3rd January 2025

The last set of Ch show entry figures have now been recorded and it is not brilliant for our breed. No doubt when the final registration figures ending in December 2024 are released by the RKC it will still show we are still classed as AN AT RISK BREED. This could mean a loss of CC Allocations; Breed Clubs being asked to merge and many other factors but with fingers crossed we may see a slight increase at the end of last year!
Back to entry figures, of the 39 Ch shows held during the year, entries varied from those over 100 down to those of less than 50, showing a decrease but the average show entry was 74, The equivalent figure for 2023 was also 74 per show.

Just before these notes continue, I would like to thank Jo Williams (Mejola) the Breed Health Co-ordinator, and those members of the newly formed Breed Health Focus Group, who not only with planning all the festive activities but also had to contend with replying to an RKC request on information which had to be supplied by 31st December, also, I can confirm that our Breed Education Co-Ordinator remains the same, as myself for a further 3 years but with the onset of the (hopefully) new Find A Judge System which was planned to include all JEP Level Judges by year end, this will alleviate some of the work carried out on their behalf.

The latest BRS has arrived for the period July to September, and it is interesting  reading for the breed!
Of the 27 litters recorded, this has resulted in 119 new registrations, but in the analysis with all figures, it shows a number of 128 against the figure of 126 for 2023. There are a few new names and affixes for us to see, along with a few from established breeders and, of course, the usual entry of regular, un-named by kennel affix of 8 pups. There were also 5 new single registrations all of which have had a kennel name added. (So, I wonder why they were not RKC registered at the time of birth?)
We have, officially, 4 new imports from Croatia, Austria, Hungary and Slovenia with 2 collies leaving these shores for France and Slovakia. 15 collies had a change of name/ownership along with 78 transfer of ownership.
26 collies have now been allocated KCSB, along with confirmation of 7 new champions and a list of 25 CC winners.
3 new Junior Warrant holders are included along with a single Show Certificate of Excellence.
In the health section, good too see a few more collies being tested for CPRA, RPED and GPRA and of these, 1 is affected and the remaining 6 are listed as Unaffected. 6 Roughs have been tested/scored for HD with figures ranging from 5 to 31.
I was not aware we had, as a breed, an issue with Elbow Dysplasia, but I understand that this may well be part of a “Health Bundle” offered to those discerning owners and there is just 1 collie listed.
For the DNA Schemes, CEA/CH unfortunately all 11 are listed as affected. On the DM listing, 2 are affected, 10 listed as Carriers and just 1 Clear. Another issue, available by  DNA testing is MDR1 and the figures are 5 affected and 8 Carriers.
A DNA test for PRA shows 10 collies Clear of this issue
Now to a quick catch up on news from the end of last year, Stefani Flower let me know that at Exonian CA, Serenlas Edge of Heaven took BPIB from Lynda Nicholas followed by PPG4 which was judged by Liz Woodward. Maizie is jointly owned by Stef and Susan Hawkins and shown by Susan
Just before Xmas, Boston held their Open Show at Newark and news has come through concerning a good day for the breed as Helen Gutteridge judged the breed and found her BOB in Pat Corben’s Astromelias Ulises via Capriora, Miranda Blake took Corydon Cristal Vision to her first show and annexed BPIB and PPG. Hazel Allsopp took 2nd in the Open Stakes and £30 toward Xmas with Enzo and Jo Williams won 3rd in the AV Veteran Stakes under Jennifer Millard. Many thanks to Jo for letting me know these results.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com