Smooth Collie Club 2006

Judge : Ruth Gibson (Pelghart)

I was honoured to be asked to judge the Smooth Collies at the Open Show of the Smooth Collie Club of Great Britan, and thank the officers and committee for giving me this opportunity. Congratulations to the Rough Collies and their owners who took the top honours in show. MPD. (3). 1. Winter and Unwin’s, Sturtmoor Alexavier Odessy at Showtrekka. 7 months old tri colour with good head and expression. Well filled muzzle and reasonable stop for his age. Good bone and nice tight feet. Angulation good but still very loose all through. Moved well once he got settled. 2. Wallis’s, Norfield White Knight. Sable of similar age to winner, but a size bigger. Head balanced, but stop still needs to develop properly. Ears all over the place on the day. Lovely tight coat of good colour. Promising angulation especially behind. Moved ok. Still very raw, has a lot of development to come. 3. Sewell’s, Foxearth Flintoff for Lewarne. PD. (1). 1. MacGregor’s, Rowvale River Gambler. 8 months old tri colour with correct balanced head. Nice eye and expression. Carrying a lot of condition on the day which tended to make him appear rather shorter in body than he actually is. Good angulation behind, giving driving movement. Hated the mats but moved very well once on the bare floor. BP. JD. (1). 1. Hayward’s, Foxearth Londer Lladro. Sable with beautiful head and wonderful expression. Correctly filled muzzle and flat back skull in lovely parallel lines. Good ears. Correct amount of bone and good angulation. Good length of body and rib. Movement straight but rather loose and lacking drive. Glorious coat colour. RBD. PGD. (2). 1. Fulwood’s, Darsign Minstrel Blue. Blue dog of stunning colour. Glorious shade splashed with black as required by the standard. Good head and sweet expression. Nice construction but not really enough of him and overall lacking masculinity. Not really co-operating with his handler on the move on the day. LD. (3). 1. Wallis’s, Norfield Soul Mate. Upstanding sable of good colour and with tight coat. Correctly balanced, parallel head planes, sweet eyes and good ear carriage giving lovely expression. Good angulation front and rear giving a good strong frame to this dog. Very masculine. Movement a little disapointing. VD. (5). Two litter mates of 9 and a half years were forward in this class. 1. Howe’s, Ch. Rowvale Rainbow Warrior. Smart blue merle who stood and showed like a youngster. Nicely balanced head with lovely expressive eye, leading to a well arched neck and then to a strong topline, which he held on the move beautifully. Good bone and super tight feet. Good angulation, excellent masculature and well let down at hocks. Good length of body. Coat of good colour and excellent harsh texture. Floated happily round the ring with drive as though he could carry on forever. BD and BVIS. 2. Saunt’s, Rowvale Moon Rocket of Boothwood. Tri colour of similar calibre to winner. Slightly rounder in eye and shorter in body than Warrior, but otherwise a very nice chap, really enjoying his outline. PB. (2). 1. Robinson’s, Dawcher Dream Searcher. 9 months tri colour with nice head and expression, although ears rather too much on side of head. Plenty of bone. Good length of body, but short in rib. Good rear angulation. Moved ok. Coat rather loose. JB. (1). 1. Hills’, Davern Fate a Compli. Sweet Tri colour bitch of 14 months. Correct head planes, good ears and lovely eye giving super expression. Soundly constructed all through giving good movement, although lacking drive behind. Lots to like about this bitch who, I’m sure has a very promising future when mature. PGB. (4). 1. Sewell’s, Foxearth Farris via Lewarne. Tri colour bitch who is in her prime. Reluctant showgirl, but did enough. Nice balanced head with good eye and flat back skull. Particularly well constructed forehand, shown excellent forechest and front angulation. Good length of rib and good rear angles. Moved well. RBB and RBOB. 2. Moores’, Manordeifi Party Doll. Tri colour bitch who was another one unhappy in this environment. Sweet expression when she lifted her ears. Head and eye of good type. Good length all through. Although would like a stronger topline. Good angulation front and rear. Moved well. 3. French’s, Chicnoir Oliver’s, Dance at Frendet. LB. (3). 1. MacGregor’s, Foxearth Flaunt It for Rowvale. Pretty blue bitch with very correct head and gorgeous expression. Good construction throughout. but rather too compact. Nice tight coat of good colour and texture. Moved and showed well. 2. Robinson’s, Hilltarn Valentine. Tri colour with nice head and ears, although eye a little too round to give correct expression. Good length and rear angulation. Moved ok. Not in her best coat on the day. OB. (5). 1. Hayward’s, Foxearth Fanfare To Oh La La. This elegant sable bitch had it all. Beautiful head and expression with flat backskull and tapering muzzle. Lovely almond eye. Well arched neck flowing into well angulated shoulders. Plenty of forechest and good length of body and rib. Good hind angulation, but would have liked more muscletone. Moved straight. BB and BOB. 2. Hills’, Devern Blue Silhouette. Blue bitch of good colour. Nicely tapered head but top of skull and muzzle not quite parallel. Eye of good shape, if a little on the small side. Well constructed throughout. Moved ok. VB. (5). 1. Sewell’s, Foxearth Farah. Tri colour bitch of 11 years who could not be denied this class for her pure quality. Lovely correct Collie head and expression. Good angulation front and rear, together with good length of body and rib. Excellent topline which she held on the move. Showed some of the youngsters how its done. 2. French’s, Frendet Fantasia. Very pretty tri colour bitch of 9 years. Good head and expression. Nicely angulated front and rear. In good coat and condition. Moved and showed well. 3. Moores’, Manoredifi Silver Serenade.

Ruth Gibson