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Bearded Collie Club Championship Show - 6th December 2025
Judges Critiques
Dogs
I would like thank the membership for voting for me to judge Dogs at the Bearded Collie Club Jubilee Anniversary Show and for the club for the lovely mementos to remember the day with. Also my thanks to Alan Hards and Imke Gronier for their efficient stewarding.
Again my concern in the dogs is because of the short upper arm and upright shoulders they cannot move correctly as a true beardie should. Some dogs could be better boned, more masculine, capable of doing a days work in the fields etc. I feel that, when breeding a litter, the owner of the bitch should look into the history of their pedigree more thoroughly to attempt to try to eliminate this problem (if they are aware of it) as it will not correct itself as the puppy grows up .I am pleased to say my winners were what I had hoped for, and my hands were clean at the end of judging considering the awful weather we have had recently!
We agreed that the Referee should decide Best in Show as we both liked each other's top winners as much as our own and couldn't split them. The Referee picked the Dog for Best in Show.
Veteran Dog (9, 3)
1st. Salmon's Ch Potterdale Piper Slate boy showed and presented to perfection, well shaped skull. Dark eye correct bite with strong under jaw, good reach of neck , level top-line standing and on the move, strongly made boy who moved around the ring well.
2nd. Burscough's Ch Talraz Light Up The Sky with Kilfinan Another well made boy who is all male. Strong skull good eye colour well boned nice body shape good deep chest and spring of rib, different texture of coat to the first but of excellent quality, totally weatherproof. Balanced on the move, but preferred the easier action of my winner.
3rd. Costello's Bradiba's Brilliant Nutmeg at Calkylona (Imp Deu) He completed a trio of lovely boys who can still compete with the others entered. Not quite as settled on the move as my first two but did enough to achieve third in a strong class. He also has a strong masculine skull with good eye colour tones with his jacket. Well-balanced boy standing, good rear angulation, well shown.
Special Vintage Dog (5, 1)
1st. Hodgson's Malandex Xtremly Brown One of my favourite oldies who is still in good condition with a well made body, strong skull and with a good eye colour, good shoulder placement, correct length of back good shoulder placement and correct length of upper arm, straight front. Just lost out in the challenge for best Veteran dog as he wasn't quite moving as well as I know he can.
2nd. Lewry & Lewis's Potterdale Magic Dust This boy creates a good picture standing, everything in good order, strong head, dark eye, good front, good spring of rib, level top-line standing and on the move, short loin with good rear angulation, correct tail-set, moved well.
3rd. Griffiths' Nellbrook It's A Mystery at Whizzbomb This dog wants to please his owner as they show together. Good honest boy with a correct shaped skull and dark eye, coat of good quality, good length of back and turn of stifle, moved well with his owner obviously enjoying his day.
Minor Puppy Dog (5, 1)
Three promising puppies.
1st. Twinning's Tamjenta Ghost Protocol at Kaycee this puppy has a well balanced outline when he is settled, with good angulation straight front and nice angles at the rear, attractive head and expression, dark eye which is good to see. He just won this class on his steadier movement. Best Puppy Dog.
2nd. Costello's Calkylona Midnite Shadow Another promising puppy who got better in his movement when more settled in his later class. Development correct at this stage regarding his growth and bone structure, lovely head and expressive eye, skull needs to fill out out a bit more but I'm sure it will come as he matures.
3rd. Burfitt's Breaksea Black Is Black Not to be disgraced with third in this class, all very much babies. Lovely shape and outline developing in this boy, nice dark eye.
all these three had correct bites, good shoulder placement leading into good length of back and moved steadily. No doubt they will change places many times over their show careers.
Puppy Dog (4, 1)
1st. Osborne's Potterdale Prime Edition Eleven months slate boy with a correct shaped skull and also a lovely dark eye, correct scissor bite. Correct lay-back of shoulder, standing creates a nice balanced shape although a little high on his rear at the moment when being presented. This will settle as he matures no doubt. He just needs to firm up as he seems a little loose when he moves; a lovely puppy.
2nd. Costello's Calkylona Midnite Shadow
3rd. Hicks' Dorsetshyre Hengistbury Ed Nice puppy who needs to lengthen in his body as he seems a little square when standing, but nice to go over with good head and eye colour and well boned. Just needs time to mature. Moved ok.
Junior Dog (4, 0)
1st. Reynolds' Beabeardies Blue Velvet Of excellent type and style, with correct angulations and proportions throughout, he pleased me greatly in head and expression with good reach of neck into good lay of shoulder with a level and firm top-line, well boned. He was presented in super condition and displayed a good action away and back with easy reaching movement.
2nd. Jellie's Kiltondale Johnny Cash at Jellwell Pushed the winner hard but lost out not having quite the front extension of my first; his outline is balanced standing and on the move, good shaped skull with correct eye colour, straight front with good ribs and short loin, correct tail set carried well, moved OK.
3rd. Chrisopherson's Beardora Roly Poly Happy beardie who needs to settle down to be gone over properly. He has a strong, well made skull with good eye colour matching his coat. He also needs to lengthen in back, this should come as he matures.
Yearling Dog (3, 1)
This class was an interesting class to judge with two dogs of quality at different stages of development.
1st. Collins' Full Of Dickens Winner Takes It All for Kingswud JW (imp.Deu) This boy is very impressive in outline with a good reach of neck and level top-line, quite a handsome head with correct stop, lovely eye colour with good shoulder placement, moved well to win this class even though he still needs a bit more coat just to finish the picture.
2nd. Carter's Memorylane Emotions In Motion for Ravenswyre JW (imp.Fin) Very mature looking boy, scores in head and dark eye, excellent expression when looking at him front on. Heavy coated but not coarse. He presents a nice picture standing, with correct length of back, short loin and good tail set which he carries well, but let himself down when moving on this surface. Will be there challenging the other class winners for top honours when he gets in a higher class, which he looks he could do now although only a youngster.
Maiden Dog (2, 0)
1st. Reynolds' Beabeardies Blue Velvet
2nd. Osborne's Potterdale Prime Edition
Novice Dog (2, 0)
1st. Osborne's Potterdale Prime Edition2nd. Costello's Calkylona Midnite Shadow
Debutant Dog (4, 0)
1st. Reynolds' Beabeardies Blue Velvet
2nd. Oborne's Potterdale Prime Edition
Graduate Dog (1, 0)
Absent
Post Graduate (1, 0)
Absent
Mid Limit Dog (5, 0)
1st. Axford's Bramblmead Bollinger BoyA handsome dog with a well balanced shape, he has the most beautiful head and eye colour, correct bite with a strong under-jaw, good reach of neck correct shoulders level top-line standing and on the move. I love to see this dog free standing as it gives a better picture of the dog's shape and balance. Moved steadily but could maybe benefit from just a little more drive when moving around the ring, but he won this class quite easily.
2nd. Butcher's Sylvabrae Newtons Law unlucky to meet my winner today. A well balanced boy with a lot to like, strong skull with good eye colour, coat of good quality correct shoulders, length of back, carries tail well, perhaps could keep his head a little higher when standing and on the move.
3rd. Rivers' Breaksea Time Lord at Bendale This boy is finally getting his act together with his owner. A lot to like when going over him, well shaped skull, strong under-jaw with correct bite, eye colour matching his coat which is harsh and of good quality, good length of back, deep ribs, short loin, carries his tail correctly, moved well.
Limit Dog (4, 1)
1st. Pickup's Kiltondale Heat Of The Night In this boy I found what I like to be in the challenge for top honours. When going over him I wasn't disappointed, lovely head and expression, expected dark eye with that intelligent look at me, correct length of back with good ribs, plenty of heart-room. Another free standing boy who was balanced when standing and on the move, and well presented as always.
2nd. Palmer's Burnhock Perfect Diamond of Woodacre 2 excellent representatives of the breed, both carrying all the qualities of a top beardie. Again, another with correct proportions, head shape and eye colour toning with coat, correct length of back with short loin, good turn of stifle, moved and presented well.
3rd. Rudd's Lubin's Londons Calling Slate boy who didn't have the balance or proportions to challenge the first two but a nice, honest beardie with dark eye, good shoulders, a little short in the back for me, and didn't move as well on the day, but was presented well.
Open Dog (10, 1)
Easily the strongest class of the day for quality as you would hope.
1st. Salmon's Ch Potterdale Heritage ShCEx This boy should have been made up some time ago, but obviously had a lot of quality competition at other shows. I have not judged too many beardies who ticked all my boxes regarding breed standard etc. A dog who takes your eye when entering the ring, going over him you feel you have found your CC winner. So it was to be, stunning head shape correct bite with strong under-jaw, deep chest with excellent heart and lung room, level top-line when standing and on the move, carried his tail well from a strong rear end and with a coat of excellent quality. CC and BIS (from Referee's decision).
2nd. Harcourt-Brown's Ch Orora's Himself Another beardie who stands out for his excellent quality. He was in splendid condition with coat of good quality. Nothing to dislike about him but I just preferred the overall balance of my winner on the day. His head is one of his strong points, eye colour toning with the coat with a good reach of neck, correct lay back of shoulder, he also has a deep chest with plenty of heart and lung room, enabling him to do a day's work if required, excellent spring of rib. Moved well around the ring. Reserve CC.
3rd. Brooks & Grundy's Ch Fragglestone Family Affair This boy makes a trio of top quality beardies which I had the pleasure to judge, who in my opinion are worthy representatives of the breed My notes say, yet again, similar qualities of the first two, slightly heavier coated but doesn't detract from his balance and shape. A pleasure to go over, yet another with a strong skull correct eye colour, lovely shape, moved and presented well.
Special Open Dog (3, 0)
1st. Wood's Pepperjay Bartholomew JW Won this class with some to spare, not a flashy dog but needs to be gone over to feel his qualities, strong skull with dark eye, good reach of neck, nice shoulder placement, good reach of neck, level top-line whilst standing and on the move, coat of correct texture, good turn of stifle, well muscled rear, moved well.
2nd. Savage & McLean's Talraz Comic Relief at Canaich JW VW Another boy who enjoyed his day out, dark eye with strong skull, correct front, good spring of rib, short loin, coat of good quality, moved and presented well.
3rd. Bowden's Subessen Heart Of Rome (Re-Imp) A well balanced quality dog who has a lot going for him, well shaped skull, reach of neck good, ribs good, coat of good quality, level top-line, carried tail well, moved well.
Special Beginners Dog (5, 0)
1st. Reynolds' Beabeardies Blue Velvet
2nd. Costello's Calkylona Midnite Shadow
3rd. Hicks' Dorsetshyre Hengistbury Ed
Graham Atkins (Snikkles) (Judge)
Bitches
As one of the Club's Patrons, it was a great honour to judge Bitches at the 70th Anniversary Championship Show. Thank you to all of the Beardie exhibitors with their well-presented girls and my two stewards, John Betts and Pete Style,s for their help in the ring. The Club hosted the first trainee judge in our breed, with Louise Bermingham being involved with four of the bitch classes without causing any delay to the proceedings. It is three years since I judged our wonderful breed ut still found that things whicht had caused me concerns then were still present, particularly in the intermediate classes. For me, I want to see a well-balanced Beardie, with a well-laid shoulder and a correct upper arm; with the length of back coming from the ribcage, thus having a short loin. Rear couplings should be in harmony to those of the front which will then produces true free flowing movement that effortlessly covers the ground. I found little concerns on the front and rear movements but unfortunately the side gait was lacking in some after finding a good lay of shoulder which I hoped would produce that good front reaCh I fear that some breeding might be losing the balance of the front couplings and only just taking the Breed Standard's requirement of ‘Shoulders sloping well back' into consideration. It is important that the length of back comes from the ribcage rather than the length of loin thus preventing dippy top lines becoming more common place. Most heads were balanced with a very few out of balance to their body. Eyes in general toned with their coat to provide a wonderful expression with some that made my heart melt. In order to provide that beautiful side profile, we need a correct reach of neck coming from a good lay of shoulder and level back to a correct croup. I am pleased that my winners achieved what I was looking for and some that had developed well over the three years since I last judged them. In my write-ups, of the first three placings, I don't want to keep repeating myself so will try to identify the tiny differences for their placings. My fellow specialist judges have been in the breed for a very long time and when Graham Atkins and I were discussing our Best in Show and Best Veteran in Show, the reasons we ask Lesley Tomlinson to do the honours was because we both felt that the Dog and Bitch were worthy of these top honours, so we passed the baton to Lesley rather than disagreeing for the sake of it! In all of the other honours we agreed totally.
The Veteran and Vintage classes were a credit to all with some having to go without cards due to the high standard.
Veteran Bitch(17,4)
1st. Cope & Kemps Ch Scalbeck Sophistication at Menander This 10-year-old lady in full coat had feminine head with lovely dark eye producing that typical Beardie expression. Good depth and length of back, producing the correct length to height ratio, coming from her ribcage; her correct angles front and rear produced that smooth and subtle movement with reach and drive that covered plenty of ground.
2nd. Baker & Van De Hoef's Ch Malandex Xquisit Diamond JW This lady just a year older with many similar qualities as the first but just lost out slightly on her length of back.
3rd. Edwards Ch Nellbrook Pure Imagination JW This 8-year lady has caught my eye many times from when she was my Best Puppy at Bath and was unfortunate in meeting the first two, causing me to split fine hairs.
Special Vintage Bitch (7,0)
1st. Bowden's Ch Subessen Blaze Of Fire VW Eleven year old lady with feminine head and a lovely dark eye producing that typically Beardie expression. Good length of back to height ratio, coming from her ribcage; all the correct angles front and rear which produced true movement, smoothly covering plenty of ground; the picture finished off with full coat.
2nd. Kneeshaw's Kiltondale Spring Blossom VW This 11-year-old lady has continued to blossom since she won the veteran class at Birmingham under me and was unlucky to meet today's winner who had the slightest of edge on the neck.
3rd. Patternson's Corimist Musical Soul at Eltimaris VW This lady was a year younger than the first two but had many similar qualities to them, just slightly losing out on her shoulder and length of loin.
Minor Puppy Bitch (5,0)
Three lovely 6-month babies who all were credits to their owners.
1st. Gill & Hosie's Calkylona Midnite Melody Lovely balanced feminine head producing a true Beardie expression. Good reach of neck onto well laid shoulders; correct length to height ratio with a correct loin and deep chest. Moved well covering plenty of ground for her age, the picture being finished off with a black puppy coat.
2nd. Aitkin's Irisaddition It&s Show Time at Drumjareen So very similar to the first with true front and rear action but not quite as smooth as the first with her coat starting to lighten.
3rd. Fox's Braemoor's Fortune Favours at Bushblades (IMP NLD) Of a similar age to the first two with a black puppy coat but not as positive on the move as the first two.
Puppy Bitch (8,2)
The first two were litter sisters, 11 months old with, well-balanced feminine heads, dark eyes producing that super Beardie expression, correct front and rear angles, excellent length to height ratio from a good length of rib with short loin; moved true fore and aft with free-flowing movement that covered the ground well for puppies.
1st. Baker & Van De Hoef's Potterdale Prime Xample at Malandex Her movement today just gave her this position.
2nd. Lewis & Moreland's Potterdale Prime Rose Just pipped by her sister today but I'm sure that these two will change places many times.
3rd. Jay's Talraz Midnight Lady A 10-month-old young lady of similar qualities who was unlucky to meet the first two and just lost out on the move.
Junior Bitch (8,0)
1st. Glasgow's Gallus Hopes And Dreams Fifteen month-old young lady with a sweet feminine expression from a well-balanced head; good reach of neck onto well laid shoulders, balanced front &rear couplings and correct length to height ratio which produced true free flowing movement that covered ground; excellent harsh brown coat for her age which was fading.
2nd. Peirson's Kiltondale Miley Cyrus JW Another 15-month-old young lady so very similar to the first only splitting them on the first's expression.
3rd Pedder's Nobility Sent With Love to Caldermist (IMP DEU) JW This 17-month-old lady had similar qualities to the second but lost out on her side profile on the move.
Yearling Bitch (10,0)
1st. Glasgow's Gallus Hopes And Dreams first in Junior
2nd. Horne's Potterdale Solitaire of Mintaria This young lady of almost two years was similar in many ways to the first but was just pipped on the move.
3rd. Edwards' Breaksea It's Time at Nellbrook JW This 19-month-old lady, whose brown coat is starting to darken, had many similar qualities to the first two but didn't cover quite as much ground.
Maiden Bitch (4,0)
1st. Gill & Hosie's Calkylona Midnite Melody 1st in minor puppy
2nd. Aitkin's Irisaddition It's Show Time at Drumjareen 2nd in minor puppy
3rd. Newson's Beardora Doofus's Duo 2½ year old lady who needed a little time to settle but was true for and aft but not with the reach of the first two; good dark slate coat finishing off the picture.
Novice Bitch (4,0)
1st. Brookes' Brookles Barkarole 15-month-old lady, balanced head with toning eyes, good reach of neck and balanced fore and rear quarters; good depth of chest with level topline; moved true with the picture finished of good coat for her age.
2nd. Aitkin's Irisaddition It's Show Time at Drumjareen 2nd in minor puppy and in maiden.
3rd. Hurry's Breaksea Time To Dazzle at Alcheringa 19-month-old young lady, a sweet feminine head with toning eyes; balanced fore and rear quarters; darker brown coat starting to come through; was not as settled on the move as the first two.
Debutant Bitch (2,0)
1st. Aitkin's Irisaddition It's Show Time at Drumjareen 2nd in minor puppy, maiden and novice.
2nd. Hurry's Breaksea Time To Dazzle at Alcheringa 3rd in novice
Graduate Bitch (14,2)
1st. Glasgow's Gallus Hopes And Dreams 1st in Junior and Yearling
The second and third were of similar age and qualities with balanced heads, eyes toning with their coats, good necks, balanced fore and rear quarters and good depth of chest; moved true fore and aft but not covering quite as much ground as the first.
2nd. O'Brien's Clanwillow Crown Princess at Gilcharma
3rd. Macdonald's Corimist All That Glitters
Post Graduate Bitch (9,1)
These three ladies had many similar qualities despite their age differences, having balanced heads with toning eyes, good necks to balanced fore-quarters and matching rear; good depth of chest; moving true fore and aft but each providing a slightly different profile on the move.
1st. Glasgow's Viva The Diva De Chester Gallus (IMP FRA) Her reach and drive just got her this place.
2nd. Harcourt-Brown's Orora's Pearly Princess
3rd. Swaby's Kiltondale Hot Favourite for Marsby
Mid-Limit Bitch (10,2)
1st. Burfitt's Breaksea Timeless 3½year old mature lady with a well-balanced head and dark eyes producing a true beardie expression, good reach of neck onto balanced front couplings; good length and depth of rib to correct rear couplings. Moved true front and rear smoothly covering ground. The whole pictures finished off with good quality coat.
2nd. Patterson's Eltimaris Platinum Pudding JW This blue girl with good toning eyes, similar age to 1st and in many other points, just loosing out slightly on the lay of her shoulder.
3rd. O'Brien's Another Posh Frock at Sammara JW Another lady of similar age with pleasing head aqnd dark eyes producing a true Beardie expression; balanced front and rear couplings which were reflected in her true movement.
Limit Bitch (8,1)
1st. Jay's Talraz Song Of Summer 4½year old very feminine lady with excellent head providing a true Beardie expression, correct neck onto well laid shoulders of balanced front couplings, correct rib to balanced rear couplings; moved true covering ground with ease.
2nd. Waldron & Gray's Une Histoire D'Amour De Chester with Snowmead JW (IMP FRA) 2½year old lady of slightly bigger build than 1st, feminine with an expression of confidence which demanded my attention; many similar qualities to that of 1st but didn't cover quite as much ground as the first.
3rd. Price & Horne's Winaria Winter Solstice for Mobuff JW 3½year old lady with sweet expression but would have preferred a little more neck; good front and rear couplings; move true covering plenty of ground, the picture finished off with an excellent coat.
Open Bitch (8,0)
What a lovely class of true Beardies that had developed since I last judged them last, with some having to go cardless. Movement was my final measure but truly on another day it could all have changed.
1st. & CC. Betts' Ch Pipadene Xtraa Hint Of Chili JW 4½year old lady still had all her qualities that she had when she was my best junior; that sweet feminine expression from those dark eyes, a well-balanced head, good reach of neck onto well laid shoulders, correct front and rear couplings; good depth & length of rib producing the correct length to height ratio. Moved true fore and aft effortlessly covering ground, with the picture being finished off with a good quality jacket.
2nd & RCC. Burscough's Kilfinan Ladybird This 6½year old lady caught my when she entered the ring, looking in her prime with so many qualities of the 1st but just slightly preferring the side profile of the 1st, on the move.
3rd. Harcourt-Brown's Ch Orora's Oriana This 4yr old lady was my best puppy last time I judged and has matured into a champion. Her feminine head with dark eyes producing that super Beardie expression; correct structure to produce an excellent length to height ratio, as shown on the move, which was true fore and aft with free-flowing action that covered the ground.
Special Open Bitch (9,0)
1st. Jay's Matamata Lorien Lady at Talraz This 5 year old lady stood and moved showing the correct Beardie length to height ratio, with a sweet feminine expression from an excellent head and eye colour; good reach of neck onto correct front couplings, good length of rib maintaining her topline throughout. True free flowing movement that covered ground with the picture being finished off with a good quality jacket.
2nd. O'Brien's Clanwillow Crown Princess at Gilcharma 2nd in Graduate
3rd. Jenkinson's Irisaddition Victorious with Ellishar JW 3year old lady of slightly heavier build than the first two; balanced sweet head, toning eyes, good body from balance front and rear couplings, well presented in a full quality coat.
Special Beginners Bitch (11,2)
1st. O'Brien's Clanwillow Crown Princess At Gilcharma 2nd in Graduate and Special Open
2nd. Nash's Wildan's Timeline For Merrymore 2½year old young lady with a true Beardie expression from those dark eyes; balanced front and rear couplings but would prefer a better length to height ratio; well handled, moving true for and aft.
3rd. Macdonald's Corimist All That Glitters 3rd in Graduate
Sue Nicholls-Ward (Bumbleridge) (Judge)