Collie Association

The Collie Association – Sub-Group Open Show 05 July 2026

As this will be my last judging appointment for some time, due to personal family reasons, I would like to thank the committee for giving me this opportunity to judge the Rough Collies at show 1, it was such a pleasure and honour to be part of this show. I would also like to thank the stewards on the day, who helped keep the ring running smoothly and give out the small presents to my main winners. Last but by no means least, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the exhibitors who brought their dogs along for me to judge and who took my decisions with great sportsmanship. 

Collie (Rough) Veteran Dog (3/2)

1. Bartram’s AMBARTR KING OF THE RING 9.5-year-old sable and white male. This veteran boy has a very balanced and dignified outline and still has elegance. He has a fitted, rich sable and white coat with an abundant mane and ruff framing his head, and he is in excellent condition which belies his age. He has a clean, well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight stop, smooth cheeks and a well-filled muzzle. His dark almond-shaped eyes give a kind; gentle expression and his ears are well placed. He has a well-arched neck flowing into well-laid shoulders, a firm top line with the correct slight rise over the loin and a body of pleasing proportions. He has a deep chest with well-sprung ribs, and he stands on straight forelegs with good bone. His hindquarters were muscular with balanced angulation. His tail is of good length and carried correctly. He moved freely and efficiently and very much enjoyed his time in the ring. I was pleased to award him BVD and BVIB.

Collie (Rough) Minor Puppy Dog (2/0)

1. Blake’s CORYDON WORLD VISION 7-month-old sable and white male. This young boy has a sweet expression with a clean wedge-shaped head with a slight stop, dark almond obliquely set eyes. His head has lovely parallel lines, a tight mouth and good ear set. He has a good length of neck and slope of shoulder leading to his back which is slightly longer that height with a slight rise over loin. He is well angulated throughout and will have plenty of bone when fully grown. He had a nice harsh coat and was well turned out. On the move he went well, and I look forward to seeing this young man growing up.

2. Durrant & Radford-House’s FIVEJAYS SPARKLE CRAKLE 8-month-old tricolour boy. He is a lovely young man and plenty to like although he was unsettled and it took me little while to let me go over him. He has a well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight stop and a nicely rounded muzzle. His dark almond-shaped eyes give a sweet expression; his ears are well placed and carried well. He has a good length of neck going into well-laid shoulders, with a firm top line and slight rise over the loins. His body is of good proportions and with age he will fill out with a deepening the chest. He has straight forelegs with sufficient bone. He is well angulated with good width through the thigh, to develop into a sound adult. He has a harsh, dense coat and was presented in good condition. He was unsettled on the move, but when he did settle, moved well.

Collie (Rough) Puppy Dog (2/0)

1. Blake’s CORYDON THE VISIONARY 7-month-old sable and white male who immediately caught my eye for his balance and overall quality in such a young man. He has a lovely outline with no part out of proportion and is elegant. He has a clean, well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight stop which is well balanced. He has smooth cheeks and a rounded muzzle. He has dark almond-shaped eyes are set obliquely creating a sweet expression, while his well-placed ears which were 1/3 tipped were used well. He has a good length of neck flowing into well-laid shoulders, a good top line with a slight rise over the loins and a body of pleasing proportions. His chest is developing well for his age with good spring of rib, and he stands on straight forelegs with sufficient bone. His hindquarters are well angulated, and, on the move, he covered the ground with an easy, light action and positive drive from behind. His rich sable coat was of good texture and fitting his outline well. I was pleased to award him BPD.

2. Cooper’s AMBARTR HEARTS OF STEEL FROM KELEKONA 10-month-old sable and white male. This was a very hard class to judge as these 2 young boys are such lovely quality. He has a clean, well-blunted wedge-shaped head with smooth cheeks, a slight but perceptible stop. He has dark almond-shaped eyes which are obliquely set and gives a sweet, intelligent expression, complemented by correctly placed ears which complete the overall picture. He has a well-arched neck, well-laid shoulders, a firm back with slight rise over the loins and a body slightly longer than height. His chest is developing well for his age with good spring of rib, and he stands on straight forelegs. His hindquarters are well muscled with balanced angulation and well-bent hocks. He has a fitted dense jacket and an abundant developing mane and ruff and was presented beautifully. On the move he covered the ground well with plenty of drive from behind. Pushed hard by the class winner and I look forward to seeing this young man as he matures.

Collie (Rough) Junior Dog (1/0) 

1. Williams’s MEJOLA ENDEVOUR 15-month-old sable and white male who presents a lovely outline without any trace of coarseness. He has a pleasing, well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight stop which is beautifully balanced. His dark, obliquely set almond-shaped eyes give him a sweet expression, with nicely placed ears which he used well throughout. He has a good length of well-arched neck and well-laid shoulders. His chest is developing well with good spring of rib, and he stands on straight forelegs with sufficient bone. He is well angulated throughout. He has a fitted coat that covered his outline well which was well presented. He moved well with drive from the hind and maintained his firm topline. He should have a very promising future as he continues to mature.

Collie (Rough) Graduate Dog (1/0)

1. Flowers’s SERENLAS THE JOKER MAN 17-month-old sable and white male who caught my eye for his overall picture of elegance and proportions. He has a very pleasing head with its clean wedge shape, clean cheeks with slight but perceptible stop complete with dark, obliquely set almond-shaped eyes that gave a sweet, intelligent expression, which was complemented with well-placed/tipped ears which he used to advantage throughout. He is muscular, with an elegant arched neck which flowed down into well-laid shoulders and straight forelegs. He had a firm top line with the correct slight rise over the loins. His chest was deep with a good spring of rib. His hindquarters were well muscled with balanced angulation and well bent hocks. He was presented in excellent coat, the rich golden sable jacket being of good texture with an abundant mane and fitted the outline of his body. On the move he was light, effortless and true, covering the ground with a good length of stride and positive drive from the rear while maintaining his balanced outline. This boy has reach! 

Collie (Rough) Limit Dog (4/0)

1. Hanson’s JARDS RING PRESENCE 5 years 9 months old, shaded sable dog immediately appealed to me for his pleasing outline and masculinity. He is a very impressive male who for me combined elegance with strength and no part out of proportion. He has a beautifully coloured shaded sable coat, was of harsh texture and fitted his outline and he has a profuse mane and ruff which frames his head and neck. He has a well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight perceptible stop and a nicely rounded foreface. His dark, almond-shaped, obliquely set eyes gave a sweet expression, and his correctly placed ears completed the overall look of dignity. He has a well-arched neck, a firm topline with the correct slight rise over the loins and a good depth of chest and well-sprung ribs. He has straight forelegs with good bone and has well-angulated hindquarters with strong and powerful appearance. On the move he really came into his own, covering the ground with an effortless, flowing stride and plenty of drive from the rear while maintaining a firm top line throughout. His sound, positive movement and overall quality made him a winner of the class, and I was pleased to award him RBD and RBOB.

2. Holmes, Holmes & Lusty’s BLAMORDER GOLD PLATED 4 years and 4 months old, shaded sable male. He has a richly coloured jacket which fitted his outline. He has a well-balanced wedge-shaped head and a well-rounded muzzle. His dark, almond-shaped eyes give him a particularly sweet expression, which I found to be one of his strongest attributes, with well-placed ears. He has a good length neck leading into well-laid shoulders, a firm top line with the correct slight rise over the loins with a good depth of chest and spring of rib. His hindquarters are well muscled with balanced angulation, and on the move, he covered the ground freely with good reach and positive drive from behind. I would have preferred a slightly lower tail carriage at times, which cost him the class today, although it did not detract from his many virtues. Unfortunately, he was carrying a sore on one foreleg on the day, which had been discreetly covered, but this did not appear to affect his movement. 

3. Skinner’s LADNAR MAKEITHAPPEN FOR NIKAL.

Collie (Rough) Open Dog (4/2)

1. William’s CH MEJOLA TOP GUN JW 3-year-old sable and white who immediately caught my eye for his outstanding breed type, balance and ring presence. He presents a picture of great beauty, standing with dignity and elegance while retaining the strength and working capability. He was presented in great condition with a harsh and abundant mane which enhanced his excellent construction. He has a wonderful, clean, well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight but perceptible stop, smooth cheeks and a well-rounded muzzle. His dark, obliquely set almond-shaped eyes are full of intelligence and combined with his well-placed ears to give the sweetest expression. He has a muscular, well-arched neck well-laid shoulders, a firm top line with the correct slight rise over the loins and a body of nice proportions with a deep, well-sprung chest. His forelegs are straight with good bone, while his well-angulated hindquarters provide both strength and balance. On the move he simply excelled, covering the ground with a long, light, effortless stride and powerful drive from the rear while maintaining his outline throughout. I had no hesitation in awarding him BD and, ultimately, BOB.

2. Phillips’s ESSENJAY AGAINST ALL ODDS 6 years 10 months old tricolour male who had an attractive outline with much to admire. He is masculine without any hint of coarseness. He has a harsh dense coat which was presented in excellent condition. He has wedge-shaped head, a slight but perceptible stop with dark, obliquely set almond-shaped eyes that gives a sweet expression. He had well tipped and placed ears that completed the look. He has a long muscular neck and well-laid shoulders, a good top line with a slight rise over the loins with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs. He has good bone and straight legs and well angulated throughout. He moved well and covered the ground with good reach in front and drive from behind. A quality dog who was presented beautifully and one I admired very much, but on the day I just preferred the overall finish, expression and presence of my class winner.

Collie (Rough) Veteran Bitch (4/1)

1. Lyall’s SANATLOLY’S SKY AMIDALAS VW ShCEx 11-year-old sable and white lady who has a rich sable coat presented in excellent condition that fitted her outline beautifully, with an attractive head. She has a well-blunted, wedge-shaped head with a slight stop and dark, almond-shaped eyes and nice ear set which gave a gentle expression. She has nice flowing lines from her good reach of neck dow to well-laid shoulders, a good with a deep chest and well-sprung ribs. She has straight forelegs with sufficient bone and has balanced hindquarters with well-bent stifles and nicely angulated throughout. On the move she was an absolute delight, covering the ground with an effortless, free-flowing stride and excellent drive from behind, her soundness and enthusiasm completely belying her age. I was pleased to make her my BVB, and she is a real credit to her devoted owner, who has maintained her in such outstanding condition.

2. Margetts LYNMEAD LEMONADE FOR COLLINGVALE JW 7 years 8 months old blue merle female who was very feminine. She has a silvery clear blue coat with black marbling and was presented beautifully. She had a wedge-shaped head with a little more stop than I prefer. She had well-set almond-shaped eyes and well-placed ears. She had a good top line and was well angulated throughout. She had well sprung ribs and on the move, she moved well but was very unfortunate to come up against my class winner on the day.

3. Regan’s PHREELANCER PHIRST SONG

Collie (Rough) Minor Puppy Bitch (3/0)

1. Mellish’s CORYDON FAITHFUL VISION FOR DEMELEWIS 7-month-old sable and white female who is very cheeky, full of fun and feminine. She has a pleasing outline for such a young lady. She has wonderful, shaped head with dark obliquely set eyes and gave her a sweet, gentle expression, while her well placed ears complete the overall impression of sweetness. She has a good length neck, well-laid shoulders, a slight rise over the loins. Her chest is developing well for her age, with good spring of rib, and she stands on straight forelegs with developing bone. She is well angulated throughout. Her coat is developing nicely. On the move she strode out with reach in the front whilst maintaining her balance. A very promising young lady who I look forward to seeing grow up into a lovely lady. I was pleased to award her BPB and BPIB.

2. Blake’s CORYDON PERFECT VISION 7-month-old sable and white girl who I later learned was the sister to my class winner. She has a clean, well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight but perceptible stop and her ears are well set. Her head was heavier than my first place. She has dark, almond shaped. She has a good length of neck and well-laid shoulders. She has a good spring of rib and is well angulated throughout. Her coat is developing well and presented in excellent condition. She moved well but she has plenty of time to develop and in my opinion is a very promising young lady with much to admire. She was just edged out today by my class winner, who had the advantage in overall maturity, but I am sure this youngster has a bright future ahead of her.

3. Durrant & Radford-House’s FIVEJAYS SPARKLE SAPPHIRE

Collie (Rough) Puppy Bitch (4/0)

1. Cooper’s KELEKONA PEARLS OF HOPE 10-month-old sable and white female. She immediately caught my eye for her balance, femininity and overall quality. She has no part out of proportion and has a clean, well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight but perceptible stop and smooth cheeks. She has well set and 1/3 tipped ears and dark, obliquely set eyes. She has a good length of neck with nice flow over her topline. Her has a good spring of rib. She has well angulated shoulder leading down to straight forelegs. She has well angulated hindquarters and this allowed her to move effortlessly around the ring. Her coat id a lovely sable colour and is coming on very nicely. For me she is a quality youngster with a lovely feminine expression and excellent breed type, and I had no hesitation in awarding her first place in a very competitive class.

2. Bartram’s AMBARTR’S SCARLET SKY’S 10-month-old sable and white female. This girl was a close call to the winner in quality. I later found out that these two ladies were litter mates. She has a pleasing wedge-shaped head with dark, obliquely set almond-shaped eyes which in combination with her well set ears gave a sweet expression. She has a well-arched neck, a good developing topline with a slight rise over the loins and a body of good length with developing depth of chest for her age. Her forelegs are straight with sufficient bone, and she is well angulated throughout. Her coat fits the outline and was presented in good condition. On the move she showed herself well after being a little unsettled and covered the ground freely. A promising young lady with much to admire, but on the day, I just preferred the overall maturity and finish of my class winner. 

3. Flowers’s SERENLAS SHE’S ON TREND

Collie (Rough) Junior Bitch (4/1) 

1. Williams’s MEJOLA SOME GIRLS DO 15-month-old sable and white female who is litter mate to the junior male winner. She has a very clean wedge-shaped head, a slight but perceptible stop, dark, obliquely set almond-shaped eyes that give a sweet, intelligent expression, while her correctly placed ears complete her feminine appearance. She has a nice length of neck, well-laid shoulders, good topline with the slight rise over the loins and a body slightly longer than height, with good depth of chest and well-sprung ribs for her age. Her forequarters are straight with sufficient round bone, while her hindquarters have good angulation. She was presented in excellent condition and moved well whilst maintaining her outline. She is a quality young female with a particularly pleasing expression and excellent breed type in my opinion and should have a very bright future as she continues to mature.

2. Hanson’s JARDS CUDMIRRAH SPECIAL 15-month-old tricolour female of pleasing type who presented a balanced and feminine outline. She is an elegant young lady with no trace of coarseness. She has a pleasing well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight stop, with dark, almond-shaped eyes which were obliquely set which combined with well-set ears to give her a sweet, attentive expression. She has a good length of neck flowing into well-laid shoulders. She has straight forelegs with sufficient bone, while her hindquarters are well muscled with balanced angulation. Her rich jet-black coat was presented in excellent condition. She moved well. A quality young lady with a lovely expression and much promise for the future. 

3. Shipp’s TREMARO FANTASY

Collie (Rough) Novice Bitch (2/0)

1. Bartram’s AMBARTR’S DIGNITY AND PRIDE JW 2 years 2-month-old sable and white female. This lady caught my eye for her excellent breed type, balance and overall quality. She presented to me, a picture of elegance combined with strength, standing with no part out of proportion and giving the impression of true working capability. She has a lovely, fitted coat which fitted her outline beautifully and she was presented in excellent condition. She has a lovely clean, well-blunted wedge-shaped head with a slight but perceptible stop, smooth cheeks and a well-rounded foreface. Her dark, almond-shaped eyes are correctly set and give the sweetest expression, while her well-placed ears complete her lovely headpiece. She has a muscular, well-arched neck flowing into well-laid shoulders, a firm topline with the correct slight rise over the loins and a body of excellent proportions with good depth of chest and well-sprung ribs. Her forequarters are straight with sufficient bone, and her well-angulated hindquarters, with strong, well-let-down pasterns and well bent hocks, completed a balanced picture. On the move she was light, effortless and true, covering the ground with good reach in front and positive drive from behind while maintaining her outline throughout. She combined quality, sound construction and true breed type, which on the day, I considered her the outstanding female, and I had no hesitation in awarding her BB.

2. As Minor Puppy Bitch.

Collie (Rough) Graduate Bitch (4/1)

1. Williams’s MEJOLA EDGE OF GLORY 16-month-old sable and white lady. She has a pleasing outline with no part out of proportion. She has a lovely wedge-shaped head with a slight stop, well set/tipped ears and dark, obliquely set almond-shaped eyes giving a sweet, intelligent expression. She has a long neck which flowed nicely over her top line and over the loins which had a slight rise. She has a good deep chest and well-sprung ribs. She is well angulated throughout. She was presented well with a lovely harsh coat. On the move she covered the ground with ease whilst maintaining her top line. 

2. Margetts’s LYNMEAD DESIGNER TIPPLE FOR COLLINGVALE 20-month-old sable and white female who had a clean, wedge-shaped head, with good scissor bite. She had a little more stop than my personal preference, but she had a sweet expression with her dark obliquely set almond eyes and good ear set. She is well angulated throughout and went well on the move. A lovely lady with a particularly sweet expression who was presented beautifully. She was unfortunate to meet my class winner on the day.

3. Durrant & Radford-House’s DIDEK MOON RIVER THROUGH FIVEJAYS

Collie (Rough) Post Graduate Bitch (2/1)

1. Shipp’s TREMARO MILLION DOLLAR BABY 2 years 3-month-old sable and white female who was full of cuddles. She has a wedge-shaped head with dark, almond-shaped eyes give a sweet expression with well set ears and scissor bite. She has a good depth of chest and well-sprung ribs. Her shoulders are a touch more upright than my preference, but she has straight forelegs with sufficient round bone and well arched feet, she has well bent stifle and hocks. She has an abundant coat which was well presented. She moved well around the ring with drive and purpose.

Collie (Rough) Limit Bitch (3/1)

1. Durrant & Radford-House’s KISS ME KATE DI CAMBIANOAT FIVEJAYS (IMP ITA) 3.5-year-old sable and white female. Going through my notes the first words are classic and elegant. This lady to me presented an attractive outline with nice proportions and a feminine appearance. Her head is clean and well refined, carried on a well-arched neck, with a flat skull, slight but perceptible stop and smooth cheeks. She has dark, almond-shaped eyes which are obliquely set, giving a soft, intelligent expression. Good length of neck flows into well-laid shoulders, a firm back and nice slight rise over the loins. She has a well-developed chest with good ribbing, straight forelegs with sufficient bone and strong pasterns, while her hindquarters are well angulated with good bend at the stifle and hocks. She was well presented with a harsh coat. She was little unsettled on the move but once settled, moved well with good reach. 

2. Hawkins & Foy’s BELDONES FANTASY 1 year and 9-month-old sable and white female. A very feminine head with a nice wedge shape which was well proportioned complimented with dark almond-shaped eyes and well-set ears. She has nice flowing lines from down her neck, over her back and over the loins. She has well-laid shoulders, a good top line and well-rounded quarters. Good spring of ribs and a good depth of chest. Her forelegs are straight with plenty of bone and her hindquarters are well angulated. She has a harsh textured coat in good condition, which was a little full for my taste but presented well. She moved soundly with good reach and drive. 

Collie (Rough) Open Bitch (3/0)

1. Coopers CORYDON AGATHA CRISTAL WITH KELEKONA 4 years and 4 months old tricolour female of excellent breed type and quality who also caught my eye with her lovely outline, feminine head and superb ring presence. She has a clean wedge-shaped head, with a flat skull, clean cheeks and well-rounded muzzle. Her dark obliquely set almond eyes, gave a sweet, intelligent expression. Well-carried ears which were a1/3 tipped completed the picture and she used those ears to her advantage. She has a good length of neck which is muscular and flowed beautifully into well-laid shoulders. She has a firm, level top line with a slight rise over the loin. Her body was slightly longer than height. She has plenty of bone and her shoulders are well laid-back leading down to straight forelegs, while her correctly angulated hindquarters provide both strength and balance. I state in my notes ‘what movement’ and on the move she was a joy to watch, displaying tremendous reach and powerful driving action from the rear while maintaining a firm top line and true, parallel movement coming and going. Her effortless, ground-covering gait set her apart and was a real highlight of the class. A beautifully presented lady who fully deserved her class win and I was pleased to give her RBB. This was a close call between her and the winner of Novice.

2. Howard’s GIB CH SERENLAS ANGEL OF CASATENTOLA 4 years and 4 months old tricolour female who made this the hardest class of the day and pushed the class winner every step of the way. She was beautifully presented in her rich dark, harsh fitted coat with elegant petticoats. Her head is a wonderful well-blunted wedge with a flat skull, well-filled muzzle, good scissor bite, dark almond-shaped eyes and correctly placed ears, which all combined to give the sweetest of expressions. She has a lovely length of neck flowing into well-laid shoulders, a firm top line and correctly angulated throughout, with good a depth of chest and well-sprung ribs. Her movement on the day was outstanding, she covered the ground with effortless reach and powerful drive while maintaining a nice topline and true action both coming and going. I admired her greatly for her construction and movement, and one I could happily have rewarded on another day. She has so much to like and was only denied the class by the narrowest of margins in what was undoubtedly one of the strongest classes of the day.

3. Flowers’s SERENLAS PUMPKIN SPICE JW

Rachel Tilley (DeTillio)