Darlington CH Show Results & Critiques 2025
- Megan Gatt
- Sep 13, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Nov 28, 2025
Rough Collie Judge: Mrs T L Jackson
Critiques below:
Unfortunately, several dogs had only been groomed on the surface, with knots obvious when putting hands through the coat to check construction. That said there were some superbly presented dogs, and full credit to those who present multiple dogs at a show in such super condition. I also think it is sad that many mature dogs did not have good teeth, with teeth dropping into jaws, and teeth of poor overall condition, these were not elderly dogs and given the regularity there must be a genetic predisposition, is there some complacency around dentition in the breed.
VD (3) 1.MCCANN’s Ch Oakland Blue Style Du Clos De Seawind At Zolkha, good size male, well coated and well presented. Nothing overdone. Attractive wedge head, flat skull, well placed eye, good mouth and clean teeth. Moderate, clean boned legs to tight oval feet. Clean mover in all directions. 2. BOYLE’s Barrenclough Heart Of Gold JW ShCEx OSW, more compact in outline, well coated, correct bone and feet. Would prefer little more front angulation and neck. Lovely wedge head, good expression, medium eye set obliquely and good ears. Move a little close behind.3. WATT’s Culbrae Red Again. MPD (2,1) 1. JOHNSTON’s Paulara Ocean Raine At Geosamka, attractive blue merle. Beautifully presented, correct bone and feet. A little compact in outline at the moment but is very much a baby. Good angles front & rear. Super wedge shaped head, well placed ears and eyes and correct parallel planes give a super expression. So much to like about him and one to watch, just a little erratic on move which is expected in a pup. PD (2, 1) 1. LOCKYER’s Gataj Strike It Lucky, stood alone, but oozes quality, excellent presentation, well balanced in outline and with good angulation, being picky would like a little more neck. Firm topline and rise over loin. Head is correct wedge with good planes and flat skull. Well placed eye of good size and neat ears used well. Very well schooled and attentive to handler. Moved lovely in profile with good stride length. BP. JD (3,1) 1. BLAKE’s Corydon The Baronet, lovely rich tricolour, of good size and bone. Balanced in outline with good length to back and firm topline. Head is less mature than rest of him at moment and felt he lacked stop. Lovely ears, but would prefer little larger eye. Good chest and breadth of rib, correct angles, clean on the move in all directions which gave him the class. 2. LOCKYER’s Gataj Time Will Tell, well coated dog, lovely outline and bone to tight oval feet. Moderate angulation and neck. Good back with rise of loin, good croup. Head is masculine with well placed oblique eye and good ears. Needs to broaden in chest. Moved ok in profile, but little narrow through at present. PGD (5) 1. MITCHELL & JORDAN’s Avonfair Aloysius JW, very glamorous dog, super presentation, though need to be careful that his huge mane doesn’t make him look stuffy. Well boned clean legs to tight feet. Would prefer slightly stronger pasterns. One with a good length to tail, reaching hock. Attractive wedge head, with good blunt rounded muzzle from well developed underjaw. Well placed eye and ear. Pleasing on the move in all directions, with good drive. 2. TIPPER’s Tiganlea Turned To Black, attractive and balanced in outline, enough coat without being over done. Good chest and bone. Head was a little strong and deep but has flat skull and well placed ears. Moderate angles and clean mover. 3. Corydon The Baronet. LD (7,2) 1. BLAIKIE’s Kourika The ' Gigolo ' Attractive in outline and carrying strong somewhat unruly double coat. Well boned straight legs to tight feet, which are rather round. Very attractive head good wedge with rounded muzzle, parallel planes and correct expression. Good angles, would prefer little more neck. Moved well with good drive. 2. WRAY-RAMSDEN’s Takhisis Daggers At Dawn JW, elegant dog attractive in outline with good length to body. Enough bone to oval tight feet. Well angulated front & rear, enough neck. Well-proportioned length of muzzle and skull and good planes and stop. Would prefer little more underjaw. Well set eye of good shape and colour. Moved well in all directions. 3. WILLIAMS’ Phreelancer Phederal Agent At Mejola. OD (12,2) 1. FOY & HAWKINS’s Ch Beldones Ivory Star, what a cracking dog, oozes quality, one of the few to have a lovely arched neck. Stands naturally presenting correct proportions in outline, well presented. Well boned legs to good oval feet and strong pasterns. Attractive wedge head, good planes and flat skull, rounded muzzle and good underjaw. Mature in body with good chest and width of rib. Firm back and correct rise over loin, strong rump. Lovely on the move in all directions, with good length of stride and effortless reach in profile. DCC & BOB. 2. LOCKYER’s Ch Gataj Turn Back Time JW, another very impressive dog, of good size, shown in good coat, which is beautifully presented. Firm topline, good croup and tail set. Well boned legs and good feet and pasterns. Very good angulation but not quite the reach of neck of winner. Clean wedge head, with well placed eye, being picky he isn’t as masculine as some – but has delightful expression. Another who moved very well, cleanly in all directions, RCC. 3.FLOWER’s Androma Dreamcatcher At Serenlas (imp Svn)
VB (3,1) 1. BENTON’s Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell Of Oakestelle VW ShCEx, lovely outline, not exaggerated in any way. Shown in good coat and excellent presentation. Stands 4 square showing good confirmation. Well developed chest, firm back. Attractive wedge head of good balance and dark oblique eye. Good dentition and clean teeth. Excels on the move, plenty of reach and drive and super enthusiasm hiding her age. BV. 2. FLOWER’s Serenlas Heaven In Blu, attractive blue merle, another with good overall proportions and well boned legs to oval feet. Firm back and good rump. Attractive head, but not as defined in underjaw as winner. Good planes for skull and muzzle with well set eye, ears tending to fly a little. Another who is well angulated and this shows with good length of stride and free and clean movement. MPB (2) 1. CONGDON’s Aaronwell All About Elsa, still very much a baby, but overall, more balanced in proportion. Feminine expression from typy head, good planes and well placed eye/ear. Muzzle is rounded and shows well-developed underjaw. Chest has good depth. Well angulated behind, would prefer little more in front. Moved typical for a puppy. 2. RANSOME’s Serenlas Dream Maker, at that age where grown upwards, so not quite overall balance. Would like a little more neck. Good back and lovely length to tail. Skull not as developed as winner, needs to break, but has good flat skull and lovely eye. Used ears well. Moved with good stride but another who has typical puppy gait. PB (4, 1) 1. LOCKYER’s Gataj Struck By Love, I see she is litter sister to my BP, a quality puppy who is balanced in outline, though would prefer a shade more reach to neck. Well coated and stands 4 square on well boned legs to good feet. Good angles, chest still to develop. Lovely head, good planes and correct expression from dark almond eye well set in line with ears, which she used well. Clean on the move in all directions. 2. CARLTON’s Lynmead Dresses The Stars Of Sambreeze, another lovely pretty bitch with super expression, lovely dark almond eye of good size, excellent ears. Flat skull and good planes, just preferer the strength of muzzle of winner. Correct proportion in outline and show in lovely coat, super presentation. Moved well. 3.HAWKINS’ Brilyn's Breckamore Crystal Embers JB (4,1) 1. BOYD & MCGILL’s Gemheid May'd Of Gold For Stregato, good size female, excellent angulation and correct outline just slightly longer than tall. Has good each of neck. Well boned legs to correct oval feet. Head has good planes and flat skull but would prefer more under jaw and sweeter expression. Moved well. 2. Lynmead Dresses The Stars Of Sambreeze. 3. STEVEN’s Cambrogan's Blissful Barra. PGB (7,1) 1. LOCKYER’s Gataj Exotic Girl, another quality collie from this kennel, and cannot be faulted for presentation. Super outline and well boned legs. Ideally would like a shade more front angulation and neck. She has lovely head with sweet expression, flat skull and good planes and well rounded muzzle producing correct blunt wedge. Excellent on the move in all directions. 2. HARVEY’s Afterhero Cheeky Angel At Wicani (Imp), attractive blue merle, correct in outline and well balanced. Correct double coat and good bone. Ex presentation. Well angulated but would prefer shade more neck. Firm back, good loin, well boned. Head is well developed but would like to see little more break in stop, obliquely set eye, ears used well and good rounded muzzle. Clean mover in all directions. 3. BOYLE’s Timeless Destiny Star Actis Over Barrenclough JW. LB (9) 1. HODGES’ Unusual Beauty Des Conquetes De Don Juan At Jopium blue merle, well balanced in outline, well boned legs and good feet. Show in excellent coat, well presented. Attractive head with dark brown eye, good balance of muzzle and skull and correct stop with good parallel planes. Lovely ears used well. Good angles front and rear and correct neck. Excellent on the move in all directions. RCC. 2. MCCARTE’s Roughrigg One Of A Kind, another with a lot to like, attractive in outline shown in good coat, which is well presented, Well boned legs to oval feet. Good angles and neck. Attractive head, with good planes and lovely eye and well used ears. Just a shade wide in chest. Pleasing on the move in all directions, tough decision between 1 & 2. 3. HARRISON’s Cambrogan Lady Of Loch'aber At Cariadhaf. OB (12,3) 1. WELSH’s Thistlewing Magic Lady, of good size and correct outline. Shown in excellent coat, and super presentation. She has excellent angulation front and rear, with correct arched neck. Standing four square on well boned legs, oval feet. Good chest and well ribbed. Lovely wedge head, correct planes and flat skull, well placed ears, lovely medium almond dark eye. Found her excellent on the move, with super drive behind. BCC. 2. LOCKYER’s Ch Gataj Good Time Girl, shown in excellent coat, which is well presented. Good topline and rump. Good angulation, but the winner just had shade more neck. Lovely head for proportions of skull & muzzle, correctly set eye and ear, giving lovely expression. Just preferred muzzle of the winner. Clean on the move in all directions. 3. CRONK’s Chelborn Tell Me Your Wish
BEST OF BREED : 3513 FOY, Mrs O & HAWKINS, Mr B Ch Beldones Ivory Star
Dog CC : 3513 FOY, Mrs O & HAWKINS, Mr B Ch Beldones Ivory Star
Res Dog CC : 3532 LOCKYER, Mrs Melissa Ch Gataj Turn Back Time Jw
Bitch CC : 3553 WELSH, Mrs Brenda Thistlewing Magic Lady
Res Bitch CC : 3522 HODGES, Miss J Unusual Beauty Des Conquetes De Don Juan At Jopium
Best Puppy : 3530 LOCKYER, Mrs Melissa Gataj Strike It Lucky
Best Veteran : 3488 BENTON, Miss M K Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell Of Oakestelle VW ShCEx
Class 1398 VD (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 3536 MCCANN, Miss Michele Ch Oakland Blue Style Du Clos De Seawind At Zolkha
2nd: 3495 BOYLE, Dr Lynda Winifred Barrenclough Heart Of Gold JW ShCEx OSW
3rd: 3550 WATT, Miss L Culbrae Red Again
Class 1399 MPD (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 3527 JOHNSTON, Miss K Paulara Ocean Raine At Geosamka
Class 1400 PD (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 3530 LOCKYER, Mrs Melissa Gataj Strike It Lucky
Class 1401 JD (3 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 3491 BLAKE, Miss M J Corydon The Baronet
2nd: 3529 LOCKYER, Mrs Melissa Gataj Time Will Tell
Class 1402 PGD (5 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 3540 MITCHELL & JORDAN, Mr Mrs Mrs D M M Avonfair Aloysius JW
2nd: 3549 TIPPER, Mr J & TIPPER, Mrs C J Tiganlea Turned To Black
3rd: 3491 BLAKE, Miss M J Corydon The Baronet
Res: 3543 ROSS, Mrs Y J Siluto Blue Wizzard At Amberwish
VHC: 3512 FOSTER, Mrs L B Didek Eclipse Of The Moon
Class 1403 LD (7 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 3490 BLAIKIE, Mr R Kourika The ' Gigolo '
2nd: 3559 WRAY-RAMSDEN, Mrs S L Takhisis Daggers At Dawn JW
3rd: 3555 WILLIAMS, Mrs Jo Phreelancer Phederal Agent At Mejola
Res: 3523 HOULIHAN, Mrs Nancy Kourika Frosted Ice
VHC: 3502 CRAWFORD, Miss Kelly Stregato Foolish Guy For Delseirios
Class 1404 OD (12 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: 3513 FOY, Mrs O & HAWKINS, Mr B Ch Beldones Ivory Star
2nd: 3532 LOCKYER, Mrs Melissa Ch Gataj Turn Back Time Jw
3rd: 3511 FLOWER, Mrs Stefani Androma Dreamcatcher At Serenlas (imp Svn)
Res: 3492 BLAKE, Miss M J Ch Corydon Christopher
VHC: 3557 WILLIAMS, Mrs Jo Mejola Top Gun JW
Class 1405 VB (3 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 3488 BENTON, Miss M K Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell Of Oakestelle VW ShCEx
2nd: 3509 FLOWER, Mrs Stefani Serenlas Heaven In Blu
Class 1406 MPB (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 3501 CONGDON, Mr J Aaronwell All About Elsa
2nd: 3542 RANSOME, Mr Jordan & RANSOME, Mr Antony Serenlas Dream Maker
Class 1407 PB (4 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 3533 LOCKYER, Mrs Melissa Gataj Struck By Love
2nd: 3499 CARLTON, Mrs Sheila Lynmead Dresses The Stars Of Sambreeze
3rd: 3520 HAWKINS, Mrs Susan Lynda Brilyn's Breckamore Crystal Embers
Class 1408 JB (4 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 3493 BOYD, Ms Audrey & MCGILL, Ms Wendy Gemheid May'd Of Gold For Stregato
2nd: 3499 CARLTON, Mrs Sheila Lynmead Dresses The Stars Of Sambreeze
3rd: 3547 STEVEN, Miss Stacy Cambrogan's Blissful Barra
Class 1409 PGB (7 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 3528 LOCKYER, Mrs Melissa Gataj Exotic Girl
2nd: 3517 HARVEY, Mrs A & HARVEY, Mr Keith James Afterhero Cheeky Angel At Wicani (Imp)
3rd: 3496 BOYLE, Dr Lynda Winifred Timeless Destiny Star Actis Over Barrenclough JW (
Res: 3494 BOYD, Ms Audrey & MCGILL, Ms Wendy Afterhero Vanilla Chocolate For Wicani With Strega
VHC: 3552 WATT, Miss L Culbrae Charmed Again
Class 1410 LB (9 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 3522 HODGES, Miss J Unusual Beauty Des Conquetes De Don Juan At Jopium
2nd: 3539 MCCARTE, Mrs M & Mr J Roughrigg One Of A Kind
3rd: 3515 HARRISON, Mrs M E Cambrogan Lady Of Loch'aber At Cariadhaf
Res: 3496 BOYLE, Dr Lynda Winifred Timeless Destiny Star Actis Over Barrenclough JW (
VHC: 3521 HOBKIRK, Mrs Mary & HOBKIRK, Mr J Chantique Sugar Moon
Class 1411 OB (12 Entries) Abs: 3
1st: 3553 WELSH, Mrs Brenda Thistlewing Magic Lady
2nd: 3531 LOCKYER, Mrs Melissa Ch Gataj Good Time Girl
3rd: 3504 CRONK, Mrs Vanessa Chelborn Tell Me Your Wish
Res: 3558 WRAY-RAMSDEN, Mrs S L Bel Ch Takhisis Lady Of Mystery Bw24
VHC: 3538 MCCARTE, Mrs M & Mr J Ch Roughrigg Remember Me