Bath Canine Society

BATH CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

Sunday 24th May, 2026

Border Collies - Judge: Val Tiller (Foxbarton)

My thanks to Bath Championship Show committee for my invitation to judge, and to my exhibitors for a lovely entry. Despite it being so hot, our ring was happily large enough for me to keep all the dogs standing in shade. Happily temperaments were excellent, throughout. Presentation on the whole was great, although spoiled in some by unhealthy mouths! Teeth must be kept clean. So pleased that my Best of Breed went on to win the Pastoral Group. 

VETERAN DOG (1,1)

MINOR PUPPY DOG (1)

1. Lesnuages Now I'm Here (Mrs G R Davies) 8Mths, B&W boy, stood alone, but a lovely puppy to go over. Very alert, with a kind expression and he moved well out and back and flowed nicely around the ring.

PUPPY DOG (3) 

1. Caleykiz Ignite The Passion (Miss D & Mr M Wiltshire & Rogers) 11Mths, handsome boy. He has a Lovely, oval eye, scissor bite and pleasing head over all. Good slope of pastern on nice feet, on which he moved out well, so nicely balanced for a youngster.  

2. Bryning The Pretender (Miss N Holtappel) Difficult decision here, as these two could, and probably will, switch places on another day. Just preferred the movement of 1 today.

JUNIOR DOG (4) 

1. Piece of Happiness Tornado at Petalnote (Miss C Askey) Lovely young dog, good head, kind expression. Well balanced construction throughout and moved out very nicely. One to watch. 

2. Bryning The Pretender - See 2nd in Puppy Dog.

YEARLING DOG (4)

1. Piece of Happiness Tornado at Petalnote - See 1st in Junior Dog.

2. Blackgold Age of Aquarius (Mrs R Wilcox) 19 Mths boy of pleasing construction. Lovely to go over and he moved well. Just unlucky to come up against 1. today.

NOVICE DOG (3,1)

1. Piece of Happiness Tornado at Petalnote - See 1st in Junior Dog. 

2. Borderheart Havana Nights (Mrs A, Ms S & Miss O Domotori & Tandy) 2yrs 9Mths, handsome head & expression, good eye and scissor bite. Well muscled, and of good, sound construction all round. Moved nicely.

POST GRADUATE DOG (3)

1. Littlethorn Kona (Mr R & Mrs A Tunnicliff) 2Yr-old quality youngster of very good construction, now coming into his own. Particularly liked his lovely head and expression. Moved beautifully in all directions.   

2. Blackgold Age of Aquarius (Mrs R Wilcox) - See 2nd in Yearling Dog.

LIMIT DOG (3)

1. Nashdom All Eyes On You JW (Dr M Shahmatova) Another 2Yr-old quality boy, of athletic appearance and good construction throughout. Well muscled, which allows him to move beautifully.

2. Shemella Moon River (Mr I J & Mrs M J Lewis) 4Yrs, handsome boy, lots to like here – handsome head and kind expression, so well made throughout and so well muscled. Moved very well in the heat, just pipped by the 1st.  

OPEN DOG (9)

1. Sh Ch Thwaitlake Buzzman (Mr, Mrs & Miss Akester & Wiltshire) 5Yrs B&W. A super quality dog, of impressive appearance, whom I’ve much admired and he didn’t disappoint today. Handsome, correct head and melting expression; excellent reach of neck onto a beautiful topline, giving a perfect, balanced outline on the stand. Being so well muscled throughout, his well-balanced angulation, fore and aft, allows him to flow around the ring with reach and drive which is such a pleasure to watch. Delighted to award him both the CC & BOB, and thrilled that he went on to win the Pastoral Group.

2. Sh Ch Laceway Black Sabbath (Mr C S & Mrs S L Portman) Beautiful 2Yr-old boy, excellent head, loved his expression. He can really move, just as the Border Collie should, with minimum lift of feet and propulsion from the rear. No hesitation in awarding him the RCC.

SPECIAL BEGINNERS (5,1)

1. Dreamwork Notorious (Miss J C Spurr) 2-yr-old bitch, pleasing expression, very nicely constructed, attentive to handler and moved out well in all directions. Best Special Beginners.

2. Blackgold Age of Aquarius – See 2nd Post Graduate Dog

VETERAN BITCH (3)

1. Sh Ch Arrodare Royal Flush JW (Miss B & Miss J Lee & Ratcliffe) Blue & White, 8 Yrs old quality bitch of athletic appearance. Kind expression, she’s lovely to go over, and she utterly belies her years when on the move. 

2. Sh Ch Laceway Raise The Roof (Miss H Fawcett) A tough decision between two super 8-year-olds - she’s as pretty as a picture with everything just as and where it should be. Loved her head and expression and she moves like she could go all day.

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (4)

1. Jerseywood Love in The Dark (Miss S Lea) Just 7 Mths old, and showing great promise in all departments. Not surprised her sire is a favourite of mine - she’s lovely to go over. Behaved beautifully and excelled on the move. 

2. Lesnuages Made in Heaven (Mrs G R Davies) Another 7Mths puppy, also showing great promise. Lovely head, and well-muscled, sound construction throughout, she also moved beautifully. Two puppies whose progress I shall watch with interest.

PUPPY BITCH (9,2)

1. Dollindaw Divine Delight (Mrs L J Neil) 9Mths of age, and she knows how to be a show girl! She has a lovely outline and a sweet expression. Of balanced construction all round, she stood four square, fully attentive to her handler. Delightful to go over, and she moved out beautifully. Best Puppy in Breed.

2. Lucky for You Take My Heart at Noblewolves (Imp Hun) (Miss P Seaborn-Wendland) 11Mths well grown puppy, feminine head and expression. Well off for all round substance and muscle, she moved very nicely in all directions.

JUNIOR BITCH (3)

1. Lucky for You Take My Heart at Noblewolves (Imp Hun) (See 2nd Puppy Bitch)

2. Bryning Psychedelic Kisses JW (Miss N Holtappel)15Mths, lovely feminine head, well laid shoulder - very nice front and good angulation. In beautiful condition, she moved very well despite the heat. 

YEARLING BITCH (4,1)

1. Jupavia Time Is A Teacher (Mrs N Deane) 19 Mths tomorrow. Such a pretty girl - lovely head, eye and well used ears. Well proportioned throughout, with a smooth outline. Movement beautifully balanced. 

2. Shemella to The Moon and Back JW (Mr I J & Mrs M J Lewis) 16Mths, and another beautiful girl, with a feminine head and well used ears, so attentive to her handler. Overall construction giving a pleasing outline, she is very nicely balanced on the move. 

NOVICE BITCH (10,7)

1. Jupavia Time Is A Teacher (Mrs N Deane) (See 1st Yearling Bitch)

2. Jerseywood Love in The Dark (Miss S Lea) (See 1st Minor Puppy Bich) 

POST GRADUATE BITCH (4,2)

1. Tonkory Springtime (Mrs J Gregory) 2Yrs old, caught my straight away, she stood out here. Lovely, well balanced, correct head, with a kind eye. Good arch of neck and layback of shoulder, allowing her to move so well, as her breed demands.

2. Calareto Norwegian Wood (Mr J & Mrs S T Preston) Rising 3yrs, pretty lady, with a lovely head and sweet expression. Overall very pleasing outline both standing and on the move.

LIMIT BITCH (8,4)

1. Jaybob Child’s Play JW (Mrs S Lee) 2Yrs, gorgeous girl. Beautiful outline, especially liked her topline and her excellent slope of croup to her well set on tail. She didn’t disappoint on the move - excellent sidegait, but I just thought she wasn’t enjoying the heat today.

2. Laceway Dream of Albion (Mr C S & Mrs S L Portman) 4Yrs old. Such a close decision here – lovely head and expression, reach of neck and topline. Good bone and so well muscled, she moved very smoothly, showing excellent side gait.

OPEN BITCH (7)

1. Sh Ch Laceway Bottom’s Up (Miss H Fawcett) 3Yrs old. Beautiful bitch. Attractive head, correct length of neck onto well placed shouders, good topline with graceful slope to low set on of tail. Her construction, well balanced body proportions and proper, smooth outline, allowed her to present a beautiful, balanced picture, with the breed’s requisite free, smooth, tireless, gait - not easy in the heat of the afternoon, but undeniably earned her the CC.

2. Thwaitlake Diamond Splash at Littlethorn (Mr R & Mrs A Tunnicliff) Rising 5Yrs, and back in the ring after maternal duties, she looked a picture. Her balanced angulation allows her to move so well, gaiting at the correct speed for her build, and holding that lovely outline. Again, not easy on a hot afternoon – she couldn’t be denied the RCC.

Val Tiller