Bella (Aust CH Letchworth Bellezza)
Click here to view Bella's Pedigree
Aust CH Letchworth Bellezza (Bella), is a striking, classically built and gaited Collie Rough who retains all the qualities of a 'working dog', which of course the Collie Rough is. Bella's intelligence, temperament and gait (added by a hip-score of zero!), make her an outstanding example of this breed's origins as a herding dog in Scotland in the 1800s.
Bred by Mrs Linda Toovey of Letchworth Collies, Bella was born on 28 June 1999, and started her show ring career in early 2000. At the very tender age of nearly 16 months, Bella earned her final points towards the the title of Australian Champion on 21 October 2000. Bella was awarded six Best of Breeds at Championship Shows in Queensland and New South Wales during the short campaign for her Championship.
After having had her only litter in early 2001 (with Hamish), Bella had a good rest from the show, and let two of her first litter represent her! Those of her pups who have been occasional show ring performers are Carla , Benny and and Utah. All three live now with us at Balinfern.
Bella suffered a severe spinal injury in June 2003 which left her paralysed from the chest down. However with patient physiotherapy and her strong life force she regained the ability to walk and run, but her remaining injury means her show days are over. Something that will not worry her as she loves being home ruling Balinfern where she is TOP DOG!
Bella was a remarkable mother and made ours and her pups lives a real pleasure. With the birth of Buffy's pups in June 2003, Bella in spite of her movement difficulties, the result of her spinal injury, took on a willing surrogate mother role with Buffy's litter and she just loved it! The same scenario happened in May 2007 with the birth of her daughter Carla's pups! The maternal instinct in her is very strong.
Bella loves nothing better than herding cattle at Balinfern Farm, and then taking herself off for a swim in one of the creeks. She constantly discovers new 'toys', and invents games which she encourages the others collies (and our cats!) to join her in. She has passed this endearing behaviour on to her children and grandchildren! Bella and her son Benny lead the other collies in guarding Balinfern and all within from perceived threats! She is happy to spend her days in retirement with her children and now also her grandchildren Fergus and Ally!