Yorkshire Collie Club Championship Show
Sunday 1st September 2019
Rough Collie Dogs
Judge Robin Blaikie, Kourika

First of all I would like to express my gratitude to the Yorkshire Collie Club for inviting me to judge the Dogs at their well run Championship Show, it was a pleasure to be there. Many thanks to the Committee for the lovely home made meal and to my stewards Dave Crapper and Deborah Bell for all their help. My grateful thanks must also go to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me; I was very pleased to see the good entry.
It was an honour to judge alongside Sandra Wigglesworth of the famous Sandiacre Kennel and I’m happy to say we were in full agreement when it came to our mutual decisions.
I’m not going to berate our breed, as there seems to be no shortage of people doing that lately, I just want to say that it was a mixed bag in type I was judging, and I think most of us are intelligent enough to see the points that need  to be improved. For me in general today that was mostly short tails, poor presentation and especially teeth.
Movement was difficult to assess in this ring on the thin slippery mats, which prevented the dogs to stretch out on the move and me to get a really good impression of reach and drive.
Ear carriage and placement for me gives me a picture of all the head properties in balance, i.e. stop, eye, muzzle and expression. I don’t expect the dogs to stand all day like statues with ears bang on top but when asked I want them to give me something to see that balance and the true collie look of intelligence and alertness.
Furthermore we seem to be in short supply of dominant male dogs that produce a type that makes you stand at the ringside and say: that’s definitely by such and such for whatever reasons.
I know breeding is an expensive hobby nowadays but I would like to suggest a bit of thought on the dogs’ and bitches’ virtues and faults and some research on past generations in a pedigree before breeding, both of which will stand you in good stead for the future. Good luck!

VD 3 Abs 1
1st Blake Miss M.J. Demelewis Catch the Blues for Corydon
Upstanding 8 and a half year old blue dog with a good overall make and shape, head not too coarse for his age. I would prefer a clearer colour but he moved round the ring with confidence and drive and stood and showed well. Presented nicely. RVBIS

2nd Bartram Mr C.P. & Mrs R Aqualita One Love
8 year old sable dog, again with a head not too coarse for for his age. Good length of back, moved well and was obviously enjoying his day out; nice dog, but I just preferred the overall balance of 1st.

MPD 4 Abs 1
1st Hawkins Mrs S. Brilyn Born for Glory
A very nice 6 and a half months old sable who has very appealing, balanced head properties, good eye and ears especially for his age. Good length of back but needs to tighten up on movement. Presents a lovely picture standing spotlessly groomed and presented well. Hope he fulfills his promise in the future.
BPD and in agreement with my co judge BPIS. Well done

2nd McCart Roughrigg Rag N Bone Man
This 8 mnth sable boy has a lot of appeal. He is very well put together, very sound on the move with a nicely balanced outline and good rounded bone. He was shown and presented to a tee, I just preferred the slightly cleaner head of 1st at this stage. As it was a case of splitting hairs here I’m sure these two while developing will change places many times.

3rd Lockyer Mrs M Perfect Timing du Clos de Seawind for Gataj
I know this lad has had his trials and tribulations and it is testament to his super temperament that he has come through that so well. A lovely boy who can’t be ignored: his ears still need to settle but he has a good head pattern, lovely eye and a well balanced outline and he moved and showed well.
Three very nice minor puppy dogs; I will watch their progress with interest.

PD 2
1st Blake Miss M.J. Corydon Pol Roger
A 6 and a half months old blue boy, who at his first show moved round the ring with confidence which made him very appealing. He has a very nice clear colour, head well proportioned for his age and type, ears bang on top, balanced outline with nicely arched neck. Presented well. I’m sure this one will mature on quickly.

2nd Pembelton Miss J. The Last Dance von der Ischlerbahn at Annalee (quite a handfull that)  I believe this tri boy has some good health test results and I applaud the owners courage as it is a long road to trave downl. I do hope they don’t lose type on the way. Decent shape and balance, groomed and showed well. I will watch progress with interest, wishing his owner all the best.

JD 1 abs 1

MD 3 abs 2
1st Lockyer Mrs M. Perfect Timing du Clos de Seawind for Gataj

GD 5 abs 2
1st Lockyer Mrs M. Once Upon a Time du Clos de Seawind with Gataj
Well built rich sable dog who has a nice eye and expression, but I would like a bit more refinement in skull. Good length of back, solid bone, but I would prefer a touch more neck.
All male, moved well in his class but a bit less in the challenge. Presented well.

2nd Brooker Corisian French Connection
This sable lad is not a big boy but certainly well balanced for his size. Good reach of neck, but would like a bit more layback of shoulder. Super eye and expression, well presented and showed himself off to his best advantage. Although not as masculine as 1st a very nice all round dog.

3rd Gregory Ms C & Mclarty Phreelancer Phortunes Leap

PGD 10 Abs 2
1st Mclaughlin Mrs M.D. Moondance de Cabrenysset for Brihow
This outstanding blue dog has a lot to offer: lovely clean head in balance with his size, expressive eyes combined with super ears to give him a look of alertness. A dog with a super outgoing temperament and eager to please his handler. A great reach of neck with such a good layback of shoulder that shape and balance are in total harmony. His colour is excellent although possibly today his coat was starting to lose some of its’ lustre. Moved very well front and back, even on this floor. A dog I’m sure has many qualities valuable to the breed.
In the challenge again a case of splitting hairs. RCC well done.

2nd Hassock Mrs M.A. Camanna Cast a Long Shadow
Again not a big lad, this tri dog, but well balanced. A clean head, nice eye, and although I’d prefer his ears set a bit closer together he can use them and if he does it makes such a positive difference to his expression. Good length of back, good bone, make and shape. Moves reasonably well when he put his mind to it.

3rd Shipp Mr R.P. & Mrs M.A. No More Heroes du Clos de Seawind

LD 10 Abs 1
1st Foy Mrs O. & Hawkins Mr B. Beldones Blue Echo
This quality blue boy is quite deceiving; from a distance his head looks a bit strong, but when you go over it you can’t but appreciate its cleanliness, well balanced skull and rounded muzzle. He has a lovely dark and expressive eye and when he uses his well placed ears he has the most appealing expression. Another dog with good reach of neck, well placed shoulder and nicely balanced for his size. His colour has cleared well, his tail is well set and of  good length and he has nice rounded bone and neat tight feet. Could possibly do with some  coat out around head and neck to show its’ shape. Well groomed and presented. He moved straight at front and had a nice drive from the rear. At times he dropped his head down a bit but not enough to distract from his overall quality. A sweet, but also masculine dog with a lovely outgoing temperament which bears well for future breeding. Dog CC & RBIS. Well done

2nd Humphreys Mrs S. Shasam Sign
Sable boy of lovely make and shape with a very clean and nicely proportioned head and well placed ears that he uses to his advantage. He is well balanced in body and has excellent movement front and back. Shown and presented very well but unfortunately left his clothes behind today. Would love to see hem in full bloom. Without exaggeration another quality exhibit that I’m sure will go on to good things.

3rd Wray Ramsden Mrs S.L. Takhisis Dream Weaver

OD 5 abs 3
1st Cronk Mrs V. Chelborn Story Teller
This tri dog that I had never seen before took me by surprise with his masculine appearance and nicely proportioned head. Although I would prefer his eye slightly sweeter and a bit more neck, he is well built on solid lines, has good bones without being cloddy and good length of back. His rich black coat was groomed to perfection and he was presented very well. Unfortunately his tail was rather happy in the challenge which distracted from his obvious qualities. However, very nice to see a masculine tri dog like this.

2nd Congdon Mr J.F. & Mrs M.Ch. Jugband Blues du Clos de Seawind via Aaronwell
Another outstanding blue dog with a lovely shape, clean head with a nice eye, good reach of neck and length of back and good rounded bone. I’ve seen his colour better, but in good coat and presented well, and he moved well after he had offloaded his dinner. Sadly when I tried he wouldn’t look at me and use his ears to show me his true virtues. But no doubt a quality dog that had a bit of an “off”day.

Judge Robin Blaikie, Kourika