I don’t know if Mrs. Brokken and myself were more pleased with the shelties and collies or the wonderful hospitality accorded us on our recent visit to Australia.  Both were first rate and we’ll not forget our two weeks “down under” for a long, long time. 

I promised a critique on  some of the dogs so please take these comments as an explanation of some of my placements.  Let me say right off that I was very pleased with the general level  of quality in both breeds.  I really didn’t know what to expect as I had little knowledge of any of the Australian dogs either in general or in particular.  By the end of the day I’m pretty certain ringside and the exhibitors understood where I always place the most emphasis when sorting the dogs: overall beauty and balance.  I can forgive lots of things if the overall picture is especially pleasing.  That means a head that fits the body, ample neck, proper length of leg under the dog, trifle longer than tall and a fitting coat.  When I look over the dogs initially these things help me sort them out right away; further adjustments are made depending on movement and expression…..all of the head details in both breeds can be summed up in the expression.  I am aware of the slight differences in the slant of the eye between the British and American types….in their near perfect rendition there is little to chose between them…I like them both.

In the Shelties the two common faults were lack of a short, definite stop and insufficient underjaw. My Challenge winner was a handsome tri with balance, more neck than his competition a balanced coat and wonderful movement.  The Reserve Challenge blue was cut on the same lines; he had wonderful silvery blue colour; his front wasn’t as good as his daddy’s.  My Challenge bitch winner was also sired by the Best of Breed dog and shared the same fit in outline and balance…she could have had more coat on this day. My Reserve was English in type and a bit afraid that day.   

Smooth Collies had a nice sized blue male taking the Challenge.  He moved well and would go further with a leaner head.  The Reserve male was too long in the loin and would have benefited from a darker eye. I obviously liked my Challenge Bitch (more about her later); my Reserve was showy and typey but her expression would be sweeter with eyes that weren’t so small.  

In Rough males I found several I liked but it boiled down to two brothers who were similar with sweet expressions, just the right amount of neck to impart the proud, upstanding regal appearance and in excellent coat.  I felt the Challenge dog  was stronger in the back and slightly better in his rear movement. 

A litter sister to the male winners took the bitch Challenge award. and a daughter of my Reserve Challenge male went Reserve Challenge bitch.  I was either very right or very wrong that day!  These bitches both were feminine without being weak, were balanced and moved reasonably well.  The Reserve puppy had a well –laid back shoulder, well-rounded stifle and puppy bloom….when her stop loses its fill she will fly! 

When the three dogs returned for Best in Show I probably had a big smile on my wind-blown face because I was very pleased with all three dogs.  But it was the smooth bitch who did it for me that day and I was pleased to award her the top prize.  She is so structurally correct that she couldn’t stand or move wrong.  She had a perfectly flat head, full, smooth muzzle lovely ears and a steady, businesslike manner.  A bit more experience and expert handling could take this quality bitch to the top anywhere I have been in the dog game. 

I congratulate the sheltie and collie breeder in Australia as you are on the right track.  Hopefully you will continue to breed good dogs and not try to sculpt and make them up with beauty shop “treatments” for these are essentially natural, working dogs.  Remember that it is the judge’s job to find the best dogs; sometimes this takes some time. 

Thank you again for taking such good care of Doris and me while your guests in your wonderful country.  We hope you can join us in Boise, Idaho, at the Collie Club of America National Specialty in April 2006! 

                                                                                William K..Brokken, M.D.