British Collie December 2011

Judge Dave Weller

Veteran
1st Ch Hilltarn Valentine  (BVIS)

Puppy Dog
1st Willowhurst Vivaldi

Post Grad Dog
1st Dawcher Dawns Sunrise

Open Dog
1st Manordeifi Shadow Chaser (BD, BOB, RBIS)

2nd Ch Foxearth Frappuccino

Puppy Bitch
1st Southcombe Summer Special at Dawcher (BB, BPIB, BPIS)

2nd Manordeifi Silver Dazzler

Open Bitch
1st Lilymead Amazing Grace

2nd Lilymead Appanchi

Not a large entry but some quality Smooths on view. My co judge and I agreed on all major decisions. Vet 1 Ch Hilltarn Valentine. JW. 8 and a half year old tri bitch. Good clean wedged head, nice stop and correctly placed, dark almond eye, flat skull, nice ears and carriage. Good length of neck and front construction, firm level topline and raise over loins. Nicely boned and neat feet. Moved very well front and rear. Best VIS. PD 1 Willowhurst Vivaldi. 7 month old blue dog, a little unsettled on the day, not sure on being gone over. Nice head pattern with a good eye, ears are light which spoils expression. Fair neck and shoulder, nice width in front. Firm topline, movement erratic at times and needs time to get his act together. PGD 1 Dawcher Dawn's Sunrise. S/W dog, up to size. Has a good arched neck enhanced by huge white collar, head handles well, flat skull, good stop and rounded foreface. Dark eye, although a little forward facing. Moved well, although often tracked wide at rear. OD Close decision between 1 and 2. 1 Manordeifi Shadow Chaser. Young tri with a lovely eye and expression, good clean wedge and level, equal planes. Good stop, neat correct ears. A lovely arched neck into good front construction, good depth and width of chest, firm and level topline. Nice turn of stifle and upright hocks. Moved very positively front and rear. BOB, Res BIS - interesting to find the last time I judged Smooths for British Collie I gave this young man's mother the BOB. 2 Ch Foxearth Frappuccino. Another young tri of quality. Nice head and eye and a flat skull, moulded foreface. Good neck and shoulder, nice front, firm topline and good bend of stifle. Moved and showed well, just preferred eye and upperarm of the winner. PB (5) Although a nice class, ears were very light in some, spoiling their chances. 1 Southcombe Summer Special at Dawcher. Not yet 7 months but showed and moved like a 3 year old. Loved this puppy's shape and size, lovely reach of neck, super front construction and and firm topline rising over loins. Good turn of stifle and straight, upright hocks. Head is clean with a nice wedge and good shin, pleasing eye and expression, correct ear carriage which she used non stop. She needs to develop in stop, but I am sure this will come with maturity. She has a wonderful, short, coarse and correct length of close fitting coat. Her movement was a joy for one so young, covered the ground with ease. No hesitation in awarding her Best Bitch and Best Puppy, and my co-judge was in complete agreement to award her BPPIS. 2 Manordeifi Silver Dazzler. Nice type b/m. Dark expressive eye, clean stop and good ears. Nice front construction and a good arched neck and firm topline. Good rear quarters, typical puppy rear movement! OB 1 Lilymead Amazing Grace. B/M and 2 Lilymead Appanchi, tri. Litter sisters of 6 years and the same remarks apply. The winner was better off for bone and slightly longer in back, which made for better rear movement. Also had a nice balanced head with almond eye and good stop, flat skull and nice ear carriage. Ample neck and front, 2 was a little barrel chested, firm topline and she moved ok.
Dave Weller