Show Placings
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.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Torquay & DCS Open Show
4th Nov 2023
Judge: Becky Johnson (Downstream)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Minehead & District Canine Society Open Show
5th Nov 2023
Judge: Bethany Cawley (Marlablue)
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Bristol & District Dog Club Open Show
3rd Dec 2023
Judge: Mr Stephen Goodwin (Lanola)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Ladies Kennel Association
8th Dec 2023
Judge: Mr Ken Bartlett (Dwilencia)
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Placing Critique
Pleasing in head, good reach of neck, forelegs straight and of good bone, spannable in harsh coat, moved and showed well to win the class.
Totnes & District Canine Society Open Show
17th Dec 2023
Judge: Sue Thomson (Ashgate)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Taunton & DCA Open Show
6th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr N Merrick (Magicgem)
Yearling /
Third Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Wiveliscombe DCS Open Show
14th Jan 2024
Judge: Marion Hodgson (Ddalrus)
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Placing Critique
Typy dog, strong head, dark eye, correct size, enough bone, good feet, easily spanned, good pelt, moved ok.
Ilfracombe & DCS Open Show
10th Feb 2024
Judge: Matt Garnham (Carmeltcho)
Special Yearling /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
The Terrier Club of Devon and Cornwall
18th Feb 2024
Judge: Mark Atkinson (Raedwulf)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Torquay & DCS Open Show
24th Feb 2024
Judge: Mrs S Anderson (Kerrykeel)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG4, Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Bridgend & DKA Open Show
3rd Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
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.
Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Exeter & County Canine Society Open Show
16th Mar 2024
Judge: Gentle Lowe (Rockslade)
Firstly I would like to thank the show and its organisers for the warm welcome and my stewards for their smooth running of the ring during my appointment. I would also like to thank the competitors for giving me the chance to go over their dogs. I had a quality entry of dogs and there were some tough decisions in the classes.
I would just like to point out some exhibits had dirty teeth, some longer untrimmed nails which whilst I didn’t penalise would give a nicer shape and finish to the feet and overall presentation. Overall dogs were presented in good condition.
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG4, Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Placing Critique
Pleasing headed dog with a typical otter head, broad skull with a keen expression and a dark eye. Good bite with large teeth. Good shoulder angulation on a narrow straight front, liked him for bone. Spannable with a nice length of rib, pliable, thick with a good topline and tail set. He won the class on his movement and depth of coat which just gave him the edge.
Plymouth & DKA Open Show
21st Apr 2024
Judge: Ash Price
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
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 - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Yeovil & District Canine Society Open Show
5th May 2024
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
Firstly, my thanks, as ever, goes to the committee and helpers of the shows whose efforts cannot be underestimated. Today it was the turn of Yeovil and District Canine Society whose sterling efforts despite the persistent and often heavy downpour,resulted in a well-run show with ever helpful and smiling faces- Bravo! Secondly my appreciation to Jan Russell de Clifford whose stalwart efforts as steward in our ring for the whole (freezing) day resulted in an efficient and well run ring. My thanks must also go to the exhibitors who primarily turned up on the most inclement of days, and accepted my decisions with good grace and not a little humour as the heavens opened.
The wind and rain did influence the performance of many of the exhibits unfortunately; but some rose to the challenge, and several were simply oblivious to it. Coats, as ever, were in various stages of growth; some great movement noted in many of the exhibits; all teeth clean and with correct bites and no kinked tails to note; feet on the whole were tidy and correct.
Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Marlborough & DCS Premier Open Show
6th May 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
Firstly, I would like to thank the organisers of the show for the warm welcome and hospitality. I had some lovely dogs to go over.
Special Yearling /
Third Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Devon County Agricultural Association Premier Open Show
18th May 2024
Judge: Helen Filer
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
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 - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Placing Critique
Another G & T with a nice tight harsh coat and pliable thick pelt. Narrow and easily spanned. Well ribbed back. Correct bite with good teeth. Moved well. Preferred head of one.
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 - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Three Counties Agricultural Society
8th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my very capable stewards, Bill and Tricia for their efficiency and helpfulness and especially to the exhibitors who afforded me the honour of going over their dogs.
The weather was kind and the ring of sufficient size to allow dogs to get into their stride.
Overall I felt that there was more quality in the bitches but was more than pleased with my main winners in both sexes. Size and front movement continue to be problems and coats were at all stages of growth-this did affect some placings. I only found one undershot bite and all males were entire. Several dogs were carrying rather too much condition but more worrying were the few who were almost painfully thin which also meant that these dogs couldn’t possibly possess the muscle needed for work. A number of dogs would benefit from more exercise to improve their muscletone.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Class Critique
Good class
Taunton & DCA Open Show
15th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr Neil Straw (Shaolin)
Special Yearling /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Sandra Girling (Benattivo)
Thank you to the officers and committee of Windsor Championship Dog Show for the invitation to judge at this level for the first time at such a prestigious show. I must also thank my two very experienced stewards Bill & Trish Gray who were a great support to me with their calm, friendly and pleasant manner. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all the exhibitors who entered their border terriers under me and accepted my decisions in a sporting manner.
The weather became very hot as the day progressed with some dogs flagging a little on the move. Fortunately we had some shade via the marquee, the grass had got quite dried out and I felt a few exhibits didn’t move as well as others on it but generally movement was better than I have observed in the past. I must also mention how disappointed I was to find so many exhibits with dirty teeth, cleaning them should be part of a dog’s care and grooming routine.
I was so delighted with my top winning border terriers that I felt had exceptional breed quality and were presented and shown to best advantage.
Many quality exhibits were in some classes down the line or unplaced due to the depth of quality present and on another day may change places.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Evesham & DCS Open Show
14th Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs Vanessa Cox (Pettipaws)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG1, Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Minehead & District Canine Society Open Show
24th Jul 2024
Judge: Mr Kevin Yeates (Bluebabel)
My thanks to Minehead & District for giving me this appointment, which I thoroughly enjoyed
I was pleased with my entries and my winners.
Special Yearling /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Placing Critique
Grizzle & tan dog, 15 months well proportioned head and strong muzzle. Spannable with a good jacket. Good movement around the ring.
Wiveliscombe DCS Open Show
28th Jul 2024
Judge: Mrs J. Fairweather (Ock)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
North Devon Agricultural Open Show
7th Aug 2024
Judge: Peter Young
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
North Devon CS Open Show
24th Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Andrew Scourfield (Danton)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Limit /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Salisbury & South Wilts CS Open Show
22nd Sep 2024
Judge: Norman Bristow
Special Yearling /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Trudi Baird (Dowgri)
I was honoured to accept SWKA's invitation to judge at their championship dog show where I received a warm welcome,even on cold day!
A Big applause to my two fabulous stewards ( I’m so sorry I forgot to make a note of your names – you were so appreciated by myself and the exhibitors)
It was such a very cold day inside the halls ,though myself being on my feet continuously moving,I kept warm.Unsurprisingly some dogs were feeling the chill and shivering on the table which showed how cold it was.
I was honoured and humbled to have such a fabulous entry both numerically and in quality, especially the limit & Open dog classes where I can quite rightly use the old cliche “I wish I had more cards to give out “, it's unfortunate when you have to let some dogs go unplaced that had great appeal, but such was the quality today .
Before my journey back to Cornwall that day I managed to stay and watch the groups where both the BoB & BPIB gave fantastic accounts of themselves, the exciting puppy gaining PGrp 1, he went back for the final day to go all the way to BPIS.
We were sadly unfortunate to have a large Terrier breed crated close by who's owners seemed unaware of the their unattended dogs behaviour ,every time human or dog traffic went by it caused them to “ kick off “frequently .This isn't fair on dogs on the table being examined or dogs on the move, therefore I had to stop judging twice until attempts to quieten the offending dogs were made.
A few points of note were-
A small handful of youngsters lacked body condition, I could feel ribs with no covering teamed with thin pelts. I believe diet & exercise comes into play here so consider what & how much you’re feeding , plus good exercise regime
Mouths were disappointing ,some with very small teeth & more untidy bites than I've encountered in the past.
Movement was ok in the main though it let down some otherwise beautiful exhibits who looked a picture stood but sadly fell apart on the move, we had the odd flicking out front foot , plaiting fronts, crabbing , wide rears & some loosing their top lines.
Lastly a plea – it would help immensely if exhibitors didn’t use excess bait on the table while a judge is trying hard to get a good clear look at bites ,it meant a fight to get a proper view of the mouth while a dog is having bait pushed in or the dog is busily chewing . Holding off baiting until the judge has got past the head would be most helpful.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall Open Show
20th Oct 2024
Judge: Dave Lee (Socksdown)
Limit /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2024
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
Minehead & District Canine Society Open Show
3rd Nov 2024
Judge: Mrs Eileen Cole (Towden)
Limit /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallview Play The Game at Earthtaw
