Wellingborough & District Canine Society

Wellingborough & District Canine Society – 25/01/2026

Collie (Smooth)

Firstly, I would like to extend my thanks to the committee of Wellingborough & District Canine Society for giving me to opportunity to judge Smooth Collies for the first time. Thank you to my stewards for their smooth running of the ring and a huge thank you to the exhibitors for supporting my inaugural appointment and their sportsmanship at ringside.

All dogs across classes were very well presented and well handled with correct stops, excellent coats, and fantastic temperaments but some tails were very borderline with some erratic movement.

Class 122 – Puppy – Entries 1, Absentee’s 0.

1st Jerrett’s Coldelee Busy Bein Fabulous

10 month old sable and white developing bitch with lots to like. Developing head with the stamp of her mother but with an even kinder, darker, fuller almond eye. Lovely parallel planes and a smooth muzzle but needs to fill in foreface to complete the picture. Nice sweeping neckline into lovely angulation front and rear. A little on the square side today so obviously in a growing phase but still provides a pleasing outline ending in a well-set tail with lovely muscled rear for such a youngster. Although the only puppy today her smooth movement in profile made her very worthy of her BPIB and happy to see her awarded PG2 – breeding is about improving on the previous generation and I would like to congratulate you and wish you well for the future.

Class 123 – Junior – Entries 0, Absentee’s 0.

Class 124 – Post Graduate - Entries 2, Absentee’s 0.

1st Rodgers’ Blamorder High Brow with Jerdoni

4 year old Tricolour bitch of smaller size but in standard non-the-less. An honest bitch with a lovely refined head that has matured well and a lovely dark almond shape eye with just enough underjaw and excellent ears to complete the picture. Lovely rounded muzzle with smooth planes from all angles and a lovely sweep of neck into well laid back shoulders however I would like a slightly longer upper arm. Movement on the front started off fairly choppy but improved as she settled. Coat of super condition with a nice undercoat with solid black through to root. Borderline length of tail carried high on the move but quiet once still and won this class on overall outline, femininity, clean rear movement, and her lovely type.

2nd Ackford’s Coneypark Mattie Brown RL2.Ex

2 ½ year old shaded sable dog. Maturing boy with lovely temperament and overall substance and a lovely rich colour. Lovely smooth muzzle but a wider head and ear set than I would like but overall lovely outline on the stand. Well-muscled, active and alert to his handler and clearly can do a days work. Lovely front and rear angulation and excellent height to length and lovely sweeping croup. Presented in lean condition but unfortunately today was quite wide behind on the move.

Class 125 – Open - Entries 4, Absentee’s 0.

A tough class for a newbie with a number of dogs that could have swapped places – thanks for giving me a challenge.

1st Benton’s Ch Oakestelle Artemis ShCEx VW

8 ½ year old mismarked blue-merle bitch shown in tip-top condition. This is a bitch I have seen a lot, and have thought previously that she was starting to look her age however today she shone in this class. Classic, clean wedge head with a super dark almond eye, well-set and used ears and lovely flat skull. Good angulation front and rear that provides a lovely balance on the move although not quite the reach and drive of others. I really loved this bitch for size, body substance, excellent undercoat, and overall balance although I would like a little more substance in her head. Finally, she has an excellent length of tail and stands on quality feet which all together showed in her flawless movement today – pleased to award her BOB and proof that this breed ages like a fine wine.

2nd Rodgers’ Blamorder Mischief Maker with Jerdoni

3 year old rich golden sable and white male. Still coming together and clearly still has some maturing to do – 2nd best mover of the breed today once settled. Nice size and although completely different type to 1, again lots to like. Muzzle more chiselled and cheeks a little more flared than ideal, his eye is super dark but a little round which appeared to be caused by the excitement of the occasion. Lovely flat skull leading into a lovely muscular neck again with good angulation front and rear – Overall, I particularly liked his drive from behind, excellent underjaw, rise over the loin, and muscling leaving me with no questions on his ability to do a day's work; Pleased to award him RBOB.

3rd Howard, Howard, and Fort’s Shulune Imperial Inkheart with Casatentola

Another maturing male with lots to like, lost out to 2 as his head was stronger than I would like although I suspect this will balance out with time as he matures. He beat 4 on his excellent rear with lovely bend of stifle, excellent undercoat, and fabulous overall substance.

Reserve Jerrett’s Coldelee Eternal Sunshine JW

Mother of BPIB, Love this bitch for her temperament and overall condition but today she lost out on ear set and overall substance and although her movement was clean, she just seemed a bit flat today.