Collie Club Of Wales CH Show 2025 - Bitch Critiques
- Kelly Crawford
- Oct 31
- 8 min read
Judge: Louise Walker
Show Date: 16/08/2025
Sincere thanks to the Collie Club of Wales and their committee for inviting me to judge the 2025 Championship Show, on what was to be a glorious summers day.
As expected, the welcome was warm, like the weather and the set up was perfect - although it was held in conjunction with the main Welsh Kennel club show, it had its own separate feel and you could certainly tell it was a club breed show.
The main rough collie winners came from a mix of dogs and bitches, both male judge Josh Blackburn and I agreed on all but one of the awards, although even with this decision of Reserve Best of Breed, we were splitting hairs. It was a pleasure to be appointed alongside Josh again, after judging at a breed club show together previously in 2022.
A huge thank you to my stewards, Marina & Stephanie, for the smooth running day and keeping my water bottles topped up! And finally, a heartfelt thanks to the exhibitors who chose to enter the show and for receiving my judgements gracefully.
Minor Puppy (2,0)
1. Lockyer, Gataj Struck By Love. Immaculately presented, 8 month old sable & white bitch, who as expected from this kennel, showed herself to her potential, using ears consistently and duly attentive to her handler. She is of balanced proportions,good length of back to height ratio and good bone for growth. Her head handles well - blunt wedge, good under jaw, moulded fore face, well tipped ears, with dark almond eye, giving a sweet expression. She has adequate length of neck, correct top line, which was held on the move, tail of good length and correctly carried also. I Was happy to award her Best puppy.
2. Dix, Gataj First Crush at Treweek. Another sable & white puppy, bred by the same kennel as first, but 1 month younger and certainly more immature, but can see potential to blossom. She has still lots of filling out in her muzzle, which is to be expected, but her head is of good proportions, not overly done, sweet almond shaped eye, well placed ears. The basics are there for this raw puppy to mature into - with a good length of back, slight rise over loin, good front and back angulations and long tail. She was a little sloppy on the move, but time and some handling development will help pull it all together.
Puppy Bitch (3,1)
1. Hawkins, Brilyn’s Breckamore Crimson Embers. An 11 month old sable & white bitch, whose make, shape and confidence won this class for her. She is of good size, has a long neck, accentuated by a large white shawl, onto well angulated shoulders, rise over loin, nice bend of stifle and good length of tail. Her head is of good length, stop in correct place and muzzle filled well for age. I would prefer ears to be less heavy, to bring out the sweetness in her eye. Moved freely around the ring.
2. Waterhouse, Lynmead Loves The Design. A pretty 9 month old bitch, attending her first show, I am told. She is of good make, however she was a little tense today to be able assess her at potential. Balanced head, good moulding to foreface and strong underjaw, correctly placed stop, dark almond shaped eye, giving a sweet expression especially when teamed with alert ears, although was reluctant to use today. Angulation is good front & back and on the move, when she pulled it together has good reach and drive. Look forward to seeing her, once she settles into her show ring role.
Junior (2,0)
1. Wray-Ramsden, Takhisis Xtrodninary Lady BWJ24 Bel JCH. A 17 month jet black Tri colour bitch of good size. She appealed to me for her overall confidence and presence. Her head is balanced - rounded muzzle, good underjaw, correctly placed stop, flat skull, and ears used actively throughout her assessment. I would prefer a slightly sweeter eye, but her other qualities superseded this requirement on the day. She was presented immaculately and moved around the ring in a very self controlled manner, although I would prefer more reach on front extension to finish off the picture.
2. Edwards, Beldones Summer Dreams. I really liked this shaded sable & white 18 month old bitch. She has a good shape, but was reluctant to show it off today, being tense in the move. Overall, she is made up of good proportions, nothing over done. Clean head to handle, blunt wedge, adequate underjaw, correctly place stop and flat skull. She has a sweet almond shaped, obliquely set eye, which would be accentuated more if she used her ears more often. Groomed immaculately and presented as well as was possible, with a less confident dog.
Yearling (3, 1)
1. Hawkins & Foy, Beldones Classic Touch. Even though this bitch walked into the ring in between coats, as soon as I saw her I was impressed - elegance personified. What she lacked in coat, she made up in quality. There was nothing to hide. Her head is so feminine and sweet, easy to handle with no coarse lines - blunt wedge, parallel lines, with correctly placed stop, dark almond shaped and obliquely set eye completed with well tipped and constantly used ears. She is of good size, has long arched neck, slight rise over loin. Adequate front angulation and well bent stifle with muscular thighs, allowing her to move freely with drive around the ring. She is still young at 18 months of age, more maturing to come, but all the makings of a truly impressive bitch are there, I couldn’t deny her the Res CC.
2. Wray-Ramsden, Takahsis Xtrordinary Lady BWJ24 BEL JCH
Novice (3,0)
1. Hawkins & Foy, Beldones Smart Touch. Litter sister to first in yearling, much of what has been said about her sister can be written about this bitch also. Another of good size and proportions, the differences in these girls lie mainly with composure in the ring - Smart Touch a little erratic on the move, although has the construction to pull it together, she didn’t feel like it today. Standing, she is very attentive, showing off her qualities and is growing a well groomed and fresh coat. Her head handles well, clean lines, good length, correct stop and flat skull, dark and sweet, obliquely set eye.
2. Hawkins, Brilyn Breckamore Crimson Embers.
Graduate (1,0)
1. Llewellyn, Salsina Blushing Rose. A 15 month old, pretty sable & white bitch. Beautifully presented, brushed to the skin. She was a little uneasy in herself today, making it more difficult for her handler to show off all of her qualities. Overall, balanced female of good bone with correct height to length ratio. Feminine head, moulded muzzle, strong underjaw, stop in correct place and dark almond eye, giving desired expression, using her ears enough to show this off, to her advantage. Moved well.
Post Graduate
(1,0)
1. Waterhouse, Lynmead Waiting For Love. A 2.5 year shaded sable, with a freshly grown, well groomed coat. She has a solid stance, with good angulation front and rear, which she used to her advantage on the move, striding out with pace around the ring. A sweet female, soft rounded muzzle, with good underjaw, correctly placed stop and flat skull, dark eye, however I would prefer it a little smaller to complete the picture.
Mid Limit (5,1)
1. Newman, Phreelancer Pheel It Still. An extremely elegant, shaded sable of two years. Excellent proportions throughout, with nothing overdone - to me, as I read the standard she ticks off all the boxes. Upon handling her from nose to tail, my hands flowed across her, without any coarseness. Her head properties are smooth, clean blunt wedge, slight stop, flat skull. Her muzzle is well rounded for her age with adequate underjaw. Her expression from her dark, almond shaped oblique eye is sweet, then paired with her correctly tipped ears, gives a look of alert intelligence, from across the ring. Her outline is so feminine, yet fit for purpose with good muscle tone. Her movement around the ring was effortless, full stride and drive from rear, which is to be expected with the angulation in her front and hindquarters. She was an absolute vision, handled superbly and presented to the highest standards, I had no hesitation awarding her Bitch CC and thrilled my co judge agreed to her BOB and finally watch her win Best In Show, a real gem for the breed.
2. Walder, Hanvale Patsy Stone. A sable & white bitch, little over 2 years of age, with her complete attention focussed on her handler. Groomed perfectly, with the whitest of whites. Her head is of good properties, moulded muzzle and strong underjaw, correctly placed stop, sweet dark eye and constantly used ears, on top of her flat skull. Shape of good proportions - length to height ration, front and hind angulation, giving good bend of stifle. Moved freely, with energy around the ring, aided by good thigh muscle. A good honest bitch.
3. Hodge’s, Unusual Beauty Des Conquetes Don Juan at Jopium
Limit (4,4)
1. Harrison, Cambrogan Lady Of Lochaber. This bitch won the class for her clean outline, attentive disposition and composure on the move. On the stand, you can’t help but admire her shape, well arched neck, good top line with that slight rise, solid stance with correct front and rear angulation. Her head handles well, nothing overdone, her eye is sweet, although it is a little round in shape. She moved around the ring with ease and drive, at one with her handler, a confident girl who demands a second look.
2. Lockyer, Gataj All That Sparkles. I really liked this girl, but for some reason she just didn’t want to pull it together in the ring, which is unusual for this kennel. A 2.5 year old golden sable, in good coat. She is a very pretty and feminine bitch, sweet expression, clean head properties, rounded muzzle, correct stop and flat skull, would prefer slightly lighter ear carriage. Well arched neck, good top line, well sprung ribs. On the move she wasn’t as enthusiastic or out together as her structure would suggest, maybe an off day for her. Another groomed beautifully and handled as well as the dog would let her, on the day.
3. Maysinder Sapphire Reign
Open (6,0)
1. Scott, Chantique Deja Vu. Pretty 6 year old sable and white, who covered the ground like a bitch in her prime. Strong arched neck, onto well laid shoulders, rise over loin, onto well let down hocks. She has good muscle to work across her body, this along side sound construction assisted to move with drive. She has a sweet expression, dark almond shaped eyes, well rounded muzzle, good underjaw, used her ears constantly. Very attentive to handler, presented to the best ability.
2. Howard, GIB CH Serena’s Angel of Casatentola. A 3.5 year old enthusiastic, jet black tri colour bitch. I admired this girl for her clean lines and balance, no coarseness. Her head isn’t overdone, clean blunt wedge, slight stop in correct place with strong underjaw, dark almond eye and well used tipped ears. Strong, arched neck,sprung ribs, and rise over long. Good front and rear angulation, allowing her to stride out on the move, although a little more control on speed would help bring it all together with elegance too. Groomed beautifully.
3. Hawkins, Riverside Song Nebraska at Aaronwell (imp Rom)
Veteran (2,0)
1. Brookers, Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian JW. Spirited 12 year old shaded sable who defies her years. She still holds the sweetest of expressions in her dark almond eyes, ears couldn’t be held any higher, showing just how alert she remains, even 5 years into her veteran stint! Her presentation is first class, with her coat in great condition and groomed perfectly, framing her superbly toned body, which she flaunts moving around the ring freely with pace - I hope I look this good at her age! Happy to see her go Best Veteran in Breed.
2. Skinner, Samhaven Time Is Money. An 11 year old jet back tri colour bitch, enjoying her day out! She is of good shape, correct proportions with length to height ratio, an honest bitch. Her face has whitened somewhat, but this just adds to her character. Her head isn’t overdone, easy to handle with good properties, rounded muzzle, correctly placed stop, ears used consistently. Moved well. Presented perfectly, at one with her handler.
Judge - Ms L Walker (Starlenga)