Yorkshire Collie Club

Yorkshire Collie Club Open Show 24th May 2025

Best in Show

Thank you so much to the Officers and Committee for their kind invitation to judge Best in Show at their open show and for their hospitality on the day. Yorkshire Collie is one of my favourites, so it was a real honour to be asked to judge for them. A big thank you to the breed judges, Diana Collino and Gina Stillwell, for sending through such lovely examples of their respective breeds.

Best in Show was awarded to Mr & Mrs M Wensley’s Smooth Collie, Ch Constella Hazy Cosmic Jive JW, a 3 ½ tri male I have judged before and seen around the ringside. He has a super head which is clean with a flat skull, slight stop and well filled muzzle of equal length. Ears are set correctly and are of good size and well tipped. He has a lovely dark eye of almond shape set obliquely. Neck is of good length and well arched and flows into well laid shoulders with a good return of upper arm. His back is level and of good length with a slight rise over the loin and a gently sloping croup. Chest is deep and well sprung, just reaching the elbow and his hind angulation is good and balanced with his front. Tail is low set and of good length, just reaching the hock. He moved well with reach and drive, keeping his topline well.

Reserve Best in Show was awarded to Mrs D Howe’s Smooth Collie, Lizoni the Drifter, a 2 ½ year-old tri dog I’m not aware of seeing before. Lots to like about this boy, he has a clean, balanced head with a good eye of correct size, shape and set. His skull is flat and topped by well set ears giving a sweet but masculine expression. He has a good neck with good front and rear angulation, and neat feet. His back is strong with good depth of chest and spring of rib. Moved with ease.

Best Puppy in Show was awarded to Mr & Mrs D Randall’s Rough Collie, Ladnar Call My Name, a 9-month-old blue merle who was unopposed for this award but a more than worthy winner. He has a head of good length but in proportion and balanced. It is clean with a flat skull, slight stop and well filled muzzle, with a lovely eye and well ser ears which he used to advantage. He has a lovely outline with a super neck and length of back, good angulation front and rear and good depth of chest. Very steady on the move with reach and drive. His coat is of good texture and of the most beautiful shade of blue with well broken up black marking which was very well presented. Will watch his future with interest.

Best Veteran in Show was awarded to Mr & Mrs N Smith’s, Smooth Collie, UK, Port, Esp, Gib Ch Winter is Coming to Tentola, a 9-year-old blue merle who I have often admired from the ringside. He has a masculine head without being coarse, with a flat skull without depth and a well filled muzzle. His eyes are of correct almond shape and well set and ears are well set to give a good expression. He has a good outline with good reach of neck, good depth of chest and well angled front and rear. He moved with ease keeping his topline.

Reserve Best Veteran in Show was awarded to Miss M Benton’s Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW, ShCEx, a 10 ½ year old sable bitch who belies her age. She is beautifully put together with a super neck, well laid shoulder with good return of upper arm, a level back with slight rise over her loin into excellent rear angulation. She has a lovely head of good length and a well-placed eye giving a lovely expression. Just preferred the movement of the Smooth on the day.

Best Baby Puppy in Show was awarded to Mr & Mrs M Wensley’s Smooth Collie, Blamorder Starstruck, a 4-month-old sable & white, also unopposed but what a lovely baby! So very confident and thoroughly enjoying her day out, she shows bags of promise with a lovely head that is developing nicely with a super eye and well-set ears. She has a lovely neck, super front angulation with a lovely return of upper arm and good forechest. Moved well showing reach and drive. Will look forward to watching her as she grows up.

Judge Sophie Wray-Ramsden

Takhisis