Gloomy as the decade was the Collie did
enjoy its share of high spots. The first
when the china and stoneware company
Royal Doulton released a collection of
figurines depicting many of the popular
dog breeds, under the general title of Champion Dogs. Modelled by the renowned canine artist and sculptor Frederick Thomas Daws, a master of canine anatomy better know for his portrait studies of famous show dogs where his distinctive bold brush stroke style lent itself to long haired breeds. The Rough Collie, produced in three sizes, one of the earliest and longest running from the series with the medium sized model still in production until 1985, featured R. H. Roberts’ Ch Ashtead Applause.
Although Collies had always attracted a few lady exhibitors, the breed had never been judged by one until Bournemouth invited Mrs H. Wilberforce DELWOOD to officiate in the Rough Collie ring at their 1935 Championship Show, which proved to be the society’s last championship event before the Kennel Club removed this privilege. The following year found Miss Molony WESTCARRS, Mrs George BEULAH, and Mrs James MARIEMEAU all standing in the centre of a Rough Collie ring, whilst Mrs Wilberforce added further laurels to her crown by judging both Rough and Smooth Collies at the Kennel Club’s own Show in October 1936.
