Hamish (Aust CH Letchworth Balintore Fern)
Click here to view Hamish's Pedigree
Hamish (BIS BISS Aust CH Letchworth Balintore Fern) is an eye-catching shaded sable and white boy with a classic collie head and dreamy expression. Hamish's delightful, happy nature makes him a joy to have as member of the family, but his friendly exuberance can sometimes make him a handful in the showring! As he matured he came to think of the show ring as his stage and loved the experience of show days. He is a multiple Class in Group and Best in Group winner, and also BISS and BIS winner.
Hamish was honoured by the Organising Committee of the Australian Collie National Show held in Sydney in June 2000, by the use of this photo (above) on the cover of the catalogue for that show.
As one collie specialty judge said in her published critique, "This eye catching sable dog melted me with his lovely classic head and expression, abundant coat of correct texture and delightful happy nature.....I could have taken him home in a flash!" We said she couldn't!
Hamish is in retirement these days and spends his days with his sons Benny, (Balinfern Way Ahead) and Utah (Balinfern Golden Laddie), and daughter Carla (Aust CH Balinfern Prima Donna), and grandchildren Fergus (Balinfern Fearguis) and Ally (Balinfern Allegra).
Bred by Mrs Linda Toovey, of Letchworth Collies, Hamish was born on 11 June 1997. Click here to find out more about Hamish's Pedigree. Hamish started his show career in late 1998 and achieved his final points towards the title Australian Champion on 14 August 1999. Hamish was mated in 1999 to Buffy (Aust CH Clekarn Devine) and this litter was whelped on 19 June 1999. See pictures of this litter below. In April 2001 Balinfern Collies acquired his mate, Aust CH Clekarn Divine (Buffy) from Marie and Bruce Heath who had bred her.
In April 1999 Hamish achieved Best Exhibit in Show (107 exhibits), at The Collie Club of New South Wales Open Show under Mr B McDonald (UK) pictured below. Soon after, in July 1999, Hamish was again Best Exhibit in Show (358 exhibits), Dubbo and District Kennel Club All Breeds Championship under Mr M Carr (New South Wales).
In 2005, at the 8th Australian Collie National Show held in Brisbane, Hamish was awarded 2nd place in the Veterans ( 7 - 10 years) class. The critique of Hamish at the 8th Collie National - by the Judge - Stella Clark (UK) reads "Sable 8 years old and still looking good. In beautiful coat and condition, carries clean head and good expression. Nice bone, still has strong well padded feet and strode out well on the move."
Along the way, Hamish has won numerous Best of Breed and In-Group Awards (including multiple Best In Group) in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, under Australian and international judges. In 2001 Hamish was awarded Best of Breed by US judge MR D W Fleitas in June 2001 at the Combined CCC's Federation Show in Brisbane, Australia. This was his first show after having been out of the show ring for over twelve months. In 2002 he had very limited showing, but when reentering the ring during October and November was nevertheless awarded no fewer then four Best in Group in four shows!
Pictured below are the pups from a mating of Hamish and Buffy in 1999. You can also see the pups born in early 2001 to Hamish and Bella at Photo Albums in the right hand menu on this page.
