15th May2026

Birmingham National Dog show made quite a few innovative changes at their 167th Anniversary show held at Stafford.
Not many of those changed affected our breed which had received a paper entry of 84 for Secretary of YCC, Christine Biggs who holds the Spirecroft affix and this was her 1st appointment for both sexes, having previously judged at YCC in 2022 when she judged bitches.
From the 31 males entered, I think there were a few missing about 5 and from the Open class emerged the CC winner in Ch Mejola Top Gun JW, Maverick, owned and bred by Jo Williams. To remind you of his breeding, he is sired by Corydon The Ringmaster out Mejola Special Reserve and this is his 5th CC, adding to that won recently at Midland Collie Club
Winning from both Special beginners and Puppy Dog was Sue Thorne with her blue baby, Chelborn Look at Me, who was born June 2025, sired by Ch Kourika You’ll Do For Me out of Ch Skabona If I Saw You in Heaven For Chelborn (imp Swe).
Veteran Dog was declared for Brooklynson Black Diamond for Dancol and the Jones family.
From the 49 ladies entered with 12 absent,  taking a 2nd BCC, by winning Open was Slo Ch/Int Ch Incredible Blu di Cambiano for Maria Teresa Garabelli. This blue won her previous CC, handled by Andrea Vallerini at Southern Counties last year when Bill Browne-Cole judged. Known at home as Kiara she is sired by Sired by Int Ch Jolly Roger Black di Cambiano out of Int Ch Roba Incredible Blu di Cambiano and she was born in 2023. Interesting to note, should you look at her pedigree, her dam, Roba is a daughter of Ladnar Kissmaster (Ch Chelborn Kiss’n’Tell ex Samhaven Temptation Ladnar) mated to a full sister to Piaf.
A new one to top honours belongs to Chan & Andre Scott, and she is Torrino Renesmee for Chantique (Imp Ita). A blue, known at home as Bluebell, she is  sired by Pow Wow du Clos de Seawind out of Torrino I Am Bella.(Monsolana Masterboy ex Brigetta Nera) and bred in Italy by A Montini and a lovely message from Chan let me know this is her first time back in the ring following a  break, lovely to hear from you both and their young boy, Chantique The Witcher, also won his class earlier in the day.
BPB was another nice win for Alex Mills and her Lemivee Connie’s Songbird who had won both Puppy and Novice. Dreamy, Telforth Sweet Dreams To Corisian JW won Veteran for the Brooker family but had to leave before the Veteran group due to illness, thank you for letting me know. Hope you are feeling better now.

In the challenge for BOB, this went to the blue bitch, with BPIB to Alex Mills with her Lemivee Connie’s Songbird who beat the RDCC winner in this challenge. A  lovely message from Alex confirmed that although she went into the Puppy Group she was not selected BUT, when in the Special Beginners Group, judged by Sharon Pinkerton, they actually took SBBPG2 – so very well done and nice to see our breed featuring.
Star of the day was Andrea who was not only short-listed but gained a creditable PG4 with Maria’s blue lady under Tan Nagreecha.
Well done and I hope this is correct, young Isobelle Allsopp gained a good 2nd place, also under Sharon Pinkerton in the YKC Handling (6-11), although I do not know what breed she was showing but I suspect it was with her sheltie

Whilst all were at Birmingham, celebrations were being held in Ireland, Maureen Timmins writes..........

The All Ireland Collie & Sheepdog Society Centenary Year 2026

To mark the one hundredth year anniversary of the founding of the club, the All Ireland Collie and Sheepdog Society ran a Centenary Celebration weekend. This comprised of four events. The weather for the whole weekend was dry and sunny – perfect for dog events. The showring was adorned with club themed decorative pieces, all made by Eamon Nealon. A large gazebo housed a gourmet buffet  organised by Marie Delaney and manned by hard workers all weekend.

We began on 9th May at the Irish Kennel Club Show Centre, with a gathering of past and present committee members. The President of the IKC Mrs Pat O’Boyle presented each of them with a framed certificate which had been signed by herself and by our club President Mr Dermot Timmins. Also in attendance was Mr Mark Ryan, who is the grandson of the club founder, Mr P J Sinnott. The event was hugely supported, with cake and bubbly adding to the sense of occasion.

The second event of the celebratory weekend was a breed championship show. As well as the club’s one hundred years in existence, this was also the fiftieth championship show. Paul Battigan was Show Secretary and our judge was Mr Claus-Peter Fricke from the Rosegarden kennels in Germany, ably assisted by stewards Dora Richter from Belgium and our own George Kerslake. Every exhibitor was presented with a commemorative medal and the past committee members and their families were there to enjoy the dog show. This all added up to a friendly ringside atmosphere – reminiscent of years gone by.

Peter awarded the honour of Best in Show to the sable Green Star bitch winner, Roughrigg Rene Rousso at Peblu, who is owned by Grenville Francis and bred by Jim and Morag McCarte. The Green Star dog and Res BIS was Ch/Int Ch Evalane Memory Of Monty at Elshadene, owned by Sharon Drewery and bred by Averil Kelly. Best Pup in Show was awarded to the male puppy Triburle The Whizz, owned by Dympna O’Brien and bred by Christine Collins and the Best Veteran was the bitch Ch Copamage I'm Blown Away, owned and bred by Mary McNally.

Day two, 10th May 2026 saw our second breed championship show. Again with Paul Battigan acting as Show Secretary and this time our judge was Mrs Ildiko Muzslai from Double Scotch kennels in Hungary. Dora and George stewarded once again.

Ildiko awarded Best in Show to the tri bitch Ballahanna Bon Ami, owned by Sharon Drewery and bred by Liam Kelly. Reserve BIS was the blue Green Star dog winner Donohill Phantom of the Opera, owned and bred by Maurice and Mary Carr and handled by Di Ware on the day. A second day of winning for Dympna O’Brien’s Triburle The Whizz, Best Pup in Show again. Best Veteran this time was Evalane Sweet Fizzie Sherbet, owned and bred by Averil Kelly.

Both shows were generously gifted rosettes and prizes from other Rough Collie clubs and kennels and these were proudly displayed on an award board. The Society is extremely grateful to the following

The final event. The celebrations culminated in a visit to the Shirley Estate, Lough Fea, Carrickmacross. Mr Philip Shirley (great grandson of Mr Sewallis Evelyn Shirley), welcomed us to his home, knowing that this place is so special to Rough and Smooth Collie lovers worldwide. It was, of course, the birthplace of the common ancestor, the famous Rough Collie, Trefoil who was born in 1873.

The Society made a special presentation to Mr Shirley and his wife – a bespoke bowl commissioned from the well known Woodturner, Willie Criton. Afterwards Mr Shirley presented, on the club’s behalf, certificates of attendance and commemorative medals to all attendees. More champagne and more cake finished off what was, to us Collie enthusiasts, a once in a lifetime celebratory weekend.

One hundred years have gone by since the All Ireland Collie & Sheepdog Society was established. In that time there have been many people offering their commitment to the preservation and promotion of our beautiful breed. History will reflect their dedication and hopefully the Society has – and will continue to - play it’s part.

Maureen Timmins
Honorary Club Secretary

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com