a Rough Collie “Bundle” consisting of 6 separate tests, for known conditions,

 at a much more reduced rate than that of the New KC promotion. i.e. this new KC Bundle is for our breed consists of just 3 items:
1.Collie Eye Anomaly/Choroidal Hypoplasia (CEA/CH).
2.Multidrug Resistantce Gene MDR1 and 3.
3. a DNA Profile. SNP – ( ISDAG 2020)
Included in this is a printed guide to explain what the test is for but there is no mention of DM,PRA or DMS !!!  All of this at a much more inflated price. So why would you choose to test your stock and pay up to £30 more for a test with fewer results just because it is promoted by the KC?
My next comment is directed at the KC, we as a breed are asked to and many comply with testing, but why do we not have any Assured KC Breeders registered? My answer to this is, that the requirements to become part of the ABS are just too restrictive, I was an Assured Breeder once, as although we did contact the KC concerning many aspects of these requirements, not only were the “Joining Requirements” too lax, when it comes to current testing/registration of a litter, these are far too stringent.  For example, one requirement is Eye Testing as we have an eye issue in the breed. We test a puppy at maybe 6-8 weeks, again it is tested at a year old. Unless it has PRA, our eye issues remain constant from birth to death therefore an added cost of renewing eye tests annually especially if you own a stud dog. Similar requirements apply to the female sex. I notice now that the cost of being part of the ABS is now £60 per annum, on top of the original non-returnable application fee !
So, let go a little further into this, while we are testing for issues, our Kennel Club encourages us to do so, then accepts on its own pages, adverts for puppies for sale who do not have any listed health tests – something does not seem like a level playing field
Talking of Level Playing Fields, and on an entirely different subject, this one is JUDGES. Whilst many are embracing the JEP and working their way through the various levels, we now have more candidates who need the KC to become really pro-active and arrange these final assessments otherwise these people will feel that they are not being “looked after” as they see others, who do not meet all the requirements being passed to award CC’s  despite the KC being aware of Breed Club and Breed Council opinion, it seems this counts for nothing and is taking up valuable time which both Clubs and Council could use elsewhere

Now to the results of Northumberland & Durham’s Open Show, held as usual at Trimdon Village Hall, where a Minute’s Silence was held in respect of the late Hazel Hunt.  Thanks to both Chairman, Josh Blackburn and Charlene Turner who posted for all to see, so if you missed that, here they are: The judge was Jo White (Mejola) but there was a very limited choice for her as the entry was just 24 collies making 35 entries. Best In Show went to Maxine Mellish with her tricolour Demelewis Double Take who won from Limit. Reserve BB and RBIS went to Duna & Josh with their sable Erjon Evolving Beauty. BPIS was Lorraine Quince with her Oakley Ice Queen for Karafaye.  Best Dog was Anita Fox and her Alanita African Jazz, with Maxine taking RBD with Demelewis Truth or Dare and both these boys came from the Open class. There were no male pups present. Best Veteran in Show from a well filled class was Ronansprey Rumour Has It, now in her 11th year and in the ownership of Keith & Terri Brand and Mr & Mrs Reid.
Special Award Classes were judged by Linda Pierson (Kiltondale) and her class winners from the 6 present, were Oakley Ice Queen for Karafaye (Puppy); Erjon Evolving Beauty (Post Grad) and the Open Winner, Thistlewing Celtic Soul for Karafaye.
The Officers and Committee of N&D would like to thank all who supported this show and look forward to meting up later in the year.
Finally, in line with KC requirements, all breed clubs must offer support to general canine societies and one of these was held at Isle of Ely Open show, supported by the EACA with an entry of 19 and a selected judge as Tim Ball (Kaitak). Winning BOB and shortlisted in the group by Simon Luxmore was Corydon The Baron and also shortlisted in the puppy group was Oakley Imagine Dragons at Corydon.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com