The Ayrshire Agricultural Society’s decision to drop the canine section from its shows, which left the South West corner of Scotland without a Championship Show, prompted a number of enthusiasts, including Mr Andrew Hunter, Mrs Elizabeth McGhee, and Mrs Janette Wilson, to instigate the establishment of a specialist Collie Club to cater for and encourage the
Rough Collie within its area.

The Ayrshire Collie Club was granted its title in 1958, making it the second youngest of the United Kingdom’s Kennel Club registered Collie Societies,
with Mrs McGhee as Secretary a position she held until 1961, Mr Hunter
in the Chair and Mrs Wilson holding the Treasurer’s post.

 

Granted Championship status in 1977, when Mrs Aileen Speding
‘Antoc’ awarded the Challenge Certificates to Ch Danvis Ladyvale
Blue Mist and Cathanbrae Verily Verily, who later carried her
title. Any euphoria felt by Ayrshire Collie Club officials was
quickly dashed when tickets were withdrawn the following year
after a change in the way breed Challenge Certificates were
allocated. After a general escalation of interest in all canine
events, Championship status was reinstated in 1981, since when
the Ayrshire Collie Club’s autumn show has become a looked
forward to annual event.

 

Today a twinning arrangement between the Ayrshire Collie Club and
the All Ireland Collie and Sheepdog Society helps to encourage
understanding and friendship between Collie enthusiasts showing under
different controlling bodies. Members from each of the two clubs regularly
support each other’s events supplying specials as well as attending.

The Ayrshire Collie Club’s current aims and objectives are:

To promote responsible dog ownership.

Support all related activities within the showing, breeding
and rearing of Rough Collies, in line with the Kennel
Club’s published Breed Standard and Guidelines.

 

Membership, which currently averages 200, is open to all.

For more details about what the Ayrshire Collie Club has to offer
visit our web-site.