West Of England Collie Society

West of England Collie Society Ch Show. 

19 July 2026

Rough Collies

I would like to thank the West of England Collie Society for inviting me to step in as a replacement judge for the Rough Collie Dogs. My sincere thanks go to all exhibitors for their entries and for accepting the change of judge so sportingly.

Although not a numerical high number in males, I was delighted with my winners. 

The true star of the day was my steward, Christine Collins, who needs no introduction. As always, she kept everything running like clockwork with her, organisational skills, and good humour. My sincere thanks to Christine for making the day such an enjoyable one.

The most consistent issue I encountered throughout the classes was front assembly. Few exhibits had the correct shoulder angulation and return of upper arm necessary to achieve the free-reaching, effortless movement that is so important in the breed. Better front construction would improve overall balance and extension on the move.

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Veteran Dog (1,1)

Minor Puppy Dog

No Entries

Puppy Dog (1,0)

1st Chantique Will O The Whisp

A nice start to the day with this lovely golden sable boy, who has the loveliest eye and well placed ears that gives him the desired expression, lovely bone and substance with neat feet. He has a nice neck and length of back. He was not the best of showman in the surroundings he moved hesitantly at times and was pipped for best puppy by his more precocious litter sister. Sure, he will step out her shadow in the future. Best Puppy Dog.

Junior Dog (1,0)

1st Gataj Just Like Jesse James 

Now this young boy surprised me, on initial look he had lost a lot of coat, (he was down to his speedo’s) but this showed of his excellent construction, he had a well arched neck firm topline and good depth of chest. His head is a good length with a nice oblique set eye, with soft expression, well placed ears, just needs to develop more in stop to complete the picture. He moved well in all directions, free and effortless. Another who was pipped at the post by his sire although a little more coat the results could have been reversed. Res Dog CC

Yearling Dog (1,0)

1st Gataj Strike It Lucky

Sable and white 20 month old boy. With a good head with a nice wedge and flat skull, would prefer a more oblique eye, good ears. He is a good shape and is balanced throughout. He moved well but would like more drive at the back. 

Post Graduate Dog (3,1)

1st Chantique The Witcher

This boy had the most balanced head for me today in males, the desired well blunted wedge with stop in the correct place, well set dark eye correct flat skull and back skull that held the perfect neat ears. 

He has a good neck, and good length of back he moved with drive at the back, however front assembly not quite as well laid back as I would have liked, which affected reach in profile. A nice young dog who was well presented.

2nd Revdvicki's Raffles at Chelborn

Masculine tri with a good expression and sweet dark eye. Good head and stop, not a showing fool but he can pull it all together when he wants. He is well balanced throughout and moved well just not as positive as 1 in rear action. 

Mid Limit Dog (2,2)

Limit Dog (5,1)

This was a difficult class with so many varying types of collie !!! All at different stages of development and handling making it difficult to assess.

1st Geosamka Loves To Love At Ithilien

On entering the ring, this dog commanded attention with his masculine appearance and beautifully presented shaded sable coat. He presents a most pleasing outline when standing, displaying maturity, balance and strong bone, with no mistaking his sex.

He has a good length of muzzle and nice oblique set eyes; his back skull lacks the balance and flatness to complete the overall picture to get his ears fully erect. 

He has a strong powerful neck and good length of back with good angulation to the rear, another who lacked the correct front assembly which was apparent on the move both he and handler failed to find their stride. They did enough to win this class but lost out on top honours. 

2nd Amalie A Chance To Shine

A very typical tricolour with the pleasing expression that makes me smile. Good head planes, rich tan markings, good stop and dark eyes. Well boned and with balanced front and rear angulation. Presented a pleasing overall picture, but on this occasion lacked the ring presence and overall sparkle of the winner.

3rd Ladnar Makeithappen for Nikal

Open Dog (2,2)

1st Ch Gataj Turn Back Time 

A mature, masculine sable who I had judged before as a youngster. He is now matured into a worthy champion. He immediately appealed for breed type and overall balance. Presents a pleasing outline and a consummate happy showman. He has good shoulder placement, firm topline and plenty of heart room. Lovely head properties with a sweet soft expression dark eyes and correct placed ears complete the picture. He has strong hindquarters and neat hocks, moving with drive and purpose in profile. Presented in excellent condition and a worthy winner of the Dog CC over his kennel mate and res best of breed. 

2nd 'Twas Baron of Virginia (Imp USA)

A rangier type of tricolour with balanced construction. Soundly made throughout with good body proportions he had free-flowing movement, covering the ground well. Well handled by his young handler.

Veteran Bitch (3,0)

1st Santaloly’s Sky Amidalas VW

It was pleasure to start the bitches with this sprightly 12-year-old sable girl. She appealed for her balanced outline standing in beautiful, presented coat that showed off her lovely construction. Her head is well balanced and showing no sign of coarseness, soft eye and well placed on ears. She flowed around the ring as her construction suggested foot perfect. I found her delightful Best Veteran

2nd Samhaven Sound Effects

A familiar type to me can see her breed type from her balanced head and obliquely set eye and perfect ear placement. Good neck and length of back. I thought she would be the class winner but moved sluggish and could not match 1 on the effortless movement. 

3rd Wicani Licence To Thrill

Minor Puppy Bitch (1,1)

Puppy Bitch

1st Chantique The Witching Hour 

Beautiful 11 month sable and white puppy, who commanded this class with her character and balance in profile. Lovely head pattern, stop in correct place and lovely dark eyes and well-placed ears. She has good construction which enabled her to move around the ring with a good stride covering the ground well. Best Rough puppy and Best Puppy in show. 

2nd Gataj Miss Sparkles

Another very promising young sable bitch with a wealth of qualities I was splitting hairs between 1 and 2. She has a sweet expression, longer in muzzle than 1 but her head is well balanced with flat skull and correct placed ears. Nice eye. Good bone and balanced construction front and rear. Presented in a beautiful golden coat and moved freely and soundly around the ring. 

3rd Aldredelie Bea Shilling

Junior Bitch

Another class where I was splitting hairs, 2 quality bitches that are hitting the in-between stage. 

1st Your Majesty Angel Silvestre at Gataj (Imp Bel)

This bitch appealed for her overall balance and size. Good outline with well arched neck. Her head is well balanced with a flat back skull, nice eye and expression. Strong neck with well-laid shoulders and balanced angulation and length of back. She moved well holding her topline, covering the ground well.  

2nd Tremaro Fantasy

Another attractive sable, similar remarks apply. I just preferred the more oblique eye of 1. Presented a lovely outline standing but movement was erratic at times. 

Special Yearling Bitch (3,1)

1st Lynmead Designer Tipple for Collingvale 

Another bitch that is at an in-between stage however she is right for her age. Not in full coat but what she had was fresh and of a good hard texture. She appeals for her great femininity, exquisite expression from her well balanced head oblique eye and ear placement completes the picture.  

She showed on a loose lead which made her a delight to handle, with everything falling neatly into place. Well laid shoulders, good length of back and well let down hocks all contribute to her balanced outline. On the move she was effortless, covering the ground with long, light strides and maintaining her shape throughout. In the challenge, her free-flowing movement left many of her competitors in her wake, she could not be denied the resCC.

2nd Chantique Away Wi The Fairys 

Initially, I thought this would be my class winner, as she was the fuller-coated of the two. She presents a very attractive picture standing, being a feminine sable and white with an exquisite, sweet expression, balanced head and pleasing outline. Good length of neck and correct body proportions. On handling, however, she did not possess the front assembly of my winner, which was reflected in her movement. She moved soundly but lacked the reach and extension of 1.

Post Graduate Bitch. (8,4)

1st Salsina Mystic Rose

This young sable appealed instantly for her breed type. “The one I could have taken home”

Her head is exquisite, beautiful dark eye, neat ears, well rounded muzzle and flat skull. Good length of neck, well placed shoulders and firm topline, flowing into well let down hocks. Moved soundly and freely, maintaining her outline at all times. In the challenge she lacked the ground coverage of my Special Yearling winner on the day, but she pushed hard for the Reserve CC and was a very close contender. Her day will come. 

2nd Tremaro Million Dollar Baby

Another nice type, feminine sable, not in full coat as 1, however this showed off her well balanced construction. Good reach of neck flowing into well laid shoulders and well sprung ribs. Her head is balanced but expression not as sweet as 1. Herself and handler failed to find their stride in the ring today and movement was difficult to assess.

 3rd Salsina My Girl of Marilake

Mid Limit Bitch (6,1)

1st Riverside Song Ice Cream Girl (Imp Rom)

This tri stood in the ring on a loose lead with the desired impassive dignity, with a pleasing silhouette.

She has a beautiful strong neck, flowing into good shoulders and length of back. And into well let down hocks. Providing a balanced outline. She moved effortlessly around the ring covering the ground with ease. Her head markings and colouring can be distracting on closer examination she possesses a clean, well-balanced blunt wedge-shaped head with good proportions. A lovely dark eye, sweet expression and neat ears complete the picture.

2nd Rahlissa Toffee Cake for Denora

I have judged this bitch before as a youngster, now fully mature she still retains her femininity and breed type. Lovely balanced head and sweet expression, dark eye and neat ears. Good neck and length of back. Moved adequately but lacked the drive and enthusiasm of others. 

3rd Aaronwell Allure In Black

Limit Bitch.

1st Beldones Fantasy

At just 20 months old, this young bitch presents a remarkably mature picture, in full shaded sable coat. Balanced throughout, she stands naturally, making the most of her many virtues and displaying strong, well-let-down hocks. She was a pleasure to handle, with well-laid shoulders, well-sprung ribs and a good bend of stifle. On the move she was free-flowing and effortless, covering the ground with ease while maintaining her balanced outline. Good head with a well-filled muzzle and flat skull, forming a clean, blunt wedge without exaggeration. I would have preferred slightly firmer ear carriage, which would have further enhanced her expression. Nevertheless, she possesses a lovely dark eye that contributes greatly to her sweet and pleasing expression.

2nd Gataj Little Miss Sassy at Terelimon

A very feminine sable and white, not quite as balanced as 1, but nevertheless a very attractive type. She possesses a sweet expression enhanced by a lovely dark eye. Good reach of neck flowing into a pleasing outline. She moved freely and soundly. Just lacking the finish of my winner on the day, being between coats.

3rd Atirakin Wild Hialeah

Open Bitch (4,0)

1st Artzaiak Strawberry Rose for Salsina

The star of the day. She walked into the ring as though she owned it. A glorious golden sable, she radiated vitality and quality. She immediately filled the eye with her balanced outline, standing proudly and showing off her elegant neck, correct length of back and well-let-down hocks.

Feminine throughout, she possesses a beautiful head, sweet expression and lovely dark eye. Good reach of neck flows into a well-balanced outline, excellent body proportions and sound construction. Whilst I would have preferred slightly better shoulder placement, it was not enough to detract from her many virtues. On the move she was a joy to watch, moving with freedom, reach and drive, effortlessly covering the ground whilst maintaining her shape throughout. Presented in excellent condition. For me she epitomised outstanding breed type and balance and could not be denied the, Bitch CC and Best of Breed.

2nd Gataj Time After Time at Rahlissa

Another quality feminine sable and white, slightly smaller than 1. She presents a lovely balanced outline, good reach of neck flowing into a correct length of back and well-let-down hocks. Attractive head with a sweet expression, lovely dark eye and neat ears. She moved well just lacked drive at the back.  

3rd Ch Beldones Just For Fun at Starlenga

Judge Michelle Mitchell (Avonfair)