L&P Open Show 3.7.26 Critiques for Smooth Collies by Angela Harvey

 London and Provincial Collie Club Open Show July 3rd 2026

I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge this show, held in conjunction with Boston Championship show, a good move for the club in my opinion.

I also thank my two hard working stewards for helping to keep things running smoothly. The entry  was fantastic, especially for a weekday show (Thank you exhibitors)

Quality was high in several classes and I found myself splitting hairs. Some points for concern, hind movement in the majority of Roughs is a little too close, there should be some width behind as the collie moves away. It concerns me that a number of roughs lack back-skull. I am happy to forgive this in puppies and young dogs but when found in mature males it has me concerned. Teeth need cleaning on many, perhaps raw lamb ribs once a week could be beneficial? In smooths my only concern is that some looked a touch square in the muzzle, I can only describe this as boxy.

                                                                       SMOOTH COLLIES

VETERAN DOG (2:2)

Lusty's Ch Cardross Red Dirt Road to Blamorder VW (imp Can) Wow, what a start to the day! I judged this sable dog a few years ago when he was newly arrived from Canada. At that time he had lost weight due to the stress of travelling and he lacked body. It was therefore wonderful to compare notes now. Age 11 years he looks like a six year old. What a statesman he is, standing with such strength and balance. Fabulous expression so full  of dignity  and intelligence, and he uses himself, arching his powerful neck, he owns the ground, I see him as a dignified country gentleman surveying his estate, but he could easily move the cattle down the old drovers tracks, mile after mile, even at his advanced age. He is a big boy, top height for sure. Some might say his head is heavy, but he is a big dog, head is in proportion and has length, which balances perfectly with that strength. I don't like that loose lip line and would prefer his muzzle to be a tad more rounded, but these are the only things I would wish to change and they are very small things when compared to his long list of qualities. Having that length of head with ultra flat skull and strong jaw and teeth, plus that expression, it wowed me before I even started on his body. Ears on top and used consistently, firm flesh covering an  excellent musculature. Watching him move proves his correct construction, balance and soundness, light and effortless, strength coming from a powerful rear. I  really can't believe his age. Thank you for giving me another chance to judge him. Amongst great competition he took BVIB and BD then went on to take BVIS

2) Smith's Multi Champion Winter is coming to Tentola. The last time these two lovely males did battle this boy came out tops. Blue merle ten years of age and still looking very handsome. He has never coarsened in head and his eye and expression are just as beautiful. Good length of neck and well angulated shoulder. He moves well but couldn't match my winner today.

SPECIAL YEARLING DOG (2:2)

  1) Lusty's Blamorder Masterpeice. Blue merle of eleven months and looking very mature for his age. Balanced outline appealed. Masculine head with flat well filled skull and excellent chin. My personal preference would be a slightly larger eye, but his expression is dignified and intelligent. Good ear carriage. strong arched neck into good shoulder, firm flesh covering his balanced body lines, good top-line and correct quarters. Grand bone. Moved out well

2) Holmes and Lusty's Blamorder Starman. Sable boy who is older than the class winner but less mature. Not quite the masculinity but none the less he is clearly male. Balanced head proportions were refined and elegant. Strong pasterns, something I really love about most of the smooths present today. He needs time to mature, moved very well.

LIMIT DOG (1)

Metcalf's Koczkodan Well I never Three year old Tricolour of decent size, standing on good legs and feet but would like a touch more length of upper arm. He has a deep chest and strong pasterns. Balanced head with very flat skull although I would like it to be slightly cleaner through the sides to create more of a clean wedge. Alert expression and well used ears. Moved soundly.

OPEN DOG (2:2)

Seager's Blamorder Magic Maker with Freejack I have never seen this elegant sable male before and he caught my eye with his over all balance and refinement. I suspect him to be a slow maturing dog and just coming into his own. He is a good size and of a type that will never coarsen but only keep on improving. Liked his head with no excessive depth, clean chin and lip line, correct stop and flat refined skull. Particularly liked his well rounded muzzle. Everything is in perfect proportion to the whole. Very dark eye and sweet expression. He was outstanding on the move, he is so well balanced, powerful and light footed. I would love to meet him again in a couple more years. RBD

Howard and Fort's Shulune Imperial Inkheart with Casatentola Blue merle that I have watched with interest since puppy hood. Slightly shorter all round than my class winner in both head and body. Strong well muscled body proportions, long neck, firm top-line and long tail, he moved out well. Flat skull, clean in cheek with kind eyes producing a soft intelligent expression. I hope that his head and body lengthen a little more with further maturity, he is not yet three years of age.

CHAMPION DOG (1)

Wensley's Ch/Int Multi Ch Constella Hazy Cosmic Jive. Love the head on this tricolour male. Superb muzzle, well rounded and well blunted without bordering on square. Super chin and lip-line. Flat skull and dignified expression. Ears well placed and used. Body has excellent width of chest and ribbing, plenty of heart room, strong, muscular and very sound on the move, my notes said 'worthy champion' pushed hard in the challenge.

VETERAN BITCH (1)

Bentons Ch Oakstelle Artemis (VW)

One I have judged before and another youthful veteran that seems to get nicer each time I judge her. Very refined, elegant and feminine. Glorious eye and expression made possible because her cheeks are so clean providing the perfect place for her correct obliquely set almond shaped eyes. Ears on top, her mouth is still good without receding lip-line. Not a big girl but bone to match her size and a nice combination of strength and femininity, lovely length of neck. She moves beautifully. In the challenge for best veteran I brought age into my decision. I had standing before me a refined elegant female and a strong yet elegant very masculine male. She nine years of age and he eleven years, two years is quite a lot given the short lifespan of our dogs. She moved in great style with grace and fluidity but his movement moves into another realm, for a dog of his age I couldn't ignore this. Today the lady bowed to the gent.

SPECIAL YEARLING BITCH (2:1)

1) Jerrett's Coldelee Busy Bein Fabulous Pretty sable of just fifteen months. Ultra feminine, her beautiful dark  eyes with well pigmented liner and her alertness gifted her a  beautiful  expression. Well balanced, everything in proportion and working in harmony. Would like slightly stronger pasterns but time and maturity will likely provide this. moved very well. When a dog moves effortlessly and with balance maintaining a level top line, it cannot have anything major wrong with its construction. Correctness equals fluidity that is easy on the eye.

OPEN BITCH (4:2)

1) Jerrett's Ch Coldelee Eternal Sunshine. I later discovered she is the dam of my previous class winner and I am not surprised as they are so very similar. Feminine sable with the same balanced combination of strength, elegance and refinement. Her daughter has inherited her beautiful eyes and pigment. Love the head without any  trace of coarseness or excessive depth. Flat skull, rounded muzzle and well formed chin. Happy temperament, tail wagging constantly. She has super movement, same comments on this can be found with her daughter (previous class winner) When I saw the breeding on this bitch I see I have done both of her parents well in the past. She certainly carries their names with pride.

2) Lusty's Sugarnspice there ain't no getting over me (imp USA) Big girl with strong bone, she makes a statement showing off strength and a fabulous musculature, definitely has dignity and balanced anatomical formation. Moves like a well oiled machine. However her head lacks the refinement and femininity I am seeking and her eye set is a  tad wide which creates what for me is an untypical expression.

CHAMPION BITCH (2:2)

Benton's Ch Blamorder Double or Quits of Oakstelle. I recently awarded this beautiful blue merle a BIS at a club show in a good entry. What more can I add to what I wrote then? Feminine, elegant and refined but with that little bit more substance and I really love that. She exudes an attitude of superiority. Everything balanced and in proportion. When I judged her previously it was in doors and I did make the comment that her expression was very slightly hard, but the outside world truly  suits her, today her expression was glorious! Her blue jacket has a beautiful clarity and the sunlight danced and sparkled on her. She makes a fabulous picture of a working dog elevated to beauty queen. Movement to match. Best bitch and BOB

2) Holmes and Lusty Ch Blamorder Makers Mark JW Dark sable, she is feminine with a beautifully balanced profile. Standing I thought her absolutely delightful. Refined elegant head, lovely eye and expression, expressive ears. Strong arched neck, level top-line, good ribbing, well muscled quarters. She moves effortlessly going away and on the return. Lots of drive from the rear but not so clean in profile front action.

Angela Harvey judge