The area of England usually referred to as ‘The Midlands’ is synonymous with the Collie’s early development and the region

has frequently supported specialist Collie Societies, although rarely did they reign for more than a few years.

 

The Midland Collie Club’s origins are shrouded in mystery, although it is believed it was founded in 1924. For all this there is no reference to a Midland Collie Club in Kennel Club published lists of registered breed clubs until volume 72 of the
Stud Book, dated 1945 and covering the year 1944. However it is known
from Kennel Gazette entries that the Club were licensed to organise
Sanction Shows throughout the twenties and thirties when first
Mr E. C. Davis of Smethwick, and later Mr E. J. Allsop ‘Merrion’
undertook secretarial duties.

 

The re-emergence of canine activities in the immediate post-war
period saw Mr Allsop still at the helm concentrating the club’s
efforts on supporting local breeders with members’ only shows.
Gradually, as more fanciers joined collie ranks, entries began
to escalate, and with Mr Alan Jeffries ‘Jefsfire’ taking over
secretarial duties the Midland Collie Club started to expand
its horizons; scheduling a full range of shows from Open Show
downwards.

 

Catering, as it does, for an area that has always been well served
by General Championship Shows the Midland Collie Club had to
wait a long time before it attained such exalted status, but attain it, it did
in 1977 when Mrs Joan Sykes ‘Sykeslaw’ almost mirrored the principal
placings at Cruft’s, which had been scheduled the previous week,
handing the tickets to the same two Collies, who were each winning their
second on the day, while reversing the Best of Breed award. Anchored in
early February from the outset, the Midland Collie Club Championship Show
has always succeeded in attracting large entries, and has since its second show
in 1978 engaged two judges, one for each sex.

 

In 1991 the Kennel Club moved Cruft’s to the National Exhibition Centre outside Birmingham, three years later it introduced a new feature aimed at encouraging visitors to make detailed enquires before selecting any breed of dog. ‘Discover Dogs at Cruft’s’, as this feature has become known, has, since its introduction, been supported by Midland Collie Club members and committee, who provide a team of enthusiasts and Collies capable of promoting the breed in a positive light to members of the general public.

Membership, which permits a kennel link on our web-site, is open to all.

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