27th March 2026

For those of you who may have concerns regarding the recent issues from the RKC, hopefully, I may be able to clarify some of these for you.
Cast your minds back to the recent RKC issue of the Breeding For Health Framework, details are still available on the RKC website, this has been followed by the Population Analysis, also available on same site.
A new initiative will be launched, towards the end of the year, under the heading of RKC Nose to Tail Veterinary Assessment, and also another issue the IHA – Innate Health Assessment may well have implications, not just for our breed, but others.
The IHA was launched in Nov 2025 was developed by the ALL PARLIAMENTARY GROUP FOR ANIMAL WELFARE (APGAW). It is currently intended as a self-assessment for breeders and puppy buyers using 10 criteria with 8/10 being required as a pass figure.
However, further reading into the IHA has shown some issues which could affect many breeds including the colour of Merle.
With this in mind, it is suggested that all interested parties contact their local MP and register any concerns directly to them. One who has done this, and congratulations to Sarah Flower (Secretary of the SCC of GB) who did just that and had quite a positive response. So, it is up to the rest of us to make similar moves.
The RKC share the IHA principle that every dog should have a healthy body shape that allows a good quality of life. The RKC were involved during the consultation for the IHA but NOT with its final development. RKC did NOT choose the individual criteria or the pass-fail format and therefore, although the RKC think that the IHA has clear value as a tool to raise awareness and reach dogs that are not RKC registered, the RKC think that our communities need a more structured tool to support breeding away from extreme conformation.
Therefore, the latest issue NOSE-TO-TAIL VETERINARY ASSESSMENT that will look at the visible conformation of the whole dog. It is intended to be applicable to any breed with just one standard format but the RKC is not expecting, or recommending that it should be used for every dog given that some breeds will have NO CONCERNS at all in terms of visual conformation.
Recent workshop seminars have been held with representatives for the Collie Rough attending (via Teams) and outline issue were presented and discussed. As the items are still under discussion, I am not able to advise on them but it would generally appear to be directed at those breeds who already have known health issues as noted by the RKC, but this does not mean that our breed is exempt. As soon as we have some definite information it will be issued here ASAP.

I was very sorry to hear the sad news that Iris Cummings (Altnareagh) had passed. Although the last few years had not been good for Iris, as she had spent time in a nursing home but was visited quite frequently by some loyal collie friends and did keep up to date with all things via the Collielife web pages. 

Along with her late husband Rob, they owned and bred collies under their affix and made up Champions. One of which was the pride and joy for Iris. This was a sable male, Ch Altnareagh I’M Bryn, sired by Ch Sundorne Spiritualist out of Altnareagh  Jus Magic, who was a daughter of Myskeveil Naughty Rascal who was sired by Ch Jasand Young Winston. There were many other winners who annexed good awards for Rob & Iris at home and here in the UK.

If you ever took a trip over the water and attended either Irish Collie or Belfast Ch shows, you would often have been greeted by Iris who excelled in Admin and according to secretary, Grenville Francis, Iris held quite a few posts including Vice President to Grenville, Show Secretary and Health Co-Ordinator. She was also Club Secretary to Newtownards & District CS for many years and I understand she was also active for Belfast Ch show .

Both Iris and Rob Cummings were approved RKC judges, with Iris completing appointments at Border Union in 2015 and prior to that at CA; YCC and Scottish Breeds, her knowledge will be sadly missed.

To family, including daughter Jennifer we send our condolences and appreciate the knowledge and experience Iris gave to all

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com