20th June 2025

Thanks to Marianne Benton, who also did well, I have news of another good win for our breed, this time for a relative newcomer to our breed, so well done to Megan Gatt and her Wicani Belladonna went BPIB from Tate Forsey, followed by PPG1 from Lisa Franchi all this was at Great Yarmouth & Gorleston Open Show. Marianne also did well, as she took the Pastoral Veteran G1 with Keira, Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW from Marion Hodgson and then BVIS from Jane Eyeington, this lovely win of BVIS repeated wins by Marianne for 3 consecutive years. In 2024, she took BVIS with the late “Pedro” and Keira was also BVIS in 2023. So, a lucky show for all concerned.
Now to Border Union, held at Kelso with the show celebrating its Golden Anniversary Year, such a shame that the entry was so low for judge Irene Buchanan-Green, who is based in Mauchline, Ayrshire whose 2nd appointment for Roughs, following her debut at Leeds 2022 and she is also passed for quite few breeds in the pastoral group.
With just 21 males and 28 females entered there were, according to Fosse 5 absent, 2 males and 3 females. Obviously, the classes were short on entries with no takers for MPD or PD and just 4 in Junior, won by Brian & Odile with Beldones Ivory Star; No yearlings, so the next class was Novice, with Morag & Jim McCarte winning this with Roughrigg Rags’n’Riches although he stood alone.
Didek Eclipse of the Moon was also alone in Graduate for Lynne Foster, and Rachel Tilley was also alone in PG with her Ingledene Dark Moon Risin over Detillo; Kelly Crawford won a class of 5, being Limit, with Rodney, Stregato Foolish Guy and also let me know that Rodney won his first puppy class at Leeds when Irene last judged and today won his first Limit class. The Open class of 3 went to Brian & Odile with Ch Beldones Toucher du Bois and from Veteran, which had 4 present came the eventual CC winner, in the form of Culbrae Red Again owned by Lynda Watt. A sable sired by Ch Beldones Double Diamond out of Chelborn Justified with Culbrae and he also won the RDCC the last time Irene judged at Leeds 2022 on her first appointment. The RDCC was awarded to Didek Eclipse of The Moon, who is sired by Lillyway Lattimer at Nithview (who was 2nd in Veteran) out of Aldreen Illusion In Blue at Didek and was bred by Dianna & Derrick Farthing.
Thanks to Heidi Gallagher, who must have got home, as she sent me the full pages and class results of the show and confirmed that she had a super day, winning with her Stregato My Silver Tassie with Gemheid and this arrived at 1.30 ! So here are the class results for the ladies. Michelle & Jake won MP with 2 entered with their blue, Wicani Bellissima Rosschell. Dawn Clarke-Kerr, alone with Salsina Love Me Do won PB and later Novice. Wilma Brodie and Shanaburn Midnight Kisses won Junior which had both entries present. Another alone in her class was Brenda Welsh and Thistlewing Gold Mist. Lorraine Quince took Graduate with her blue, Oakley Ice Queen for Karafaye which had 2 entries. Cathy Proctor and Didek Moonshine for Cathbri won PG which had 3 present. Heidi Gallagher won a full class of 8 ladies with her entry, and this was followed by the Open class of 5, won by Sophie Wray-Ramsden with Takhisis Lady of Mystery who then annexed her 1st CC, although she does carry a BW24 title for her exploits abroad. She is sired by Ch Magical Moon of Lowlands Green Valley at Chantique out of Takhisis Lady of Illusions and she was born Nov 2021. There were no Veteran ladies entered.
BOB was awarded to Sophie, Best Puppy to Michelle and Jake and BVIB to the CC winner, Culbrae Red Again. I have not yet been informed but also not heard of any placings in the respective groups – so do let me know
The latest BRS has arrived and sad reading for our breed as figures for January to March 2025 show just 15 litters have been recorded.
One concerning entry is that from a litter, normally associated with the Smooth Collies, and thus pups are identified with the addition of 3 Stars (***) following its name. Which, according to the BRS identifies a dog of either impure or unverified origins! So, may I enquire, why? As I also noticed the remainder of the litter are also recorded as Collie Smooth……………..WHY? I
Again, one breeder, has managed to produce 24 pups between Mid Jan to early February, along with another 2, which have been recorded without a kennel affix but in similar ownership.
Also listed are 6 importations, from Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Belgium. Exports are also listed with Germany, Hungary and Poland featuring. 17 Changes of Name are included along with 50 transfers of ownerships. At last, the RKC appears to be “catching up” as there are 13 new KCSB entries, 1 new Champion and 10 CC winners but some go back to September 2024. 6 Junior Warrant holders are also listed along with 2 new Veteran Warrant holders.
In the health section, we have just 1 recorded by Ophthalmic Eye check as Clear/Unaffected. 6 with Hip Scoring, with figures between a total of 4, increasing to 9. Under Elbows, just one is recorded, not that I am aware of any issues but do understand this test comes as part of some Laboratories “Bundles” and this too, is clear. Under DNA tests for CEA/DM/MRD1 and PRA showed varied results from Affected/Carrier and Clear.
The first quarterly figures for us show just 79 compared to the first quarter of 2024 which were 93. Which brings me to the CC Allocation – Entry Rolling Averages for Collies Rough. These figures will act as a guide to Breed Clubs on the direction of potential CC Allocation. The 5-year average, excluding the figures for 2020 (Covid) show 84.69 and for 2024, 91.63. Enquires are currently being made if these figures cover just Breed Club shows or all shows.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com