Show Placings
Chesterfield & Pinxton KA Open Show
16th Jun 2019
Judge: Mr Rodney Oldham
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Totherend Myrna Loy
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Windsor Championship Show
27th Jun 2019
Judge: Mrs Jena Tuck (Nettleby)
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my two very able stewards who kept everything moving smoothly, and to the exhibitors for giving me the privilege of going over their dogs. I was delighted by my winners, and by the overall quality of the entry.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Grizzle with a full, proper double coat. A very well balanced bitch, with a superb narrow front, feminine head. Good neck, going into correct shoulders, level topline, good tailset, she moved well. Was pleased to award her Best Puppy in Breed.
East of England Championship Show
6th Jul 2019
Judge: Mrs Janet Alexander (Glenbucket)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
sweet feminine otter type head good eye and ear set full coat loose pelt level top line moved well
Richmond Championship Show
7th Sep 2019
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge (Risdene)
In this day of mentoring I make no apologies for restating the main criteria I apply in my judging. The standard states that the border terrier is essentially a working terrier and it should be able to follow a horse. Therefore I require a dog deep in chest but well ribbed back providing ample heart and lung room which will enable it to travel and be present when and if required to flush the quarry, narrow throughout and spannable to enable it to go to ground, head like that of a otter with strong muzzle and big teeth to help protect from any attack of the quarry, harsh double coat and thick skin as protection from the elements whilst underground or on the moors, good temperament to mix with the hounds and able to be handled as necessary.
I felt that most of my winners met this criteria and my report concentrates on the dogs distinguishing points that resulted in its placing. However no dog is perfect and that is where the judgement comes in and remember opinions from the ring side do not always hold up on closer inspection.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
All babies but these sisters were more mature, preferred movement of 1 but the head of 2, generally well constructed, not in the best of coats
Driffield Championship Show
21st Sep 2019
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
22nd Sep 2019
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
May I take the opportunity to thank the Club and its members for inviting me to judge at this show, and for the super warm hospitality I received. Special thanks to my ring stewards Carolyn Richardson and Julie North, for being efficient and keeping me on track.
I found no bad mouths and as always in our breed, coats at various stages. Lots of spannable dogs and bitches which I like.
I would like to say a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Nice bitch with a Good length of rib on a balanced body. Good bend of stifle, signs of coat coming through and pliable thick pelt. Nice feminine head.
Midland Counties Championship Show
24th Oct 2019
Judge: Mr Stuart Plane
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
3rd Nov 2019
Judge: Ms Judith Fawcett (Carrock)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this my second breed club show. Thank you to the committee for their kind hospitality and the lovely gift I received at the end of the day. My two stewards, Sharon Pickering & Beverley Barber, kept things moving along nicely – thank you. I was delighted with the entry – thank you to everyone for giving me the opportunity of going over your dogs and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted. As expected coats were at various stages – some were good, some going over and a couple of exhibits were freshly pulled out. All dogs were entire and there were no kinked tails. There were one or two untidy and a couple of level mouths. I had one main concern on the day – size. There were some exhibits who were just too big to span and weighed heavy and this was reflected in their placings. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was delighted with my main winners - I had some good quality dogs to judge.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
just short of 11 months old, grizzle bitch of good length, with feminine head, near ears and good bite. Good top line and tail set. Would prefer slightly more bend of stifle. Moved OK – a little close behind.
Hyde & DCA Open Show
17th Nov 2019
Judge: Nigel Merrick (Magicgem)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Sedgley & Gornal Canine Association Open Show
24th Nov 2019
Judge: Rachel Larner (Hawcoat)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Totherend Myrna Loy
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
I really liked this girls, just my type. 11 month old blue and tan in super coat. Lovely head and expression. Good front, good length of rib and well balanced. Lovely mover. BP
West Midland Terrier Society Open Show
30th Nov 2019
Judge: Mr. J. Todd (Roxess)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Best Puppy
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Driffield Championship Dog Show
28th Aug 2021
Judge: Mrs Linda Coleman (Hartswelin)
I was extremely pleased with my quality entry on this my first occasion awarding C.C.'s in the breed and thrilled to see my B.O.B. go 2nd in the group.
I will not mention teeth and bites in my individual critiques as apart from three which were level all exhibits possessed good strong teeth with excellent bites.Very few animals were difficult to span but far too many bitches in the later classes carried too much condition!
As in many other judges comments over the last few years fronts are still a big problem, if a Border does not have a correctly angled upper arm and shoulder it will not be able to follow a horse all day however well angled the hindquarters might be. A lot of dogs feet were not as small and tight as I would like but this may be due to lack of suitable excercise over the extended lockdowns. On the plus side nearly all were presented in double coat.
It was a very tight decision for me for B.O.B. and it could have gone either way but a choice had to be made so the dog won on being more an ideal size.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Aug 2021
Judge: Mrs Janet Lee (Tythrop)
My thanks to the Officers & Committee for inviting me to judge their show , & for the excellent ring stewards Mr Brewster & Mrs Armstrong who made the day run smoothly & kept me going with refreshments ! I enjoyed being with fellow BT fanciers & their dogs , as I always do .
I had a very good entry come forward & after such a long time away from the ring , a few were ring rusty & some youngsters were a little overawed , which I considered quite acceptable given so many had missed out on their early education & socialisation & tried to give them opportunity to shine , though a few very nice dogs could have been higher placed but the occasion was too much for them .
I found very good examples , but also had some whose construction fell a little short of the standard …….deep unspannable bodies or brisket below elbow standing or on the move on much shorter than their depth legs , forward placed & too little angulation in their fronts due to upright shoulders & short steep upper arms which shorten their strides or make them goosestep , & flat croups with extra high set tails carried like hound sterns ,or conversely short steep croups with low tailsets , often thin & long tails too & some poor downhill or lumpy/hinged toplines became apparent in profile movement , however the most common thing that struck me was how many have too little bone in pasterns & east-west feet when our standard calls for straight legs & good tight feet . As I lift every dog to see how their fronts ‘’drop’’ into place I found lack of bone through pasterns into feet was a common fault today & so some had feet not facing forward naturally . Most came in good condition , but a few were too thin & their pelvic bones were sticking up & they felt shelly with no depth of loin so their rears lacked muscle accordingly , conversely a handful had indulged during lockdown a little too much ! Coats were as ever , mixed , but the top winners all came in very good order with double coats .
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Very typy 2 year old grizzle , who is very well balanced & very sound & has substance without coarseness . Liked her head with its moderately broad flat long skull , medium length strong muzzle housing good teeth , dark eyes & well set ears . Good legs & feet with straight bone , well set & angulated front , clean shoulders & well ribbed up fairly long body , excels in length of croup giving a broad thigh in profile & good second thigh with well let down hocks so she moves forward with drive with a long ground covering rhythmic stride . Has a good depth of undercoat & topcoat is good texture with a decent pelt . Nice tail set & carriage .Liked her a lot . Considered for higher honours , just picked up a bit heavier than my winners today .
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
18th Sep 2021
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Congratulations to the committee on finding a splendid new venue. It is so nice to be able to evaluate exhibits in natural surrounding and this was ideal. I understand some did not care completely for the ground but while some exhibits did not excel on the terrain those that did displayed good conformation and moved accordingly.
Generally: there were some mouth faults present today which affected some results in the context of the classes they were in and the degree of the fault. Fronts came in many shapes and sizes not all straight and narrow unfortunately and I was surprised at the number of large and rather thin, spreading feet. Finally I just want to get off my chest that for me the term racy hindquarters does not carry with it a high tuck up.
The unexpected heat, especially in the earlier classes, was a little overwhelming and I thought both exhibits and exhibitors coped admirably. I loved my line ups and very much appreciated my entry, thank you.
Thanks also to my stewards who in these strange times were really kept at it all day.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
The Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
26th Sep 2021
Judge: Mrs D Bullen (Fevstone)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for the hard work and smooth running of the show. I would also like to thank my two stewards for doing an excellent job. The exhibitors seemed to enjoy the show judging by the popularity of my top honours. Unlike one particular exhibitor who needed his teddy putting back in his cot judging by his unsporting behaviour. 4 were found to be unspannable with a couple of bad mouths, also some were far to thin, which is unacceptable and one or two could have smelled a little sweeter. It's all well and good getting dressed up, you are letting your dogs down if they pong.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
A typical otter head with a good lay of shoulder and level topline and carrot tail good bend of stifle which she put to good use on the move. Neat feet. Liked her type.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr Jimmy Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I feel honoured to have been elected by the members to have judged their clubs 75 year show, and can I thank Alan and Graham for keeping things running so smoothly for me, and can I especially thank the committee for lunch that they provided and also Mr J Whalton for looking after me and my wife, I am not going to rant on about this and that but where have all the heads and tail sets gone ?
Mid Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Very feminine head, nice reach of neck down onto a level top and tail set on high, narrow front, and lovely length of body, which was easily spanned, she moved with ease forward and back.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
7th Nov 2021
Judge: Frances Chapman-King (Inzievar)
It was a pleasure to spend a day with the Borders. Thank you to the committee for inviting me, and to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs. By way of general comment I found fronts and front movement to be an issue; and size variable with some too big or heavy – making it difficult to span. There was quality too and some promising youngsters.
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Best Bitch
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Typical, with a good head & eye. Ok in forehand, good ribs, well made quarters, good tail, ample bone, good to span. Shown in good coat & pelt. Good size. Moved out well all ways. BB
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th May 2022
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of The Midland Border Terrier Club for the invite to judge the Open Show held in conjunction with The Birmingham National. The hospitality showed by both clubs on the day was tremendous plus the wonderful gift received with many thanks – I will remember my first club show appointment for a long time.
I could not of been more pleased with my entry on the day so a big thank you for all of the exhibitors that gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs and the quality presented. Junior Bitch, Limit Bitch and Limit Dog classes were of real quality and on another day placings could of easily been switched. That aside I was really pleased with my Bitch/Dog line ups having some real quality to pick my main winners from.
Also a special mention to my two stewards Sharon and La for keeping my classes going and to Bev who co-ordinated between the two rings whilst the judging was going on.
It was nice having the opportunity to see Terrier Group at the Birmingham National at the end of the day and see my Best Dog go on to represent the Border Terrier by getting short listed in a really big group, he had his 3 CC today and I was delighted to see he has become a Champion in his own right.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
3 Y/O grizzle with a lovely head and ear placement, liked her front construction and rib which gives her a narrow look throughout, moved with ease around the ring making up a really nice picture in the ring – good in jacket and excelled in pelt.
Class Critique
Another really strong bitch class with some real quality exhibits not being placed.
National Dog Show
6th May 2022
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
Thank you to the Committee for the invitation to judge at this show; I had received an invitation to judge the breed here in 2007 but was unable to accept due to a previous appointment so was very pleased to be offered the opportunity again. Thanks to my stewards for all their hard work during the day and also to the exhibitors for entering some lovely Border Terriers. There were some wonderful quality exhibits but I was particularly pleased with my line-up of unbeaten bitches with 4 or 5 in contention for the top honours, a very difficult but enjoyable decision.
It is 50 years since I won my first CC in the breed and at that time it was emphasised to novices by the experienced exhibitors that the most important part of the breed standard was the first line “essentially a working terrier” and I have always had this at the forefront in my mind when judging the breed. Not, does it work, but could it do so; meaning could it follow a horse and go to ground when needed; also could it get out again.
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
typy, grizzle bitch with a beautiful otter head and dark eyes with lovely expression. Well-constructed throughout with a straight, narrow front; level topline with good length to the ribs, narrow and spannable. Good double coat and loose pelt, good legs and feet, nice for bone; excellent movement, very free with a long stride. In contention but was a little lacklustre in the challenge.
Chesterfield & Pinxton KA Open Show
14th May 2022
Judge: Mr Adrian Marett (Greyteckels)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
good head piece, correct front, nice body, outmoved by 1.
Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Open Show
1st Jun 2022
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
4th Jun 2022
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My sincere thanks to the officers and committee of the Southern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge at this show on such a special occasion as the Queens Platinum Jubilee Celebration day, I am sure the celebration cakes were enjoyed by all. Thanks also to the various stewards who organised the entries on the day and kept the classes running smoothly. Having been show manager of this show for the past 12 years I appreciate the effort that was made by the committee members present on the day. A final thank you to all the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to assess your dogs.
With showers forecast and cool blustery weather outside it was decided to judge inside using a good sized ring that had good lighting with exhibitors/visitors able to view from 3 sides. I thought the entry was of a high quality, with several entries of both dogs and bitches deserving higher honours. In general the entries were in good condition. All males were entire and I found no kinked tails. Bites were of a good standard with just a few misplaced teeth, although teeth size varied considerably. Several exhibits would benefit from attention to feet to produce the small feet as required. Movement in general was better at the rear than in front. As usual coats were at various stages, with some exceptionally thick pelts to examine.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Smaller in type with a shorter length of leg this bitch has a lot to like An easy span with strong yet feminine head, good width of muzzle, large teeth and a keen expressive eye. Good angulation front and rear and a strong neck that flows to a level topline with well placed short thick tail. Ribs laid well back and carrying a harsh, dense double coat she strode out well and is a sound mover.
Three Counties Championship Show
9th Jun 2022
Judge: Mrs M J Alexander (Glenbucket)
RBCC
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Otter type head good bite good reach of neck easily spanned level top line coat of good texture moved well RCC
Blackpool & District Canine Society
26th Jun 2022
Judge: Mrs Trak Fryer (Irton)
Thanks to the exhibitors for a lovely entry, much appreciated in these difficult times. Thanks also to my stewards who not only kept the ring moving well but proved very adept at fielding judging slips, ring cards and prize cards and miscellaneous other bits and pieces flying across the ring in a very blustery wind. I thought it would be better to judge outside, the wind did upset a few dogs and those with a lot of coat were truly blown. The Border is essentially a working terrier that should combine activity with gameness – I thought that worth repeating since some seem to have forgotten it! I managed to find good heads but in general they were not strong, the head and jaw is not a cosmetic addition but an essential part of the terrier’s make up. Feet and pelts were OK but very few could be regarded as really good, again they are an essential feature required for the work the dog was bred for. Coats were all over the place very few being presented in a good sharp deep coat, however most were acceptable.
Movement remains a problem, there were feet flicking out, plaiting in front, bouncing up and down or rocking on the front – all problems with shoulder construction. The best move with that lovely unfussy ground covering drive that is so typical of the breed.
I was surprised to find several exhibits with level bites, I know the standard allows for this but it is undesirable, particularly in young dogs.
Having said all that I did find a good number of excellent very typical dogs, Limit & Open classes in both sexes were excellent and there were some promising puppies coming along.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Another very typical bitch, good head, good neck & shoulder, good quarters a well made sound bitch. Shown in a big but good coat, moving very happily round the ring.
Class Critique
A very good class of bitches but of very mixed type, it certainly took a bit of sorting out.
Leeds Championship Dog Show
22nd Jul 2022
Judge: Mrs J Fawcett (Carrock)
My thanks to the Leeds City & District Canine Association for their kind invitation to judge their Championship show, enabling me to award my first set of Challenge Certificates. Thank you also to my two stewards, Mags & Bob, who kept the ring running smoothly throughout the day which meant we managed to finish by 3pm before the rain came. My biggest thanks go to all the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted – I had a fantastic entry for a show taking place on a Friday and in the holiday season – I was absolutely delighted.
Just a comment about the ring – the rather large metal tent fixings that took up quite a lot of the ring were a bit of a hazard. However, I believe we managed to work around them well and I was able to see the movement of all the exhibits.
As you would expect, coats were at various stages but on the whole most were acceptable. All dogs were entire, there were no kinked tails and just one or two untidy mouths. When I last judged in November 2019 my main concern was size and this still remains an issue - I was unable to span quite a number of both dogs & bitches on the day and this was reflected in my decisions. Poor front angulation also seems to be an issue – a number of upright shoulders and a lot of very wayward front legs. I thought it also relevant to mention the number of long, thin muzzles, particularly in the younger classes, that seem to be creeping into the breed - Border Terriers should have short, strong muzzles.
That all said, I had some quality dogs to judge – I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Litter sister to 2nd in Post Grad. class. with a slightly stronger head, good ear set and correct bite. Nicely angulated front and rear with a good length of body, she moved out soundly around the ring keeping a level top line.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Aug 2022
Judge: Miss Rebecca Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you very much to the committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this show, it is a club that is very dear to me having been a member for over 30 years and I very much enjoyed my day. Thank you to my three stewards Laura, La and Richard for doing an amazing job of looking after me and keeping me well fuelled! Thank you also to all of the exhibitors who made the decision to enter their beautiful dogs under me, I know that we have to be selective in this current climate and I was absolutely delighted with such a fabulous entry. I felt overall that the dogs were of excellent quality and the majority were turned out beautifully. Heads are good in the main, we are getting away from that bulbus rounded skull and teddy bear expression and going back to a more traditional look. I would say the things that need addressing the most are front angulation, there are still quite a few dogs lacking in upper arm and also poor rear angulation appears to be creeping in a little. However, I found some beautiful dogs and I was very pleased with my main winners, some classes were extremely competitive and some good dogs had to go cardless. I thank you all for persevering in the heat, it was a tough day for me judging in such intense heat, so I am sure it was difficult for the exhibits too. I hope my winners appreciated our crochet efforts with the personalised rosettes, which mum and I took a lot of pleasure in making.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Class Critique
What a fabulous class of top quality bitches.
The All Terrier Association Group Championship Show (Ireland)
13th Aug 2022
Judge: Miss C Neill
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Clonmel and DCC Championship Show
14th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr A Sotoca Santos
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Killarney and DCC Championship Show
16th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr R McCoy
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Limerick and DCC Championship Show
18th Aug 2022
Judge: Thomas Hehir
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Tralee DCC Championship Show
20th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr S Taggart
Green Star Bitch
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Darlington Championship Dog Show
17th Sep 2022
Judge: Miss Tracey Peacock (Ragatam)
Firstly, I would like to thank the committee for their invitation to judge Border Terriers. Huge thanks to my two efficient stewards Laura Jordan-Smith and Julie North who kept me on track and finally the exhibitors for a super entry. Movement in general was better at the rear than in front as there were too many swinging fronts, wide movement and toeing in. There was a good selection of quality dogs and bitches for me to choose from and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
24th Sep 2022
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge the show, also making me feel so welcomed. A big thank you to my 2 stewards Tracey and Kathleen who kept me on track, also to all the exhibits and exhibitors, who gave me a lots of quality Borders to go over. I wish I had more CC’s especially in the dog classes. My concern with in the breed, is their fronts, straight shoulders, with very little angulation, which effects the front movement. All dogs had a good bite, a couple with level bite, but not a problem. All males were entire. Grooming needs to be addressed, tidying their underneath, also the feet need to be neatly trimmed and the nails cut correctly, it makes such a difference when presenting them to the Judge. 1or 2 needed ring craft classes. However, overall what a great representation of the breed. I was very pleased with my main winners.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th May 2023
Judge: Mr Keith Baldwin (Nightstorm)
I would like to thank all the Officers and Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their club open show.
It is now 17 years that I have been judging Border Terriers and it was the 6th August 2011 that I attended the Midland Border Terrier Club breed specific seminar when Jena Tuck was the secretary.
I was very pleased with my entry of 112 quality dogs and bitches, also I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors who entered and for allowing me to go over their dogs. They all showed and behaved very well. I can report back to you that you have overall one of the soundest breeds that I have judged.
Last but not least I would like to thank my stewards who did an excellent job keeping everything flowing smoothly between the two shows in the Margaret Everton Pavilion
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Feb 2024
Judge: Lesley Armstrong-Rodgers (Atron/Scottsway)
It was a great honour to be invited to judge The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show and therefore my thanks go to the Committee for the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed my day at this friendly well run show. It was advantageous in having such a good sized ring in which to watch the dogs move. Borders need room to get into their stride and show their effortless movement and profile when viewed in side gait.
A special thank you also to Richard and Sharon, my two stewards for keeping things running smoothly. It is always a great help for any judge to be blessed with competent stewards. Finally a big thank you to all the Exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me for my opinion and for accepting my decisions with good grace. As always coats were at differing stages, often reflected in the placings, but coats do come and go, construction does not !. Overall I found temperaments excellent, as well it should be, which bodes well for the breed.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Typy Grizzle bitch who owns quite a strong otter shaped head with a lovely expressive dark eye, little stop and a neat earset. Well constructed having a good reach of neck and was easily spanned. Stands on a straight front with ample bone. Level topline. Moved correctly fore and aft, holding her topline but today not the enthusiasam of my winner of this class
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.
Mid Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Myrna Loy
Placing Critique
Attractive red bitch with a quality coat and very lovely head with correct dentition. Easily spanned and of good body length. Moved out well.
