Two years on we decided a more
co-operative canine was required,
and although initially intending to
purchase a bitch, it was the blue
merle dog Clayswood Silver Coronet,
so named to celebrate the queen’s silver jubilee year, who was the first to carry the ‘EMMSMOOR’ affix. Growing into a big rangy charismatic dog, he enjoyed the ring, and without being a showing fool, made his presence felt wherever shown. Invariably well placed, at all levels, despite his very obvious faults, highlights in his career included Reserve Best in Show, from an entry of more than 300 by over 100 dogs, at one of the then popular evening Sanction Shows, and Reserve Best of Breed with Best Opposite Sex under the late Ken Bullock at Great Harwood Agricultural Open Show.
After several false starts our first litter was born in 1981, not to our beloved Emma, but to the inbred Clayswood bitch, Donna Gracefull, purchased as our foundation. From her first litter of three tricolour bitches, we retained Emmsmoor Lady Amelia. ‘Melia’, to those that knew her, became our true foundation, being behind every collie that has since graced our kennel.
