Despite depleted numbers Smooth
Collies produce one outstanding
winner in the blue merle bitch
Ch Laund Lynne, who elevated
breed honours to the highest level
winning Best in Show awards at
Scottish Kennel Club and The Kennel Club Shows plus Birmingham’s National. But the decade’s high spot must be the Laund kennel’s achievement in annexing all four Collie Challenge Certificates at Birmingham Dog Show Society’s ‘National Show’ in 1924, when Ch Fellman, taking his 4th and Laund Latha her first of 2 CCs, topped the Smooth Collies, whilst kennel mates Laund Lukeo, adding his second of 7 CCs, and Laund Lucia gaining her only ticket did the same in Rough Collies. These latter two adding Best Any Variety Brace in Show, plus Lukeo’s annexation of ‘Best Non-Sporting Dog or Bitch’ and ‘Best Non-Sporting other than a Toy’ completing a memorable show, for both breeds, and kennel by setting a record which still remains, and is unlikely to ever be broken.
If the twenties was no golden era for Collie exhibits, it did produce several key sires and broods. Prominent amongst Rough Collie sires are Champions Ashtead Applause, Netherkeir Starboy, Laund Lindrum, and Seedley Sepia, plus the untitled tricolour Wishaw Reliable. Even more influential were sable and white brothers, Chs Backwoods Fashion (formally: Eden Edward) and Eden Emerald, by Ch Poplar Perfection. Fashion staying in this country founded a dominant sire line influencing mainly southern breeders, particularly Beulah collies.
