East Anglian Border Collie Club

East Anglian Border Collie Club 21/02/26 

Firstly, I would like to thank my very competent stewards Suzanne and Chris for allowing for the smooth running of the ring, alongside the club for the invitation to judge and my lovely gifts, and of course all exhibitors for their entries. I thoroughly enjoyed my day. 

Overall, I was looking for a dog that I felt had the correct construction and movement which would allow them to do a day's work, and I was very pleased with my principal winners. I felt that bitches had more depth of quality than the males; and I was really spoilt for choice in some of the classes. Presentation throughout was excellent and generally dogs were well muscled with good mouths, although there were the minority that were overweight which affected their movement – this was reflected in some placings that could change on another day. Coat quality was also very good on the whole, with many dogs having ideal colour and texture. One thing that I felt needs watching overall is front movement – few dogs converged correctly in front with several being too wide or too narrow, also some dogs had a tendency to reach more than they did drive (but this could of been due to dogs pulling into their leads on the move). 

Veteran Dog (1,0) 

1st Holtappel’s Romanybay Morning Star At Bryning 

A lovely dog to start of the day, 8 year old blue merle, of good size and proportions. I liked his head properties and he had a very kind eye. Good length of neck and shoulder layback, with balanced angulation front and rear, good depth of chest and spring of rib, good feet, pasterns and bone. He had pleasing reach and excellent drive and maintained his excellent topline well on the move. Best Veteran Dog. 

Minor Puppy Dog (3,0) 

All puppies in this class were at different stages of development.  

1st Wiltshire & Roger’s Caleykiz Ignite The Passion 

9 month old dog who was the most mature in the class. He had a lovely expression with a kind eye. I liked him for overall type and whilst he was slightly loose all through he was sound up and back. Enough neck and croup, and his balanced angulation fore and aft allowed him to move with fair reach and drive. His coat was very black and of good quality, he also had good bone, feet and pasterns. Front legs parallel when viewed from the front, good length and set of tail.  

2nd Holtappel’s Bryning The Pretender 

Very much the baby of the class at just 6 months but this blue and white boy made me smile. Loved his head and he had a very kind eye which gave a lovely overall expression. Another who had excellent bone feet and pasterns – on the smaller end height wise at present but still a baby and has the time to grow on. He has a super neck, and good front and hind angulation. A touch high in the rear at the moment but once again should settle with age. He was a little unsettled on the move but when he did settle, he demonstrated good reach and drive with low tail carriage. Very sound behind. I thought him to be very promising, and should mature into a lovely dog. 

3rd Young’s Langamay Ace Of Diamonds 

I found him different in type to 1st and 2nd but nonetheless a lovely puppy, He had excellent bone, feet and pasterns, and his tail was also of good length, and he carried it well on the move. Another with good coat quality. 

Puppy Dog (6,1) 

1st Molnar’s Leclway On The Right Track 

This boy was the most mature of the class. He had a kind eye and had very good flow from his neck to his croup with a strong topline which was held on the move. Good length to height ratio, good feet pasterns and short hocks. He had matching angulation front and rear which allowed him to move with fair reach and drive, although I would like to see him with a bit more animation on the move. Good length and set of tail, good front convergence, happy to award him Best Puppy Dog & RBPIS. 

2nd Carley’s Jupavia Legacy Of Dreams 

I preferred the type of this boy, but he was quite unsettled on the move and needs to tighten up coming and going which should come as he matures. Excellent length to height ratio. Nice head with a kind eye, he had good angulation front and rear alongside the best of feet and pasterns. Good bone and his coat was of super quality. Very long tail of good set.  

3rd Askey’s Piece Of Happiness Tornado At Petalnote 

I liked the proportions of this dog and he was short in loin. He had good bone, and his coat was of good quality. When settled showed fair reach and drive and was sound up and back. 

Junior Dog (4,1a,1w) 

1st Oliver’s Smart As A Whip Danger Zone At Tambuzi JW (Imp Esp) 

Mature dog who has a very kind eye. He has an excellent length of neck and good layback of shoulder. Good feet and bone, he used himself well on the move to produce an efficient side gait, with good reach and excellent drive and kept his topline well. Very sound behind. Stood parallel in front. Long low set tail. 

2nd Wilcox’s Blackgold Age Of Aquarius 

Good type red and white dog that was close up to 1. I preferred his overall flow from neck to croup which allowed him to have a nice outline on the stand. Enough neck, good length of upper arm, and good rear angulation. Good bone and feet. Moved well maintaining his outline, with low tail carriage and minimal lift. Just needs to tighten up in the rear, and would like to see a bit more animation on the move, but overall, a lovely dog.  

Post Graduate Dog (3, 1) 

1st Tunnicliff’s Littlethorn Kona 

I really liked this young dog. He has the best of heads with a lovely eye, giving a really nice expression. He was masculine with good bone without being overdone. Excellent feet and pasterns. Enough neck, good topline and super croup. Good coat quality and his presentation was excellent with good muscle. Very long tail which was low set. Balanced angulation front and rear. On the move he really powered up and moved with excellent reach and drive, minimal lift and low head carriage. A touch close away and back but sound. Shortlisted him in the challenge but had to give way to the more mature boys for higher honours.  

2nd Tandy’s Borderbrook Stolen Affair 

This dog had a lovely head and expression with a kind eye. He had good feet, pasterns and bone. He had balanced angulation front and rear but was quite unsettled on the move.  

Limit Dog (5, 1) 

1st Simmons & Inverno’s Sashdan Pure Imagination With Simmovon JW (imp Aus) 

Super quality dog. Whilst his head was not my preference he had a lovely eye and a kind expression. His construction was immediately apparent: good length to his neck, excellent topline and flowing croup. Lovely length to heigh ratio with short loin. Excellent front angulation with upper arm of correct angle and length, good depth of chest and spring to rib. Also very good angulation in the hind and well let down hocks. Good feet, bone and pasterns. He really powered up on the move producing a super side gait, with excellent reach and drive and minimal lift. He was extremely sound coming and going. Good long and well set tail, very good coat quality. Presented with excellent muscle. I really loved his overall outline, which is the reason I awarded him Best Dog and eventually RBIS, he pushed the bitch in the challenge, and it was a close decision. 

2nd Mitchell’s Bordabears Strike It Hot 

A dog with a kind eye, and pleasing expression. He had a good neck, and good topline which he held well on the move. He had balanced angulation front and rear, with good bone, feet and pasterns. Super quality black coat. Another with good length to height ratio and short loin. Could have a touch more flow over the croup, but I felt his coat did not help. He showed good and balanced reach and drive on the move. Good length of tail which was well set and carried low on the move. Close but sound behind but preferred the front movement of 1 on the day.  

3rd Woodrow & Oliver’s Tambuzi Ride The Storm 

A dog with a lovely head and kind eye, giving a very nice expression. Another with a good length to height ratio and he had a good topline which he held on the move. Balanced angulation fore and aft. Super croup and overall type. Good bone and feet. Rather unsettled on the up and back today. 

Open Dog (3,0)  

1st Carley & Fawcett’s Laceway Bite The Bullet With Jupavia JW 

Young dog which appealed for overall type. Good size and substance. He had a lovely head and expression and a super eye of correct shape. I liked his flowing lines; from his neck (which was of good length) to his croup. His coat was of good quality and he was one of the best muscled dogs of the day. Good feet and pastern and parallel front. Balanced angulation front and rear. Very sound away and back and he had a lovely side gait showing good reach and drive with minimal lift on the move. Very pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog, he still has some maturing to do to reach his best.  

2nd Oliver’s Sh Ch Tambuzi Stryka Blow JW 

Very close up to 1st and many of the same qualities apply. Liked his head and he had a kind eye. He had a good upper arm and front assembly and his rear matched this. Another with good length to height ratio and parallel front. Good feet, bone and pasterns. A touch close behind but correct convergence in front. He had a good low head carriage on the move. Just felt 1 had the edge on movement on the day, as he tended to drive more than reach but a lovely dog, could change places with 1 on another day. Good tail of correct length and set. 

3rd Portman’s Sh Ch Laceway Black Sabbath 

Litter brother to 1. This dog has very good reach and drive on the move. He was very sound behind. Another with a very black coat. Good shoulder and depth of chest with plenty of heart room. Front legs parallel. Just preferred the proportions of 1 and 2. 

Special Open (AOC than B/W) Dog (4,1a,1w) 

1st Wilcox’s Blackgold Age Of Aquarius  

See 2nd in Junior Dog critique. Happy to award him Reserve Best AOC In Show. 

2nd Hughes’ Piece Of Happiness Olaf Von Langamay 

Blue Merle who had a lovely kind eye. He had balanced angulation fore and aft which he used well on the move to produce a side gait with fair reach and drive. He had a good length of neck, good bone, and good pasterns. Just a touch high in the rear.  

3rd Holtappel’s Romanybay Morning Star at Bryning 

See Veteran dog critique 

Veteran Bitch (4, 1) 

1st Wettern-Bloomfield's Alpana Strike A Pose 

Tri bitch, lovely overall type. She had a lovely head and eye giving a very nice expression. She had good flow from her good length of neck to her croup. Good depth of chest. Good length to height ratio with short loin. Good length of upper am and balanced front and rear assembly. She had super bone, feet and pasterns. Sound coming and going with a good side gait showing good reach and drive. Lovely tail length of good set. Pleased to award her BVB and BVIS. 

2nd Wiltshire’s Caleykiz Hey There Delilah 

Dark bitch, another who is good for type. She had a lovely eye and a pleasing expression. Very good croup. Good feet and pasterns. Presented in good coat and condition. Close but sound away and back. Good tail of correct length and carriage. Balanced angulation front and rear. Good length to height ratio. Good side gait with low head carriage showing good reach and drive. Just preferred the neck of 1, but close decision. 

3rd Turn’s Fyglia Mei Titania 

Blue merle bitch. Lovely head and expression with a kind eye. Very sound away and back. Would benefit from carrying a bit less weight. 

Minor Puppy Bitch (5,1) 

1st Allison’s Wenmap Special Arrival 

A very lovely immature puppy who I was quite taken with. She had a super type. Excellent head with kind eye giving a pleasing expression. Good length of upper arm, balanced front and rear assembly. A touch high in the rear at present but this should settle with age. Super tail of correct length and set. Good bone, feet and pasterns. She had good reach and excellent drive on the move with minimal lift. Extremely sound coming and going, converges on the front correctly. A very promising youngster, very happy to award her BPB and BPIS. 

2nd Seaborn-Wendland Lucky For You Take My Heart At Noblewolves (imp Hun) 

This puppy put in a lovely overall performance. Different in type to 1 and head not my preference. Good length of neck, a touch steep in upper arm. Good neck and croup. Good coat quality, feet, bone and pasterns. Balanced reach and drive on the move. 

3rd Turn’s Anastasia Du Domaine De Singhara Avec Fyglia (imp Fra) 

Secured this place on balanced side gait with fair reach and drive. She had good feet and good coat quality. Just lacks refinement for me. 

Puppy Bitch (4, 1) 

1st Warren’s Bordabears True Deception 

Blue bitch of lovely type and proportions throughout. She had a very nice head and well shaped eye, giving a nice expression. She has an excellent length of neck and lovely front assembly. Good feet and bone. Close but sound behind and demonstrated lovely convergence at the front. She needs to settle in her side gait and just drop in the hind, but a lovely bitch.  

2nd Seaborn-Wendland Lucky For You Take My Heart At Noblewolves (imp Hun) (see above) 

3rd Neil’s Dollindaw Divine Delight 

Litter sister to 4th in previous class. Both just 6 months and enjoying their day. Liked her head and overall type. Good feet, bone and pasterns. Good length to height ratio. Her movement was difficult to assess as she was having fun (like her sister), and they just need time to mature. 

Junior Bitch (4,1) 

1st Lewis’ Shemella Sky Full Of Stars 

Absolutely loved this bitch for her overall type and proportions. Super head, expression and eye. Superb reach and drive with minimal lift on the move. She had a lovely flowing outline from her head to her tail (which was long and well set). Excellent reach and drive on the move. Close but sound away, correct convergence in the front. Her front assembly was superb with correct upper arm of good angle and length. Good topline held well on the move. Needs time to mature as I would like a touch more depth in chest, but she has time. Would have considered her for higher honours in the challenge, she was just a bit less settled. 

2nd Mercer’s Kirkwind Secret Soul 

This bitch was different in type to 1 but still quality. She had an excellent coat quality and was presented with super muscle. She had a kind eye. Good length to height ratio and nice overall outline. She was very sound on the move and had correct convergence in the front. Just needs to drop into her hind. 

3rd Holtappel’s Bryning Psychedelic Kisses 

Another quality bitch who appears to be on the heavier side but underneath her coat is not. She has a kind eye, and was very sound on the move. She showed fair reach and drive but would prefer a touch more animation today. 

Post Graduate Bitch (12, 5) A super class 

1st Wettern-Bloomfield's Alpana Summer Storm JW 

Super bitch which headed a good class. Loved her for type and she has a lovely head and eye, giving a pleasing expression. She has a balanced front and rear assembly, and front was parallel. Extremely sound front and rear movement. Good feet and pasterns, enough bone. In super coat and condition. Super croup and tailset – another with superb flow. Excellent topline held well on the move. Excellent reach and drive on the move with light footed minimal lift. Considered in challenge for higher honours, just needs to mature.  

2nd Tunnicliff’s Littlethorn Chiqui 

Another bitch of lovely type. Litter sister to Post Grad Dog winner and many similar qualities apply, close up to 1. She has balanced angulation front and rear and is very sound coming and going. Another with a lovely head and eye shape, presented well. Good reach and drive on the move. Parallel front, decent upper arm.  

3rd Lewis’ Shemella To The Moon And Back 

Completing a trio of lovely bitches. Another with a good head, eye and expression. Lovely flowing lines, with a good length to height ratio. She had a good quality coat and good muscle. She moved well with good reach and drive. Just needs time to mature. 

Limit Bitch (5,0) Another very good class 

1st Fawcett’s Laceway Bottom’s Up 

Absolutely loved this bitch for overall type and quality. Excellent head and she had a lovely expression. Balanced front and rear assembly with a strong topline and good upper arm. Long and low set tail. Good croup. Super muscle. Good coat quality. Good bone, feet and pasterns. Really excelled herself on the move which is what I was looking for today. Super reach and drive, minimal lift and low head carriage. Really loved her attitude which took her movement to another level. A touch close behind but sound, and good convergence through the front. Stood parallel through the front. Good depth of chest. Very pleased to award her Best Bitch and BIS in a good quality entry. 

2nd Mitchell’s Bordabears Strikin’ Liason 

Another lovely bitch of good type. Super head and eye. She has lovely flow from her neck of good length to her croup. Balanced angulation front and rear. Nice feet, would prefer less slope to pastern. Lovely reach and drive on the move maintained her outline, and she was very sound up and back. Good quality black coat.  

3rd Murfet & Oliver’s Tambuzi Guess Who’s Back JW 

Another lovely bitch which had similar type to 1. Excellent head, expression and eye. Very Good front assembly. Lovely neck. Stood parallel in front. Enough rear. Moved well on the move with good reach and excellent drive and low head carriage. Just not the maturity of 1 and 2. Super coat quality and muscle tone. 

Open Bitch (5, 1) Another good class 

1st Wiltshire’s Caleykiz Hey There Delilah 

Lovely bitch and liked her attitude. Nice head and expression. Balanced front and rear assembly with good upper arm and good depth of chest. Front parallel. She has good flow, enough neck and super croup. Good bone, feet and pasterns. Very sound away and back once settled. Really powered up on the move demonstrating good reach on drive with minimal lift.  

2nd Oliver’s Sh Ch Tambuzi Girlz On Fire JW 

Very close up to 1. I preferred her outline on the stand. Super construction – good upper arm and front assembly. Good depth of chest, good length of neck, good topline, and excellent croup. Matching rear assembly to front. Very sound away and back. Loved her flow from head to tail (which was also of super length and set). Lovely head and expression, kind eye. I just felt that 1st had the edge on side gait today. But a lovely bitch. Well muscled as were all from this kennel. 

3rd Lewis’ Shemella Moonlight Skye 

Another lovely bitch of super type. Balanced angulation front and rear. Nice head and expression. Really used herself on the move and was sound up and back. Good length of tail and set. 

Special AOC Bitch (5,0) 

1st Wettern-Bloomfield's Alpana A Statement of Style 

Lovely tri bitch of superb type. Good head, eye and expression. She had matching balanced angulation front and rear. Superb muscle tone. She has a lovely balanced light footed gait demonstrating good reach and drive on the move with minimal lift of feet. Good feet, bone and pasterns. Good length of neck and good length to upper arm. Sound away and back. Presented in good coat and condition, another with a lovely attitude. Shortlisted her in the challenge and was happy to award to Best AOC In Show.  

2nd Warren’s Bordabears True Deception (see 1st in puppy critique above) 

3rd Gilbert’s Langamay Sparks Of Colour For Bordertrix 

Liked the type of this ee red bitch and her head was well balanced with a lovely eye. Good short loin. 

Bobbie Lee