Moon Walker tribute page 2

In 2005 Marvin brought his total number of CCs to 26, including BIS at the London & Provincial Collie Club’s Championship Show. He was again Smooth Collie of the Year, the fifth time he had been the Best Dog here and the third time he had won the overall title. His daughter, Ch Southcombe Sophisticate at Rowvale, did the double with him, winning Best Bitch. Marvin was also Top Smooth for 2005.

In February 2006, before the age of 7, Marvin was Best Dog at the Smooth Collie of the Year Contest for the 6th time and won the title Smooth Collie of the Year for an unprecedented 4th time. This feat is all the more remarkable when it is considered that the judging is not by one, but three, judges; a Smooth Specialist, a Rough Specialist and an Allrounder. Two weeks later Marvin, at British Collie Club, won his 27th CC. and then went on to win BIS and the coveted Collie Club Challenge Trophy. Just five days later Marvin won his 28th CC and BOB at Crufts in an international entry. This CC meant that he took the record for the most CCs won by a tricolour Smooth which had been held by Ch Eastwood Extra for almost a century.

To date Marvin has won 30 CCs and 17 reserves and has been BIS 10 times. His 29th CC came from Mrs Valerie Geddes at the London Collie Club's Championship Show in June 2006, where he was also Best In Show. Mrs Geddes wrote in her critique that she rated Marvin "as one of the 'greats' of the breed.

Marvin is a kind and gentle stud dog; he has one champion daughter, Ch Southcombe Sophisticate at Rowvale (10CCs 7 Res. CCs), and a champion granddaughter, Ch Southcombe Society Girl, with 6CCs & 4 Reserves (owned by Stephanie Whittingham). Marvin’s son, Mrs Penny Evans’, Southcombe Sunset Shadow, won 3 Res. CCs as a puppy and now has 7 Reserve CCs. Many times he has been beaten only by his sire, but at Manchester in 2005 he won the CC and Marvin had to be content with the Reserve on that day. Marvin’s daughter Glencorrie Begorgeous (owned by breeders Mrs & Mrs Burton) has 2 CCs and a Reserve and Begorgeous’ litter brother Glencorrie Beworthy for Astrellita (owned by Stella & Marilyn Clark) has a CC and a Reserve. Marvin’s granddaughter Southcombe She’s the One has a Res. CC.

In 2004 Marvin and his family made quite a family affair of the major awards at the West of England Collie Club Championship show under Mrs Stella Clark (Astrellita). Marvin won his 22nd CC that day, but was beaten to BOB by his granddaughter, Society Girl, who was winning her 1st CC on the day from the Junior Bitch class. Res. Dog CC went to Marvin’s son, Sunset Shadow, while his daughter, Sophisticate, won the Res. Bitch CC. His granddaughter, Southcombe She’s the One, won Best Puppy. Mrs Clark described Marvin as ‘A star’ and said of him “One can only admire his stunning outline & showmanship, one of the best Smooth males for a long time to grace our ring.”

While still a puppy Marvin’s Grandson, Rowvale River Gambler, won a Reserve CC and has added two more to this tally while still a junior. Marvin’s descendants are not confined to these shores. In 2005 Marvin sired a litter to the UK bred, French owned sable & white bitch Fr. + Int. Ch Astrellita Gold Dust, and the puppies are leading active lives in France and Switzerland.

Marvin is a kind-natured dog with a laid back attitude. He lives indoors and gets on well with the other dogs in the household, including other male relatives and stud dogs. He is a gentle and very loving dog, who likes his home comforts. While the MacGregors always tried not to have favourites among their dogs, Jeanette admits that Marvin is special. When Jeanette’s husband Jim was killed in a tragic road accident in June 2006 Marvin attended the funeral service. Side by side with Jeanette he greeted mourners at the entrance to the Chapel, with a friendly wag of his tail, and then sat quietly through the service, a fitting and personal tribute from Jim’s favourite dog.

Marvin is definitely a once in a lifetime dog. He has won an incredible number of awards, breaking many records along the way, his breed type appeals across the board, and his personality makes him a dog in a million.