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Variety is the spice of life.
A COL interview with Judy Walburn and Cheryl Thompson of C And J Collies
(COL) Please give us a little background on C and J Collies. What collie
lines have you worked with? How many litters have you had since you
started in Collies?
We started out in collies in the late '80s with a rescue collie we named "Brandy." When we lost her, our house was so empty without a Collie we started searching for a puppy. Sharon Goodburn sent us to Leroy Egbert from whom we purchased a beautiful sable bitch who became our first champion and our foundation bitch.
 Ch C and J's Miss Buffy Girl (Buffy)
She was CH C and J's Miss Buffy Girl. We did not buy her to show but everyone kept encouraging us. After having someone show her and seeing "Buffy" was not enjoying it, Cheryl took handling lessons and started showing her, herself.
Buffy bloomed and started to enjoy showing.
Her first points came in Delaware, Ohio, where she took BOV from the classes over specials, Group One and pushed for Best in Show (It was between the Afghan and her and the Afghan won). We met Dona Williams and she started showing her to some big wins: Best of Variety at Westminster in 1996, Award of Merit at the 1996 Collie Club of America National Specialty, Best in Show.
In addition, she also gave us six champions. She was bred to CH Jeff's MTF Michaelangelo and from that breeding came CH C and J's Miss Classy Cassie. Next she was bred to CH Venessee's Midnight Express, which produced three champions: CH C and J's Mr. Touch Of Buff, CH C and J's Ms Walkin Aftr Midnight and CH C and J's Midnight Mark Of Legend.
 Ch C and J's Midnight Mark Of Legend (Teddy) in February of 2009 with Judge Barbara Linder and handler, Dona Williams
The third breeding was to CH Napiers's Dangerous Liason and two champions came from this litter: CH C and J's Southern Gentleman and CH C and J's Keeper of the Stone.
CH C and J's Midnight Mark of Legend ("Teddy") was our first dog to be in the Top Ten. He finished #5 in the national breed rankings. "Lukie" (CH C and J's Mr Touch of Buff ) was the dog pictured on Iams biscuits and canned lamb and rice dog food.
 Ch CJ Deep River Nutin Could Be Fina ROM-P (Callie)
In 1999 we went down to Dona's and saw this beautiful sable puppy. I asked
her who she belonged to and she said, "You. You are going to buy her." We did and she became CH CJ Deep River Nutin Could Be Fina ROM-P. Nearly everything we own now comes down from her, including [GCH C And J Silver Charm Of Chrysalis] "Ashley." We are not big breeders. We have only had 11 litters but have 22 champions with 17 of them being "bred by."
C and J Collies has had phenomenal success in both Varieties at the
National Specialty Show with 2007 Best of Breed Winner
CH Rosebank Lochlaren Keep It A Secret (Fallon) and Multiple BOV and
Inter-variety Winner GCH C And J Silver Charm Of Chrysalis (Ashley)
When and where did you attend your first Collie National?
The first Collie National we went to was Kansas City in 1993. We did not take a dog. We went to observe and learn.
 CH Rosebank Lochlaren Keep It A Secret (Fallon) and Dona Williams on the center mat in Open Sable class at the 2006 National Specialty in Boise, Idaho, where she eventually took Winners Bitch / Best of Winners under judge Leslie Canavan. Photo by Colliesonline.com
Please tell us about Fallon and Ashley. When and How did they come to
live at C And J?
The first time we saw "Fallon" was right after Tim [Bauder] got her from Barbara Cleek. We both loved her and Cheryl asked Tim what he was going to do with her and if she was for sale. He said Debbie Holland told him to hang on to her. He later called and asked Cheryl to train her and another puppy he had. When Tim came to pick them up, the training bill was settled by adding Cheryl's name as co-owner on Fallon. This is one of the best training fees Cheryl ever earned. Fallon stayed with us from that date until she passed away twelve years later. She was five months old at the time.
Deb Waelde bred CH Chrysalis Ginger Snap to our "Mickey," CH C and J's White Tie and Tail. We chose Ashley from that litter for the stud fee. We went to the Louisville show to pick her up and we had many collie people helping us make our decision. It was between her and the little tri bitch, who Deb kept and she became GCH Chrysalis Formal Wear.
Since her WB/BOW at the 2010 Riverside National Specialty under Barbara
Linder, Ashley has taken Multiple Best of Variety and Inter-variety wins at the National. What qualties or virutues does Ashley possess that makes her such a standout in the breed?
Her virtues are her beautiful head piece, her soundness, her beautiful outline and her attitude.
Ashley taking BOV at the 2013 National Specialty under Judge Gayle Kaye. (L-R) Cheryl Thompson (Owner-(handler), Judy Walburn (Owner) and Debra Walde (Breeder).
Did anything about Fallon's success at the National prepare you for Ashley's success?
No. We were probably the most surprised when Ashley won. We thought she was beautiful and special but there were many beautiful dogs in that ring.
Tell us about the life outside the ring for a C And J Collie. What
is life like for them at your house?
We live on five acres on top of a hill. All the dogs get along and love running up and down the hill. The kennel is heated and air conditioned and everyone has their turn in the house.
If you could describe Ashley in one word what word would that be. Why?
Caring. She cares as much about us as we do about her. She is a great mother and takes care of her puppies long after they are grown. She cares about showing and always gives 110 percent.
If you could describe Fallon in one word what word would that be. Why?
Regal. Fallon was the queen here. She was definitely alpha. She chose her spot on the couch and when she slept with you it was her bed, and you hung on the edge. Fallon did not care for other bitches but she and Ashley had an amazing relationship. The first place Ashley would go when she came home from a show was to see Fallon.
Ashley's National Specialty Show Record:
2010 Winners Bitch and BOW (Judge Barbara Linder)
2012 BOV (Judge Leslie Canavan)
2013 BOV and BOS TO BOB (Judge Gayle Kaye)
2014 AOM (Judge Nioma Coen)
2015 BOV (Judge Sandra Thompson)
2016 BOS and BOS TO BOB (Judge Mary Wells)
Fallon's National Specialty Show Record:
2006 WB, BOW (Judge Leslie Canavan)
2007 BOV, BOB (Judge Shelley Roos)
2008 BOS (Judge Thomas Coen)
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