Show Placings
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2024
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Placing Critique
Litter brother to 1 and unsurprisingly similar remarks apply. Nice type, handles well, appealing head and expression, presented in lovely coat. Scored over 3 on length of bone but preferred feet of 3. Moved okay but with the benefit of time needs to tighten and firm up all through
Special Beginners - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Cardiff CS Open Show
26th Jan 2025
Judge: Mrs A Kenny-Marriott (Millingford)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
South Wales Kennel Association Open Show
8th Feb 2025
Judge: Mr Keith Jones (Darlaur)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Crufts
6th Mar 2025
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
It was a tremendous honour and a great privilege some 3 years ago to be asked by the Kennel Club to judge at Crufts in 2025. Having attended and enjoyed this show over many years it felt strange to be finally standing centre stage.
My grateful thanks to the exhibitors and handlers from both home and overseas for giving me a fantastic entry of 249 dogs making 279 entries. I wish to sincerely thank my 2 stewards Ken Francis and Bill Ashworth for organising the ring and me so efficiently and thus avoiding any delays between classes in what was a long and tiring day starting at 08.00. Thanks also to Joyce Martin for the excellent photographs.
I was looking for an exhibit that best fitted the standard and most importantly that they were spannable. With kennel cough widespread throughout the country I requested handlers show me the exhibits teeth to avoid possible further spread. On the day I tried to ensure that each dog was given equal time on the table and moving around the ring.
The general condition of most exhibits was fine with coats as usual at all stages and some appearing to have been stripped the day before. Movement was generally good at the rear but less so in front where several were loose and moving in various directions usually caused by poor shoulder construction. Feet were disappointing in some exhibits being spread and well down on their pasterns with thin pads. I found 2 kinked tails and in the mouths 2 undershot plus several with missing and misaligned teeth. All males were entire. Temperaments were good throughout the day.
I was pleased with my final lineups and delighted to see my Best of Breed make the shortlist and be awarded Group 4
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Placing Critique
Of good size this 9 month g&t has a pleasing head with correct bite of large teeth. A nicely shaped neck flows into a narrow body with good ribcage. He was in fit condition and with well let down hocks covered the ground well. He was shown to advantage but lacked coat on the day.
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
25th Apr 2025
Judge: Mrs J Guvercin (Glebeheath)
Thank you to everyone who entered on a Friday and gave me the biggest entry of the two groups on the day and the forth highest in the whole show! Pat and Paul my stewards were great and helped me to get through the dogs in an efficient way.
We were lucky enough to be outside on a perfect dog showing day weather wise.
Some super quality classes with hair splitting decisions and even lovely dogs unplaced. Whilst essentially a working terrier was a priority, I wanted my males, to look like males and my bitches easily recognisable as females, it sounds obvious but with some they could’ve passed for either.
Some really lovely dogs looked super stood, but failed on the move, not just coming and going, but more importantly to me, the side gait.
I think we need to be careful of mouths, I was surprised to find several with teeth out of line. Level bites, although allowed and not penalised on the day, some were in very young dogs and it makes me wonder if they will last.
Having said all that, I enjoyed my day and the dogs, who also seemed to enjoy being outside.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Placing Critique
grizzle in excellent coat and condition with nice head and topline, carrying his tail well. A little shorter in body at present and needs to tighten in front, but he is very young yet.
Aberystwyth Premier Open Show
5th May 2025
Judge: Mr Rob Jones (Silverluka)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Premier Open Show
18th May 2025
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
I would like to thank the committee of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at their Premier Open Show. I thank them further for managing to arrange glorious weather! I thoroughly enjoyed my day and I must thank the exhibitors for giving me a lovely entry and some super dogs to go over, and to my Steward Marie, who carried on to steward for the next class as well.
I am glad to note that I found no kinked tails, or suspect mouths. Coats as usual were in all stages of growth and in general fronts were good; and there were some good Otter-like heads in evidence. I was pleased with my final line up, who all moved with super reach and drive – essentially a working terrier!
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Placing Critique
Grizzle and tan dog who is litter mate to 1st in Puppy class. Exhibited in a superb full dense coat, with corresponding thick skin and loose pelt. Masculine otter head in the making with alert expression and little stop. Correct for bone, and with well laid back shoulders; ribs carried well back with strong loin. Hindquarters- good turn of stifle and well let down hocks- correct underline finishes the picture. Moved with lightness and long low stride.
Bath Canine Society
24th May 2025
Judge: Mr Euan Castel (Flutorum)
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Itsaso On Stranger Tides
