Never to be in the shadows of 

their much smaller kennelmates, 

the Collies of Akirene would  

stand out on their own merits

attaining impressive levels of success.

 It would be during Irene and Rod's 

first trip to the East Coast that

the idea of purchasing a collie would develop.

Their sheltie 

Am Can Ch Banchory Backstop ROM/ROMC

would be awarded 

Best of Breed

at the 1977

ASSA National Specialty

as well as 

Best In Show

at the 

Longshore Southport KC.

During their trip, 

they would have the opportunity to see

some of the most beautiful collies that

the breed had produced.

As Rod was very involved in Junior Showmanship

competition at that time, 

Irene would be advised by Donna Tidswell (Banchory)

and Tom Coen (Macdega)

that a larger breed might be preferable for 

Junior Showmanship competition.

Following  the National,

Irene and Rod would return home,

however Donna would remain to visit with Eastern breeders.

Donna would visit Berridale Kennels,

a kennel who was successful in both collies and shelties

with such collies as 

Am Ch Berridale-Macdega  Silver Meteror.

Berridale would have a litter which

included a beautiful blue bitch who

would be available to the right home.

As Irene and Rod were enroute back to

British Columbia driving,

Donna would telephone Aki 

to inform that she had found a

collie bitch for Akirene.

Without hesitation, 

or consulting with Irene,

Aki would agree to the purchase.

He would also suggest that since

the purchase was his decision,

the registration of owner should

be under his name!

Akirene's first collie would be a 

beautiful blue merle bitch

whelped on March 3, 1977

sired by 

Am Ch Clarion's Night Rider

out of 

Berridale Touch of Lace

(Am Ch Tartanside The Gladiator ROM ex Am Ch Glen Hill Silver Lace)

She would be registered as

Can Ch Berridale Akirene's Misty Morn

"Misty" would complete her title at just six months of age,

in just three days,

including a Best Puppy In Show. 

She would produce only one litter 

before an early and untimely death. 

She would be bred to the

CCA Winners Dog 

Am Ch Glenecho's Set The Style

a son of the legendary 

Am Ch Tartanside The Gladiator

From her only litter she would produce 

a lovely sable male who would

be sold to Richard and Marjorie Norstrom

of El Solo Collies & Shelties.

BIS/BISS Am Can Ch Akirene's Counterforce

Prior to leaving Akirene,

this impressive dog would complete his Canadian title

in 5 shows from the 6-9 month class with several

Best of Breeds.

Kane would have a spectacular show career, 

under the guidance of the 

late PHA handler Mr. George Schlinker.

His wins would include

5 American All-Breed Best In Shows

and would rank as 1985's

Number One Collie

in the USA

A return to the East Coast would enable the next 

collie acquisition.  

In the summer of 1982, while working

on the East Coast

for Handler Steve Barger,

Rod would have the opportunity to

visit with Tom and Nioma Coen.

Rod would mention his interest in

acquiring another blue collie.

Tom would explain that he would be 

evaluating a special litter of puppies from

Judi Evans of Clarion Collies.

A blue male would be chosen and

would return with Rod back to

Canada.

He would be sired by

Am Ch Lynnridge Shades Of Night

out of the 1983 CCA Best Puppy

 Am Ch Clarion The Platinum Minx. 

He would be registered as

Can Ch Clarion Akirene's Focal Point (4 pt. major)

Other collies would include:

Am Can Ch ShoMe's Realm Of Gold

Am Can Ch Starr's First Class

Am Can Ch Countryview's Motion Picture

BISS Am Ch Akirene's Painted Image

and our latest multiple group winner and

Collie Club of Canada's 

National Specialty

 Best of Breed 

Winner:

Am Can Ch Barkley's Lonely Chaplin

updated March 2008