19th December 2025

2025 show year for our breed ended at Stafford at the LKA in the lovely Margaret Everton Pavilion. According to all who attended, this was so very much appreciated by  all as our two breeds, Rough and Smooth had the hall allocated by the LKA to themselves. This resulted in a warm and friendly atmosphere, plenty of space and happy dogs which meant happy exhibitors with a bonus being easier parking! So, congratulations to the Officers and Committee of LKA as all enjoyed the day, especially for the winners and at the end of the day, both of the breeds, judged by Eleanor Kitchen (Seriema) were short listed in the final adult group
Eleanor, is one of our more established judges, last officiated at WKC a few years ago, and has judged both breeds at Crufts. She started, following a slight delay due to traffic issues with the Smooth entry. Meantime,  the roughs were given time to adapt and settle into the new and peaceful surroundings before the first class, which was taken by Melissa and Gataj Just Like Jesse James, followed by Aaronwell Asks the Question who won PD. For John Congdon Although alone, Dave & Sue Randall won their classes with the brothers, Ladnar Call My Name and Ladnar Call Me Maybe.
Jane Uffspring took Post Grad with her Uffspring Undeniable and Robin Blaikie won Limit with Kourika The Gigolo. Open was a well filled class and winning this along with a 10th CC was Ch Beldones Ivory Star, cementing his place as Top Male Collie for 2025. Owned and bred by Brian & Odile, he is sired by Ch Camanna Code Name out of Beldones Ebony and Ivory and has amassed all his CC wins this year.
Standing 2nd in the same class, from Ireland was another top contender for the title, Ch & Int Ch Daliyhaa Master Craftsman An Ch 24 and Tom Wall. He is sired by Ch Beldones Blue Echo out of Daliyhaa Isadorable. Hugo took back home another RCC, to go with the previous 6 he has won in 2025.
Lynda Boyle won Veteran with her Barrenclough Heart of Gold JW ShCEx OSW VW and he also won the Good Citizen and Special Beginners classes. Best Puppy went to Melissa and her MP winner.
In MPB, Robin Blaikie won with his Kourika Stay With Me and Di Ware had Millubie Parachute Over to Wassail and she won PB. Chantique Pixie Ring took Junior for Linda Gautrey whilst Brian & Odile’s Beldones Rich Velvet, now living and handled by Julie Edwards won Yearling. Gataj Exotic Girl won PG for Melissa whilst Simon Walder piloted Hanvale Patsy Stone JW to win Limit. Open went to Jayne & Carl Llewellyn and Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina . Lynda Boyle won Good Citizens with Timeless Destiny Star Actis Over Barrenclough and Carristina Summer Rhapsody won Special Beginners for Linda Gautrey.
The BCC, her 1st, went to Gataj Exotic Girl, adding this to her previous RCC won at N&D earlier this year. She is sired by Ch Gataj Struck By Lightning out of Ch Paradise Girl du Clos de Sea-Wind for Gataj. Also, in this class ,was Chantique Sent From Heaven For Lillyway, owned by Julie Growcott, bred by Chantal & Andre Scott. Sired by Born to Be Quite Famous Lynmead out of Chantique Pink Fizz and she took home the RBCC having been called in to challenge.
BOB went to Clovis and, along with Eleanor’s choice of BOB in Smooths, Ch Wynele Strike It Rich to Lewarne JW, they both were short-listed by Richard Kinsey in a very strong Pastoral Group.  Although Melissa stayed with Jesse James, there was no placing for him, nor for Linda Gautrey and Carristina Summer Rhapsody for BSB. Best Veteran went to Lynda Boyle but no group was scheduled.
Before signing off for the notes this year, I bring you news from abroad where our breed has featured strongly at Major International shows and competitions.
Firstly, Ingrid, whom some of you will recall came over to the UK and collected her UK Ch title for Anne Kokkonen and Natalia Skalin. She is officially known as Skabona Too Good To Be True and carries Int/FI/NO/IT/IV and EE titles, she went once again to show her virtues at the Int show in Sweden and for the 3rd consecutive year, this time under Breed judge, John Walsh (Jnr) gained CACIB and BOB Ingrid finished her show day here with BIG 3. Prior to this show, at the recent Helsinki All Winners show had even more wins when CIB CH Silverlady's Million Dreams "Indira" , also owned by Anne, won the group under breed specialist Eva Eriksson then, under the BIS judge, Tomas Rollin gained a wonderful BIS2, this is the first time for many many years that a Rough has featured in top honours. I am sure that someone out there will let me know otherwise.
The breeding on these two ladies can be found, should you be interested via the many resources on the www.
Also, quite good results were obtained, a little closer to home for Sophie Wray-Ramsden with both her Roughs and ASD, at the time of writing I am not aware of the overall haul of Certificates and wins Sophie and her team are bringing home from Belgium.
Finally, I would like to thank all of you, Secretaries, Exhibitors and all who have kept me up to date with all results through 2025. The review of the year will be published after the annual festivities and I would wish you all the best for the holiday, and Good Luck for your entries in 2026, please remember, you take the BEST DOG home regardless and win with humility and lose with grace and keep all your comments for the drive home in private and not for social media. Happy Christmas and have a great New Year. Thank you all.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com