Southern Border Collie Club

Southern Border Collie Club

Open Show – 13th April 2025

My thanks to the committee of the SBCC for inviting me to judge my first Border Collie breed club open show. Thank you also to my two stewards who kept the ring running smoothly alongside the championship show. I had a very enjoyable day and was delighted with the quality of my entry with some super dogs to go over and very pleasing final line ups.

MPD (1,0)

1st Oliver’s Smart As A Whip Danger Zone – BPD, BPIS

Just 6 months, nicely balanced b/w, good length to height ratio, excellent substance for his ideal size, presents a lovely picture standing and on the move. Pleasing head with good balance of skull to muzzle, distinct stop, neat ears used sensitively, good breadth of skull, dark oval eye, nicely rounded muzzle, smooth cheeks, good underjaw, good dentition. Well arched neck of good length, good layback of shoulder and length of upper arm, chest developing well, level topline, gentle sweep over croup to long low set tail. Very good bend of stifle, well let down hocks, he moved with drive and purpose and with minimal lift. Very promising pup whose career I shall follow with interest.

PD (3,0)

1st Austin & Zolakova’s Hysteps Come By

10 month old b/w, quite mature for his age, with a pleasing outline. His head is of correct proportions with broad skull, distinct stop, dark well placed oval eyes, nicely rounded muzzle, and ears used attentively giving a soft yet masculine expression. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, correct return of upper arm, straight front with strong bone, flexible pasterns, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks. Moved very soundly with good reach and drive. Well presented and handled, pushed hard for best dog puppy, another with an exciting future.

2nd Eagle’s Sevnine Set The World Ablaze

Just 9 months, and in contrast with 1st very immature for his age, with a slighter frame. He is of good breed type, with a very pleasing head and expression, flat skull, enough stop and parallel planes of skull to muzzle, dark oval eyes and nicely used ears. He has a strong neck broadening into well laid shoulders, but he is a little steep in upper arm, and I would prefer more bend of stifle and better defined hocks, although his angulation may balance out when he has finished growing. He has a level topline, and a long tail, but looks a shade square over the croup at present. He was enjoying his outing and rather exuberant, so it was difficult to assess his movement.

3rd Fisher’s Etherial Diamond Lakes (AI) (Imp Aus)

ND (1,0)

1st Smart As A Whip Danger Zone

PGD (5,1)

1st Lewis’ Shemella Moon River

B/w, pleased for his shape and balance, stood naturally foursquare. Masculine head with correct proportions of skull to muzzle, moderate stop, smooth cheeks, well filled foreface, dark oval eyes and well used ears. He has good bone for his size, a strong neck of good length, well angulated forequarters, level back and slope over croup to long enough tail. He has a very good bend of stifle which is well muscled, and well let down hocks, enabling him to move with drive from behind while he has good reach in profile.

2nd Woodrow & Oliver’s Tambuzi Ride The Storm

One I have judged and liked before. He has developed well and is nicely balanced with a pleasing outline, good bone for his size, and is well constructed throughout. His head handles well with a flat skull, correct stop, rounded muzzle, dark oval eyes, and good ear placement and carriage when he chose to use them. He has a good reach of neck, level topline, gentle sweep over croup and long enough tail. It was a close decision between these two, but on the day although he moved well in profile he went a bit close behind.

3rd Badman’s Tecklebridge Code Breaker

LD 4,0)

1st Lee & Green’s Fayken I Am Soul JW – RBD

B/w, lovely breed type, appealed for his overall make and shape. Plain head which is nicely balanced with dark eye and sensitively used ears giving a soft yet masculine expression. Well put together with a good length of neck, excellent layback of shoulder and length of upper arm with elbows under the withers, straight front with good bone, enough depth of chest for his age, level back with strong loin and desired slope over croup to a low set and carried tail. Excellent hind angulation with well bent stifles and short parallel hocks enabled him to move with good reach and drive and minimal lift.

2nd Tecklebridge Code Breaker

Red merle who is well enough made but does not show himself off to best advantage. Good head proportions with parallel planes, distinct stop, nicely rounded muzzle, good eye shape and placement, and well carried ears. He is built on sturdier lines with a long enough neck, good layback of shoulder, straight front with flexible pasterns, level back and slope over croup to low set tail. Moved well enough but could not match the side gait of 1st.

3rd Cox’s Foxbarton Royal Prince

OD (2,0)

1st Hartfield’s Moshanta May Contain Nuts JW ShCEx OSW – BD, RBIS, BOS

Elegant b/w who caught my eye on the stack with his beautiful outline. He has a very pleasing head with no exaggerations and such a soft expression. When alert and using his ears he showed off the arch of his muscular neck, smooth topline and gentle sweep over croup to a long low set tail. He is nice for size with good bone, good layback of shoulder and return of upper arm, straight front, good depth of chest, very good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. He did not disappoint on the move, going with an easy ground covering action.

2nd Angier, Stacey & Seghezzi’s Aus Ch Wynnlake A Drop In The Ocean (AI) (Imp Aus)

A close decision between these two as I liked them both, but this lad did not really do himself justice on the day. His head handles well with a flat skull, moderate stop and parallel planes, dark oval eyes and good ear set when he chose to use them. He has a neck of good length and well angulated forequarters, well ribbed and with a level topline and sloping croup to a long enough tail. His hind angulation complements the front assembly and is well muscled, so he moved well.

VD (1,0)

1st Barton’s Brytess Achilles – BVD

9.5 year old b/w. Masculine head with good balance of skull to muzzle, distinct stop, dark eye and well used ears. He has a strong muscular neck, good layback of shoulder and length of upper arm, straight front with good bone, good depth of chest and spring of rib, level topline and well angulated hindquarters. Steady mover, and in great coat and condition for his age.

MPB (3,0)

1st Hawker’s Taytinja Shooting Star

8 month baby who is nice for shape and size. I would prefer a little more substance, but she is still quite young and has plenty of time to develop. Pleasing head of correct proportions, flat skull, enough stop, dark eye and well used ears, still needs to fill in foreface. Good reach of neck, balanced angulation at both ends, level topline, long low set tail, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. She moved very soundly from all angles.

2nd Pudney’s Bazentills A Star Is Born for Zanway (Imp Ire)

Another appealing pup, more mature in body and coat than 1st. Her head is balanced with a distinct stop and parallel planes, nicely rounded foreface, dark oval eye and neat well used ears giving an alert expression. She has enough neck, well laid shoulders and return of upper arm, straight front, level topline, her tail could be a shade longer, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks, enabling her to move with good reach and drive. Just slightly preferred the outline of 1st but thought both were promising.

3rd Mead’s Bazentills Encore (AI) (IKC)

PB (5,1)

1st Murfet & Oliver’s Tambuzi Guess Who’s Back – BPB, RBPIS

Another quality pup from this exhibitor with an attractive outline and enough substance for her ideal size. Her head handles well with skull and muzzle of equal length with parallel planes, correct stop, smooth cheeks, dark expressive oval eyes and sensitively used ears. She has a good reach of neck, is well angulated at both ends, enough depth of chest for her age, level topline, graceful slope over croup to long low set tail, a good bend of stifle, well let down hocks, and she moved very soundly from all angles with good reach and drive. Another one to watch!

2nd Wilkinson’s Altricia Day Dream

Close up, and another who appealed for her overall balance and shape. She has correct head proportions but is a shade deeper in stop than first, good eye shape and placement, and well set and used ears. She has enough neck and her angulation is balanced at both ends, level back and slope over croup to a long low set tail. Moved true with good ground covering action.

3rd Greening’s Kanamaren Road To Joy

JB (1,0)

1st Green, Ratcliffe & Green’s Borderpride Laced In Truth By Fayken

This was a really elegant bitch who appealed for her size, balance, shape and substance. She is very feminine with a pleasing head and expression, correct balance of skull to muzzle, just the right amount of stop, dark oval eye, and neatly set ears used attentively. She has a well arched neck of good length, good layback of shoulder and length of upper arm, level topline, graceful slope over croup to a long low set tail. Her hindquarters are strong and muscular with a good bend of stifle and well let down hocks, enabling her to flow smoothly round the ring with the “daisycutting” action I was looking for. I seriously considered her in the challenge for Best Bitch, she lacks maturity in body at the moment, but one for the upper house I am sure.

NB (6,3)

1st Tambuzi Guess Who’s Back

2nd From Borders Home Valley Of Fire (Imp Nld)

Veteran girl in good coat and condition. She has a balanced head with flat skull, good ear set and carriage and dark oval eye giving a kind expression. She has enough neck and a good layback of shoulder but is perhaps a shade steep in upper arm. She has a good depth of chest, and her back is level but I would prefer her tail to be set on lower to give the desired slope over croup. She has a good bend of stifle and well let down hocks, and moved true, if not with the reach and drive of 1st.

3rd Jupavia Silver Thread

PGB (7,2)

1st Angier & Stacey’s Bilyara Isn’t She Lovely (AI)

Loved this b/w bitch for her outline and elegance both standing and on the move. She has a broad flat skull, distinct stop and parallel planes tapering to a muzzle of equal length, dark oval eye and well used ears. I liked her reach of neck and well laid shoulders with good return and length of upper arm, straight front with flexible pasterns, level topline and sweep over croup to long low set tail. She has a good depth and bend of stifle and well let down hocks, and moved as her conformation would suggest, with a light and easy gait.

2nd Davies’ Wizaland Double Exposure

Attractive b/w, well balanced with good length to height ratio. Pleasing head with a flat skull, smooth cheeks, nicely rounded foreface, dark eyes and good ear carriage. A large white collar enhances her excellent reach of neck, and she has very good front angulation, a straight front with flexible pasterns, level topline, strong loin, low set tail and well muscled hindquarters. She moved soundly with good reach and drive.

3rd Milham’s Elystari This Must Be Love JW

LB (5,1)

1st Hawker’s Moshanta Magic Penny For Taytinja JW

Feminine b/w, nice for size with good bone. Her head handles well with a flat skull, correct stop, parallel planes, smooth cheeks, well filled foreface, dark oval eyes, and well placed and used ears giving a sweet but keen expression. I liked her outline with a good reach of neck into well angulated forequarters, straight front, good ribcage, well bent stifles and hocks parallel from behind, level topline and sloping croup to long low set tail. She was the most fluid mover in this class, and shown in lovely coat and condition.

2nd Wettern- Bloomfield’s Alpana A Statement Of Style

Workmanlike tricolour with good length to height ratio. Her head proportions are correct with good ear carriage, smooth cheeks, nicely rounded muzzle, good mouth and underjaw, and a kind expression. She has a neck of good length, moderate angulation at both ends, straight front with flexible pasterns, level topline, strong loin, and gentle sweep over croup. She moved soundly from all angles.

3rd Wilkinson’s Altricia Bobby’s Girl

Blue merle with super coat colour and texture. Pleasing shape, balance and substance with a good reach of neck, balanced angulations front and rear, level topline, sweep over croup to long low set tail. Broad flat skull with good ear placement and carriage, distinct stop, smooth cheeks, well filled foreface with good underjaw, very dark eye. Thought she would be my winner, but although her movement was true coming and going her profile action going round was not as smooth as expected and lacked extension.

OB (2,0)

1st Kinton’s Kinaway Dreams With Fire (AI) – RBB

Another I judged a couple of years ago, I liked her then and she has now filled out to reach her full potential. B/w girl, just about spot on for size with substance to match. She has a good balance of skull to muzzle with parallel planes, well filled foreface, smooth cheeks, good underjaw, dark oval eyes, and well set and carried ears, sensitively used all the time, all combining to give her a delightful expression. Behind the ears she is equally pleasing with a good reach of neck, straight front, flexible pasterns, level topline, and gentle sweep over croup to a long low set tail. A good bend of stifle and well let down hocks enable her to drive from the rear, while her layback of shoulder and length of upper arm give good extension in profile with minimal lift of her feet.

2nd Lee & Ratcliffe’s Arrodare Rebel With A Cause

I was splitting hairs here, such a feminine b/w with an elegant outline and presented to perfection with a gleaming black coat of good texture. She too has a balanced head with good proportions of skull to muzzle, correct stop, nicely carried ears and dark oval eyes. He neck is well arched and of good length into a level topline and lovely sweep over croup to a long low set tail. She is correctly angulated fore and aft, with a good depth of chest and spring of rib, straight front with flexible pasterns, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks. She too moved very soundly from all angles with excellent ground covering action.

Sp OB (4,1)

1st Lewis’ Shemella Shepherds Delight

Pretty blue and white bitch of good breed type who is nice for size and balance. Pleasing head with flat skull and parallel planes, smooth cheeks, nicely rounded muzzle, good eye shape and placement, and sensitively used ears giving a gentle yet alert expression. Pleasing outline with a muscular well arched neck, good shoulder angulation and length of upper arm, straight front with good bone, level topline, slope over croup into a low set tail, and strong well angulated hindquarters. She moved with a long and easy stride and minimal lift.

2nd Kinton’s Kinaway Kisses With Fire (AI)

B/w bitch, full sister to the Open Bitch winner, and very similar in style. Her head handles well with skull and muzzle of equal length, distinct stop, well filled foreface with good underjaw, dark oval eyes and well used ears. She has a neck of good length and is correctly angulated at both ends with good bone for her ideal size, good depth of chest and spring of rib, level topline, gentle slope over croup and correct tail set though it could be longer. She also was sound on the move with good reach and drive, but when standing she would insist on bringing one of her hind legs forward which for me spoilt her outline.

3rd Neil’s Shemella April Showers Of Dollindaw

VB (4,0)

1st Hoskins’ Sh Ch Birkcross Gracie At Lefevre VW – BB, BVB, BIS

Nicely balanced b/w girl, 9.5 years old but you would never guess it, she was shown in fabulous coat and condition. Her head proportions are correct with a flat skull, parallel planes, rounded muzzle, smooth cheeks, dark oval eye and neatly tipped ears used attentively, all combining to give a kind but alert expression. She is of ideal size with a good length to height ratio, strong arched neck of good length, excellent forehand angulation, a straight front with flexible pasterns, level topline held on the move, graceful sweep over croup to a long low set tail, good turn of stifle, and strong well let down hocks. She really flowed round the ring with great front extension, drive from behind and minimal lift of her feet. She well deserved to head a strong line up of quality bitches in the final challenge.

2nd From Borders Home Valley Of Fire (Imp Nld)

3rd Mead’s Somniatis Harlee Quinn