A Tribute to Moon Walker

Jeanette and Jim MacGregor’s first Smooth, Laureats Love in a Mist, was born in 1985. Ch Southcombe Solitaire at Rowvale, born some 5 years later, became their first champion, winning her first CC and BOB at Crufts in 1995.

Solitaire’s pedigree demonstrates the influence of the top winning males Ch Sylbecq Draught Guiness at Foxearth and his sire Ch Foxearth Gold Fever. Her sire, Manordeifi Lord Snoopy, was both a son of Ch Gold Fever and also a grandson of Ch Draught Guiness. Her dam, Ch Southcombe Summer Gem, was a granddaughter and great-granddaughter of Ch Draught Guiness, as well as being a great granddaughter of Guiness’ sister, Sylbecq Snow in Harvest at Lilymead, and Ch Gold Fever’s brother Int. Ch Foxearth Fenix. Through her sire Solitaire goes back to Rough lines through her great-granddam Manordeifi Rosalyn.

In 1996 Solitaire produced the first Rowvale litter. They were sired by the breed record holder, Ch Sharidon Silver Phantom at Foxearth. The litter contained three champions, Ch Rowvale Rainbow Warrior for Mrs Di Howe, and the brother and sister Ch Rowvale Dream Racer and Ch Rowvale Rose Marie for the home kennel.

In 1999 Ch Dream Racer sired his first litter. This was to the blue merle bitch Foxearth Fern Ominal, owned by Trevor & Birgit Hayward in partnership with Maria & Tony Foulston & Miss Jessica Foulston. Fern is a granddaughter of both Ch Gold Fever and Ch Silver Phantom, with further lines going back to such great names as Ch Newarp Silver Moonbeam, Ch Astrellita Blue Movie of Glenmist (through her son Ch Glenmist Rough Diamond at Lordsvill) and Ch & Int. Ch Foxearth Silver Fountain.

That litter produced the blue merle Ch Fido Fax to Foxearth for the Haywards, Faxed Back to Foxearth (dam of Ch Snuggletooth Flurry’s Filly) and the dual CC winning, top agility winning Smooth, Dark Motif from Misstoff AW for Mrs Jean Tuck. Jeanette remembers “When I first saw the litter one tri dog puppy in particular stood out because of his lovely shape, we brought him home at 8 weeks and called him Marvin, a name Jim chose”. Because he was born in partnership Marvin was originally registered without an affix, simply as Moon Walker, he was then reregistered with Maria & Tony’s ‘Misstoff’ affix added.

As a puppy Marvin won numerous BP and BPIS awards and a BPIG award at Bournemouth. At 8 months old he won his first Reserve CC under Mrs Valerie Geddes at Birmingham National. In her critique Mrs Geddes wrote “Super tri of excellent type & balance...” and predicted that he “should have a super future.” This win qualified Marvin for the Smooth Collie of the Year Contest, held in June 2001 (somewhat later than usual due to the Foot & Mouth outbreak). At just 22 months old, and against CC and Reserve CC winners from the previous year, the untitled Moon Walker won the title of Smooth Collie of the Year.

It was not until September 2001, under Mrs Joan House at City of Birmingham that Marvin won his first CC, quickly followed later that same month by a 2nd CC at Scottish Breeds under Mr Brian House. Before the year was out Marvin had won his title, taking his 3rd CC at LKA under Mrs Lilian Mitchell.

In 2002 Marvin added another 5CCs to his tally, and won BIS at London Collie Club Championship Show, making him Top Smooth for 2002. He was also Best Dog at the Smooth of the Year contest. The MacGregors considered retiring Marvin as he was a champion and his offspring were already appearing in the showring. However Marvin was still young, had yet to reach his full maturity and loved showing so much that they decided to continue.

2003 saw another busy year for Marvin in the ring, another 10CCs, BOB at Crufts, and BIS at London Collie Club Championship show for the second year. He was the Top Smooth of 2003 and was Smooth Collie of the Year for the 2nd time – the first male to win the title twice.

At Manchester Championship Show in January 2004 Marvin won his 19th CC under Mr Albert Wight and then Group 2 under Mrs Jo Bispham. He won another 3CCs during the year, and won another Group place at the City of Birmingham Championship show under Mr Derek Smith, this time Group 3. He was Best Dog at the Smooth Collie of the Year Contest for the fourth year in a row, and was Top Smooth Stud Dog for 2004.