Scottish Collie Club Championship Show

Sunday 22nd. May 2022

I'm obliged to the Club for inviting me to judge Best in Show. May I commend the hard working committee on their hospitality to all attending together with their preparations to make this a happy and welcoming show. This was a new venue, ever hard to find these days, and was an excellent choice with abundant room and a well laid out and carpeted  ring set up, which was well appreciated by all.

The total number of entries was good in modern times and the standard of the dogs was of a high calibre, with commensurate grooming.

My BOB came from limit bitch-Iley's  Arklethill Delilah at Ileyda J.W. 3 yrs. old, a shaded sable, nicely proportioned, with a melting expression, well chiseled head, and correct eye placement and good length to tail. She was ever attentive to her handler and strode out with purpose and drive. She certainly has a sound future ahead of her. Only a smidgeon, in my opinion, separated the dog and the bitch. Both lovely collies!

Reserve BOB came from Open Dog-Lockear's  Think of Me Prince of Sunlight at Gataj (Imp. Hungary) -4yrs.old, nice upstanding sable dog, nicely proportioned and with a correct level top line, gently rising to the rear. Good eye placement and well molded foreface leading to a good expression-moved out with drive.

 Best Puppy - Brodie's Shannaburn  Country Road-9 month sable dog, again a promising newcomer to the stage-well proportioned-good head planes and well set eye all contributing to a  pleasing expression. Stood four square and responded to his handler ,but not in the slightest overawed by the occasion-another promising dog for the future.

Best Veteran- Cooney's Ch. Jopium Stole My Heart- 9 yrs.old sable dog, I recognised him straight away as my CC winner, his first, when I judged the Ayrshire collie some years ago- stood alone but as always an impressive dog who simply commands attention and still good enough to have been awarded the R.C C. today-Nice to remake his acquaintance.

 David Thomson (Lomondvale).

Best in Show Judge