Show Placings
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.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
Smaller bitch – just a baby at 6 months. Head needs to develop, which can come with maturity and needs a little more fill under the eye. Gorgeous expression with lovely dark eyes and good ear placement. Excellent thick coat and pelt. Good tail, well set on.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
Was 2nd in Special Beginners bitch. Moved perfectly in this class. Nice tight jacket.
Rhyl Canine Society Open Show
10th Sep 2023
Judge: Louisa Henry
Best Puppy
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs J Guvercin (Glebeheath)
Thank you to the committee for this appointment, everyone worked hard to make it an enjoyable day. This venue always has a super atmosphere, however, the ring is too small really to see outlines, being far too near the dogs and side profile movement is very difficult to see, let alone for the dogs to perform really well. Many moved poorly, not liking the smooth mats and although I had to judge them on this today, I think most would move much better outside in a big grass ring.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
I think hind movement has generally improved though the same cannot be said for fronts. Most were shown in good coat and only one exhibit was clearly of poor temperament.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Midland Counties Championship Show
26th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr J Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I would like to thank the officers & committee for giving me the opportunity to judge the Border Terrier classes, & also a big thank you to Penny Winger & Gavin Argill my two ring stewards who kept things in order & also made sure we finished on time, and a special mention to my Best of Breed winner for attending the terrier group, and being rewarded with being short listed in the final seven.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Nov 2023
Judge: Libby Tanton-Joy (Itsaso)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to Judge their Open show, and all exhibitors that entered. I had a lovely entry with some quality dogs to go over. All placing’s were accepted with grace. Many thanks to both my stewards who kept the ring moving. The show had a lovely atmosphere and I enjoyed my day
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
8 month old grizzle and tan who was good for size and type. She again moved well once settled due to her good rear angulation and muscle tone. Presented in good coat and pelt she was easily spanned.
Class Critique
Both young puppies who were enjoying their time in the ring. Looking forward to seeing them develop over their puppy career
Sedgley & Gornal Canine Association Premier Open Show
26th Nov 2023
Judge: Amélie Smith (Alncroft)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Oakengates & District Canine Society Open Show
17th Dec 2023
Judge: Andrew Westwood (Nethertonion)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Morley's Miss Zeva
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Coventry Ladies’ Kennel Society Open Show
1st Jan 2024
Judge: David Bell (Balintyne)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Litchfield CS Open Show
7th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr John Finney (Sanguliano)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Wigan and District Canine Society Open Show
14th Jan 2024
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
My thanks go to the Committee of the Wigan and District Canine Society for the opportunity to judge today (we were kept well fed and watered!), and to my steward for her assistance in the ring. The show was very well attended and was therefore very busy and noisy. The Border ring was right next to an open door which unfortunately did appear to have a detrimental effect on a few exhibits, leading to some inconsistent and unsettled presentations. That aside, there were some lovely dogs to go over – no major faults to note, and all had very pleasing loose pelts. Coats, as to be expected, were in various stages of growth.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
10-month-old grizzle and tan bitch. Good dark eye with alert keen expression, in a feminine head. Nice shoulder placement with straight front and small feet; ribs well back, narrow throughout with level topline and nice tuck up. Carroty tail well set on leading to racy well angulated hindquarters. Correct ratios fore and aft shown in a tight pin wire jacket with good pelt. Moved with purpose and drive. Please to award Best Puppy in Breed. Unfortunately missed Puppy Group, but got a pleasing VHC in large Stakes Group.
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Heywood and Radcliffe CS Open Show
28th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr Tony Allcock MBE (Sleepyhollow)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Morley's Miss Zeva
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG4, Morley's Miss Zeva
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
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.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
West Midlands Terrier Society Open Show
17th Feb 2024
Judge: Mr Matt Smith (Alncroft)
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
St Helens & DCS Open Show
18th Feb 2024
Judge: Mr John Scanlan (Pantycelyn)
Reserve Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG4, Morley's Miss Zeva
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
3rd Mar 2024
Judge: Miss Nicola Foster (Thozow)
It was a great honour to be invited to Judge a Border Terrier Club Open show so I would like to thank the Southern Club for this opportunity. It was a day I had been looking forward too, so I would also like to thank the exhibitors for their entries, allowing me to access their dogs and for accepting my decisions. I was most grateful to my stewards Sian McKay & Marina Fleming who kept the ring running efficiently, and also live streamed the challenges and BIS.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
Repeat entry ( see Junior bitch) This grizzle and tan has a thick movable pelt and excellent jacket. Correct otter like head with dark eye set well. She is narrow throughout, spannable with a good depth of rib carried well back. Strong muscular loin racy hindquarters and hocks well let down. Moved well although a little close behind.
Oswestry & District Kennel Association Open Show
17th Mar 2024
Judge: Mr Kevin Yeates (Bluebabel)
I’d like to thank the committee for appointing me for this show. With 16 dogs entered and 2 absent I was very pleased with my above average entry for this show. All the dogs had good dentition, and coats generally good
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
26th Apr 2024
Judge: Mandy Holmes (Bimandi)
Many Thanks to WELKS for asking me to judge at their show, it was an honour, also thank you so much to everyone that entered under me, I had some great dogs to go over. Congratulation to all my winners. Thanks also go to my very competent stewards for keeping my ring running smoothly.
All the males were entire. Apart from 3 level bites all mouths were correct and teeth of good size. Temperaments were all sound except one or two that really didn’t like being in the noisy hall and were a little bit subdued. It’s hard to judge true movement on a slippery concrete floor and in some classes the placings could have changed if we had been outside on grass.
Novice - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
National Dog Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mr Patrick Glover (USA)
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Coventry & District Kennel Society Open Show
19th May 2024
Judge: Andrea Dixon (Otterpaws)
Thank you to the club for the invitation to judge and the exhibitors for their entries. Thank you to my stewards Lynn and Bruce.
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
15-month G+T bitch. smaller and shorter in couplings than 1st. harsh double coat. Sweet feminine otter head. Slight over focus on handler distracted her movement
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
See 2nd Junior – movement improved from previous class
Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Open Show
29th May 2024
Judge: Carmel Clarke O'Neill (Lemracdream)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
14 months old pleasing head, broad in skull, good strength of muzzle body narrow, spannable nice short tail thick at base, moved well both ways
Yearling /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
Pleasing head, broad in skull, good strength of muzzle body narrow, spannable nice short tail thick at base, moved well both ways
Ashfield CS Open Show
9th Jun 2024
Judge: Paul Brandwood (Woodbrands)
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Post Graduate /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
The Royal Cheshire County Premier Open Show
19th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Northwich & District Canine Society Open Show
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Linda Ford (Selvina)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Blackpool & District Canine Society
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Beverley Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you to all of you who entered your dogs for me to judge. I really enjoyed my day and having the privilege of judging your dogs. The weather was kind and our ring was good. I had excellent stewards and I thank them for their hard work.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
5th Jul 2024
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
Many thanks to the committee for the invitation to judge. Everyone worked hard throughout the day to ensure it ran smoothly. There were a few clashes with the main Boston Championship show but these were well managed. Thanks also to the competitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner and creating a wonderful atmosphere around the ring.
There was a super entry of 172 dogs making 217 entries which I found both exciting and daunting, having had a total knee replacement operation just weeks before!
Overall, I found the standard of exhibits was good. Coats were a mixture ranging from pure undercoat to absolute perfection. The majority of exhibits were spannable. All dogs were entire. I found just one undershot mouth. I forgave loose movement in some of the younger dogs which will hopefully tighten as they mature, but adults moving wide or close had to be penalised. Several lacked bone and substance, being on the leg as well as short coupled making the outline somewhat squarer than I was looking for. Handling was generally good, with one very professional young handler who really impressed me with her skills. My main winners were presented in stunning condition, and I had some difficult decisions to make in the higher classes, wishing I could award more than just one Challenge Certificate.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
Grizzle with nice head, good big teeth, good length of rib, moved well.
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
3rd Junior and Yearling
Boston & District Canine Society
5th Jul 2024
Judge: Julie Green (Breckgreen & Stowthorney)
I would like to thanks the officers and committee of Boston and District Canine society for inviting me to give my first set of tickets in Border Terriers. It was such a well-run show and in such a lovely setting. I would also like to thank the exhibitors who entered under me. Thanks also to my two stewards who kept the ring moving for me on the day.
All in all, I was happy with my entry. I found all males to be entire and no kinked tails on the day. A couple of mouths that were not quite correct.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
This girl had a nice head with keen expression. Shown in a harsh double jacket moved out well. Just preferred the tail set of 1st.
Newport & District Agricultural Society Open Show
13th Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs Margaret Davies (Glenorchy)
Thank you to the Society for their kind invitation to judge at their annual agricultural show, thank you also to my steward, Dave Harrison, who kept the ring running smoothly and finally the exhibitors who entered under me, thank you.
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
nice bitch who stood alone in this class but still worthy of her place. She has a lovely head, expression, good depth of muzzle and correct dentition. Good reach of neck flowing into well placed shoulders. Good front. Level topline which she held on the move. Good jacket.
Moved well. RBOB.
Wrexham DKS Open Show
20th Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs Hilary Male (Malenbrook)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
Feminine dark grizzle bitch who appealed for size and breed type. Feminine head with correct small v shaped ears, moderate neck, straight forelegs leading to small feet, deep chested ribs carried well back, moderate rear end, moved true. BOB
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
As before
Oswestry & District Kennel Association Open Show
21st Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs V Atkinson (Raedwulf)
Thank you for inviting me to judge at this friendly and well run show. It was a pleasure to go over some lovely dogs and to see my decisions taken sportingly.
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
17 month old grizzle bitch with good coat and thick pelt. Moderately broad skull, slightly heavy in ear with correct scissor bite, would prefer more strength of muzzle. Spannable with good top line and tail set which was held on the move. Stood on tight cat like feet, good lay of shoulder and correct front but a little close behind on the move.
The Midland Border Terrier Club 40th Anniversary Championship Show
4th Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the club for inviting me to judge this 40th Anniversary show, and for the hospitality on the day. Thank you also to the hardworking stewards, it was a long and very busy day. Most of all, thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such a fabulous entry. I appreciated each and every exhibit, and had the privilege of going over so many quality dogs that difficult decisions had to be made and many lovely dogs went cardless. Foremost, I see the Border Terrier as ‘essentially a working terrier’ and was therefore looking for construction that would render this possible. A few exhibits were too big, too wide or too deep in brisket which might prevent them from going to ground, or even cause them to get stuck. A few had very thin skin – skin must be thick. Most bites were good, just a few with teeth out of line or missing. Coats come and go, so were understandably at different stages. However, on a working terrier a good hard coat does complete the picture. Good movement and a strong, even, economical gait comes from soundness of construction and the muscle tone of a well exercised dog. Therefore I looked for good layback of shoulder and the correct length and angle of upper arm to give a good reach in front, a strong loin, good bend of stifle and well angulated, well muscled hindquarters to give matching drive from the rear.
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Lancaster & District Canine Society Open Show
11th Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Johnson
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Morecambe and Heysham Canine Association Open Show
11th Aug 2024
Judge: Paul Brandwood (Woodbrands)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Welsh Kennel Club Championship Show
16th Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Stuart Plane
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Placing Critique
a true fronted bitch in super coat and condition
Joint Border Terrier Club's Championship Show
31st Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
Thank you to The Scottish Border Terrier Club for asking me to judge the Joint Show. It’s been a long time coming as I was invited to judge in 2019 and COVID 19 got in the way! I would like to thank the exhibitors who managed to attend the show after the problems caused by Storm Lilian at Driffield. I also appreciate that the absentees were higher as a result of many people having prior appointments on the day that the show was rearranged. The City of Birmingham Society where very accommodating, we had a lovely ring with plenty of space.
However, I had a super entry, and I had lots to choose from in the dogs that were able to show under me. Thank you to everyone – I really appreciate being asked to give an opinion on other people’s dogs, it’s a real honour. I would also give a special note of thanks to my steward Bill Shorthose who single handedly managed the ring and made sure everyone was in the right place at the right time. Particularly with the challenges of a partnership show and the clashes that this can cause across two rings. Thank you to all the exhibitors who managed to negotiate two shows with good heart.
When judging, I look for dogs with good heads, plenty of strength under the eye, very little stop and a good strong jaw – essentially a’ Head like that of an Otter’. I also like to see straight fronts, correct shoulder placements and tidy small feet. I found these characteristics in all of my top winners. Generally, mouths were good, although there were a couple of dogs with a tooth out of place. Movement was ok in generally, but as breed we do need to keep an eye on front movement as there were some dogs who did not move as well as they should walking towards me. All the males were entire. I was very pleased with all my placings and when choosing my top winners, I had some difficult decisions to make and so were some dogs that were very unlucky on the day.
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Class Critique
I liked both of these two bitches very much and had a very difficult time deciding between them. They are both of excellent quality with lots of ring presence.
Rhyl Canine Society Open Show
8th Sep 2024
Judge: Jody Carter
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Oct 2024
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Special Challenge - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Nov 2024
Judge: Sarah Pateman (Lessien)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Morley's Miss Zeva
