Border Collie Club Of Great Britain

The Border Collie Club of Great Britain

Breed Championship Show 

Sat 26th October 2024

My grateful thanks to the committee of the club, who have supported me throughout my judging career, for awarding me my first ticket appointment. I was well looked after by all, and thoroughly enjoyed my day. Thanks to my very able stewards Sue and Andy, who kept the ring running smoothly with good humour, especially when waiting for handlers from other rings. Thanks to all the exhibitors who entered under me and took my decisions with good grace – it was pleasing to hear so many congratulations being passed up the line to class winners. And lastly, I would like to say a special thank you to my mum, Sian, who brought me into the Border Collie World 35 years ago and has had to suffer me tagging along to shows and sharing my opinion on the breed ever since! 

I was looking for a dog who was balanced and of sufficient substance to do the job this breed was produced to do, which I believe I found in my main winners. In the younger classes, I was very pleased to find tails of good length and low set returning after a period of short tails, which I have commented on after previous appointments. I was, however, disappointed to find that many younger dogs also had level bites. As a judge, we must look from tip of nose to tip of tail and everything in between, and I was surprised that where one had improved immensely, another had become a concern.

Baby Puppy Dog (2)

1st – Hysteps Come By, Austin and Zolakova, Ms S P and Miss K

5-month-old boy. Lovely head with good proportions and sensitive use of ears, very attentive to handler. Nice angulation front and rear. Good length of tail. Well boned for a youngster. Moved well for his age. 

2nd – Etherial Diamond Lakes, Fisher, Mrs S

Almost 6 months old, and a different type to 1st. A little unsettled by the tannoy system but handler did well to keep him calm. Nice head with well set ears. Angulation didn’t quite match 1st, which meant his movement was less balanced.

Minor Puppy Dog (1)

1st – Tobermoray Piper, Barker, Miss J

Nice masculine head, although would prefer a slightly longer muzzle. His front angulation didn’t quite match his rear, which led to a slight high stepping action on the move, but with good drive from the rear. Good length of tail.

Puppy Dog (2, 1)

1st – Glenfound Future Hope, Rettie, Miss K

My notes say “a proper clown”, which is what I expect from puppies! Good masculine head with parallel planes and good proportions. Nice front and rear angulation, lovely croup, low tail set with tail extending well below the hock. Once he settled, he moved well. Best Puppy Dog and Reserve Best Puppy In Show.

Junior Dog (6)

1st – Simmovon Charm Writer at Spotarton JW, Longhurst, Mrs J and Mr P

Masculine head with well used ears. Good length of neck, onto a level topline, although a little long in body. Good angulation front and rear and the best mover in the class 

2nd – Laceway Black Sabbath, Portman, Mr C and Mrs S L

Another with a masculine head and well used ears, although had a slightly intense expression. Good overall shape, nicely balanced on the move. Handler needs to be aware of overstretching when stacked, as it spoils his outline.

3rd – Lochiel Written In The Stars, Fisher, Mrs S

Yearling Dog (3)

1st – Fayken I Am Soul JW, Lee and Green, Mrs S and Mr R K

Dark faced, masculine head. Sensitive use of ears and attentive to his handler. Good front angulation and rear. On the move, lowered his head and moved with drive.

2nd – Sashdan Pure Imagination with Simmovon, Simmons and Inverno, Mr P and Mrs Y, Mrs D

Different type to 1st. Masculine head of good proportions. Well angled front and rear. Good amount of bone. Slightly long in body compared to height. Moved well.

3rd – Borderbrook Stolen Affair, Tandy, Ms S L

Novice Dog (5, 1)

1st – Pukawidgee Premonition, Rabl, Mrs K

Very masculine head on correct planes. Good length of neck. Well boned. Front assembly a little upright but moved well.

2nd – Glenfound Future Hope, Rettie, Miss K

1st in Puppy – pushed hard, but just preferred the maturity of 1st.

3rd – Dreamwork Shades of Grey, Knight, Mr N D

Post Graduate Dog (3)

1st – Hysteps Irish Danny Boy, Poguntke, Mrs J B

Lovely prick-eared boy who was “full of beans” but handler did well to get him settled. Lovely head and expression, very well angled front and rear, good length of neck and tail. Moved very well with reach and drive when not demonstrating some lovely heelwork.

2nd – Amkamel Half Blood Prince JW, Buckley, Mrs J

Nice head with kind expression. Good neck and angulation throughout. Moved well, just couldn’t match the reach and drive of 1st.

3rd – Pukawidgee Preminition, Rabl, Mrs K

Mid Limit Dog (5)

1st – Chastanse Don Juan, Richards, Mrs D S

Fine head shape but still masculine, with correct proportions and well-set ears, sensitive in use and attentive to handler. Good length of neck and good angulation front and rear. Well-muscled. Moved with very good reach and drive. In the challenge, he really strode out with the bigger ring, and I was pleased to award him the RCC.

2nd – Janbell Love In The Dark, Coles, Mrs W J

Rangier in type to 1st. Good masculine head with well used ears. Nice neck and front and rear assembly. Moved well.

3rd – Shemella Moon River, Lewis, Mr I J and Mrs M J

Limit Dog (6, 1)

1st – Goytre Chance To Reflect, Chance, Mr G C and Mrs J

Very workmanlike in type. Kind expression with keen eyes and ears well used and attentive to handler. Very good length of neck to well laid shoulders and good front and rear assembly. Nice turn of stifle. Excelled on the move and gave the impression he could go all day. In the challenge, pushed hard for RCC, but just preferred the overall balance of ML winner. 

2nd – Jupavia Divine Dream, Castle, Miss

Smaller in type than 1st. Nice head and expression. Good front and rear assembly giving a nice balanced shape. Good on the move.

3rd – Pendleway Time Lord, Barratt, Mrs J C

Open Dog (8)

A very strong class, with some good dogs finding themselves down the line on this occasion.

1st – Arrodare Family Tradition JW, Green and Paterson, Miss C and Mr J

Slighter build than most males, but no doubting his masculinity. Lovely head with well used ears and eyes on for his handler. Good length of neck onto well laid shoulders and good front and rear angulation. On the move, he floated around the ring effortlessly and couldn’t be denied the class.

2nd – Simmovon Shockwave At Tambuzi JW, Oliver, Dr A J

Good head with correct planes, good use of ears and keen expression. Good angulation front and rear. Moved well. 

3rd – Sh Ch Thwaitlake Buzzman, Akester and Wiltshire, Mr, Mrs and Miss

Special Open Any Other Colour (2)

1st – Sh Ch Chikaramor Cast A Spell Of Glenfound, Rettie and Morley, Miss K and Mrs S

Tri boy with a lovely masculine head of good proportions, topped with well set and used prick ears. A good length of neck into well laid shoulders. Well angled front and rear, with a good turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Good length of tail. Excelled on the move, with balanced reach and drive. I’ve also written tenacious in my notes, which this boy oozes. In the challenge, with a bigger ring, he came into his own on the move, and I had goosebumps watching him stride out in the space, so couldn’t be denied the CC. Best Opposite Sex In Show and Best Any Other Colour In Show

2nd – Free Spirit Border’s Very Much Bleu And White Vigo, Claes, Mr B

Blue and white boy, very attentive to his handler. Nice head with good expression. Good angulation and moved well.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (3, 1)

1st – Amkamel Half Blood Prince JW, Buckley, Mrs J

From Post Grad (2nd)

2nd – Lochiel Written In The Stars, Fisher, Mrs S

Young dog of nice type with kind expression and eyes and ears on handler. Good bone for his age. Good length of neck and nicely angled. Moved well, just preferred the maturity of 1st. 

Veteran Dog (3)

I’ve always felt that Veterans can show the youngsters a thing or two, and this class certainly did! 

1st – Sh Ch Arrodare It’s Now Or Never JW, Smith and Ratcliffe, Mr N and Miss J

11 year old, but certainly not looking (or acting!) his age. Dark boy with a lovely head. Good bone and muscle, in excellent condition. Good angulation with well let down hocks. A picture of balance and still moves like he could do a day’s work. One of the best movers of the day. Best Veteran Dog and Best Veteran In Show

2nd – Goytre Chance In A Million, Chance, Mr G and Mrs J

Nice head of good proportions. Good length of neck. Well angled front and rear. Moved well.

3rd – Brytess Achilles, Barton, Miss S E M

Special Open Working Dog (1)

1st – Goytre Chance To Reflect, Chance, Mr G and Mrs J

From Limit (1st). Reserve Best Special Working In Show.

Susan Jones (Keltiklan)