Border Collie Club Of Great Britain

Border Collie Club of Great Britain

Open Show 30th October 2021

Firstly, my thanks to the committee for the invitation to judge. The venue was well set out with plenty of space for a massive ring, and the catering was to the usual high standard. Thanks also to my two stewards who kept the classes running smoothly. Finally, thanks to the exhibitors who gave me such a lovely entry, and took all my decisions with good sportsmanship – it was lovely to hear competitors congratulating winners in every class.

A few general pointers to raise before the individual write ups. The length of many tails did not reach the hock, as required by the breed standard, and this did impact some placings of otherwise lovely and correct bitches. Also, there were a few entries with overly straight pasterns and round feet. Overall, dentition was correct but a few were close to having level bites. Whilst I was pleased with my winners, many of the bitches being shown lacked the sparkle that I expect from this breed– this may be down to so many shows being held recently, but remember that the dogs should enjoy their day out too.

Minor Puppy Bitch (4)

1st Walters Goytre Red Rose – 8 month old dark faced girl, with a very feminine head and lovely ear carriage giving an alert expression. Although petite overall, everything was in proportion with a good length of neck and back in relation to her height. Underneath her ample coat she had good angulation front and rear, and she held her topline on the move. One I’ll definitely be watching with interest in the future.

2nd Kinton Kinaway Dreams of Fire (AI) – There was a lot to like about this just 6 month old girl. Very sweet expression to her head, which was always attentive to her handler. Nicely arched neck leading to correct forequarters, with plenty of space to fill out as she matures. A good length of tail reaching to the hock, which when viewed from the rear were straight. Nice moving, but just needed to settle a bit. Another one that shows good promise for the future.

Puppy Bitch (5, 1A)

1st Lee & Ratcliffe Arrodare Rebel With A Cause – Very feminine head with erect ears and correct almond shaped eyes. A good length of neck at one end and tail at the other. Fore and rear quarters good with nicely shaped feet. Moved well in all directions. BPIS in agreement with my co-judge.

2nd Fawcett Laceway Déjà Vu – Nice blue merle with alert expression. Slightly nervous to sounds outside the ring which affected her movement but nicely constructed with excellent front and rear.

Junior Bitch (5, 1A)

1st Lee & Ratcliffe Arrodare Showdown – Litter sister to 1st in Puppy, and there really isn’t much between these two! Alert expression and very attentive to her handler at all times. A nicely shaped neck with a good length to her back and tail. Good front and rear action with minimum lift when viewed from the side.

2nd Greening Kanamaren Take These Pearls – Ultra feminine head, very aware of what was going on around her, with alert ears and a cheeky smile. Nice front and rear, with a low tail set. Moved well, but could swap places with 1st on another day.

Yearling Bitch (2)

1st Allison Kinaway A Million Dreams – Litter sister to 2nd in Minor Puppy. Lovely head with almond shaped eyes and another with a cheeky smile. Nice front and rear with good angles. Bit of a fidget when standing, and a bit erratic on the move, but once she settled she moved well.

2nd Turns Fyglia Cherish Mustardseed – Blue merle with a lovely kind expression and beautiful ears, held erect. Nice angles at the front but a little straight at the back end when viewed from the side. Again, a bit erratic on the move, but she did settle in her other classes.

Graduate Bitch (4)

1st Lewis Shemella Shepherds Delight – Petite and feminine blue and white with lovely expression. Nice length of neck and good angulation at the front and rear. Moved well.

2nd Fisher Tidespring The Only One at Arniston – Feminine head with a keen expression and attentive to her handler. Bit straighter in the leg than 1st when standing, but lovely movement.

Post Graduate Bitch (6)

1st Johnson Tidespring West End Girl – Very attentive to her handler, with a lovely expression and dark eyes. Good front with sloping pasterns and correct feet. Good length to height ratio. Excelled on the move.

2nd Lewis Shemella Drifting Snow – Blue and white feminine bitch, with a lovely head. Good front angulation with sloping pasterns. Good tail set but would prefer a bit more length. Good length of stride on the move.

Limit Bitch (5)

1st – Akester & Wiltshire Thwaitlake Everything I Am – Correct head with lovely expression and eyes. Good length of neck and nice front and rear angulation. Good length to her back and tail. Excelled on the move, holding her topline, and outmoving everything in the class and challenge. BB and RBIS.

2nd Shahmatova Nashdom Strawberry Fields – Feminine head with correct eyes. Good front and rear. Slightly long in body but a good length of neck and tail and very good on the move.

Open Bitch (8, 2A)

1st – Fawcett Laceway Rock the Boat – Feminine head with lovely eyes and ears used in alert expression. Good length of neck and well angled forequarters. Good length of back and tail. Well muscled rear and excelled on the move. RBB

2nd – Greening Kanamaren Hold On My Heart – Very feminine with soft expression. Correct angulation front and rear. Lovely length of tail. Held her shape on the move.

Special Open Any Other Colour Bitch

1st Fawcett Janbell Out Of The Blue at Laceway – Very feminine blue merle with a kind expression and alert ears. Good length of neck and body, with a long tail and correct set. Moved well in all directions, with good extension.

2nd Spurr Dreamwork Collat’Ral Beauty – Red merle with a keen expression and ears used well showing attentiveness. Nicely arching neck with correct front and rear angulation. Well muscled and held her topline on the move. Could swap places with 1st on another day.

Special Working Bitch

1st Lewis Shemella Drifting Snow – 2nd in Post Graduate

Veteran Bitch

A strong class and places could easily have changed.

1st Walters Sh Ch Goytre Daddy’s Saucie Girl JW – Very feminine head with correct eyes and ears used to attention. Lovely front and rear, with good length to neck, back and tail. In full coat, and excelled on the move, with excellent drive despite her age. BVIS on referee decision.

2nd Shahmatova Nashdom Forever Chic – For 10 years of age, this girl could outmove many from the younger classes, with good reach and drive. Different type to 1st, with a slightly larger head and longer in body. Good angulation front and rear.

Good Citizen Bitch

1st Allison Kinaway A Million Dreams (AI) – 1st Yearling

2nd Turns Fyglia Mel Titania – Blue merle with a lovely head and kind expression. Alert to her young handler, although sometimes a bit distracted by the treats or others in the ring. Lovely front and rear, good length of body and tail and well muscled. When settled, moved well.

Susan Jones (Keltiklan)