BOURNEMOUTH CA
CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
SATURDAY 13TH AUGUST 2022
COLLIE (SMOOTH) –
First, my apologies for the delay in submitting my critique. I have had a medical issue which meant I had no choice but to limit the amount of time I was able to spend on my laptop. Rather than skimp on the critique just to get it out quicker, I chose to take a bit longer and keep to my normal standard of detail. I hope it’s worth the wait!

Thank you to the Bournemouth show committee for the invitation to judge for them on what turned out to be one of the hottest days of a summer full of hot days. The committee took some flack in the national press and online for continuing with the show but they had made ample provision for the dogs to be kept as comfortable as possible Thankfully, Smooths were first in the ring and with the usual modest Bournemouth entry we were done and dusted before the hottest part of the day. There was a breeze blowing up from the sea, dogs and handlers coped well, they could stand in the shade when not being judged and I was sensitive to the situation and didn’t move them excessively.

As always, I was looking for that classic Collie dignity, outline and type with that unmistakeable Collie head and sweet expression, the right height to length proportions and for the dogs to be constructed so that they could still carry out the job they were bred to do, with effortless movement and a flowing outline held on the move. I hadn’t judged the breed since 2019 and with the size of the entry I had concerns beforehand whether I would find enough quality to be able to award the green cards or not. As it turned out I was very pleased with all my major winners who were certainly worthy of their awards.

PD (1,0)

1. Bemelmans’ Moseliqa Proudfoot. This well balanced tricolour puppy of six months was a lovely start to the day. Appeals instantly for his lovely outline. Head is of good length with parallel planes and a lovely almond eye, beautifully set and combined with a super ear carriage which gives him a very gentle and enquiring expression Skull just needs to flatten out a little and stop to clear but that will come. Good length of neck with slight arch which flows smoothly over the shoulder and correct topline with a nice curve over the croup to his long, well set tail. His angulation front and rear is spot on with correct lay of shoulder and return of upper arm and super turn of stifle with lovely low set hocks. Feet are ok and he can strengthen a touch in pasterns but he is just a baby. Loved his correct proportions height to length, he has good depth of body, is nicely marked and in good flat coat of the correct harsh texture. Moves freely and soundly, beautifully balanced as you’d expect from his proportions and construction. Found out later that he is sired by my DCC from 2019 so in theory I ought to like him and so I did. I would like him to grow on a bit more but as it stands he is a lovely puppy with lots of promise for the future.

JD (1,0)

1. Seager’s Blamorder Scale Force. Masculine, confident sixteen month old dog, quite strong headed, a little wide in skull which needs to flatten and ear set could be tighter. Ok in stop, nice dark eye and good fill to muzzle. Has enough length of neck and his front is a lot better than his markings suggest. Straight forelegs with slight spring to pastern, feet could be tighter. Good depth of chest but still adolescent in body as he should be. He is a touch square in proportions height to length at the moment but has a correct topline with slight rise over the loin and a gentle curve over the croup and totally unexaggerated in the rear with sufficient turn of stifle with the angulation balancing his front. Has a harsh, weatherproof jacket of a good jet black, bright tan and clear white in lovely condition. Moves out freely with effortless drive and great vigour. Front movement just needs to tighten up which should come as he matures.

OD (2,0)

1. Smith’s UK Port Esp Gib Ch Winter I s Coming To Tentola (Re-Imp). This sound and well balanced b/m was my RCC winner in 2019 at his first UK Ch Show. Now six years old and with his UK title under his belt, it was great to see him again. Most of what I wrote then still applies now. I remember he was rather lively and I’m glad to see he has calmed down a bit with maturity!. He has the correct proportions length to height and stands well over his ground. Technically a good head, fitting the requirements of the standard, long, equal planes, good stop, great underjaw, beautifully clean, almond eye with oblique placement, cracking ears, used constantly and correctly tipped. I would like to see a little more moulding to the head but that is being picky. Lengthy neck which he uses, super forehand with lovely angles, good bone, could be a little tighter in pasterns, smooth flow into topline, mature in body with ribs well sprung, smooth curve over croup to a lovely long tail. Very well angulated rear and would not want any more length of second thigh. In good harsh double coat, silver blue marbled with black, good tan and showy white markings. Moves freely with good reach and easy drive, sound up and down and a good showman. I gave him the RCC last time I judged him and thought at this point he would be my CC winner. However, in the challenge he couldn’t quite match the poise, rock solid topline and outstanding movement of the VD. Sorry to have to award him a 2nd RCC but there was no shame in being beaten by the CC winner who quite simply put in an exceptional performance on the day. 2. Beeney’s Coneypark Black Sabbath. I was pleased to see this quality tri male again who was 2nd in OD to 1 in 2019. He has the size, dignity and great construction I love to see in a male and although now rising six, anatomically he is still as good as ever. Masculine and strong, he is a little heavier in head and broader in skull than 1 but that apart, I loved his level planes, correct stop, dark eye, good underjaw, well set and tipped ears although he was feeling the heat a bit and not using them as I’ve seen him previously. Super neck, great front, with a forechest, great legs and preferred his pasterns to 1. Well sprung ribs, perhaps carrying a little extra covering but still held a firm topline, gentle fallaway to really good rear end, angles balancing the front end. His coat was on the blow but still a good black, rich tan and bright white and he is classically marked. Still moves so soundly with lovely balance on a good length of stride but not the energy or drive of 1 on the day.

VD (1,0)

1. Lusty’s Can Gr Ch Cardross Red Dirt Road to Blamorder (Imp Can). This super s/w dog of seven years gave me goose bumps when he came in and moved round the ring. I’d naturally heard about him but this was the first time I’d seen him in the flesh and he reminded me of some of the Southcombe sable males and I think the late and much missed Penny Evans would have loved him. He fits the general appearance section of the standard perfectly (along with most of the rest of the UK standard) and has the size, bone, dignity and fabulous conformation and movement that sets a great male Smooth apart from a good one. Loved his calm, friendly temperament. His head is superb with the correct proportions, lovely length, a well-blunted clean wedge, flat skull, level planes, fill to muzzle, beautiful almond eye, obliquely set with such an intelligent, sweet, kind expression, aided by perfectly set, tipped and carried ears. There is no coffin head here, masculine yes, with quality and a touch of moulding through the cheeks, beautifully balanced when held in your hand. Strong neck of good length flows into a fabulous front, superbly angulated, proper forechest, lovely bone to the legs (not too heavy) and the best of feet. Mature in body with good depth, well sprung ribs carried well back and slight rise over a well muscled loin. His topline just flows from his head down over the withers and back to the gentle curve over the croup to his well angulated quarters and well set and carried tail. He is well knit together but still slightly longer in body compared with height as he should be. In addition, he was beautifully presented in a proper harsh, weather-proof double coat in glorious rich sable and bright white. His movement today was simply beyond compare. His balance, collected rhythm and perfect cadence, holding a superb topline, moving with such ease, showing lovely reach in front and drive from the rear with no exaggeration, was just outstanding. I couldn’t take my eyes off him and would go so far as to say I haven’t judged a better Smooth Collie. Absolutely no hesitation in awarding him the CC which I understand gave him his UK Ch title, thereby making history as the first Smooth from across the Atlantic to become a UK Champion. Huge Congratulations to his breeder and owner. In the challenge against the lovely Junior bitch who was no slouch herself in the movement department, his maturity and poise along with another exhibition of perfect movement meant BOB was his. He put on a grand show in the group and I was proud to see him represent our breed so well. Thank you to his owner for having the guts and forethought to bring him in to the UK. He possesses so many virtues that are wanting in the breed and I hope he goes on to make his mark at stud, the breed needs him.

SP BEG D/B (2,0)

1. Bemelman’s Oakestelle Asteria. Five year old tri bitch of finer type who presents a balanced picture with nothing overdone. Good flat skull, correct stop, level planes, lovely almond eye correctly positioned to give a sweet, feminine expression. Ears are correctly set but a touch light. She has a good length of neck into a good front, depth of body to elbow, reasonable spring of ribs but a little narrow all through. Legs are finer boned, slight spring to pasterns and feet have nice arch to toes. Nice flow over the topline with a slight rise to loin and pleasing curve over the croup to neat, correctly angulated quarters. Tail is well set and carried and she has a good smooth, flat double coat with correct harsh outercoat. Moves out lightly and economically with reasonable length of stride, holding her topline, just pinning a bit coming towards. Not the greatest showgirl but I see that she is dam of my BP and she’s produced a nice one there. Best Special Beginners today over 2. Seager’s Blamorder Scale Force, who is almost the polar opposite with his stronger head and bone, masculinity, squarer proportions and energetic movement. Just felt 1 had the better balance and head pattern on the day but he is just a youngster with plenty of time to mature on.

JB (1,0) 1. Lusty’s Blamorder The Hustler. My eyes lit up when I saw this classy sixteen month old b/m come into the ring. She has a super clean outline and instantly appeals for her balance and swift, easy, ground eating stride going round the ring. Feminine in head giving a clean wedge in profile with flat skull, level planes, correct stop, good almond eye well set, beautiful ears, set, carried and used well. Super length of neck accentuated by her big white collar, excellent front with forelegs placed well under the withers, straight forelegs, enough bone, slight spring to pasterns and excellent feet. Good depth of body, spring of rib on the way, still maturing and will drop further in flank but she has a lovely clean flow over her topline from head to tail, with slight rise over the loin and pleasing curve over the croup to a well set and carried tail. Her hind quarters are beautifully balanced with good turn of stifle and low set hocks, nothing overdone, simple harmony between front and rear. In correct flat, double coat of silvery blue, splashed with black and classic pearly white collie markings. Not fazed at all by the heat, she moved out with the lightness and energy of youth, excellent reach and drive, covering the ground as you’d expect from her construction. Not the finished picture but she can only get better which is an exciting prospect. In the challenge she was the one that gave me most of what I want to see in a female Smooth as she is deliciously feminine but has enough substance in keeping with her style. Needless to say, I was thrilled to find such a top-notch youngster and had no hesitation in awarding her the CC, her first, BOS & RBOB. I’m sure she won’t take long to reach the upper house and she is another example of her clever breeder thinking outside the box and introducing new bloodlines into the UK with great effect. Well done. PGB (1,0) 1. Bemelman’s Oakestelle Asteria. See earlier critique.

LB (4,1)

1. Denton’s Brackenhaye Heart And Soul. This handsome, well made, two year old tri bitch is the daughter of my RCC winning bitch from 2019. Not as feminine as her dam whose head I prefer although her daughter has the better eye colour. I found her a little wide in skull and ear set and consequently she flares a little through the cheeks but on the plus side the skull is flat with good planes, length and fill of muzzle and although she looks a little deep through from the ringside she isn’t when you get hands-on. Moderate length of neck, front and rear angulation is excellent and in balance, she has ample bone for a bitch, straight forelegs, just enough spring to pastern and excellent feet with well arched toes. She is perhaps a little over long in body proportionally compared to height but I’d prefer it that way round as long as the topline is strong, which it was. She has good depth of chest to elbow, well sprung ribs, a little long in loin but it’s firm and well muscled and she holds her topline which flows from head to tail with level back, a hint of a rise and a gentle curve over the croup to a good tailset. Her back end is great with super turn of stifle and low set hocks. In fabulous coat which is dense and harsh, and in great condition with jet black, rich tan and pristine white markings. Looks her best on the move where she is as sound as a bell, her length of body gives her plenty of room to move and she has a lovely easy, purposeful rhythm, super balance, good reach and drive and goes like she could go on for ever. I would just like her a bit more feminine all over and in the challenge she lost out to the feminine head, style and better height to length proportions of the junior bitch but I felt she more than deserved the RCC on her virtues and that super, workmanlike movement. I was aware she was on 2 CCs and pleased for her sporting owner to hear she has since been awarded her third and title. Congratulations. 2. Sweeney & Lusty’s Blamorder Do Quite Nicely. Another quality bitch, this time a three year old b/m. Different stamp to 1 with the better head and I preferred her femininity. She has an excellent head pattern with a flat skull of correct width, good planes, stop, length of muzzle and clean through the cheeks. Lovely almond eye, ears correctly set and tipped giving an alert, intelligent expression. Preferred her length of neck to 1 and she has an equally well angulated front, good bone and slight spring to pasterns and feet are ok. In good body with well sprung ribs, carried well back with slight rise to loin. Although she has enough rear angulation, where she fails to 1 is over the croup where she has a steeper angle and consequently, although she reaches out well in front she doesn’t have the same drive behind as 1 although perfectly sound and holding her topline. She has the correct harsh flat, smooth coat, well-marked although I would prefer a clearer, more silvery blue. A difficult decision here as these are both quality bitches who excel in different areas. With Smooths being a herding, droving breed I made my decision on the day to go with 1 and her excellent movement over 2 with her better head. 3. Brown & Davies’ Breckamore Blessings At Wystry.

OB

1. Beeney’s Coneypark Golden Brown. This neat three year old s/w is the daughter of my 2019 DCC winner and I’ve also really liked her dam and placed her well so I was interested to have the opportunity to go over her. I have to say I was a little disappointed. She is feminine in head with flat skull, good almond eye, stop could be cleaner, correct length of muzzle but with downward tilt to the nose and I would like a little more underjaw. Ears are well set and carried and used to advantage. Lovely length of neck and a well laid shoulder but would like more layback of upperarm. Straight forelegs, slight spring to pasterns, feet could be better. I found her a little too square in proportions height to length. Good depth of body and well sprung ribs, can still mature in underline. Correct topline with slight rise to the loin but has a steeper angle over the croup and although she has well turned stifles this tucks her quarters under her which affects her rear movement. Tailset is good, correct smooth, flat, harsh coat of a nice rich sable. On the move she is sound and light on her feet but not the length of stride and reach and drive I was looking for. 2. Van De Ven’s Indigo Aura Agree To Disagree (ATC). This athletic looking tri bitch was only eighteen months old and had travelled over from Belgium. Correctly proportioned height to length, she has a finer type of head with good flat skull, correct stop, level planes and a good almond eye. Ears could be a little tighter set but are well tipped. Needs to mature and fill in muzzle. Good length of neck and well laid back shoulder but would like more layback of upper arm. Needs chest to fill and at present forelegs turn in a little. Very adolescent in body as you’d expect and is quite narrow all through. Has good depth of chest, and nice flow from neck over topline with slight rise to loin but a little steep over the croup and tailset could be better. Hindquarters are well angulated with good length of second thigh and low set hocks. Coat is very smooth and flat with harsh texture to outer coat and a deep black, rich tan and well marked. An attentive showgirl, she moves out freely with energy and drive from the rear but not the same length of stride in front. Needs to tighten coming towards and flies her tail which spoils her outline. Although 1 has a more moderate length of stride she had the better balance front to rear and also had the benefit of maturity on her side.

SIMON BURTON (Judge)