Show Placings
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,
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
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.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Best Puppy
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Placing Critique
expertly handled, feminine head with lovely stop, harsh coat, plenty of pelt, ribs well back, level top line through to tail set, neat feet, moved well, hopefully more substance will come with time. BP
Bournemouth Championship Show
13th Aug 2023
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
My thanks go to the committee of Bournemouth Championship Show for inviting me to award tickets for the first time, it was a very special day.
Special thanks to my stewards Gentle Lowe and Brian Aubrey for doing such a sterling job, allowing me to focus on the task in hand.
I was delighted with the entry that awaited me, a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the privilege to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and the sporting way they accepted my decisions, on the whole by most exhibitors.
I was told many years ago, by someone well respected in the breed to judge with the hands, not with the eyes, never did this ring true as today. Some dogs I have admired from the ringside, didn’t live up to expectations, whilst others that hadn’t previously caught my eye, surprised me and did.
Being the daughter of a hunt terrier man I could get no better grounding in the requirements of an earth dog, these were the days long before quad bikes, terriers would be expected to be on their feet from the moment hounds drew off until close of the hunting day, working in landscapes not dissimilar to that of that hunt the breed first originated from.
l tried to look subjectively at the exhibit before me to see if they had the confirmation and condition to undertake such duties. I was surprised how quite a number were difficult to span and far too deep in chest and too wide in front and came up heavy, lacking the narrowness to go to ground, a distinct disadvantage in the working arena, legs bend, chests don’t.
I was finding rear movement was better than front, but more than a few lacked the drive that I looked for with elevated front action that indicates an upper arm that is shorter than ideal.
I look to see feet that are tight with a good thick pad so vital in an earth dog, many were lacking in this important trait.
I found temperaments superb throughout the day, dentition was questionable on several exhibits and all dogs entire.
A plea to exhibitors if you bait them on the table, that is fine if they look hypnotically at the treat, but on several occasions, owners were wrestling with their dogs trying to get at the treat, making it difficult to assess them.
I am always mindful to judge fit for function, and I was happy that my winners fitted that bill and all sporting decent jackets and pelts and meeting my interpretation of the breed standard.
I was delighted to see my BOB going on to third in the terrier group and my BP winning the terrier puppy group.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Placing Critique
Pleasing make and shape in one so young, presented a very nice balanced picture overall. Head is developing nicely and she appealed for size, narrow straight in front, correct layback of shoulders, easily spanned ribs, correctly carried back to a strong loin and racy hindquarters, and well set on tailset. Excellent double jacket with the desired depth and harshness thick pelt. Standing on the neatest of feet, handled to advantage and at one with her handler, moved out well with good reach and drive.
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.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
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.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Placing Critique
Excellent harsh coat with plentiful pelt. Good length of neck and topline, with good tail, well set on. She just falls away a little under the eye. Nice dark eye.
Richmond Championship Show
8th Sep 2023
Judge: Mr Tim Ball (Kaitak)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Placing Critique
This 8 mth old grizzle is quite different to the winner but she also pleased in outline with moderate length of neck, straight topline, ribs carried well back, strong loin and correct tail for set and carriage. Feminine headpiece but still to fully develop; dark expressive eyes, good ears and correct dentition. She stands well naturally on very good feet and is fairly narrow as desired and therefore easily spanned. She moved out well on the go around, is true when going away but not quite the front action of winner. Good quality jacket and pelt.
Crystal Palace Canine Association Dog Show
26th Nov 2023
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
My thanks go to the committee, volunteers and my steward for the day, for helping to make this show so friendly and welcoming, on a very crisp morning in November.
I was satisfied with my final line-up all being good examples of the breed; with the conformation and attributes to make them potentially successful working terriers as well as possessing a degree of showmanship. It was pleasing to note some good movement on show.
I was delighted to note that my Best of Breed went on to further honours and gained TG3, and, as I learned later, the Best Puppy was from the same kennel, and went TPG1- Congratulations to the breeder and owner.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Placing Critique
11-month-old grizzle and tan bitch of a different type and lighter frame than 1. Pretty, feminine head with shallow stop and alert gaze. Good proportions in outline, standing on straight legs with small thick padded feet. Narrow throughout with well laid back ribs, and shown in good coat with thick pelt. She strode confidently around the ring but today front movement not as good as 1- time to mature yet.
Wealdstone & Northolt Canine Society Open Show
10th Dec 2023
Judge: Dr J Lappin (Ireland)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Third Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
East Kent Canine Society Open Show
4th Feb 2024
Judge: Jen Bowden (Chellowside)
Yearling /
Second Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Guildford & District Canine Society Open Show
18th Feb 2024
Judge: Jacqui Ward (Mianja)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
Placing Critique
14 month old bitch and another quality exhibit, really liked this one and for me she stood out in this class. I liked her for her overall breed type and she is so well balanced. Feminine head, dark eye and neat ears, good topline and tail set. nicely angulated fore and aft, she is easily spanned. looked a picture in profile movement covering the ground well, good depth of coat and thick pelt. RBOB
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
26th Apr 2024
Judge: Mandy Holmes (Bimandi)
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Awbrooksky Czechered Flag
