news - 06/06/2004
Furriners Invade - United States
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by Theo Kjellstrom
FURRINERS INVADE -- COLLIE NATIONAL IN THE UNITED STATES
DR. THÉO KJELLsTRÖM
Seventy-six foreign breeders and exhibitors of collies descended on Hartford, CT to view the annual renewal of the Collie National Specialty. The International Collie Club had organized a trip to attend this year’s production. Among the countries represented were Sweden, Japan, England, Ireland, Wales, Tasmania, Norway, Mexico, Germany, Israel, France, The Netherlands, Canada, Warrenville (OOPS, that’s my home town, sorry). I was able to greet friends from all over the world and make many new ones. One of the oldest parent clubs (perhaps the oldest ?) of the AKC, the Collie Club of America celebrated its Centennial many years ago.
FURRINERS INVADE
COLLIE NATIONAL
DR. THÉO KJELLsTRÖM
Seventy-six foreign breeders and exhibitors of collies descended on Hartford, CT to view the annual renewal of the Collie National Specialty. The International Collie Club had organized a trip to attend this year’s production. Among the countries represented were Sweden, Japan, England, Ireland, Wales, Tasmania, Norway, Mexico, Germany, Israel, France, The Netherlands, Canada, Warrenville (OOPS, that’s my home town, sorry). I was able to greet friends from all over the world and make many new ones. One of the oldest parent clubs (perhaps the oldest ?) of the AKC, the Collie Club of America celebrated its Centennial many years ago.
I missed the Tuesday activities but was to arrive Wednesday in time to be interviewed for permission to judge the Black Russian Terriers and the Neapolitan Mastiffs. But things began to go awry (story of my life) when I had no way to get to the show site from the hotel. I’d be damned if I would pay 15 or 20 dollars to taxi five miles. Resourceful Teddy Boy decided to take the bus (fare one dollar twenty-five. Well, after busing all the way to the midtown bus depot, then transferring to the “B” line (thirty minutes late) and then a final transfer to the “W” line (read B = BAD and W=WORSE) I arrived at the show. Two and one-half hours to go five miles -- I made it by plane from Chicago to West Springfield, MA in one hour less. Gloriosky, Zero, it gave me the wim-wams.
Venue in the Exposition Center was spacious with plenty of room for grooming. It was unseasonably cold. A liver and iron shot before the morning show would have helped the blood warm up but a nip or two from the flask certainly didn’t do any harm. The host club was beautifully chaired for every thing from hospitality to clean-up chores. Being a mentor does have its advantages, one gets to sit in the front row with a good view -- downside is having to massage aching buns after hours and hours on the “glutes”.
Bill Holbrook was the AKC Field Rep. A long-time collie breeder and handler, Bill has permanent “dibs” on “repping” the annual Collie National. I have known him for well over a half-century. He has judged the National years ago and has a grandfather clause allowing him to continue breeding if he so desires. I haven’t the foggiest idea of how many continuous Nationals he has attended but I opine that he soon will surpass the record of the late Hilda Rickenbaugh of Bannerblu fame. Nobody doesn’t like Holbrook but he does not give an easy interview -- “By the book Billy” does his homework and asks pointed questions. He didn’t commit himself as to how I fared so will have to wait until I hear from the Ivory Tower or whichever newly appointed and anointed janitor has now been given the job of acting on the applications.
On Saturday the finals of the children’s handling were conducted. Mother Marjorie Tuff took over. In her “Sarge” voice she asked -- no ordered -- us in the front row to move back so she could bring in the youngsters who did not have dogs, to sit in front. Then skillfully she arranged the urchins so that no two boys sat together (excellent idea) and any of the girls who may be gigglers etc. were not next to others with a penchant for silliness. Michelle Esch, the President’s daughter, took home the whole ball of wax and a beautiful trophy. What will happen when Marjie Tuff resigns? Who knows? The kids adore her and she lives for the wonderful waifs.
Friday we had a wonderful surprise. Vivian JaBaay had flown in from Illinois to watch the show. Now in a nursing home she is still active and a few weeks ago attended the Chicago Collie Club of which she is a long time member. This breed club, as far as I know, is one of only two collie clubs that is a full member of the American Kennel Club. (St. Louis Collie Club I believe is the other). The ViLee prefix sported countless champions. We, who competed against her and Leonard in the fifties and sixties, were well aware that given half a chance their dogs would beat ours. The dogs all had double names like Jubilant Jonathan and Redd Robyn etc. down the line of homebred champions. Their breeding plan was simple – each breeding was three-quarters tightly linebred and one-quarter outcross. Certainly worked for Vi and Len so why re-invent the wheel.
In those days we had to buck other “biggies” in our area like the Youngjohn sisters (Hazeljane), John Lindeman (Tecumsee) , Chris Castleman and Tom Halpin (Hertzville), Dorothy Schroeder Welsh (Bellochanty), The George & Jo Dahls (Floravale), The Bill Nielsens (Tanair) and on and on. Then of course Florence Ilch would move in every year at the International Kennel Club with Mike Kennedy and the Bellhaven collies. A clash of the giants occurred as Braegate Model would go head-to-head against Starmist and Silver Ho Parader -- the three top-winning collies of that era.
Now back to the Collie Soirée. Despite the fact that the entries approached 800 strong, the classes went fairly well on time. The stewards were wonderful. Somehow they arranged the next class in catalog order in the ready ring and the arm band numbers checked in short order. Absentees were noted and large classes cut into three to seven sections as dictated by the number of dogs.
Not too surprising, the veterans classes shook the rafters. Thursday the smoothies competed with 14 entries. A sable in the over 11 class was a favorite and she would later compete in variety with the male smooth veteran. Thanks for small favors in response to many, many requests from exhibitors no longer do we have to place four. Only one gets the nod and gets sent to Breed. One year I had five geriatrics and could only give four ribbons. That was the year I turned grey.
Saturday the rough oldies, numbering 19, entered the ring and what a sight that was. Our hands were numb from clapping. Majority were champions and with tails wagging and smiles on their muzzles (yes, Virginia, collies do smile) they strutted their stuff. It seemed the judging would never end and finally (as when the sorority Mother flips the lights on and off to tell the fraternity guys “enough’s enough” go home), the judge narrowed the choice down to four. A fortnight later – (whew!) -- a decision was handed down. The judge, however, gave every senior its just due, another look at heads and coats and movement and the dogs loved this extra attention. This very well could be their Swan Song, never to be seen by the fancy again. And remember “There are NO lame veterans”. Sob, Sob, I have a hate/love relationship with this class.
Judge Ted Paul had his hands full with the Best of Variety Rough class. One-hundred-twenty-two entered with only 2 or 3 absentees. The cuts were made and seven groups were evaluated. When entries were made the handler must designate how many specials the handler has entered. Arrangements were then made so each dog could be handled by the desired handler. The judge broke the entry into seven groups, then further cut into two and then one. Best of variety to the top winning Ch Highcroft Lode-Arks Legend, number one collie in the country having amassed over 10 Bests in Show. all-breeds. The Best Opposite to a stunning blue bitch Ch Highcroft Snowball Express. Her color and markings were superb and she created a wonderful picture of type and balance.
If the judge thought that the worst part was over, he was sadly mistaken. Now he had to pick betwixt the top collie in the country who was literally asking for the title of BREED and who was moving with more spunk than he has been lately and the sable smooth bitch at 12 years of age who also moved like a collie should move. Every so often on the “down and back” she would give a little joyful hop to show her exuberance, much in the manner of a Beardie. The typical Beardie says, “Oh, I haven’t jumped for at least three minutes, think I’ll do it now”.
The din was ear-shattering when Judge Paul pointed to the rough for breed. Then the blue bitch that was best opposite to the variety winner came in and was bested by the smooth Ch C and J’s Miss Classy Cassie. As far as I remember there have only been two smooths to garner Best of Breed over the roughs at the National -- Black Hawk and Preacher Man. There was almost a third but the Rough was too much on this day. So Classy Cassie went home with the Best Opposite Sex to Best of Breed. No small accomplishment.
So what do the Europeans, Asians and Scandinavians think of the American Collies? Splitsville! Depending upon who you talked to the roughs were not jewels of dogdom. They liked certain things but many thought the collies were too small (and they may be right but there was a time when they were too big) and that the heads were not balanced and had a prevalence of receding skulls. Well, I could make an argument about skulls but we are far better than we used to be. Balance skulls I think we are OK because it is difficult to judge this from ringside. I don’t agree that our forefaces are longer than back skulls. (I’m speaking about the collies, NOT the people – although………).
The smooths are a different story. As a rule they like the smooths, especially Classy Cassie. But remember, the English type smooths are a separate breed and most of them could win over here and the reverse. They did think the smooth coats were too “open” and even with the required undercoat should present a very smooth and very tight appearance.
I did visit with Myrna Shiboleth from Israel who routinely crosses English types to American. We will be judging together in a few weeks and will have time to get some answers as to why she does it. Also what does she get in the F1 generations and whither does she go from there.
So ends another National and kudos to all. Especially the organizing committee, the hospitality group and of course the judges. If I brought anything home from this year’s effort I would say it would be without a doubt: CLASSY CASSIE
AND
MARJORIE AND HER KIDS
Dr. Théo Kjellström
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