Show Placings
Boston & District Canine Society
8th Jan 2023
Judge: Tracy Butler (Ycart)
Firstly I would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge there well run show,also many thanks must go to my very capable stewards on an excellent job in keeping the ring running smoothly.
The biggest thanks must go the exhibitors for there entries,and there sportsmanship on my decisions.
In my opinon,my findings where as follows,the standard asks for “essencially a working terrier”,this is a statement that is very close to my heart.
Unfortunatley some do not fit this,short upperarms are still very present,restricting reach in movement.Some dogs would benefit from less food and more exercise.
Muscle tone varied greatly,some dogs lacking,these dogs are bred to do a job.
With the rising costs of entries,some exhibits would benefit greatly from a good tidy up and the mud removed from there under bellies.
I was pleased with my overall winners,some nice quality exhibits.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2023
Judge: Mrs Patsy Hollings (Gunalt)
First Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Best Puppy
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
This one had it all today. Smart head ,small ear and expressive eye, strong jaw and big teeth. Decent neck to lay of shoulder. Stands on good legs and feet .Spans ,short muscular loin .Strong set on and tail in balance. Quality skin and harsh topcoat. Goes with purpose. BPIB.
Class Critique
Looks good for the future as decent puppies
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Repat. BPIB.
Crufts
11th Mar 2023
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
To judge Border Terriers at Crufts was both a privilege and a honour and I must thank the Crufts Committee for the appointment to judge the breed at what is the greatest dog show in the world. A big thanks go to the exhibitors from both home and abroad for such a super entry which made for a great days judging with quality in depth in many of the classes. Finally I must thank my two stewards who kept things moving in the ring to allow me to finish judging in good time.
On the day I was looking for a workmanlike dog as the standard asks for but one also must remember that in the show ring you also need that attitude and showmanship to complete the picture. I felt my BOB put up a great show in the Group and was so pleased to see him take Group 2 in a quality line up.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Another promising youngster of good size who handled well on the table. Liked his head, eye and expression. Pleasing front assembly along with a firm level topline that he held on the move. Good width of hindquarters and was put down in good order on the day. Sound on the move.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
25th Mar 2023
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
What an absolute honour and a privilege to be invited to judge this show, my thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Border Terrier Club, and my two excellent stewards for the day, Judy and Marina.
My sincere thanks also, to ALL the exhibitors for making it truly memorable, with 196 dogs, 233 entries.
Some very close decisions had to be made!
On the down side, I found some very short muzzles and small teeth, and quite a number of filthy teeth!! Temperaments were generally good, there were 2 kinked tails and 1 suspect mouth, a lack of muscle tone and condition in some exhibits, which is essential for a terrier to do it’s job.
That said, it was an absolute joy to see so many super dogs.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
almost 10 mths g/t similar to 1, attractive head with dark points, moderate neck length leading to well shaped body, neat feet , didn’t move as positively as 1 .
National Terrier Club
1st Apr 2023
Judge: Miss Sarah Dandy (Dandale)
There was a good depth of quality overall across both sexes which proved for good competition and some very close decisions especially in the larger classes. Thank you to all those who accepted my decisions so sportingly. Temperaments were excellent especially the youngsters with the added challenge of the tannoy right overhead. There were some very promising youngsters which is always pleasing and positive to see, and I was delighted with my winning line up in both sexes, with top honours closely contested. I was disappointed that some exhibits who looked so good standing fell apart on the move, there were quite a few upright shoulders and I felt that efficient ground covering movement so essential for the breeds ability to follow a horse was somewhat lacking. It is encouraging to see quite a few younger handlers taking an interest in our breed today, so positive for the future. Thank you to both my excellent stewards who most competently kept the ring moving all day.
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
16th Apr 2023
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
A bit thank to the committee of EABTC for inviting me to judge their championship show. I really enjoyed my day and when I later looked at the catalogue to see my winners I found it interesting reading, as all my major winners were of similar lines.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
grizzle, longer cast than 1. Pleasing head, good topline and tailset. Coat just coming through.
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
27th Apr 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Walshaw (Janmark)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for the invitation to judge at WELKS, it was quite a few years ago now, as I was due to judge them at the beginning of lockdown. Due to the heavy rain that had fallen over the preceding days, all judging was inside. It was slightly draughty, but we were allocated a double ring, so plenty of space, to see the exhibits stride out. I must thank the two stewards Lynn Jones and Celia Vines who kept the ring flowing beautifully and the exhibitors for making prompt appearances, we did well for time, starting approx. 0930 and finishing around 14:45. I thank all exhibitors for a wonderful entry (123 dogs making 172 entries} for a Thursday in Malvern and appreciate their time and expense for entering under me. There was plenty of quality to choose from and I was happy with my final decisions. Dentition was very good and a pleasure to judge dogs with clean teeth. I did find muscle tone to be poor/average in a lot of the exhibits, which must be one of the key areas for any working terrier. Jackets were mixed as was movement.
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Redesholt Han Solo
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
BP, Really liked this balanced g/t puppy, who was of a good size. He has an attractive head with dark eye and decent ears. smart through a clean neck of moderate length leading to well shaped body. Well ribbed back, tidy front, excellent rear angulation and good tailset. Stood on neat feet. Moved well, cleanly around the ring and true all ways. Best Puppy
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
30th Apr 2023
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
A very big thank you to the SBTC for inviting me to judge this very well run show, to Marina for stewarding and to the exhibitors for entering under me.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Slightly smaller in type but correct size, loved his masculine head, short strong muzzle, which was lacking in the minor class, harsh coat with thick pelt.
National Dog Show
6th May 2023
Judge: Brigitte Belin Bernaudin (France)
First, I thank the committee for the invitation to judge this prestigious show. Thanks to my stewards for making a super job and keep my judging running smoothly. It was a real honour and privilege as foreign judge and breeder to have the opportunity of this 1st appointment to give CC in my breed, and thank to exhibitors to allow me to go over so many good Border.
Being able in my country to work my dogs, I have been looking for the right conformation as asks in the standard, making dogs able to do their original work underground and was happy many could do so.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Nice head ,with typical expression, strong bite. Correct lay of shoulder. Spannable, correct length of body and ribs shape. Good tail set well carried on the move. Excellent pelt and coat. Moves well.
Leeds Championship Show
29th Jul 2023
Judge: Mr Brian Aubrey (Jenabeck)
Thank you all for a wonderful entry, I had to make some difficult choices on the day, but as always, I judge the dog on the day friend or foe and not what the dog as done in the past or what it will do in the future.
a few things did concern me on the day (1 ) so Many dirty teeth, (2) a few unfit dogs due to being overweight, (3) and the most concerning is short legs on one or two of the borders,
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Another with lovely head, neat ears, eyes dark, good length of ribs, in excellent jacket, thick pelt, moved well fore and aft will change places on another day
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
6th Aug 2023
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
It was a real honour to judge my home club’s show and my thanks go to a great committee for the opportunity and the way they run the club with all hands to the wheel. Richard Wright and Sharon Pickering had my back and have my appreciation for a great day’s stewarding.
I was disappointed in the early dog classes where what initially looked like an impressive line-up failed to materialise once on the table or on the move. Movement was a weak spot for a surprisingly large number of exhibits, especially front movement. There were three poor mouths and one exhibit that couldn’t be spanned but lots of good pelts, coats and neat feet. However long tails are becoming more common and a true carrot tail is about as rare as hen’s teeth. I was fascinated by some handlers interpretation of a triangle, suffice to say it’s a good job it wasn’t a maths exam.
Once again there were only two CCs available which is a great shame when there are so many who warrant them. I can only sympathise with those who went home empty handed. It was most likely a reflection of the strength of the classes rather than their standing. The bitch classes were especially strong with at least six exhibits worthy of much more than I had available to offer. When it came to the line ups I was clearly torn and had to be really picky to get to a decision but in the end I was pleased with all the winners.
Whilst there is still much that can be done to improve some aspects of the breed there is a lot to be proud of with some really stunning exhibits out there.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Another good example of the breed, otter head with a great stop, reach of neck, topline and short tail, well muscled and good turn of stifle.
The Welsh Kennel Club Championship Show
19th Aug 2023
Judge: Jane Morton Shaw (Fehmarn)
I would like to thank the WKC committee for inviting me to judge at this lovely show. It was very well organised with a super friendly atmosphere.
Thank you to all the exhibitors for your entry & accepting my decisions so graciously.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day, but I have to apologise for the late start! I’m always super early for everything, and had arrived on the showground by 8am. Unfortunately my watch battery ran out at 8.20 and I was mortified when I realised it had stopped and to find out that the time was 9.35!!!
I was very pleased to see my BOB, BPIB & BVIB shortlisted in their groups, with Veteran going on to Group 3.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Beautiful head & expression, he had a good jacket & pelt. Well set on tail & good angulation & bend of stifle. Well let down hocks. Easily spanned. Moved OK but a little bit close in front
Driffield Championship Show
26th Aug 2023
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to Driffield Championship Dog Show Society for the invitation to judge today and thanks to my stewards Peter and Lesley Armstrong, who kept the ring running smoothly. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs. Front movement in the breed still needs some improvement, but overall I had lots of quality exhibits. Bites were good and only one kinked tail.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
City of Birmingham Championship Show
2nd Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs K Wilkinson (Otterkin)
Thank you to City of Birmingham for the invitation to judge this show, for the very large ring provided to the breed and to all the exhibitors who entered under me – I was very pleased with the overall quality of the entry of 122 dogs making 144 entries in these days of falling entries, with very few absentees (16 from “new dogs” by my count).
The ring stewards did an excellent job of keeping everything running smoothly – so thank you to John Gardner and Ken Francis.
I would like to send my best wishes to Anna Duxbury (Ridgebow) who had initially been under contract to judge this as her very first Championship Show. Having seen Anna judge at the Border Terrier Club’s Open show in February 2022, I know she is a very experienced and knowledgeable judge as well as an excellent breeder and hope in time that she is able to take on another Championship Show appointment in the future. I had originally been invited to judge this show in 2024 and had sent my acceptance letter, but when the Secretary contacted me, I agreed to bring forward the appointment to 2023.
I have taken the name/s of the owner/s and the dogs’ names direct from the catalogue. Some may have other owners or Kennel Names added, or awards such as Ch or JW added now, but I must use the details from the catalogue.
*Handlers* – please do not stuff food/tubes of treats into your dogs’ mouths just before the judge needs to look at their dentition. Those who stood behind their dogs and held the lead, I had no problem examining their dogs’ mouths, but a small number of others who were stuffing food into their dog’s mouth as I approached, once they moved away, some dogs were up on their hind legs trying to get more food/treats from you. I had to examine the rest of the dog then come back and look in the mouth again when the dogs were not fidgeting about looking for food. If you are doing it to avoid the dentition being checked, it won’t work as a judge will just come back to it!
It was quite hot in the hall. Kudos to all the dogs as they were not put off by the noise made when judge and/or handler stood on whatever was under the carpet making a “clunk” noise. I found when spanning dogs, almost all of them were hot underneath. Never felt that before, even when judging in 90 degree heat outside in America, so just be aware that your dog may be getting overheated.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
A smaller dog all through. Loved his head and varminty expression. Cracking coat. Good tail set
Class Critique
A strong class of good dogs, especially the first
Richmond Championship Show
8th Sep 2023
Judge: Mr Tim Ball (Kaitak)
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
This 15 mth old grizzle also has lots to like and I thought him a good type. Balanced in outline with excellent neck, firm topline, strong loin and tail good for set and carriage. Easily spanned but not quite ribbing of winner. Attractive, well proportioned headpiece with super eye and ear, strong muzzle and scissor bite. Moves well when viewed in profile and true when going away but 1 had the edge when coming at you. Good quality jacket and nice thick pelt.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs J Guvercin (Glebeheath)
Thank you to the committee for this appointment, everyone worked hard to make it an enjoyable day. This venue always has a super atmosphere, however, the ring is too small really to see outlines, being far too near the dogs and side profile movement is very difficult to see, let alone for the dogs to perform really well. Many moved poorly, not liking the smooth mats and although I had to judge them on this today, I think most would move much better outside in a big grass ring.
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
The Scottish Kennel Club
1st Oct 2023
Judge: Mr M Armstrong (Bitcon)
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Pleasing head, ears could be neater, nice neck and shoulder, good length of body, nice bend of stifle, moved ok, in good jacket and pelt, nice span
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Repeat
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for a lovely entry and also to the Scottish BTC for this opportunity. Special thanks go to my two stewards for the day who kept everything running smoothly and for their good company. Although the lighting in the hall isn’t the best, it was adequate and the large square ring was perfect for watching movement, something I feel is very important in a border terrier. On that note I found my main winners to excel in this department. I was pleased to judge some strong puppy classes and also some strong adult classes
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Ladies Kennel Association
8th Dec 2023
Judge: Mr Ken Bartlett (Dwilencia)
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Another pleasing one to go over, good head, narrow front, spannable, well ribbed back, good hindquarters, pleasing on the move.
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Similar sort of dog, his coat is just coming in, good bone, legs and feet, well muscled quarters, moved and showed ok
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Crufts
10th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
A tremendous entry of 275 Borders ( 25 absentees on the day)to enjoy handling, judging and placing. I must extend my appreciation to my two valiant stewards for their patience and skill in keeping classes moving. Thank you all.
I do believe our breed is changing, but in subtle ways. The lack of opportunities for true terrier work below ground for some Borders has been replaced by agility and other energetic pursuits, but lack of hard muscle tone has produced a ‘softer’ body on some exhibits. Some feet are slacker, pads are more spread and thinner and some fronts are wide. Movement is not always positive and a ‘driving’ action is lacking. Size is fluctuating too. We have a ‘working’ breed - let’s ensure that features defining the breed are not lost, i.e. ‘spannability’; a hard, harsh top coat and soft protective undercoat (not enough of those today); a dark, expressive eye, a broad skull and strong quarters – ‘the engine is at the back!’. Heads generally were good, but some bitch heads veered towards coarseness.
One thing not lost is the Border’s kind temperament – curious, interested and ready for anything.
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Another fit dog for whom same remarks apply as to 2nd place. A very good class of promising youngsters.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lynda Ward (Roundtown)
It was an honour to be invited to judge this, our parent club’s show. My thanks to the committee who ran such a lovely event with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. My judge’s gift is much appreciated and will be a treasured momento of the day.
My superstar stewards, Janice Johnson and Liz Barrett, worked hard and unobtrusively whilst keeping the classes moving smoothly over a long day – well done ladies.
Many thanks of course to the exhibitors who made the journey on a major bank holiday weekend giving a large and quality entry of 190 dogs making 229 entries plus 10 NFC.
I had some lovely sound and typical Borders to go over and, had I had them, I would have had no qualms in awarding 4 dog tickets and 5 bitch tickets.
Unfortunately there are always downsides in a big entry and today size was an issue with some overly large exhibits who were not spannable and very heavily built.
There were a number of youngsters which were obviously unused to having their mouths examined and more practice in a calm atmosphere would help to make them comfortable and avoid stress for them and their handlers.
Ears need watching as some were quite large and spoiled the head.
Sadly, as in the past I must complain about long tails. Tails are an integral aspect of the overall picture of a typical Border outline and long is simply wrong. Our breed standard is spartan compared to many others but for tails the description is clear and begins with, “Moderately short; fairly thick at base, then tapering.” Hopefully the issue will be addressed before the untypical becomes the norm.
On a positive note …
Feet were overall small and thickly padded although some would benefit from trimming and shorter nails.
There was a good number of lovely otter-like heads of correct proportions with well placed dark eyes and a keen expression.
As is usual these days coat presentation was generally good and today there were plenty of dense coats of correct texture and thick skins.
Do I think the quality shown in this entry bodes well for the breed? Yes.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
Placing Critique
Stands out for type. Beautiful otter-like head with flat skull, strong jaw and big teeth. Comes to hand well and right for size and bone. Balanced angulation enabling him to move out soundly holding his topline. A contender in the challenge.
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
26th Apr 2024
Judge: Mandy Holmes (Bimandi)
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
National Dog Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mr Patrick Glover (USA)
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
Yearling - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Redesholt Han Solo
