A little bit about our past: Like many Collie fanciers - I started out owning pet Collies as a child - and always dreamed of showing them. This was back in the days before the internet, so from the day I learned to read, I read every book & magazine about Collies that I could get my hands on. Then, as a teenager with my first job, the first thing I bought with my first paycheck was a Collie. I bought him as a pet, but I was OK with that - he'd do just fine until I could show one day. He had been purchased as a puppy by a local family, and then they'd chained him to a dog house to live out his days. When I bought him from them, he was matted to the skin, but after lots of bathing & brushing he was lovely. He made a very pretty pet too, and with good reason. It turned out that he was a son of the legendary CH Twin Creeks True Grit!
Then, in 1988, I bought the best show prospect that I could afford. Her breeders had kept her to show, but due to an illness in their family, they were forced to sell her. Because of this, they were also unable to provide much guidance in showing her. In spite of this, I was able to finish her myself in tough Midwest competition. I knew no one who showed dogs & was in my early 20's with no money - so showing a dog was a crazy thing to do! But of course, that has never stopped anyone from showing dogs.
After taking many years off from showing Collies due to other commitments, I have finally been able to get back into the ring, although I have never stopped loving Collies & as always, have been studying everything there is to know about them. At long last, the first litter of "Stornoway" Collies was whelped in 2005, co bred with the help of Lydia Filzen of Foxfire Collies. We kept two Smooth girls from the litter, because we have never had a Smooth & thought it might be fun. Of course, we were hooked immediately & are having a great time with them! Both are finished now & enjoying the specials ring from time to time. We intend to breed both of them in the future.
Our Collies are our pets. They live in the house with us & sleep in our bed (....as many as will fit!) They go places with us...anywhere that dogs are allowed. We don't care how many champions we finish. We strive to breed Collies who are correct according to the standard for our breed. There have been many great Collies in the past - and many in the present too. We want our Collies to be just as lovely. Correct Collie Expression, Head Type, Temperament, and Soundness our goals!
We look forward to many happy years of producing & exhibiting beautiful rough & smooth Collies with health, beauty, and an outgoing "look at me" attitude!
Paula & Phil Clairday
Stornoway Collies
This was a really fun show! It took a LOT of rough Collies to make a major at that time in the midwest. After giving us the variety over all the specials, Mrs Whitmore asked me if it was a major for us.
I told her it wasn't - but that's ok! We were just thrilled to win BOV!
Randi was my first show dog. She had exceptional movement, so once I figured out what I was supposed to do - she did really well.
Here I am with big hair! Pictured finishing Ch Tewkesbury Beyond the Clouds. The late Nick Agliano was the judge.