Southern Border Collie Club

Southern Border Collie Club (40th Championship Anniversary Show)  - Sunday, 13 April 2025  - Maidstone, Kent.                            Judge : Lisa Pettitt (Lakebank)

BCC Sh. Ch. Fayken I Am Love JW (Mr R K & Miss J Green & Ratcliffe)  RBCC Sh. Ch. Laceway Raise the Roof (Miss H Fawcett) BPB Tambuzi Guess Who's Back (Mrs H & Dr A Murfet & Oliver) BVB Sh. Ch Birkcross Gracie at Lefevre VW (Mr Hoskins)             BOB Sh. Ch. Fayken I Am Love JW (Mr R K & Miss J Green & Ratcliffe)

My sincere thanks to the SBCC for inviting me to award my first CC’s in the breed at their 40th anniversary championship show.        I first judged Borders in 1998, and have followed their progress ever since, seeing them improve in type and quality along the way.  I think they are one of the most exceptional breeds in the pastoral group at present – there are always good representatives sent through to compete with the best of other breeds – they really do hold their own. As I made my way through the classes, they just got better and better! Thank you so much for accepting me as a new judge for your breed at this level, and for your sporting manor in accepting your awards. One has to judge the best to learn about the best of any breed, and today was no exception, I was delighted to assess your lovely dogs. Thank You.

Minor Puppy Bitch - Entries: 2 (0) Two promising youngsters who set a precedent of what was to come in the following classes.

1ST Bazentills A Star Is Born for Zanyway (Imp Ire) (Pudney) 2ND Taytinja Defying Gravity (Hawker)                                                 Two charming pups about 3 weeks apart in age, who are both very similar in size and shape, that either could have taken first place here today. Both have a good length of neck and sufficient front angulation. Second had a slightly better top-line in profile, but both need a little more slope to the croup. They moved well for their age. I just preferred the head and expression of one today, but with plenty of time on their side, I’m sure they will change places often when they meet.

Puppy Bitch - Entries: 4 (0) Another promising class of puppies.                                                                                                              1ST Tambuzi Guess Who's Back (Murfet & Oliver) BPB & RES BPIS. 10 month old BW who appealed for her shape and outline. She has a lovely head, with an oval shaped eye, and medium sized ears which she used to advantage. Ample length of neck, and good lay of shoulder with level back and sloping croup. Chest developing well, with close elbows, correct amount of bone with moderate rear angulation. Oval shaped well, padded feet which allowed her to move out quite soundly around the ring. A quality pup with a bright future.                                                                                                                                                                              2ND Altricia Day Dream (Wilkinson) Just a little younger at 9.5 months, this b/w also shows promise. She has a nice head, and bears a mild expression. She is also nice for size, but compared to one, I would prefer a little more layback of shoulder. She does have a good length of body with a nice slope to the croup. A lovely long tail, which was carried well on the move.                              3RD Kanamaren Road to Joy (Greening) Just approaching 10 months, this b/w is just a little fine at present, but has plenty of time on her side to develop and mature. She is so like her dam in head and markings.      RES Littlethorn Inca (Jackson)

Junior Bitch - Entries: 1 (0)                                                                                                                                                                          1ST Borderpride Laced in Truth by Fayken (Green & Ratcliffe & Green) Alone in this class, yet another lovely exhibit who shows potential. At 14 months she is feminine throughout with a flowing outline to her body. She has nicely angulated forequarters with a good depth of chest and good ribbing, firm back and moderate rear angulation. Lovely head features with a good length of neck broadening onto her shoulders. With enough bone for her size she also moved well. A close contender for higher awards at the end of the day, but just lost out on maturity which is expected at this age, but I’m sure she will meet with top honours eventually.

Yearling Bitch - Entries: 1 (0)                                                                                                                                                                     1ST Laceway Bottom’s Up (Fawcett) Quality b/w of 20 months who is up to size but with lots to like about her. Her head is balanced with a short strong muzzle and jaw line, a dark oval eye, and good ear set. She has good body posture showing a flowing outline, with an excellent length of neck merging into broad well laid, back shoulders. Plenty of chest and lung room, with a firm back, nicely shaped rear, a good length of thigh, and turn of stifle with a lovely long tail, set and carried correctly. Her movement was very fluent and free. Another in super condition who should have a bright future too.

Novice Bitch - Entries: 4 (-1)                                                                                                                                                                      1ST Tambuzi Guess Who's Back (Murfet & Oliver) Winner of PB.                                                                                                                2ND Taytinja Shooting Star (Hawker) Litter sister to 2nd in MPB, and who’s dam won the Working class. Very similar in all aspects. Just needs to balance out in length to height. Good front with a lovely level back, and long tail. Feminine in head, and a little finer in bone too at this stage. I’m sure much fun will be had with these two siblings.     3RD Jupavia Silver Thread (Carr)

Post Graduate Bitch - Entries: 8 (-3)                                                                                                                                                            1ST Elystari This Must Be Love JW (Milham) I judged this b/w as a minor puppy, and remarked that with time, and maturity she should come on well, and it appears that’s what she’s done, and with letters after her name! She has a feminine head equally balanced with correct stop, full muzzle, and flat cheeks, although her eye could be slightly darker in colour. She has good angulation to her front, but at times she tended to stand a little over stretched at the rear. She moved okay with good side gait, albeit a little wide coming too.                                                                                                                                                                2ND Wizaland Double Exposure (Davies) This girl I found quite similar to one, especially in body ratios. Her head is not quite so feminine as one, but has some nice features, presenting with a mild expression. She has a good reach of neck. I would prefer a slightly better angulation to her front, but she has well shaped hindquarters with a suitable amount of bone and substance for her size. She is in good fit condition, and moved out quite freely.                                                                                                                   3RD Alpana Summer Storm JW (Wettern-Bloomfield)                                                                                                                                 RES Arrodare let the Mystery be with Cornhaze (Ulyatt)    VHC Shemella April Showers of Dollindaw (Neil)

Limit Bitch - Entries: 4 (-1) Smaller class where all 3 could change places at the next show.

1ST Arrodare Fire It Up (Green & Ratcliffe) Rising 2 years this b/w girl has yet to reach maturity, but I liked her for her balance, and superb front angulation. She is quite plain to look at but she has a good length of neck, very muscular, merging onto broad shoulders, and as she free-stands her elbows which are set close to her body appear directly aligned with her withers. She has good chest room, with well sprung ribs, deep loins, and moderate rear angulation. Head wise she has a dark oval shaped eye, and broad skull with a distinct stop. She moved well but a little more animation would help display more front extension when viewing her side gait.                                                                                                                                                                                               2ND Bilyara Isn't She Lovely (ai) (Angier & Stacey) And yes, she definitely is, and it was a challenge in assessing her up against one today. Just over 2 years, she is very attractive and one can’t fault her lovely reach of neck and angulations fore and aft. In head she is balanced, with equal length to skull and foreface, enough stop, oval shaped eye, and medium sized ears. She is in good physical condition, and carries a good weather resistant coat. Being stacked on the stand she tended to look a bit short along her back, but she moved soundly with good rear drive.                                                                                                                                  3RD Lesnuages Queen Bee (Davies) BW – 5.5yrs. Ideal for size, and nicely constructed with good balance and overall body shape. No exaggeration to her head features. She showed well, and was quite agile on the move.

Open Bitch - Entries: 9 (-1 + 1WD)

1ST Sh Ch Fayken I Am Love JW (Green & Ratcliffe) BCC (64th) & BIS                                                                                                     This lovely Border Collie needs no introduction, and I was so honored to have her entered for me to assess today. (After all, judges need to be able to judge the best to learn about the best!). I wasn’t aware of who she was when I was going over her,       as I know her owner/s have several lovely bitches, and with some being quite similar in type, (and not being a complete breed specialist) I certainly couldn’t name who from who! Another thing I wasn’t aware of was her age, as I didn’t bother to ask! I just assumed when assessing her in such good coat and condition that she was in her prime at maybe around 5-6 years old. How wrong I was when reading her dob in the catalogue for this report, to discover she had turned 9 the week before the show. Amazing! She has so many qualities that match the breed standard it’s hard to fault her, (although as we all know, no dog is perfect) I loved her for her overall breed type. She is totally balanced, with correct body ratios, arched neck, well laid back in shoulder with good return of upper arm, level back, sloping croup all producing a flowing outline. She has well, turned stifles, strong hocks, and ideal bone and substance for her size, with oval padded feet. She has a lovely head with correct eye, and ear set, producing a keen, but alert expression. Her movement was light, sound and effortless. It’s easy to see why she has achieved so many awards - she is such an ambassador for the breed. Thank you for bringing her.

2ND Sh Ch Laceway Raise the Roof (Fawcett) Res CC.                                                                                                                         Another beautiful representative of the breed, and another who I was not aware of who carries her show title! She also appeals for her smooth outline showing a good reach of neck merging into well laid shoulders, good depth of chest, and nicely moulded croup, which gracefully slopes onto the set of her tail. She has a good firm body with muscular loins, and strong hind quarters with no sign of any tuck up. Her head is nicely balanced. She has a dark oval shaped eye, medium sized ears set well apart and carried correctly. Her strong limbs, carried her smoothly on the move, displaying good reach and drive. On bringing her back in the ring, I thought she was well deserving of the RCC, amongst strong competition from the other quality exhibits in the challenge today.  3RD Sh Ch Arrodare Beautiful Trauma (Green & Ratcliffe & Green) Another worthy CH of the breed, and up against the best here today. Beautiful head, correct eyes, and ears. Front and rear angulations to match. Firm top-line, strong limbs, long tail, and excellent gait.                                                                                                                                                                                              RES Bilyara Donatella Dei Rovi Fioriti (Imp Ita) (Angier & Stacey) Another nice b/w approaching 6 years of pleasing quality and type. Feminine in head and expression. Nice front, but would prefer a little more turn in stifle, and let down of hock. Moved okay.              VHC Kanamaren Take These Pearls (Greening) Lovely b/w that I have also judged before. I like her very much, but she just needs time to fill out again, (probably after her litter), as she wasn’t in the coat or bodily condition that I previously assessed her at. She is very nicely made, and one can’t fault her movement. Dam to 3rd in PB.

Special Open Members' Bitch - Entries: 4 (-1)

1ST Kinaway Kisses with Fire (ai) (Kinton)                                                                                                                                                  A 5 year old b/w who although on a smaller scale is all in proportion in frame and size. She has a pleasing head, with a lovely dark oval shaped eye, and a very distinct stop. She is well boned with a strong body, well sprung ribs, broad chest, deep loins and well, muscled rear, good bend of stifle and strong well let down hocks. She moved very soundly in all directions.                                  2ND Sh Ch Arrodare Showdown JW (Lee & Ratcliffe) Another lovely b/w from this leading kennel who also has an appealing outline. She is slightly finer in build compared to one, but sports a super neck and top-line. Her head is balanced with a very distinct stop, dark eye, and correctly placed ears which she used well. She has a good length of body, but appeared a little long in thigh and tended to move a touch close behind today. Also in-between coats today.                                                                        3RD Shemella April Showers of Dollindaw (Neil)

Special Open Working Bitch - Entries: 5 (0)

1ST Moshanta Magic Penny for Taytinja JW (Hawker) At nearly 4 years this b/w girl, is now coming to her best. She has a lovely head, all in proportion, and equal in length with a lovely oval shaped eye, good ear set, and keen expression. I love her length of neck which fits well into her shoulders. She has good front angulation, with well developed chest, level back, and strong hind quarters with a slope over the croup, an excellent bend of stifle with well let down parallel hocks. I would prefer a little more length on the leg but she has ample bone, and moved smoothly round the ring showing good reach and drive. (I notice she is also the dam of the 2 MP’s – TGD & TSS)                                                                                                                                                             2ND From Borders Home Valley of Fire (Imp Nld) (Eagle) Another veteran of 7.5yrs, who is in great condition for her age. She has a strong body, and good muscle tone with plenty of length to her back, broad chest, and deep loins, with no sign of tucking up. She has suitable hind angulation, although her front is a little more upright compared to one. She has typical head features, and appeared alert at all times. She moved okay showing good stealth and speed.                                                                                 3RD Lesnuages Queen Bee (Davies)    RES Shemella Drifting Snow (Lewis)  VHC Kirkbridgend Rhea (Carr)

Special Open Any Other Colour (than Black and White) Bitch - Entries: 4 (0)

1ST Sh Ch Arrodare Royal Flush JW (Lee & Ratcliffe)                                                                                                                              Another quality bitch that stands out for her breed type. A beautiful blue/white who turned 7 years old a week before the show. She has classic head features from a well, placed oval shaped eye, correct stop, smooth cheek-line, and well set lightly tipped ears, all producing a mild but most captivating expression. Her body is balanced, and one can perceive a smooth graceful line coming from her neck, down over her back, and croup onto her tail set. She moved very well, showing good stealth and speed.     A close contender for the top awards.                                                                                                                                                      2ND Altricia Bobbys Girl (Wilkinson) A younger bitch at just over 2 years this lovely coloured merle is different to one, but in a nice way. She is a shade bigger in size, and has a lovely body shown off with a muscular arched neck, well laid, back shoulders, a broad chest, well sprung ribs, and deep loins. Muscular hindquarters and plenty of well, rounded leg bone, with tightly padded feet. Head wise, I would prefer a little more refinement, and softness in expression, which maybe a touch of tan would benefit. Otherwise, a nice youngster who’s movement proved true and tireless as she drove well around the ring.                                           3RD Laceway Deja Vu (Fawcett)        RES Shemella Shepherds Delight (Lewis)

Veteran Bitch - Entries: 4 (0)

1ST Sh Ch Birkcross Gracie at Lefevre VW (Hoskins) BVB & BVIS                                                                                                              What a wonderful Border this girl is. I have judged her before, and can only say that she has just got better every time! She belies her age at 9 years old, and excels in all parts from her head to her tail. She has so much charm, and style, is in super condition, and she never put a foot wrong with her performance today. I’m so pleased she now has her show title. Well done.                                  2ND Somniatis Harlee Quinn (Mead) B/W of 8.5 years well balanced in frame and size. She also has a nice head with typical features and with an appealing lively and alert expression. Front assembly not quite so angulated as one, but she still had enough to show good smooth movement with enough reach and drive.                                                                                                          3RD From Borders Home Valley of Fire (Imp Nld) (Eagle)       RES Shemella Drifting Snow (Lewis)

Lisa Pettitt