Show Placings
Blackpool & District Canine Society
25th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at Blackpool & District Canine Society Championship show. Grateful thanks must go to my very efficient steward Gisela Duran who did an excellent job in making sure everything ran like clockwork. Finally thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such an excellent entry of 142 dogs making 183 entries, the largest entry across all breeds on the day. It really was a privilege to go over such a large entry of dogs and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
The size of dogs has always been a perennial topic, but I was pleased to say overall, many of the dogs were of correct size on this occasion, with very few oversized dogs and only the odd one or two I couldn’t span. Bites were good and only an odd one with teeth out of line, although a few had broken teeth, quite a few had dirty teeth and some had small teeth which is something I really don’t like to see on, essentially a working terrier. It was good to find some really lovely tails, with not too many long thin, spindly tails we have seen in the past, although I was surprised to find four kinked tails in the entry.
Overall I thought it was a good entry, I found some quality exhibits and I was very pleased with my winners, and in particular will watch the progress of my puppy and junior placings with interest.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
B&T. 6 month old quality puppy with typical head and expression. Nice neck into shoulder and well angulated hindquarters, lovely bone, legs and small neat feet. In good thick jacket. Moved well.
East of England Agricultural Society
6th Jul 2023
Judge: Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for the invitation to judge Border Terriers at the East of England Agricultural Society Show, which was to be the last one run by this society. It was a super venue with lovely big rings which gave the dogs a chance to stride out. Many thanks to my ring stewards Peter and Lesley Armstrong for keeping things running smoothly and efficiently. I was delighted with my entry of 109 dogs making a total entry of 149 and pleased with the overall quality of dogs shown. Thank you to the exhibitors for giving the chance to go over your dogs and for the sporting way the placings were taken. It is indeed a privilege to have the opportunity do so. I was thrilled to be able to watch the terrier group and see my BOB - Stineval Lambert JW take group 1 in a quality line up. I also was delighted to hear that my BPIB - Glebeheath Ophelia went Group 3 in the Puppy Group.
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Glebeheath Ophelia
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
A 7 month old blue and tan bitch with a strong head and pleasing expression. She has a lovely narrow front and clean neck and shoulders. She has a good length of body and level topline. She stood on neat feet and has a harsh thick jacket and thick pelt with ticking coming through. She is well balanced and moved out soundly with ring presence! BPIB.
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,
RBCC
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Blue and Tan, super young lady who put me under her spell, at such a young age she screams border terrier, I cant read the future but i predict very good times ahead for her and her sibling's. A head to die for, neat ears, dark eyes, correct bite with strong teeth, punishing under jaw, gun barrel front, neat feet, body needs to develop obviously at this age, moved so well, I have given CCs since 1990 this is the youngest, dog/bitch I have ever given a rcc to but i have to judge it as I seen it on the day
Paignton Championship Show
5th Aug 2023
Judge: Colin Powell (Bowtman)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Litter sister to the puppy dog, true to type and soundly made, going to have some fun with this litter, lovely feminine head and expression, good reach of neck and lay of shoulders, racy body, with good angulations, nice harsh jacket, moved true both ways.
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.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Very nicely proportioned, super feminine head and expression with balanced proportions and well placed ears, an easy span, just right for bone without losing any substance, pleasing in size. Correct topline, underline and tailset and nicely angulated hindquarters and well let down hocks, such a sound mover, really covering the ground with good reach and drive, just preferred the depth of jacket of 1.
Class Critique
A really nice class
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.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
She caught my eye as she entered the ring. Nice type, well balanced. Lovely angulation & bend of stifle. Nice length of neck. Correct bite & set on of lovely carroty tail. Good pelt. Movement needs to tighten up but ok.
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Sep 2023
Judge: Mr Robert Brewster (Stowthorney & Breckgreen)
I would like to thanks the officers and committee of The Southern Border Terrier Club for giving me the honour of judging their Open Show. I first signed the contract for the show in 2017, but due to Covid and the Lockdown I have only just fulfilled my judging appointment. Whist remembering those who are no longer with us due to the Covid Pandemic. I was happy with my entry and would like to also thank the exhibitors for entering under me and thank them all for taking my decisions, some of which were difficult, in a sportsmanlike way. I found most exhibits to be in good order, but I was quite worried that I found some younger exhibits with a build-up of scale on their teeth. This should be addressed as soon as possible. I was also delighted with a young exhibitor, attending her first show, on a whole handling her young dog so well whilst full of nerves and inexperience. We need to encourage these youngsters as they are the custodians of our breed
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Best Puppy
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Another blue and tan bitch of nice type. Lovely otter head with dark eyes. Correct scissor bite with large teeth. Good reach of neck with a lovely lay of shoulder. Good top line and tail set. Narrow throughout and spanned with ease. Moved well. Pleased to award her Best Puppy Bitch and later Best Puppy in Show.
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.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Lovely blue & tan, strong muzzle & under jaw & broad skull, nice reach of neck set on good shoulders, lovely front with nice length of bone, ribs carried well back, moved true away & back.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for a lovely entry and also to the Scottish BTC for this opportunity. Special thanks go to my two stewards for the day who kept everything running smoothly and for their good company. Although the lighting in the hall isn’t the best, it was adequate and the large square ring was perfect for watching movement, something I feel is very important in a border terrier. On that note I found my main winners to excel in this department. I was pleased to judge some strong puppy classes and also some strong adult classes
Best Puppy
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Blue and tan quality pup, stunning head with strong muzzle, keen dark eye and good ear set. Narrow, straight front with tight feet. Another one that excels in topline and tailset. Thick double coat with loose pelt. Moved and showed well. Easily spanned. I’m predicting bigger things ahead. BPIS
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
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Best Bitch
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Best Puppy
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
11 month old Blue and Tan bitch who is moderate, elegant and appealed for her overall balance. Typical otter head with a strong jaw housing big teeth and correct bite. Moderate in neck which flowed into a good lay of shoulder straight front and small tight feet. Ribbed back into a strong loin she was narrow throughout and easily spanned. Held her topline both on the move and when stacked which was finished off with a lovely short carrot like tail. She moved out with purpose around the ring securing Best Bitch, Reserve Best In Show and Best Puppy In Show
West Midlands Terrier Society Open Show
25th Nov 2023
Judge: Knut Sigurd Wilberg
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Best Puppy
Name at show: BPIS, Glebeheath Ophelia
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Beautiful youngster of excellent type. Very nice head and outline. Correct angulated both ends and well developed in body for age. Stands and moves very well and I can see her going a long way BP and RBOB. It was exciting to see Ophelia ending up BISP
Bristol & District Dog Club Open Show
3rd Dec 2023
Judge: Mr Stephen Goodwin (Lanola)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG1, Glebeheath Ophelia
Best Puppy
Name at show: BPIS, TPG1, Glebeheath Ophelia
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Ladies Kennel Association
8th Dec 2023
Judge: Mr Ken Bartlett (Dwilencia)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
RBCC
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Very eye catching, well balanced in head, correct length of neck, well bodied, spans easily, thick skin, good tail set and carriage, moved well round the ring R.C.C
Oakengates & District Canine Society Open Show
17th Dec 2023
Judge: Andrew Westwood (Nethertonion)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Second Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Another quality bitch who moved and showed well, strong head and muzzle, dark eye, good bone, legs and feet, in full coat, moved and showed well
Crufts
10th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
A tremendous entry of 275 Borders ( 25 absentees on the day)to enjoy handling, judging and placing. I must extend my appreciation to my two valiant stewards for their patience and skill in keeping classes moving. Thank you all.
I do believe our breed is changing, but in subtle ways. The lack of opportunities for true terrier work below ground for some Borders has been replaced by agility and other energetic pursuits, but lack of hard muscle tone has produced a ‘softer’ body on some exhibits. Some feet are slacker, pads are more spread and thinner and some fronts are wide. Movement is not always positive and a ‘driving’ action is lacking. Size is fluctuating too. We have a ‘working’ breed - let’s ensure that features defining the breed are not lost, i.e. ‘spannability’; a hard, harsh top coat and soft protective undercoat (not enough of those today); a dark, expressive eye, a broad skull and strong quarters – ‘the engine is at the back!’. Heads generally were good, but some bitch heads veered towards coarseness.
One thing not lost is the Border’s kind temperament – curious, interested and ready for anything.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Blue and tan youngster – another with a super head and feminine expression. Best of feet, great textured jacket, tight pelt, spannable and all in proportion. Moved out with confidence. Three Juniors whose progress I’ll watch with interest.
National Terrier Club
6th Apr 2024
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
Thanks to the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this prestigious show and to the exhibitors who did me the honour of judging their dogs. I was lucky to have two efficient stewards who kept things running smoothly, thank you Laura and Dave.
The entry showed a good depth of quality. In many classes the places were hotly contested with decisions needing to be made on the narrowest of margins. I was very pleased to find that there were some good coats on thick pelts and the nice thick short tails which set off a good border so well.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Nicely sized blue bitch pleasing in outline shown in good harsh coat. She has a straight front, good angulaton behind and stands on tight small feet. A good top line is complemented by a well set on short thick tail.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
20th Apr 2024
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Thank you to the committee of the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the honour of inviting me to judge your Championship show and for your great hospitality on the day. It was hit-and-miss as to whether or not I would be judging inside or out, and I’m pleased that the committee took the decision to hold it outdoors. It is far nicer for the dogs to be outside, even with the biting wind, and we are not to forget that they are designed to be outside in that type of weather, which reiterates the importance of a good coat. I hope everyone at ringside managed to keep the chill away, myself having Cumbrian bloodlines, found it rather pleasant. Thank you to my stewards Tracey, Dave and Mike who worked tirelessly to keep the ring moving. My biggest thanks are to the exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry and took all my decisions in a sporting manner. I know it is always said there are too many good dogs for the number of cards and that was especially true of the limit and open classes. I was spoiled for choice in a number of classes and had to split hairs on a number of occasions. Dog’s are never static and can have good days and bad days just the same as us, and condition and coats can change dramatically. Some dogs were out of top coat or had no harshness to their coat on the day which cost them on this occasion. Repeating myself from my last judging appointment, I made mention that true movement isn’t necessarily conducive to good movement if no ground is covered at the same time, ideally of course we want both but I would rather see a dog with a good outline in profile than one very accurate that’s going nowhere. Good construction should be a given, I know not much mention is made to that in our breed standard, but to constitute soundness to follow a horse, the construction must be balanced and correct with no exaggeration. Thankfully, there were not many exaggerations on the day. One or two were big ribbed and not quite spannable, and surprisingly they were not necessarily the ones that looked up to size. Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of the dogs presented.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Blue and tan, smart looking bitch. Good head with keen dark eye and well set ears. Excellent for bone, standing on small well padded feet. Ribbed well back and easily spanned. She has an excellent topline and tailset. Good racy hindquarters with well let down hocks. Shown in a good topcoat. Handled and presented beautifully, just not quite as free moving as 1 today
Class Critique
Although not a numerically strong class, all four could change places another day.
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.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Very nice , well balanced youngster, good head and expression. Firm topline and well set tail. Harsh coat, loose pelt and easy to span. Good width of thigh which helped her moved well round the ring.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
Firstly thanks to the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their show, and to all the exhibitors for the massive entry which would of been hard to get through without the help of my two stewards Sharon Pickering and Margaret Bailey who did there best to make sure no exhibitors missed there classes
The quality of the exhibits was exceptional, Most dogs were in fit hard condition and presented well, the old saying many good dogs went without a card was only too true, We were blessed with good weather and a nice sized ring.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Another pleasing youngster, good length of back into well set tail, good shoulders nice bone and neat feet, moved with drive
National Dog Show
12th May 2024
Judge: Mr Patrick Glover (USA)
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Bath Canine Society
26th May 2024
Judge: Mr Ian Higham (Comberdown)
I would like to thank Mr. Lee Cox and the officers and committee of Bath Canine Society for making my wife and I feel so welcome at their show. Also my two amazingly competent stewards Mark and Joyce who were just brilliant at their job.
I found nothing obviously untoward or concerning, apart from, surprisingly, a few too heavy ones, which cost placings. We need to remember functionality.
In general, overall, this was an entry of terrific in-depth quality. What an absolute privilege it was to go over them. Thank you all so much!
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
B & T with dense harsh coat. Spannable with strong loin. She showed herself off well, moving accurately around the ring. Good for bone with small feet and thick pads. Good top-line and and tail set. Appealing head and keen eye.
Southern Counties Canine Association
1st Jun 2024
Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gabybryl)
This was my first-time awarding Challenge Certificates in Border Terriers and many thanks to those that entered under a non-breed specialist, and well done for braving what was a bitter wind. If this was a representative entry, then I am heartened by the general health and condition of the breed. Good coats, good pelts and super large dentition were the majority. There are some nice youngsters in the lower classes. Just two points as a non-specialist if I might be permitted, firstly the standard calls for a small ear and I found quite a few otherwise nice exhibits with large houndy ears which did somewhat detract from the overall expression. Secondly several dogs broke quite markedly at the front pastern which spoilt the overall impression on the move, these points need watching.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Similar to her kennel mate this is a very mature young border and importantly is in the hardest of conditions. Credit must go to the owner here who has them in A1 condition with. Ophelia is very nice for type and has a very typical head of correct proportions and good dark eye. Nice front assembly and with good bone and feet. Easily spannable she is well ribbed back. Correct topline, decent length to the body and well carried tail. Nice hind quarters with parallel hocks. Moved well and with enthusiasm
Class Critique
Quality class
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
I would like to thank the Committee for offering me this appointment, I was honoured to be given this opportunity. Thank you also to my stewards for all their hard work keeping the show running as smoothly as possible, for which I was very grateful. There were some lovely dogs present but front movement and lack of correct length and angulation of the upper arm continues to be a problem in some exhibits as well as size and correct coat . We should not forget the first line in the breed standard “essentially a working terrier”.
RBCC
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Lovely size blue and tan with a strong but feminine otter head with dark expressive eyes. Narrow straight front with well boned legs and neat, well padded feet. Good conformation throughout with a nice length of rib and good underline, easily spanned; well set and carried short tail of good shape. Lovely double coat of good texture and correct pelt. Moved true with reach in front and good drive from the hindquarters. Very well presented, smart and never stopped showing. RBCC
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2024
Judge: Mr. Mark Ord (Marnadee)
Having attended & a long association with this breed club I was very honoured when I received the invitation to judge this show. It is pleasing that the club has such a wealth of supporters who do such sterling work and put on shows that make you want to return to. Walking into this venue today brought back many memories of the past and I am sure the pioneers of the club would be thrilled to see how it has prospered from humble beginnings. The Border Terrier continues to hold its own compared to many of today’s terrier breeds both as a companion and show dog. Breed standards were compiled by looking at the dogs of the time and their working capabilities fitting this purpose, this should still be adhered to now despite hunting no longer being allowed. This being said dogs should be presented for the show ring to the best of an owner’s capabilities, in hard muscular condition and coat presented clean and fit for the purpose of working in rough terrain.
I today found mouths to be good in the majority and I like to see large dentition along with a correct scissor bite. Several had eyes that needed attention in the way of cleaning before coming into the show ring. We still are seeing the incorrect flipping front action due to short upper arms and if not addressed this will become the norm. After my last appointment, I was pleased to only see a small minority where scissoring had been used on the coats which should not be the case. I did find today several coats that I would class as broken rather than the desirable tight harsh top weatherproof coat with undercoat for warmth. On a positive note, the bitches were easy to span and only a minority of males could not be. Pelts were pretty good being both thick & loose.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
finer all through than 1 but well proportioned & balanced, double coated bl/t would prefer slightly harsher in texture, stands with a balance of front & rear with firm top line & flowing gradual under line, correct rib so easy to span & loose thick pelt, moved out well just tending to want to rush but handler had her well controlled.
Leeds Championship Show
28th Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs Linda Coleman (Hartswelin)
I enjoyed my judging and appreciated the good sportsmanship around the ring with applause for all class placings, this is so often lacking these days. In the males there were a lot shown in single coat so these were not in contention on the day, also quite a few were difficult to span. I did not find these problems in the bitches However as many judges before me have commented, good front movement is the exception rather than the norm and these Borders would easily tire following a horse all day.
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Paignton Championship Show
2nd Aug 2024
Judge: Tracey Anscombe (Orangebox)
Thank you to the officers and committee for my first-time appointment at this level. This show is my ‘local’ which made it even more special, If you have never been it is worth the trip down the M5 a warm welcome will meet you.
I was thrilled with the quality of my entry, one observation I did find a lot of untidy feet, splayed toes, long nails and thin pads, I did however find no kinked tails and only one mouth fault.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Winner of Limit and took my eye when entering the ring. Her blue and tan coat was harsh and dense, with thick skin generating a lovely pliable pelt she was presented and handled to perfection on the day. So well balanced in her construction with flow from her attractive head with typical expression, dark eye and well-placed ears, elegant neck, clean shoulder and lay of rib, spannable, well-muscled, finished off with a short tail used on the move, and she can with good tracking motion and drive from the rear. Thrilled to see her shortlisted in the group.
BCC
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
As above
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
As Above
Bournemouth Championship Show
12th Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Wendy Mooney (Chesterton)
Thank you to my stewards, Hayley and Malcolm and to all the exhibitors who endured the heat and accepted my decisions sportingly, on what must have been one of the hottest days of the year. Overall the quality of the entry was good with some lovely dogs. Mouths, tails and size were generally good. Coats varied (as they always do) in both quality and the stage of growth. There were a number of pelts that could have been thicker and loose which was disappointing as this is mentioned in the standard and important from a working point of view. I was surprised and disappointed to see evidence of scissorwork on some coats and grooming was not always done to the dog’s best advantage – this does not affect the ability to work but this is a dog show and presentation therefore does count to a degree when placing the dogs. Compared to the last time I judged, I felt that size had improved and in most cases the dogs today were closer to the standard.
RBCC
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Lots to like about this blue and tan with good coat and pelt. Beautiful head and expression with dark eye. Lovely reach of neck and correct front. Well placed shoulders and a lovely topline. Plenty of length of rib, she is of correct size and therefore easily spanned. Showed really well. RCC
Welsh Kennel Club Championship Show
16th Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Stuart Plane
RBCC
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
B/T so smart looking and balanced, stylish mover, she has a quality head, good eye giving her a good expression, true straight front, lovely outline, in super tight and condition coat of lovely texture, moved with precision
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.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
Another lovely girl that I have admired from the ring side and was very pleased to get my hands on her. She has a lovely feminine head, with keen expression and dark eye. Good scissor bite and strong jaw. Good front, narrow throughout, stood on tight neat feet, Good reach of neck, smooth shoulders, level topline and correct rib. She is the ultimate show girl, and she takes your eye on the move. I was really torn between the first and second places today, unfortunately preferred the coat of the 1st place today.
Class Critique
Lovely class of border terriers, with plenty of quality for me to judge. Again, as in other classes I had some hard decisions to make
City of Birmingham Championship Show
31st Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Clare Sansom (Tarkaswell)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the City of Birmingham Canine Association Championship Dog Show for the invitation to judge at this level for the first time.
With storm Lillian resulting in the abandonment of Driffield, the JBTC were also able to hold their show in an adjacent ring. Hall 3 at the Royal Kennel Club building was light, spacious and an ideal venue. A certain amount of flexibility was required when classes clashed, and I am very grateful to my experienced stewards Chris Woolner and Caroline Wise for their hard work. They were calm, efficient and kept the ring running smoothly. With their help we finished in time to ensure that all those who had won major awards could get to their groups.
My sincere thanks to all the exhibitors for giving me such a quality entry and accepting my decisions in a sporting manner. We had very few absentees and I often had difficult decisions to make. In several classes, I would have liked some additional prize cards to award.
Coats did have an influence on the results, with those presented at their best, in a harsh, dense double jacket with thick pelt, being rewarded. A few exhibits would have benefitted from having their feet tidied to have achieved a neater picture. I found two kinked tails, two with incorrect dentition and all male dogs were entire.
I was delighted with my principal winners, who all fulfilled my interpretation of the breed standard on the day. It was a privilege to judge such an entry, and the lovely atmosphere, with applause and cheers for the winners, made it extra special.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Placing Critique
This quality blue and tan bitch had great ring presence. Very much a showgirl, she was very attentive to her handler and presented an elegant balanced picture, stacked and on the move. She had a feminine head, with a lovely expression, dark eye and short, strong muzzle. Everything flowed from her reach of neck, onto her narrow bodylines, excellent topline and well set tail. Her rib extended well back , she had straight forelimbs and was another who stood on the neatest of feet. She was well presented in a harsh double coat with thick pelt. She moved out well to head this class, but was not quite so positive in the challenge, possibly influenced by the two shows being held in one day.
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Trudi Baird (Dowgri)
BCC
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Glebeheath Ophelia
