Smooth Collie Club of Great Britain

Thank you to Bev White for writing this lovely tribute on behalf of the Club.


The Smooth Collie Club of Great Britain was very sad to learn of the death, at the great age of 98, of Mrs Aileen Speding, whose Antoc Kennel was synonymous with quality dogs since the 1950’s. From this time, she gained a considerable reputation as a clever breeder, a fair and honest judge, a hard working and dedicated club committee member, and a friendly mentor to so many starting out along the path of showing and breeding.

Her legacy in Rough Collies and Cardigan Corgis can be read elsewhere, but the Club wanted to acknowledge here her contribution towards the Smooth Collie, a breed that came to her successful kennel in 1996 with the addition of the tricolour bitch, Foxearth Absolutely Fab for Antoc or Patsy as she was known. Patsy was sired by the blue merle Ch Foxearth Fire Cracker out of the tricolour Foxearth Flippant, a combination line bred to the fabulous Ch Foxearth Gold Fever, a prepotent sire stamping his quality on many bitches of different lines.

Patsy gained her title and when mated to Ch Foxearth Snow Flurry (line bred to the Gold Fever son, Ch Sylbecq Draught Guiness at Foxearth - one of the greatest sires in the breed’s history) produced the kennel’s homebred Smooth champion, Antoc Fascination. Sadly she did not breed on but a litter sister who went back to the Foxearth kennel, Foxearth Antoc Firelight, was mated twice, firstly to Foxearth Smooth Finnish, producing the male, Ch Foxearth High Frequency, another great sire in this country and Europe. Those lines continue very successfully at home and abroad to this day.

Her second litter was sired by Ch Fido Fax to Foxearth, another male who was able to put his stamp on bitches from different lines. This combination produced Ch Foxearth French Eclipse and Foxearth Frosted Image who was exported as a puppy to France, and who bred on there.

So from a kennel housing only a few dogs, considered breeding combinations were made with results that still resonate today, surely the sign of a great breeder. In addition, she was always happy to share her knowledge and chat about dogs. She supported and mentored many people who have gone on to success in their own right. Thank you Aileen for your huge contribution to the world of dogs, and to the Smooth Collie in particular. Sincere condolences to her daughter Carole and husband Jim.

Aileen Speding - R.I.P - a life well lived.