Collies have rarely excelled at group or best
in show level, particularly since the halcyon
days of the late 19th and early 20th centuries
but the sixties proved to be a golden era for
the breed in these very competitive areas.
At the South Wales Kennel Association’s
Championship show on the 22 July 1961 Tom
Purvis piloted his three year old sable and white dog, Danvis Damascus, who was winning his third ticket on the day, to the top spot, thereby becoming the first post-war Rough Collie to be elevated to Best In Show at an all breed general championship show. Two years later it was Mrs Margaret Franklin’s Pattingham Pacemaker who hit the headlines, winning his second CC, the None-Sporting Group, and Reserve Best In Show at Richmond Dog Show in December 1963. At his next show Pacemaker made breed history adding a 3rd CC from R. J. (Bob) Davies REFORMER and None-Sporting Group from Gwen Broadley and Fred Cross at Cruft’s 1964, making him still the most successful Rough Collie at this show. Mr Frank Mitchell’s Glenmist Golden Legacy rounded off a quartet of major achievements by annexing his qualifying Challenge Certificate, Group and Best In Show at Southern Counties in August 1965.
