Show Placings
The Nothern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2017
Judge: Mrs. P. McLellan (Breconbeds)
My thanks to the committee and members for giving me the opportunity to judge this show, with such an excellent entry. However, I’m sorry to say that I was alarmed to see so many dogs that were short in both rib and leg, resulting in short backed and cobby looking dogs with deep briskets. I also observed that some of these same dogs had pleasant enough heads but carried very small teeth.
Movement was a major concern; decent enough dogs to examine but poor fronts on the move spoiled the whole picture – toeing in and/or with incorrect shoulder angulation. Some were really wide in front.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
23rd Sep 2017
Judge: Miss J Price
Thank you to the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club for asking me to judge this show and for their great hospitality. It was an honour to stand in for Cynthia Knight who sadly passed away in April 2015. My stewards for the day, Cally and Anna did a sterling job in keeping things running smoothly, thank you, to both of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself today and I was delighted with my top winners. In general some exhibits, even though made well were just too big and heavy, these would never get to ground to do the job, therefore not fit for purpose. I like a dog to be masculine and a bitch feminine, but both have to spannable and not overloaded in their shoulders, sadly quite a few exhibits were just this and were penalised for it. I found one exhibit to have a testicle with an abnormality. Some of the younger dogs were up to size already and have yet to stop growing. It will be interesting to see how some of them turn out.
Not everybody accepted my decisions in a sporting manner, but the general atmosphere was great. I didn’t go to the pub at lunch time but did see the pictures afterwards. Glad you all had a great time!
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Best Puppy
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
Under all that lovely thick jacket I found an eight month old puppy which was the right size for his age. Shown in full double jacket. He looked heavier than he was but it was all coat and pelt, and I was able to easily span him. He has a good head which is in proportion to his size. His has a narrow front with laid back shoulders and a good length of rib. A nice level top line, with a correct shaped carrot tail. He moved well for a youngster on nice small tight feet. BPIS
Driffield Championship Show
30th Sep 2017
Judge: Mrs Janet Lee (Tythrop)
Apologies to my exhibitors , my technology has failed to send this when first done.
Trying conditions for the society due to heavy rain meant that parking was a long way from the rings unlike the behind the tent easy access we are used to. The ground underfoot was very trying, but thankfully our ring was only churned up in a couple of places. Once again I thoroughly enjoyed my day and appreciated the tenacity of the exhibitors for coming and their sporting acceptance of my decisions. Only one o two fine showers marred the day.
A diversity of size and construction came forward, and I was struck by how many took a rather short stride going round the ring. Some paid the price on the day for lack of coat, but mainly for being big in rib and heavy when picked up.
I was very pleased with my line ups and thought them a good representation of what I consider "essentially working terriers" being lithe in body with narrowness, free moving soundness and good type to fulfil the criterion of the standard.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
Narrow balanced, good moving puppy in heavy double coat, but was a nice size and spanable to go over. Head still needs to develop, promising.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Oct 2017
Judge: Ms. Suzanne Coldham (nee Marwood) (Annesuz)
It was an absolute honour and pleasure to judge the Border Terrier Club’s Open show in Low Hesket and I would like to thank a very hardworking committee for this opportunity. I would also like to thank the exhibitors and spectators for their warm welcome and genuine applause at my placings. There was a good atmosphere throughout the day and good to see so many still ringside to see the top honours at the end.
I was greeted with an excellent entry of 104 dogs making 122 entries and from these I was able to select some top specimens truly representative of our breed. I am not going to wax lyrical about the breed in general but suffice to say in my humble opinion a watch needs to be kept on heads, movement and coats/pelt.
I was pleasantly surprised to find my Best Dog is the grandsire of my Reserve Best Dog and my Best Bitch and Reserve Best Bitch share the same sire as each other.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
I liked this dog. Excellent head and front, level back, narrow and spannable. His coat had blown and he needs to settle in the ring.
Maghull And Merseyside Canine Society Open Show
3rd Dec 2017
Judge: Mr P Renshaw (Westbank)
Junior /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Lancashire Sporting Terrier Open Show
3rd Dec 2017
Judge: Janet E Rougiver (Turflindie)
Puppy /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
The Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Feb 2018
Judge: Mr. J. Todd (Roxess)
I would like to thank the club for the invitation to judge and the hospitality I received. Thanks also to my steward Mr Ian Hopper for his great assistance. Finally thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs. I really enjoyed my day.
I was impressed with the quality of the majority of dogs present and although some were top size all placed dogs were easily spanned and had correct bite.. I felt overall movement was good, coats were variable some full and some lacking however in the run up to Crufts this is to be expected. The majority had good pelts which was pleasing. Mouths were generally good most with large teeth but I was disappointed to see many with dirty teeth.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
13mths grizzle/tan dog good head with depth and width of muzzle he moved well, was longer in loin than 1st he was a little short of coat and feet could have been tidier.
St Helens and District Canine Society Open Show
17th Feb 2018
Judge: Josh Henderson (Tuwos)
Many thanks to the society for the invitation, my steward for keeping things moving but most of all the exhibitors for their entries and exhibits.
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
13 mth male, who was nice in profile but just not as together as the female. Head was broad with a strong short muzzle. Dark eye and fair amount of neck. Shoulder lay could have been better and a slightly stronger topline but this may harden with maturity and age. Move true with everything close to his body.
Crufts
9th Mar 2018
Judge: Mr.Carl Gunnar-Stafberg
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
31st Mar 2018
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
My grateful thanks to the BTC for the invitation to judge the annual Championship show and my thanks to my efficient stewards who were kept busy. I was astonished to see from my catalogue, as I prepared my critique, how far exhibitors had travelled, particularly with the unpredictable weather we are experiencing. Thank you all for coming.
Movement is improving. There are still are some upright shoulders and poor rear angulation. Size is incredibly variable and as this breed has a strong working heritage some exhibits would struggle to get into any fox earth. I would like to see more muscle tone on back ends. The opportunities to work Borders may have diminished, but the breed standard is our template and we should stick to it or we will have classes filled with ‘showing fools.’
Don’t chalk coats to harden them. Your judges will find it. It’s unnecessary - don’t let it become a fashion. A good coat needs no embellishments and good coats on the day were excellent coats. Coats will grow but in the process may miss out on top honours at a Championship show. We all want our dogs to have their best coats on a show day, but the two things don’t always coincide. I also appreciated that coats kept going for Crufts recently had then been stripped out.
Quality and breed type were lacking in some exhibits. Young heads need time at puppy stage but some young males were disappointing. One puppy dog was chronically thin. Puppies should be puppy-ish, carry a bit of weight and be happy in the ring and socialised. The Exhibition Hall is noisy and some pups are phased by unusual sounds, but I’m pleased to say that temperaments were excellent. I dislike seeing youngsters being strung up - dancing on their toes - and having their leads jerked to keep their attention, or to get them walking in a straight line. Try talking to your dog on the move and loosen those leads.
I have expressed an opinion on baiting before, and I will keep doing it until exhibitors take note, or I die pleading. Baiting a dog on the table unbalances the dog, gets in the way of the judge doing his/her job properly when it comes to checking the bite, and distracts the dogs completely. Borders are especially curious of strangers who approach, so the table contest for them becomes ‘bait’ or ‘stranger.’ A judge doesn’t want to waste time getting the dog’s attention away from bait. Practice getting the stance correct on a table without bait. Please - keep your bait until the dog is on the floor.
All males were entire; scissor bites generally were very good but some varied from a level bite, to the odd missing or chipped tooth and a couple of slightly wry mouths, but teeth were well presented and clean. There was just one kinked tail.
The best exhibits were exceptionally good. Eyes were dark and of good shape, bright and healthy. The good coats were tight, crisp and of great texture. Movement was impressive on the whole – straight and true - and almost all dogs were spannable. Sadly, not enough cards to go round and in some of the senior classes of both sexes, there were beautiful exhibits in tremendous condition, which could change places at any time. Their owners are to be congratulated.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
National Dog Show
11th May 2018
Judge: Mrs Jane Morton-Shaw (Fehmarn)
My sincere thanks to the Birmingham National Dog Show committee for inviting me to judge at what was my first CC appointment. My thanks also go to my super-efficient stewards on the day. Thanks to all of you exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry, and for your sporting acceptance of my decisions, some of which were difficult, as there were a couple of times when the quality was so good, it was hard to separate them, so I had to look at the minor points to split them.
There were a couple of level bites but no kinked tails. My main grumble were the huge ears on too many exhibits, front movement on many left much to be desired, and a number of exhibits were too big overall making some unspannable. A couple of dogs were badly overweight. All exhibits were presented in good clean condition.
I had a wonderful time and hopefully the exhibitors enjoyed their day too at this well-run show. The icing on the cake was the fact that my Best Puppy in Breed went on to win Terrier Puppy Group 2, and my DCC/Best Veteran went on the win Terrier Veteran Group 2.
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Great Harwood Agricultural Show
30th May 2018
Judge: Mrs Janet Forshaw
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2018
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
Thoroughly enjoyed my day with the NBTC. My thanks to the Committee for the appointment and the exhibitors for their entry of Borders. I was well looked after all day and I would like to express my gratitude to my Stewards who did an excellent job by keeping focused on their task throughout the day. I was extremely pleased with the overall quality of the dogs across both sexes. For those who left without prize cards do not be too disappointed, I saw only one undershot jaw and no dog was out of place in the show ring. My top winners were all outstanding dogs and there were several others who deserve that label who were placed but did not reach the final accounting. Overall heads are very good but let’s be careful not to breed for too much strength in skull. Ensure we balance what we have with equal strength in muzzle and under-jaw and please lots more beautiful large white teeth. Most dogs had the correct outline, with many good top-lines and neat tails. Coats and pelts were generally very good and do not be afraid to show a Border in that rich, thick ,harsh, double coat they are well known for. Generally conformation was correct, with shoulders and stifles showing acceptable angulation. The straight stifle is quite rare, but equally let’s not over do the angulation of the hind limb as that produces weakness. Short hocks go best with correct stifles. Dogs with a length of leg, drive from hindquarters, tight feet and good ribbing did well today provided they had the typical Border Terrier characteristics we all look for. A few dogs are getting a little long in body for a variety of reasons. Some have their shoulder set forwards on the chest, some lack the well ribbed-back conformation and so appear to have long couplings and some have shorter legs than they ideally need. Much of this was marginal today but they are all points to remember as the breed moves forward. I was pleased with the CC line ups and excited by the quality in some of the youngsters coming through. It would have been nice to reward some of these emerging future champions with higher honours but the quality at the top was too much for relatively immature dogs.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
18mo. Much to like here. Typical head and expression albeit older style, neat dark ears, well made both ends. Moved well. Coat good. Nice topline, good bone and handy size.
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Class Critique
High quality class where several worthy dogs went without.
The Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2018
Judge: Mr. Ian Higham (Comberdown)
What a privilege it was to judge my breed again at the Scottish Kennel Club. I am very grateful for the invite.
I would really like to thank all of those who exhibited their dogs under me and for putting trust in my opinion and my integrity. I would also like to thank my very capable stewards Kate Scott and Lindsay O’Neill, who were very confident, efficient and jovial on the day.
My general findings were that the breed is showing a good in-depth quality. Movement is still a bit erratic here and there as one would expect, but I saw plenty of good borders on the day. However, I did notice that thickness of skin was not as evident as in the past and I honestly only found a few really good thick pelts. I found one dog had a very slight deformity near the very end of its tail. I had one or two level bites and one that obviously had recently had a tooth come out and its owner, very honestly, informed me of what had happened. None of these dogs were penalised in any way re mouths. Some exhibits were tallish but spannable, however, there were some that were two heavy in chest and had a rounder shape rib rather than the correct ‘v’ or heart shape.
As usual I was looking for borders that fulfilled the type points as laid out in our standard, combined with correct physical construction to be able to cover the ground well as they would have had to when our standard was written all those years ago.
DCC
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
This 19 moth old grizzle may still have some maturing to do, but today his qualities, especially his movement, was hard to miss. He moves very true in front and behind and in profile he had that lovely flowing effortless movement with reach and drive. His shoulder placement angulation felt right and he has good straight front and hind legs with low hocks. Good small tight feet with thick pads. He is narrow right through and easily spanned. He has a nice border head with correct ear placement and good eye. Good muzzle, teeth and bite. He was presented with plenty of coat today and could have had a little taken off his neck area. He was handled well. In the challenge he had strong opposition from a super junior dog, but today his qualities could not be denied. DCC.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Championship Show
30th Sep 2018
Judge: Mr David Fryer (Irton)
My thanks to the Club for an enjoyable day; and to my stewards Kevin and Julie who ensured that all flowed smoothly and that my only task was to judge the dogs. Thanks also to the rest of the committee and helpers who ensured a well run show. I was well pleased with the entry; real quality beyond the available cards in many classes. I had no bad mouths (a few lost and broken teeth, not a major problem to me); but quite a few with small teeth in a technically perfect bite. All males were entire. I had expected (from recent ringside observation) to find front movement, in particular, a problem; so was pleasantly surprised in the entry on the day in this respect. However, too many of the dogs did not have the construction and fitness to appear able to move efficiently over rough ground all day. Coats were variable, most being well prepared and tidy; pelts, on the whole, were good, but feet were often weak with thin pads.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
quite a well made dog, short on coat, good pelt, nice mover both ways, good front and feet, good head and expression,
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Oct 2018
Judge: Mr Kevin Green (Terabyte)
I would like to thank the club officers & committee for inviting me to judge their show. I would also like to thank the stewards Anna & Judith for doing an excellent job and for keeping the show flowing so well. I was very pleased with the entry and thank you to all the exhibitors for such a lovely entry. I had such lovely dogs & bitches to go over on the day, they had good coats and pelts overall, I was a little disappointed on movement. All dogs were entire.
Once again I would like to thank the Club for a well-run show and such enjoyable day.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
Appealing head with dark ears and good front. Top line was good as was tail set. Preferred overall out line of first.
Wigan CS Open Show
4th Nov 2018
Judge: Mrs Julie North (Northborders)
I would like to thank the Committee for inviting me to judge the Border Terriers today , A lovely venue which allows good size rings , I was humbled by the size of my entry and I would to thank you all for attending , I had some lovely dogs to go over
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG3, Keebank Jack Frost
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
A lovely unexaggerated 21mth old Grizzle and Tan boy , Nice head and expression , easily spanned with super pelt and new jacket , the best of shoulders and narrow throughout , nice angulation and this comes through in his movement which is balanced and true . BOB, TG3
Class Critique
Wow what a fantastic class with lots a variety which made my job hard , I ran out of cards today and some dogs went home card less that I really liked
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Nov 2018
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
My sincere thanks to the Scottish Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their Championship show, one of my favourites. Also my thanks to the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege to judge their dogs.
My main concern is size and weight, it really does matter, there were a number of exhibits that were too heavy/big, and at the other end of the spectrum, not enough muscle/bone/condition, which is essential for a working dog. However, I was very happy with the main winners, and both line ups.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Placing Critique
attractive grizzle of the right size, well shaped head with little stop, neat ears of a good leather, thick double jacket, although could do with some attention, moved very well.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2019
Judge: Mrs Denise Townsend (Llanishen)
Thank you to the officers, committee and members of the Border Terrier Club for awarding the honour of judging this prestigious show and for giving me such a warm welcome. The show had a wonderfully friendly atmosphere and I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did. Many thanks to all exhibitors for their entries, and for allowing me the opportunity to go over their dogs, something I consider a privilege. My stewards Judy and Judith looked after me perfectly and kept everything moving smoothly.
I was very pleased with my winners and with the overall standard of the entry. Some causes for concern included a small number of wry mouths in the early dog classes, exhibits with barely any undercoat and some heads which were lacking strength in their under-jaw.
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2019
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
A big thanks to The Northern Border Terrier Club for there invitation to judge their club show, my first club open show was for the Northern many years ago, and the friendliness and hospitality has not changed. Thank you to the exhibitors for such a good entry and great atmosphere around the ring, and most especially to my two capable stewards Carolyn and Graham Richardson for keeping every thing flowing, and not putting a foot wrong all day. The quality of exhibits was second to none and many good dogs had to go home without a card, teeth were excellent and not one kinked tail or missing testicle all day, nice to see so many of the borders looked capable of doing a days work.
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Ashton in Makerfield CS Open Show
29th Feb 2020
Judge: Mrs Felicity Snook (Pitcombe)
Limit /
Reserve
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Crufts
8th Mar 2020
Judge: Mr Simon Jackson (Clipstone)
Firstly, I would like to thank the Kennel Club for allowing me the honour of judging this Border Terrier Centenary year. I also thank my excellent stewards for keeping me on track and to everybody who gave me such a fantastic entry, both in numbers and quality across all classes. To be blunt, I don't think I have ever seen and enjoyed such a very high quality entry before. Unfortunately many good exhibits went home unrewarded. Several classes the placed exhibits could have all stood in first place. I really was splitting hairs. I can honestly say that I really enjoyed myself and hope everybody else did too. I'd also like to thank Joyce Martin and my son, Laurence Jackson, for the excellent photographs which has made the writing of this critique so much easier. I understand Laurence also live-streamed the CC's and BOB – technology far above me – but thanks!
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Keebank Jack Frost
Class Critique
Here's another class where the quality was not limited – ha ha!
