East Anglian Border Collie Club

Special Awards Classes

I would like to thank the committee for their invitation to judge and their hospitality at the show. I would like to thank the exhibitors for their entries. I felt privileged to judge some lovely dogs today. I was looking for dogs who could move correctly, were not over angulated and had good balance. The general appearance of a Border Collie is described as well-proportioned, smooth outline, showing quality, gracefulness and perfect balance combined with sufficient substance to give impression of endurance. It is hard to breed a dog with perfect balance in head and outline. Balance in a Border Collie is also about its ability to work as the balance provides the fluid movement giving the gracefulness described. When a dog is over angulated it does not have fluid movement as this often results in the feet crossing, lift to the feet and the legs having to work harder making it less likely that the dog would be able to ‘work all day’. The head is also about balance and epitomises the breed that people know and love. For the muzzle to be strong it needs to have a good underjaw.

Special Award Junior

 (3 entries 0 Absentees)

1. Mrs V Tiller’s Foxbarton Fantastic Fox. 8 months Black and White Dog. This dog has a good outline, is balanced and moves with flow. He has a good head with balanced length of skull and muzzle. He has nice eyes and ears, good pigmentation and teeth. He has adequate bone and I felt he could be a great sheep herder.

2. Dr A & Miss A Woodrow & Oliver’s Tambuzi Ride the Storm. 11 months Black and White Dog. He has a less harsh coat than 1 and his feet are not as good. He is balanced although longer than 1. He moved well and has many breed attributes. I liked his outline and also felt he could do the job he was originally bred for.

Special Award Postgraduate

(6 entries, 1 Absentee)

1. Miss Castle’s Jupavia Divine Dream. 19 months Black and White Dog. He has a good coat, moved well and is balanced. This is a handsome boy who has a balanced head, good feet and moves without too much lift to his feet.

2. Miss V Carley’s Jupavia Silver Flame 19 months Black and White Bitch. Litter sister to 1. Much of the same comments apply. She has a good coat, is well balanced moves well without too much lift to her feet and is a bit longer than her brother.

Special Award Open

(8 Entries 0 Absentees)

1. Ms A Waters’s SH CH Goytre Daddy’s Saucie Girl JW. 10 years. Black and White Bitch. This bitch took my breath away as she flowed round the ring, head down every bit a border collie with hardly any lift to her feet and not over angulated. She looked like she could go all day long and not miss a step. She is so balanced with a lovely neck, beautiful outline, beautiful head and correct expression. I am not surprised that she has her title and hope that people continue to get to see her in action for many years to come.

2. Mr M and Mrs A Greening’s Kanamaren Take these Pearls. 3 years Black and White Bitch. A little pocket rocket. Beautiful outline and moved with reach and drive with little lift to the feet and a dropped head. She has a lovely coat and a super temperament. She was very attentive to her handler and I have no doubt that she could work all day. I was very taken with this bitch and will watch her career with interest.

Louise Paterson