London Collie Club

Show - The London Collie Club (Subgroup open show)

Breed – Smooth Collies

Date – 22 September 2024

Judge – Lynda Nicholas (Nickarlyn)

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge and those exhibitors that entered, and especially those that braved the challenging conditions. Judging was outside allowing exhibits to demonstrate movement at its best – they are breeds that should be fit for function whatever the weather. All presented in clean condition, with correct dentition.

Veteran D/B (3,2)

1 Bemelmans – Oakestelle Asteria

Tri lady who is starting to show her advancing years. Head handled well, though a little fine, parallel planes and correctly placed stop with flat backskull. Prefer better eye shape and more underjaw. Lightly tipped ears, attentive to handler. Front angulation could be better. Good height to length ratio and well angulated hindquarters. I would have liked to see a bit more of her all over. Accurate footfall with a well-set tail carried correctly

Puppy D/B (3,1)

10 month old siblings – what exciting prospects; made for a very close decision. Ring presence and composure on the move tipped the balance in favour of the male.

1 Howard,Howard & Fort – Shulune Imperial Inkheart with Casatentola

Mature blue boy. Excellent fill of muzzle, good head planes and a true blunt wedge from all angles. Good under-jaw. Well placed/tipped ears that he used non-stop. Correctly placed shoulders, decent return of upper-arm, good ribbing and strong chest. Impressive body proportions and good bone. Long stride length, holding his topline and accurate footfall for a puppy, showing lots of rear drive from muscled hindquarters. Well set/carried long tail. A real showman – focused on his handler, giving his all. Colour was not text-book – but happy to award BPIB and with the decision of the referee awarded BPIS

2 Cole & Fort – Shulune Imperial Rum Punch

Ultra-feminine tri. Has lots of development to come, time will be her friend and should drop into her lovely frame. Correct substance and bone for age. Gorgeous head and melting expression. When she decided to concentrate and use her ears one of the best expressions today. Matching angulations front and back - everything flowed and fitted together seamlessly. Well set/carried long tail. I am sure that over time these placings will switch and switch again.

Post Graduate Dog (2,1)

1 Bemelmans – Moseliqa Proudfoot

2 year old tri. Balanced body proportions but fine all through. OK head, parallel planes, correct stop, but not quite the expression I was looking for today. Little upright in shoulder with slightly high front foot lift. Good length of second thigh and parallel hocks which he used well. Worked well with handler.

Limit Dog (2,2)

Open Dog (3,1)

Noble, upstanding, up-to-size males. I was splitting hairs, both have lots to admire - yet more than 7 years between them. The young sable has everything still to come.

1 Smith – CH/Multi CH Winter is Coming to Tentola

First time judging this blue veteran, hands-on does not disappoint.

All male. Handsome head with parallel planes, almond/oblique eyes, good fill of foreface and decent underjaw. Used ears well, ideally would like a bit more tipping. Well balanced and proportioned from all angles, nicely arched neck leading to good shoulder placement, straight front with deep brisket. Good length of body and rise over loin ribs reaching well back. Well off for bone right down to tight feet. Good bend of stifle and short below the hocks. Well set long tail carried correctly. Sound in the class, as the weather conditions worsened, he started to slightly favour his rear right leg when it came to challenging the females. BD

2 Martin – Sturtmoor Arceus’s Legacy JW

Sable 15mth – mature lad, Lovely masculine head sporting parallel planes of good length; a true blunt wedge. Correct stop, would prefer more underjaw. Has kind almond/oblique eye giving a lovely expression and used well set/tipped ears to advantage. Well-balanced outline showing style and substance with excellent proportions. Good bone and ribbing. Just preferred the rear angles of 1 and would have liked a cm or more on tail length. Clearly enjoys his time in the ring. Very positive on the move with coordinated reach and drive using well muscled hindquarters. Good core strength and hard condition. RBD

Limit Bitch (1,0)

1 Benton – Oakestelle Artemis ShCEx

Feminine blue veteran in great body condition with a balanced outline. Clean wedge-shaped head with correct stop and flat backskull and good ears. Kindly eye, alert expression, obviously devoted to handler. Just enough underjaw. Would like more of her all over - though everything in proportion and balanced. Nicely arched neck, balanced front and rear angulations. Started off a little wide behind but within a few steps displayed fluid movement covering the ground well. Colour is not text-book – but no denying her many attributes and ability to do a hard day’s work. RBB & BVIB

Open Bitch (2,1)

1 Benton – CH Brackenhaye Queen of Hearts of Oakestelle

One I have judged previously, and my opinion has not changed. 4½ year old tri now in her prime. Today, great to see her alert and up on her toes, enjoying her day right till the end. Not the biggest but beautifully balanced and super on the move. Nothing is exaggerated, presents a harmonious silhouette. Balanced feminine head with a lovely expression. Powerful neck, legs well under her body and loved her topline both stacked and on the move. Scored highly for depth of brisket, good ribs, beautifully balanced angles. Decent bone, short below the hock and correct feet. Well-muscled rear quarters and glided around the ring. Happy to award BOB in agreement with my co-judge RBIS/BOSIS

The BOB blue rough dog taking the top spot of BIS