East Anglian Collie Association

East Anglian Collie Association's Sub-Group Championship Show, Sun 5 August 2018 for Rough & Smooth Collies

Referee/Best In Show: It was an honour to be invited to referee and judge BIS at my own Club’s Championship Show. As referee I was called upon to decide both the Rough Collie BOB and the Rough Collie Minor Puppy awards as the two judges could not agree.

Rough Collie BOB – The two CC winners, Falletto’s b/m d, Multi Ch Extraordinary Blu Di Cambiano (winner of our inaugural Champions’ class) and Harvey’s b/m b, Churchoak Temptress At Wicani (winning her 3rd CC on the day), were so similar in type. Both in superb condition, they had the required elegance and balance, harsh body-fitting jackets, ample arch of neck, well-constructed bodies, good bone and angulation, and sound movement. It was a very close decision but I finally gave the nod to the dog, whose overall sweetness of expression and better overall merling tipped the balance.

Best Min Puppy (Roughs) - The two challengers, Min Puppy d winner, Fuller’s s/w Hanvale Arther Shelby With Damos and the Min Puppy b winner, Mellish’ b/m b Demelewis Double Dare were both just 6 months and at very different stages of development. The b was very raw and of finer type than the d, but promises much. The d was my obvious choice for the Best Min Puppy award as I especially loved his bone and substance, clean head with flat skull and kind eye. He did not stay for the In-show awards.

In-Show Awards:

BIS – The BOB Rough d, Falletto’s Multi Ch Extraordinary Di Cambiano (handled by Val Geddes) challenged the Smooth BOB, French’s shaded sable b, Breckamore Blossom.  Another close decision between two stylish and typical Collies, both being so well balanced with correct heads, ear carriage and super expressions. Neither put a foot wrong, but I just preferred the overall sweetness of expression of the dog. The Smooth b therefore had to settle for RBIS/BOSIS.

BPIS – The upstanding 6 months tri Smooth puppy d, Howard’s Jack Mack’s Va Buidhinn (imp) successfully challenged the 10 months tri Rough b, Gallagher’s Gemheid Call Me Trouble, to BPIS. Two lovely pups in excellent bloom and with plenty of promise. They moved quite well, despite the heat, but I just preferred the reach of neck and front assembly of the Smooth boy (he was also BMPIS).

BVIS – Stillwell’s 11 year old tri Rough b, Bellawave Moonlite Melody, successfully challenged the 9 year old b/m Smooth b, Benton’s Alopex Marionette Of Oakestelle. Both b’s were in great condition and on top form. They moved soundly and effortlessly but the tri Rough b had the edge over the Smooth b today, due to her cleanness of head and sweeter expression.

Pat Hutchinson (Judge)