CH Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM

Name:CH Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM 
Gender:Bitch 
DOB:25-10-2009 
Colour:Grizzle and Tan 
Owner(s): Miss J & Mr S May & Whisker  
Breeder: 
CH Benattivo Rock Robin (D)
04-01-2007
Colour: Grizzle and Tan
Dandyhow Spells Trouble (D)
19-07-2004
Colour: Grizzle and Tan
Brookbank Break the Spell JW (D)
24-12-2000
CH Olderhill Neutron (D)
Brookbank Break O' Day (B)
CH Dandyhow Bedazzled (B)
27-11-1996
CH Dazzle 'em Lyndhay (D)
CH Dandyhow Bright Sparkle (B)
Benattivo Rockrose (B)
08-09-2004
Colour: Grizzle and Tan
CH Gameway Kiwi JW (D)
18-09-2002
Dandyhow Golden Arrow (D)
Gameway Sapphire (B)
Gameway Indigo At Benattivo (B)
10-02-2003
CH Otterkin Blue Bayou Conundrum (D)
Gameway Masquerade (B)
Magic Milly At Thistlestone (B)
21-11-2000
Colour: Red Grizzle
Deep Diver (D)
16-11-1989
Colour: Red Grizzle
Plushcourt Run the Gauntlet (D)
27-11-1987
CH Mansergh Doublet At Plushcourt (D)
Plushcourt Encore (B)
Gurnos Dusty (B)
08-01-1988
Edw Ranger (D)
Rhozzum Jangle (B)
Tracey's Girl (B)
14-12-1997
Colour: Blue and Tan
Mad Max of Eureka (D)
07-03-1994
Barn Owl of Eureka (D)
Holly of Risca (B)
Queen of College View (B)
26-08-1995
Master Jack (D)
Gip of Hesledon (B)

Show Placings

Southern Counties
5th Jun 2010
Judge: Tinna Grubbe (Denmark)
Minor Puppy - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Three Counties Agricultural Society
10th Jun 2010
Judge: Mr G Corish
Was delighted to watch my BOB go G4 & my BP go PG1
Minor Puppy - Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Placing Critique
very nice type, didn’t help himself on the move but I saw enough to know she was sound. Well put together, in good coat & body condition & well handled
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Jun 2010
Judge: Mr J Bainbridge (Risdene)
A pleasing entry of 231 dogs with 55 absent on the day made for a representative entry without the classes being over sized. Generally the classes produced good winners none of whom looked out of place in the final line-ups. All were spannable and generally those in the cards were correct in this respect. Most exhibitors probably know by now what I look for in a typical Border Terrier and this was generally evident in today's entry. Dog CC and BIS Hobholt Harrier JW (Mrs M A Wallace) such a lithe, mature 4 year old grizzle dog of impressive outline in super double coat and thick pelt, well presented, has a correctly proportioned otter head with keen expression, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, straight narrow front, ribbed back body into racy rear quarters which he used to move out well with long loping stride that is so economical for a dog that could go all day and get anywhere when required. Dog RCC Brumberhill Blue Tempest (Mr S A McPherson) super outline and so well made throughout, and well presented in good coat and moved out well to take this award, just loved him for type. BCC and RBIS, Brumberhill Breeze (Mr S A McPherson) in full, double grizzle coat and well conditioned. She has a super well balanced head, keen expression, terrific outline with correct flowing topline and well carried back ribs, shows a good underline, this bitch won the CC after much deliberation as all 3 bitches under consideration met the standard well and were active in movement and would have been worthy CC winners but today maturity held sway. RBCC Yeomeadow Heather for Tyrian (Mrs K Dean). A lovely B/T bitch who was on top form today and has an excellent otter head and expression which finally decided the RCC over the yearling bitch winner. BP Cobstoneway River Magic (Miss C Spencer) a mature dog puppy, shown in good coat and condition, well made throughout with good otter head and body lines, moved so well with long free gait to clinch this award. BV CH Gameway Kiwi JW (Mrs P Clark) who was not showing his years, well presented in good coat and looking his best and a worthy champion
Minor Puppy - Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Placing Critique
Good head, neck and shoulders, ribbed back well, good in loin, racy quarters sound on the move
Class Critique
Lovely class of babies through the cards and beyond
Paignton & District FA
2nd Aug 2010
Judge: Mrs Carol Lumbard
Puppy - Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Welsh Kennel Club
21st Aug 2010
Judge: Mrs D Townsend
Thank you to everyone for a very enjoyable day, it's always a privilege for me to go over other people's dogs. I was pleased with my class winners but overall I felt that the quality of exhibits was somewhat mixed; movement was good but I have to lament the untypical Border heads that are present together with the high number of single coats
Novice - Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
South Wales KA
8th Oct 2010
Judge: Mr B Aubrey
Puppy - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Boston & District CS Championship Show
9th Jan 2011
Judge: Mrs Lynda Ward
Many thanks to my stewards for their unobtrusive efficiency and to all the exhibitors for a nice entry. Type and quality varied and today coats were at various stages although this didn't materially affect placing's. Last time I judged I noted that small teeth were prevalent and today I was surprised to find that level bites (although acceptable) predominated, I had 2 undershot mouths and large teeth set in a really good scissor bite were like gold dust. A major concern was movement, partially caused by stifles being too straight so limiting drive and causing a stilted action also often not helped by lack of thigh muscle and there were a number of wide fronts coupled with loose fore action. My final concern was the amount of exhibits that came very heavily to hand. This cannot be discerned by eye since some of the larger dogs were a desirable weight whilst some of the smaller ones were heavy. All that said, I enjoyed the day and was able to find class winners and others of correct type, size and sound movement. Both Open classes were composed throughout of quality exhibits and the CC and RCC winners were fit and worthy ambassadors for the breed.
Junior - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Manchester Dog Show Society
20th Jan 2011
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
A curate's egg day with some great border terriers and some disappointments too. My winners were typical and not only had the heads to win but moved soundly and had the coat and pelt so desirable in the breed. On the downside, although bites were generally good, there are too many with pathetically weak teeth and several with shoulders set too far forward so they looked narrow but had no fore-chest at all. A terrier needs fore-feet under its chest. I was looking for borders that were soundly made and could therefore cover ground and I found them but there are some with short choppy actions. However I do not intend to be too pessimistic for the breed put on a good show today and there were some really promising youngsters in the puppy classes. Thank you to those who exhibited dogs with the typical thick harsh coat and pelt, these were all much appreciated.
Junior - Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Southern BTC Limited Show
6th Mar 2011
Judge: Miss Lisa Jenkins (Badgerbeck)
Firstly, please accept my apology for the lateness of this critique, unfortunately I had problems with my PC which crashed and lost my first , almost complete report, leaving me with no option but to start again. Thank you for an excellent entry. I was very pleased to find that most of the exhibits were of a workable size & spannable, had big teeth with good strong muzzles/jaws, all males entire, only 2 very minor tail kinks, and temperaments were excellent. On the down side I had few in good deep double coat and a really thick pelt was hard to find, the true otter head seams to be being replaced by a squarer skull giving more of a teddy bear look not helped by over long moustaches/beards and big bushy eyebrows. Ribs were frequently too short & deep resulting in whippety underlines. Front movement is still a problem due to a lack of balance between front and hind angulation with dogs either having good hindquarters but short steep upper arms or they were correct in front but over angulated behind, this resulted in them either throwing their fronts about coming or dropping their withers in profile in an attempt to balance their stride. There were a handful with crowded incisors or missing a first or second premolar.
Junior - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
National Terrier
2nd Apr 2011
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin
Junior - Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Class Critique
One bitch withdrew
Graduate - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
East Anglia BTC Championship Show
17th Apr 2011
Judge: Miss Julie Price
Junior - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Post Graduate - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Placing Critique
A heavier looking bitch altogether, span able but just carrying a bit too much condition and when stood her front was a little wide.
WELKS
29th Apr 2011
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon
Many thanks to my stewards who had everything running smoothly in a calm and good-humoured manner, it makes judging such a pleasure. I had a good entry of 132 dogs with a lower than usual absentee rate of 14%, which was good for a Friday in the present economic climate and I was very pleased to be able to judge outside, although I understand some of the exhibitors found it rather chilly. Quality was rather varied but some of the classes were closely contested and I was delighted with my top winners. Front construction is still a problem with some and coats were rather varied but that could be due to the unseasonal weather which we have had recently. I was also pleased to see a number of the dogs moving freely, with reach in front and good drive from the hindquarters, Border Terriers could not work as they were intended to do without this asset.
Yearling - Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
National Dog Show
7th May 2011
Judge: Mrs Jayne Alpe
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge, I thoroughly enjoyed my day. My two stewards were very efficient and experienced; they managed to keep my ring running smoothly. I found the quality in the dogs overall to be higher than last time I judged, with in both sexes a slight improvement in movement. Although there are still some that are not driving from behind and covering the ground, and some with short, choppy, odd front movement, sometimes coupled with too narrow fronts and lack of muscle tone. Maybe more road walking would help in some cases to build up muscle, but in others is down to a problem with shoulder construction and pasterns. I found no incorrect mouths, there were a couple with broken teeth, hopefully indicative that we still work some of our show dogs. But there was a shortage of those lovely strong big teeth that the breed is known for and small teeth are on the increase. What also did disturb me was that large heavy ears seem to be creeping into the breed, which affects that lovely typical expression. In a lot of classes places could alter on another day, in fact in some classes I was spoilt for choice and would have liked more than one red card. I was delighted with my top winners who all fitted my criteria very well, every one of them displaying correct Border type coupled with sound and true movement.
Graduate - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Southern Counties
4th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr J Gilpin (Otterbobs)
Yearling - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Graduate - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Three Counties
8th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr Ron Wheatley
Thanks for the large and interesting entry. Although quality was variable there were many good entries to examine. Most were of a good size and generally coats were good, feet very variable, particularly hind ones. Although many moved out with drive, movement in many others was a concern. Many would benefit from more exercise and muscle development. There was only 1 kinked tail and mouths were mainly good. Finally, please realise that if you bait your exhibit on the table the judge can't see it!
Post Graduate - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Windsor Championship Dog Show
30th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr Bill Browne-Cole
Since I last judged the breed I do feel movement is a concern. A lot of back ends need to strengthen and capabilities to follow a horse were not always there today. I was however extremely pleased with my main winners who were from the ‘top drawer’ and so very typical of the breed.
Yearling - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Placing Critique
Pleasing head and expression. Excellent bone, legs and feet. Very true on the move both ways. Shown in excellent condition.
Post Graduate - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Bournemouth Championship Show
14th Aug 2011
Judge: Mrs Zena Thorn-Andrews
Post Graduate - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Placing Critique
Too much white up her front but that was a minor consideration as the rest of her was outstanding in this class. Neat, well made, stands and holds her outline, and is precise on the move, good clean neck running at the correct angle into shoulders. Half sister to both Res CC winners.
Welsh Kennel Club
20th Aug 2011
Judge: Mr Simon Jackson
I was honoured to be asked to judge this show, as I have enjoyed exhibiting at this well run, friendly society over many years. While the indoor rings are large, well lit and have lots of space around them for exhibitors and spectators, given the nice weather, it was disappointing not to be able to use the normal show arena, but this was not possible due to a request from The Royal Welsh Showground management. I was pleased for find only one “bad” mouth, but I was disturbed to find a small number of mouths which, while exhibiting a "correct scissor bite", the placement of the upper teeth was awry in such a manner, that it caused the exhibits to appear to have an over bite. A few others had strange face furnishings resulting in a “Griffon Bruxellois” like expression which is incorrect and spoils the looks of a Border Terrier. I would also like to thank my stewards, Vicky and Tina Pierson for their smooth handling of the ring. I would also like to thank all exhibitors, some of whom travelled many miles which is very expensive in these economic times.
Post Graduate - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Richmond Championship Show
10th Sep 2011
Judge: Mrs Beverley Jackson
I was incredibly honoured to be invited to award my first CC’s at Richmond. After much anticipation and excitement the long-awaited day arrived. I was thrilled with the size of my entry and wish to thank all exhibitors for giving me the honour of judging your dogs. I totally appreciate how difficult times are now and am humbled that you chose to exhibit. I was delighted with both of my line ups. I have always hated it when judges say oh I wish I had had more top awards, but I can honestly say that I truly now understand where they were coming from. I had some incredibly difficult classes with a lot of quality. This scenario continued when it came to choosing who the CC’s and Reserve’s should go to. There are, however, two distinct “types” of Borders developing, and often classes contained a mixture of both types. The chisled heads with high placed ears are not typical and we need to try to breed away from this as we are in danger of losing the otter head. I found no bad mouths ? just a few where teeth “placement” was peculiar, and some dirty teeth. Presentation on the whole has improved, although please leave the scissoring to other terriers. Our ring was a “bit of a ploughed field” but most exhibitors managed to find a level part and not fall over!
Post Graduate - Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Sep 2011
Judge: Mrs Karen Dean (Tyrian)
I would first like to thank the club for inviting me to judge their open show and thank the exhibitors for a lovely entry. I was very pleased with my major winners and several placings were close decisions. There were a number of exhibits that would benefit from shedding a pound or two and in some classes this could have altered the line-up somewhat. Our breed standard is all about moderation and I hope the exaggerated hind angulation noticed on a couple of occasions today does not become the norm, it makes the back end look weak and foreign in our breed. There were several promising youngsters that I will watch with interest as they mature further in their show careers
Graduate - Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Placing Critique
Decent head with good bite. Straight front with double coat and thick pelt. Carrot tail. Moved OK and with more drive than 3.
South Wales KA
9th Oct 2011
Judge: Mr David Winsley
Post Graduate - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Placing Critique
A very nice bitch who has a nice expressive head. Good dark eye, well placed ears and strong muzzle. Good front, neck and shoulders, nice depth of ribs. Very nicely balanced, good outline and level topline. Nice turn of stifle, correct tailset. Moves with plenty of drive, quality coat with a thick pelt.
Ladies Kennel Association
10th Dec 2011
Judge: Mrs Sarah Dandy
I was delighted with both my dog and bitch line ups, from a numerically strong entry of 181 dogs all were worthy winners, from very well contended classes, with several really promising youngsters. Temperaments were uniformly sound which is of great importance in any breed
Post Graduate - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Manchester Championship Dog Show
19th Jan 2012
Judge: Mrs F A Somerfield
Post Graduate - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Placing Critique
nicely balanced, good moving, typical head, good neck, shoulders & front, nice outline, good tail
Southern Border Terrier Club Members Limited Show
4th Mar 2012
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Many thanks to the Southern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their limit show. Also special thanks to my stewards for their smooth efficient help during a most enjoyable day. Also big thanks to all the exhibitors for giving me such a nice entry. On the whole I thought the quality was of a good standard, coats were at various stages which is to be expected. I did notice that a few exhibits were scissored which did spoil them. A couple had tails that were cut straight at the end which did upset the overall picture somewhat. Borders should have a “carrot” tail, but not a chopped carrot! Mouths were good, with a lot of big strong teeth on display, even right through to the veterans. I was very happy with my principle winners and feel confident more success lays ahead for them.
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Limit - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Placing Critique
grizzle and tan bitch in excellent condition. Otterhead with keen expression. Nice straight front. Level topline held on the move with short carrot tail. Movement sound. RBB.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Apr 2012
Judge: Mrs Su Williams (Hollybridge)
Thank you very much to the Officers and Committee of the Club for inviting me to judge today. Special Thank you must go to my two very able Stewards Bev & Simon Jackson for the smooth running of the ring. I was impressed by the over all quality of the exhibits today; it was definitely a case of more winners than awards! I was pleased to see overall that mouths were very good. There were a couple of minor incisor alignment issues but nothing to penalize. Thankfully tails are improving, in recent years the long thin sickle curled over tail became too regular a sight, Today they were far outnumbered by more typically carried tails. On a slightly negative note -cleanliness, a number of dogs were quite pungent and just because they are ‘Essentially a working terrier’ they don’t have to smell like they just came from a dig! Muscle tone was lacking in some fit looking Borders bringing the worry some might be fed for condition instead of exercised for it! Coats that transient problem, many sadly had to be marked down today due to lack of coat. While some evidence of texture was there in many cases. I had to place dogs without coat according to how they appeared on the day!
Mid Limit - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
WELKS
28th Apr 2012
Judge: Mr Phil Sharp
I appreciated the good entry. With a ring rather restricted in size ( not to mention a bitterly cold wind blowing through the cattle shed), I felt it was necessary to give the dogs as much opportunity as possible to move. Unfortunately, several moved rather wide behind, while one or two were plaiting in front. Coats were a problem , with a couple of good looking dogs showing absolutely no topcoat at all. It was interesting to see that most, but not all, of the dogs that I saw when I last judged Borders in 2010 had come on well.
Limit - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
6th May 2012
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Many thanks to the Committee of the Border Terrier Club, who were the hosts of this year’s Joint Border Terrier Club show, for inviting me to judge such a prestigious event. My thanks go, particularly, to my stewards, who kept things running smoothly and enabled me to get through a big entry in an unrushed way. Overall, I felt the quality was reasonably high, with a lot to like. There were only a few which I felt could have done with a few square meals as they were a bit on the thin side. Exhibitors should know how to balance food intake with exercise to produce dogs in the correct condition. Lack of muscle on more was a greater problem. While the standard states ‘capable of following a horse’ many would have been tired following one round a stable yard let alone across country. This is evident when dogs are moved but not giving an active breed sufficient exercise also has an effect on their mental wellbeing. There were a number of untypical heads. I wonder if some people don’t understand the proportions of an otter’s skull as some muzzles were lacking in breadth giving a ‘foxy’look, while other heads were too rounded giving the impression of a teddy bear. Mouths were not a big problem with only a couple incorrect and coats were also, generally, good. Most exhibits had an undercoat though there were quite a number which had thin skins. A good, thick, loose pelt is essential for a working terrier. Very few could not be spanned, so most would have been capable of getting to ground. A ‘one size fits all’ attitude does not really apply to working terriers as there are a variety of jobs and situations to be encountered but they do have to be able to get there in the first place. I was very pleased with my top winners and extend my thanks to all the exhibitors.
Mid Limit - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Southern Counties Championship Show
2nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Geoff Corish
A lovely entry. I thoroughly enjoyed judging the breed again & was able to find some lovely Borders. It was a great pleasure to watch my BOB go G4 as well.
Limit - Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Class Critique
Fantastic class & some I liked sadly had to be left out.
Bournemouth Championship Show
13th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr W Browne-Cole
BCC
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Limit - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
caught my eye as soon as she walked in the ring. Oozes quality, gorgeous head & eye, ample bone, lovely body shape & what a mover. Should make up. CC
Welsh Kennel Club
18th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr Jack Watson
Limit - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr Frank Kane (Hirontower)
An interesting entry. I found some very good class winners. I was disturbed by the frequency of poor hindquarters, often a result of poor croups & tailsets & lack of angulation & second thigh resulting in lack of drive.
Limit - Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
preferred her head to 1 but not quite as clean in neck & shoulder. Very sound mover, in very good coat, I liked her enormously. 1 just a little crisper in outline on the move. Close up for RCC
Class Critique
Two excellent bitches to top this class
City of Birmingham
1st Sep 2012
Judge: Mrs Marion Reeves (Baywillow)
Thank you for the lovely entry. The breed standard describes the body as ‘deep, narrow and fairly long’. Just how long may well be debatable as no proportions are suggested. However the standard surely infers that a Border should be longer than square. The standard also describes the border as ‘essentially a working terrier’. A working terrier needs sufficient length and flexibility to enable it to turn underground. It is difficult to imagine a square terrier achieving this easily. I think the above is not generally appreciated by all rounders.
Limit - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Sep 2012
Judge: Mr Alan Hedges (Ramblix)
I considered it a great honour to be invited to judge this show. I looked forward to it greatly and I was not in any way disappointed. A classy club with a classy committee. My stewards were great and we had some interesting moments through the day, but we coped. Thank you to all involved with the club and most of all the exhibitors for doing me the honour of having me judge your dogs. Thank you. Whenever I judge Staffords, which is my own breed I always make the point that exhibitors should rid their dogs of any reasons to get beaten. Long pointed nails are not a good look, nor are they good for the dog. Even I can make a decent fist of a borders coat and as a singular part of the breed and its identification a bit more attention would not have gone amiss in some. Excess weight is not good for anybody, least of all, what is ostensibly a working terrier. I think there may well be some stars of the future in some of the lower classes and I shall watch with greater interest now when I am at the border ring. Thanks again to you all for coming and entering into the spirit of the day. I had a brilliant day and I hope you did too.
Limit - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
I liked this bitch quite a lot. She has a lovely head and a good coat and in the final analysis she was moving out the best and went first. She has a good front, body and hindquarters, kept her topline on the move and edged it in the movement stakes.
Class Critique
This was a good class and the combatants did plenty of moving round the ring whilst I got it straight in my head.
Driffield Championship Show
22nd Sep 2012
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
Limit - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2012
Judge: Mr David Fryer (Irton)
Not a numerically strong entry, but plenty of quality – I had no difficulty finding enough good ‘uns. The Border Terrier standard is short on detail, and needs interpretation. I see the key to that interpretation to be in the first two lines of the standard – ‘Essentially a working terrier‘, and ‘capable of following a horse, combining activity with gameness‘. It is further necessary to fully understand that the work the terrier is expected to do, is to go to ground to bolt a fox; that the horse in question is typically a sturdy hill pony, and the ground to follow it over is typically rough, upland country such as the Cheviots or North Pennines. Hence a sturdy dog is required, with enough scope and length to move economically on rough ground, enough lung and heart room to do it at speed all day, yet small enough to follow a fox to ground. Too short, or too narrow or sprung in the rib will not do this; nor will steep shoulders or under- or over-angulated hind quarters. Coat and pelt must be fit to protect from both weather and fox; quality is of more importance than grooming. Other than one senior citizen with missing teeth (understandable), a few exhibits with chipped teeth (no problem) and several with bites no better than level (not incorrect, merely undesirable), I found no bad mouths. All males were entire.
Limit - Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Class Critique
Very good class, quality went all the way through and beyond the cards.
Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Nov 2012
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
It was a real pleasure to be invited to judge this show. Having been a member of the Club since its beginning, it was great to come back to Selkirk, to what I have always regarded as my ‘home’ club. There was the usual happy atmosphere, and everything was so well run. As to the exhibits, I was impressed with the overall quality of the coats, so many with really harsh substantial topcoats and warm undercoats. Several exhibitors seemed to have had difficulty with the hairs around the neck. I know that they grow in different directions, but it is possible with hard work to get an even look. Borders should not be shown with a ruff. Many tails had not been stripped properly, not being tidy and not flowing from the end of the back. Some even had feathering on the underside. I wish exhibitors would not push the tail upright so that it is vertical to the spine. They are not Airedales, and it spoils the topline. Front movement was very varied, but cow hocks were almost absent. Teeth were good. Far too many, in my opinion, were too big, and I had difficulty in spanning them. (Though looking back in the literature, this has been a complaint since the beginning of the breed!)
Limit - Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
Excellent otter headl. Larger in size than 1, with longish back. Good angulation of hindquarters, and straight front. Moved OK.
Ladies Kennel Association
16th Dec 2012
Judge: Ms Michelle Barnett
I was honoured to judge at this what I consider a BIS of championship shows. I would like to extend my thanks to the society for the invite, the warm hospitality and friendly relaxed atmosphere made for a superior judging experience. Also much thanks to my ring steward Mr Eddie Bishop, who did a splendid job in his management of the ring in a professional and efficient manner. A super entry of 188 which understandably presented me with many varieties of type. Mouths across the entry were good with only one level bite. A few with chipped teeth and the missing tooth (which should not penalise all things being equal an otherwise quality exhibit in a working breed) no kinks in tails and all males were entire .It was also pleasing to see more shown in the correct double jacket, but sadly some of dogs that appealed to me for breed type paid the penalty as although their jackets pleased for depth they lacked the weatherproof quality essential in a working terrier coat. I was very pleased to see my entry thankfully lacking the “showy boxy terrier types” of late. It was a pleasure to judge dogs of correct border type, temperament, fit , healthy exhibits who were presented in such good condition. Needless to say the exhibits were a credit to their owners and throughout the day the quality was first rate making lots of my decisions close ones with many leaving without a placing. The puppy classes in particular were numerical high and it was a pity I had to discard many good exhibits of the breed. But this quality can only bode well for the future. It was also nice to be told that the exhibits in the Good citizens classes apart from gaining a good citizen award the entry also had dogs who took part in Obedience, Agility and Gundog send aways proving once again that borders can really turn their paw to all manner of activities outside of their already busy show calendar. I felt that my principle winners fulfilled the “Essentially a working terrier” breed standard requirement with that extra something that makes top winner . I was delighted to learn that I had the top entry in the terrier group Thank you to all the exhibitors for the super entry, particularly appreciated in these difficult economic times and for making it such an enjoyable day
Limit - Bitch / Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Class Critique
What a Lovely class needed more 1sts here
Taunton & District Canine Association
5th Jan 2013
Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
Thank you to the show committee for the warm welcome and hospitality. Also to the exhibitors , all entries being nicely turned out.
Open - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
3 year old grizzle and tan bitch. Stood alone, but again a worthy winner. Nice for size and well presented in harsh double coat. Neat, cat like feet. Feminine head with dark eye and keen expression. Correct dentition. Easily spannable, and good length of body. Moved nicely but just not quite so positively in the challenge.
Boston & District Canine Society Championship Show
13th Jan 2013
Judge: Mrs Janice Johnson
My thanks firstly go to Boston & District Canine Society Committee for giving me this opportunity to judge the breed again, for looking after me on the day and providing my excellent stewards who gave me great support throughout the day with their efficiency and unobtrusive discretion. Secondly the exhibitors, who travelled many miles for my judgment, thank you all for taking my decisions sportingly. Thank goodness we didnâ??t have the following weekend when we were all had over 6 inches of snow! I was extremely pleased with my main winners who all deserved their placings and I was delighted when I received the news that my BOB winner had gone G2 in Terrier Group under Ernie Darby and my best puppy had gone G1 in the Terrier Group under Peter Clifton. I had some really good examples of the breed to go over and it is a pleasure when you find an exhibit in a class that really meets all your requirements. Movement in the younger classes was inconsistent some may settle others will not. I had a number of very nice quality borders who I know will go on to greater things and some promising puppies, I will watch their futures with interest. Coats on the whole were good with most of the exhibits having thick pelts.
RBCC
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Limit - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
well balanced bitch with very nice bodylines, spannable, level topline, good turn of stifle, typical border head & expression moved out well.
Manchester Championship Show
17th Jan 2013
Judge: Trish Clark (Gameway)
My sincere thanks to Manchester Dog Show Society for the invitation to award C Câ??s to the breed for the first time. The welcome was warm and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I would also like to praise my stewards Anne Speak and Rob Taylor who kept the ring running smoothly. Thank you to all who entered and those who braved adverse weather conditions to get there. I was extremely pleased with my main winners who were all in great condition and fine examples of the breed. Of concern were a number of exhibits with round eyes and too much stop also some long and flat feet though some of these could be improved by trimming and nail clipping. Coats as ever were at all stages. I feel judges need to pay attention to correct double coats as a border could survive many things we pay particular attention to in the show ring but not five minutes doing his original job of work in the depths of winter without his correct jacket.
RBCC
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Open - Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
Good for size an unexaggerated bitch of nice type. Attractive head and expression. Moved soundly and covered the ground on a long stride. Though a little unco-operative with her handler in the challenge her type and good coat tipped the balance RCC.
Crufts
7th Mar 2013
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
I was indeed a great pleasure to judge at Crufts, in fact I loved every minute of it, and it really completed the Crufts experience for me having won the Dog CC and Best of Breed a couple of times, a bitch CC and Best Puppy there as an exhibitor in the past. I must thank all the exhibitors for their tremendous support with a record entry of 274 dogs making 307 entries, it was truly an international occasion as Crufts seems to be these days, with dogs and handlers representing I think, ten countries giving me a really good sample of winning dogs from around the world. You often read in critiques that judges say they didn't have enough cards to go round, and with the class sizes I had, this was certainly the case, and the only downside of the day for me was that some very tough descisions had to be made with many, many really good dogs leaving the ring without a card. Overall it was an interesting entry with a large variety of sizes and types, but then the standard allows for that as we have quite a wide weight range, no height reference and only the fact that they should be spannable to guide us.I never get too hung up on differing types or kennel types,as I can appreciate them all, providing they fit the standard. When judging I am looking for a dog fit for function, well constructed, not exagerrated in any way, fits the breed standard, and is capable of doing the job it was originally bred for.I was very pleased with my winners, my Best of Breed winner had it all, well constructed, in fabulous hard, fit condition, moved as though he could follow a horse all day and had a wonderful attitude in the show ring. I was thrilled to see him put in a faultless performance in the Group ring and winTerrier Group 4. My thanks go to Frank and Roger my very capable stewards who kept everything running smoothly, enabling me to get through the large entry in good time.
Limit - Bitch / Reserve
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Bridgewater & District Canine Society Open Show
24th Mar 2013
Judge: Mr John Dace (Cassacane)
Open / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2013
Judge: Mrs. Doreen Rushby (Dormic)
The Border Terrier Club held a Championship show at Low Hesket on 30 March 2013. I felt very honoured to judge at this show and my thanks go to the Committee and Exhibitors for such an enjoyable day.
Limit - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Devon County Show
17th May 2013
Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gabybryl)
Open / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Bath Canine Society Championship Show
24th May 2013
Judge: Mr Martin P Phillips
Limit - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Southern Counties Canine Association
1st Jun 2013
Judge: Mr Hans T Lehtinen (Finland)
RBCC
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Limit - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
Nice body and over all picture. Nice head and keen expression. Beautiful neck line. Lack angulations behind. Excellent jacket. RBCC
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Jun 2013
Judge: Mr W R Irving
It was an honour to be invited to judge the Southern Border Terrier Club’s Championship Show for the second time, the last time having been exactly twenty years ago in 1993. The entry on this occasion was 215 from 203 dogs of which 14 were entered NFC. My thanks go to the Show Manager, Officers and Committee of the Club for their hospitality and organisation and to the exhibitors for their entries and for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. Special thanks to Wendy and Andrew Mooney and Bev Marsh for stewarding so efficiently and for organising the collecting ring which allowed us to finish in good time. As usual there were more bitches than dogs entered. It was encouraging to see some good quality entries through the various classes and not just at the senior end, I thought that by and large heads and expressions were good with not many narrow long skulls there. My feeling was that while there were still plenty of dogs with poor fronts of one kind or another present, there were more good fronted exhibits around from which to find winners than the last time I judged. Coats were mixed and at times I had to forgive some lack of coat. As always there was a good deal of variation in size as always, but in the end I felt I was able to find winners of good enough size with enough scope and lines. I felt that tails were mixed and at times, in looking for overall quality, I had to reward dogs with tails that I felt were less than perfect in shape, length or carriage. By and large the dogs behaved pretty well and were presented clean. I was keen to see the dogs moving around the ring and not ‘stacked’. That is surely the most revealing in conformation terms. DCC and BOB was Jenkins’ Badgerbeck Uncle Fester. RDCC was Stockleys’ Ch Foxfactor Pied Piper. BCC and RBIS was May and Whisker’s Thistlestone Jenny Wren. RBCC was Higham’s Comberdown Thistle. BP was Hall and Ellis’ Brackenfell Bok To Bach and BPB was Clark’s Gameway Fortune Cookie. BV was Stockleys’ Foxfactor Hornblower
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
BCC
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Limit - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
a very sound bitch with an excellent outline. Moves well in front and OK behind when she gets into her stride. Very pleasing in head and expression with good flat skull and head shape which looks as it should - somewhat triangular in shape. Good eye. Correct amount of bone without being overdone. Pleasing tail shape, length and carriage. Good topline and shown in good coat. Well proportioned all round and went on to win the BCC.
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Karen Dean (Tyrian)
I would first like to thank the society for inviting me to judge at this level for the first time, and my stewards for keeping me on track. Special thanks to the Border Terrier Club of Victoria, Australia and their secretary Denise Worthington for presenting a special sash to the Best of Breed winner providing a welcome highlight at the end of judging.
Limit - Bitch / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
Head OK with short muzzle and straight front. Harsh coat with thick pelt. Preferred the balance and movement of 1 today.
Paignton Championship Show
3rd Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs B Jackson (Clipstone)
I thoroughly enjoyed judging at Paignton Championship Show. The new venue (well, new to me) was very pleasant and the show was efficiently run by the helpful and friendly committee. I had an excellent entry which contained lots of quality dogs to choose from. Some classes were, however, a real mix of types, again the Fox Terrier type with high ear carriage are appearing, as are those with almost "hound like" ears, far too large and which ruin the head. Ultimately I judged to my interpretation of the Standard. I like a dog to be a real stallion dog and a bitch, his feminine counterpart. I do not like bitchy dogs and masculine bitches. I was incredibly pleased with my winners, neither of which I have judged before and who to my mind are excellent examples of the breed, both home bred too, not bought in.
Limit - Bitch / Third Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Welsh Kennel Club
17th Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs L A Crawley
RBCC
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Limit - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
Really liked this one, she ran the eventual CC winner close, lovely type, the right size, feminine Border head, correct for eyes, mouth and ears, length of neck, topline and tail set, for perfection would like more angulation behind but moved well enough, in good coat, showed well
Gillingham and Shaftsbury Agricultural Society Open Show
21st Aug 2013
Judge: Mr Richard Bolt (Allenie)
Open / Second Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Richmond Championship Dog Show
7th Sep 2013
Judge: Mrs K M Irving (Dandyhow)
In my view the breed still has problems with movement, particularly front movement. Hind action in bitches was also poor on this occasion. There was some variation in coats and some were shown without much jacket but others were somewhat blown in coat. However there were several with excellent coats and pelts – such an important feature of the breed. Dentition and temperaments were very good. Because I don’t enjoy judging, and quite frankly never have, I decided before this appointment that is would be my last judging assignment. I hope that more younger Border Terrier enthusiasts will come forward as judges to ensure the successful future of the breed.
BCC
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
CH subject to KC confirmation
Limit - Bitch / First Place
Name at show: Thistlestone Jenny Wren ShCM
Placing Critique
a typey bitch which moves very soundly in front and behind. Good Border head and expression without being overdone in any way. Has an excellent coat of good texture. She is good in outline and has a good tailset and correctly shaped tail. Good size and well proportioned. It was her movement and soundness in front and behind which took her to the BCC position today.