18th April 2025

A mixed bag of notes for you all this week, so making a start, a few comments and hopefully some will take these on board!
Firstly, the Rough Collie Breed Council held a meeting where various items, including Club A3 lists, the breed standard were discussed along with an item concerning social media and its effect on people, judges and all concerned.
Social media, can, and is a good thing to keep all informed when required, but is also fuel for those “keyboard warriors” who wish to inform everyone else of their views (right or wrong) on many negative points concerning other people’s exhibits, judges and club faults.
Showing dogs is a HOBBY, yes, an expensive hobby and those who continually post negative comments do nothing for the breed and often make themselves look very un-knowledgeable in the eyes of other exhibitors. Please remember that many social media sites (including our breed) are monitored by others in higher and more influential positions than you may be aware of. Before we had social media, I and others, understood that negative comments on any point were best discussed, privately, in the car on the way home! Nowadays, posts are seen even from ringside concerning anything they do not agree with. These posts often contravene the RKC Codes and Breed Club Codes concerning the use of Social media and it will not be too long before someone oversteps the mark and solicitors become involved. Also, the |RKC introduced a Red and Yellow Card system which can be invoked should continual statements be made.
Any comments do little to improve the positivity within any breed and often are upsetting to those they could be directed as how does the original perpetrator know what issues anyone is dealing with and these comments often can take the shine of any win they may achieve!
Also, thanks to those who do produce live videos of show challenges and judging, to which we are all grateful for, please remember, if possible, keep the Sound OFF as not only ringside comments are broadcast to all but also a few regular exhibitors have been overheard telling a judge “It only needs 1 more and it is just 4 years old when asked the age. Most judges are not fools but many can be and are influenced by this and it too contravenes RKC Rules.
Now to Congratulations to the Diamonds in the Rough Obrfeedience Team, news has come in from one member, Stacy Steven who along with Team Captain, Claire Walton, who had to take over from the normal Captain, Jane Uffspring who is indisposed due to a broken ankle and had to stay home. This team annexed a 4th place from 10 competitors of many breeds at Newark over the weekend. Another “emergency Member was recruited for this heat leaving the team no reserves should anything else happen Those competing were Claire Walton and Blaze (Corydon Blaze of Gold), Stacy Steven with Barra (Cambrogan Blissful Barra) Katherine Notley with Jax (Jotars Amazonian Tango) and David Barnett with Isi (Jotars Isolation Moon).  On the same day, Stacy and Barra competed in their first Obedience competition gaining 5th place in the Pre-Beginners class with a comment from the judge who so very impressed as she is just 12moths old
Just a few miles away, at Littleport, the EACA held their dual Open Shows. Headed by Secretary Miranda Blake and her committee, although depleted on the day. My grateful thanks to both Miranda and Jo Williams who kept me up to date with results and also sent down some great photos.
As usual the weather gods played their part until the last part of the day when a heavy shower made an entrance over the final awards.
Both shows had similar entries 58 and 61 for judges, Lorraine Quince (Karafaye) and Doug Bedford (Chateaunewf) with Show 1 having John Blake BIS and Show 2 had Jenny Miller also doing BIS after her stint over the Smooths.
Lorraine judged Show 1 with the following winners: Baby Puppy D/B Lenosann Wildest Dreams; Veteran Astromelias Ulises Via Capriora (imp Sp); Ladnar Call My Name won MP with Ladnar Call Me Maybe taking Puppy. Junior  had no entries but Yearling went to Mejola Top Gun; PG Siluto Blue Wizzard at Amberwish; Kelekona Hearts of Gold JW won Limit and Open went to Ch Phreelancer Chill Phactor for Elshajo.
BD was declared by Lorraine as Kelekona Hearts of Gold with Chill Phactor in Reserve. MPD was Ladnar Call My Name and also BPD.
Veteran Bitch was Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW. ShCEx; MP Wicani Bellissima Rosschell; Ambartr’s Dignity and Pride won Puppy. Junior went to Atirakin Path of Cassiopeia via Capriora; Yearling Brilyn Make Me Smile at Garbh. Siluto Blueberry Mist JW won PG and Siluto Silvery Blue Moon took Limit with both Open ladies missing
BB went to the MP, Wicani Bellissima Rosschell owned jointly by Michelle Davis and handled by co-owner, Jake Walsh. RBB was another baby, Lenosann Wildest Dreams for Dee & Sam Vogan who had won the Baby puppy class. Keira the winner of Veteran was BVB
For BOB, this went to the blue MP bitch, who was also BPIB/BMPIB all at her first show. RBOB was Kelekona Heart of Gold JW for Cathy Cooper; BVIB went to the sable dog, Pat Corben’s Astromelias Ulises Via Capriora (imp Sp) handled by Georgi Moore.
John  Blake officiated for BIS and awarded this to the Smooth Ann French with Int Ch Indigo Aura Agree To Disagree with Breckamore. RBIS to the precocious MP Rough, with BVIS to the sable rough boy.
Show 2 had Doug Bedford making his choices over the Roughs and Jenny Miller judged Smooths and BIS.
The results were similar in roughs with VD/MPD andPD a repeat of Show 1. Again, no entries in Junior but |Yearling was won by Mejola Top Gun. Again, Cathy Cooper won PG with Hearts of |Gold JW;  Takhisis Lysander won Limit for Michelle Chaplin and again, Eleri and Ch Phreelancer Chill Phactor won Open. BD was declared as the Veteran boy of Pat Corben, with Ice taking RBD. Best Puppy dog and BMPD was Ladnar Call My Name.
Bitches had Marianne and Keira winning Veteran, Jake and his blue girl winning, Puppy was a repeat of Show 1 with Ambartr’s Dignity and Pride winning who also won the next class Junior. Maysinder Sapphire Reign and Denis Beardsworth took PG and Breckamore Pitch Dark won Limit for Ann French with Maxine taking Open with Demelewis Double Take.
BB went to Maxine, RBB to Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell who had won Veteran, BPB to Jake. Doug’s final choice was Maxine with Demelewis Double Take RBOB to the Veteran sable who was also BOSIB and BVIB and BPIB to Wicani Bellissima Rosschell.
BIS judged by Jenny Miller resulted in Marianne and Oakestelle Artemis ShCex VW who also took BVIS.  RBIS to Maxine, BOSIS to Pat Corben; BPIS to Jake and his blue baby Maxine going BIS

Recent news from Josh Blackburn of Northumberland & Durham to confirm that N&D will be holding their Ch Show in conjunction with Darlington and also booked for 2027. Also that the AGM of N&D will be held 10th May where there vacancies for various positions. Nominations and agenda items to be received by 25th April or please contact Josh direct.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com