Show Placings
Darlington Championship Show
17th Sep 2021
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to Darlington Committee for the invitation to my ring stewards and the exhibitors for your entries. Not having attended a show since they started up again it was quite a surprize and worry to handle some very big dogs. I know size has always been a talking point in the breed but today it was a problem with some of the dogs, bitches were a much better size with some close decisions in their classes.
Another noticeable difference is some exhibitors deciding to run with their dogs, why I don’t know it’s something never seen or needed in the border ring. With some handlers in a class walking around and others deciding to run its not what is expected. Watching a dog and handler move in unison on a good, collected pace is much more acceptable.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
See above
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Club Open Show
16th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr M. & Mrs V Atkinson (Raedwulf)
Mr Mark Atkinson (Raedwulf) I’ve been looking forward to the opportunity of judging at the NCSTA show. This is always a well run show with a dedicated committee and as ever the catering was second to none. Many thanks to my steward who remained in good spirits despite the constant chilly breeze. I was lucky to have the opportunity to spend some time with highly experienced Border Terrier Judges after judging my breed today which rounded off a fantastic day.
Mrs Valerie Atkinson (Raedwulf) Many thanks go to NCSTA for inviting me to judge my beloved Border Terriers following in the footsteps of many esteemed Border Terrier judges, of whom I much admire, who also began their early career judging at this show. As always a really well run show with a welcoming committee and the best of sporting atmosphere.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
7month old grizzle dog. Well proportioned head. Good scissor bite, lovely coat and pelt. Easily spannable. Not as balanced a picture as 1. Needs to settle on the move which should come with age. Smaller than 1.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Sunderland & DCS Premier Open Show
28th Nov 2021
Judge: Libby Tanton-Joy (Itsaso)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Eston & Barnaby Canine Society Christmas Open Show
5th Dec 2021
Judge: Andrea Dixon (Otterpaws)
Thank you very much to the club for inviting me to judge and my steward Tommy for keeping the ring running smoothly. Thank you to the exhibitors for allowing me to judge their dogs.
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Special Yearling /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
9 month G/T dog placed reserve in puppy. More settled on the move this time, moving ok. Nice tight feet but would have preferred a harsher coat and a slightly shorter stop.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
9th Apr 2022
Judge: Mr. Tim Ball (Kaitak)
A thoroughly enjoyable day and my thanks go to the officers and committee for their kind invitation to judge their well-run Open Show. I was delighted with the excellent entry and what a pleasure it was to spend a day with the Borders and their owners. There were some well-filled classes which gave me lots to think about and some decisions were extremely close. A lovely atmosphere prevailed and applause for the winners was consistent throughout.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
13 mth old chap with a super temperament. Neck of moderate length, firm topline, good length to ribcage and muscular loin but tail carried a tad higher than preferred. Moderate breadth to skull, dark expressive eyes, correct stop, short strong muzzle and scissor bite. He stands nice and straight in front on good feet but with a little more breadth than the ideal and this reflects on the move. Angles could not match those of winner and therefore he was somewhat restricted on the go around. Nice thick pelt and decent texture to jacket. Very well handled.
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Sunderland & DCS Premier Open Show
15th May 2022
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
A big thank you to the committee/officers of the Sunderland & District Canine Society for asking me to judge the Border Terriers at today’s Premier Open Show. A lovely entry of 25 dogs so a big thank you to the exhibitors for supporting my entry today and presenting some really nice dogs.
Also a big thank you to my steward for the day, Mr Tom hall who kept not only my classes but all of the terrier ring for the day finishing off with the group.
Borders were first in the ring today so I had the chance to see all of the terrier classes develop during the morning and then pleased to see my Best Of Breed go Terrier Group 2 – well done.
A lovely friendly show well supported and being an outside event weather held and the sun shone for most of it. Thank you all again for a lovely day and your support -
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
15 month old Grizzle dog of a medium construction but just a little bit shorter in length, nice in head with a dark eye. Good in the shoulder/rib – would just prefer to see a little more length in the loin. He moved with ease and had a nice top line staked/on the move, finished off with a nice short carrot tail, jacket and thick pelt.
The Northern Border Terrier Club 50th Championship Show
16th Jul 2022
Judge: Mr Euan Castel (Flutorum)
It was an honour to judge the Club’s 50th Championship Show at Bowburn. Many thanks to the Officers and committee for their kind invitation and warm welcome at the show. Thank you to my efficient stewards Graham Richardson and Mark Atkinson for keeping everything on track. Thankfully the show avoided the excessive temperatures of the heatwave and although still hot the hall remained comfortable for both dogs and exhibitors. Sincere thanks to all exhibitors for providing me with a lovely entry, it was a privilege to go over your dogs. I found an equal depth of quality in both dogs and bitches and very pleased with the final line-ups.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Special Beginners - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
Overall size good and handles well. Ok in head and expression. Straight front, well boned. Dark grizzle jacket of good texture. Moved well to take class.
Leeds Championship Dog Show
22nd Jul 2022
Judge: Mrs J Fawcett (Carrock)
My thanks to the Leeds City & District Canine Association for their kind invitation to judge their Championship show, enabling me to award my first set of Challenge Certificates. Thank you also to my two stewards, Mags & Bob, who kept the ring running smoothly throughout the day which meant we managed to finish by 3pm before the rain came. My biggest thanks go to all the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted – I had a fantastic entry for a show taking place on a Friday and in the holiday season – I was absolutely delighted.
Just a comment about the ring – the rather large metal tent fixings that took up quite a lot of the ring were a bit of a hazard. However, I believe we managed to work around them well and I was able to see the movement of all the exhibits.
As you would expect, coats were at various stages but on the whole most were acceptable. All dogs were entire, there were no kinked tails and just one or two untidy mouths. When I last judged in November 2019 my main concern was size and this still remains an issue - I was unable to span quite a number of both dogs & bitches on the day and this was reflected in my decisions. Poor front angulation also seems to be an issue – a number of upright shoulders and a lot of very wayward front legs. I thought it also relevant to mention the number of long, thin muzzles, particularly in the younger classes, that seem to be creeping into the breed - Border Terriers should have short, strong muzzles.
That all said, I had some quality dogs to judge – I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Driffield Championship Dog Show
26th Aug 2022
Judge: Mrs Anne Heathcote (Saxheath)
I would like to thank you all for allowing me to go over your dogs and also our Stewards John and Marvin for keeping everything running smoothly enabling me to finish in good time .
I have to say that I found movement in a number of classes worrying . Although most dogs looked ok in profile when viewed from the front and rear there were too many moving closely and a few flicking wrists . This was reflected in my placings with the soundest being placed highest .
Mouths were good with just one level bite but there were both dogs and bitches which I could not span . Coats were , on the whole , pretty good .
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Post Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Class Critique
Two differing types of dog with much to like about both of them
Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
24th Sep 2022
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge the show, also making me feel so welcomed. A big thank you to my 2 stewards Tracey and Kathleen who kept me on track, also to all the exhibits and exhibitors, who gave me a lots of quality Borders to go over. I wish I had more CC’s especially in the dog classes. My concern with in the breed, is their fronts, straight shoulders, with very little angulation, which effects the front movement. All dogs had a good bite, a couple with level bite, but not a problem. All males were entire. Grooming needs to be addressed, tidying their underneath, also the feet need to be neatly trimmed and the nails cut correctly, it makes such a difference when presenting them to the Judge. 1or 2 needed ring craft classes. However, overall what a great representation of the breed. I was very pleased with my main winners.
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
Nice size, good head & expression. Preferred coat of 1, thick pelt, fairly straight in stifle, moved ok.
Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
As above
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Midland Counties Canine Society
30th Oct 2022
Judge: Mr Alan Small (Bethane)
I thoroughly enjoyed my day judging the Border Teriers at Midland Counties Champ. Show. Thanks to the Officers & Committee for the invite & especially to the exhibitors who presented me with such a wonderful entry of 230 from 174 dogs. It was a quality entry overall and I was particuarly impressed with the quality of the young stock which augers well for the breed. There's no Puppy or Veteran Groups at the Midland, which is a pity because I feel both would have done well. Must not be too greedy, as it was nice to see my BOB, Ch. Otterbobs Tolson top the Terrier Group and my Best Special Beginners, Thistlemead Sundance, take her respective Group as well.....Well done.
Special thanks to my Ring Stewards, Penny Lloyd & Gavin Argyle, who kept things moving along nicely. Border Terriers are dear to my heart having owned & bred them over a number of years. Thanks again for such a wonderful entry, I enjoyed your dogs and a nice atmosphere prevailed.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
lovely moving grizzle dog, ok in head with good eye & correct bite, lovely front, well laid shoulders, spanable body with ribs back, in good coat, balanced overall length with good quarters, moved true both ways.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
1 st. in Yearling.
Special Beginners - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
1st in Yearling
Eston & Barnaby Canine Society Christmas Open Show
4th Dec 2022
Judge: Glenn Birrell
Thank you to the Officers and Committee of Eston & Barnaby DC for inviting me to judge at my first show. It was a very overwhelming to have such a large entry of 15 from some of the top kennel’s in the country, with only 2 absentee’s. This made my decision’s very difficult and I had to be very thorough in making my placements. Thank you to my helpful steward, John who kept the ring running smoothly and helping me with documentation .
I enjoyed my day, unfortunately I wish I had more 1st places!, due to the quality of my entry. Thanks must also go to all the exhibitors who gave me the chance to go over their dogs, even though I was a little nervous as having experienced Exhibitor’s who award CC’s !! I was Pleased my BOB went on to TG1 & RBIS also BP was TPG1.
Post Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
National Terrier Club
1st Apr 2023
Judge: Miss Sarah Dandy (Dandale)
There was a good depth of quality overall across both sexes which proved for good competition and some very close decisions especially in the larger classes. Thank you to all those who accepted my decisions so sportingly. Temperaments were excellent especially the youngsters with the added challenge of the tannoy right overhead. There were some very promising youngsters which is always pleasing and positive to see, and I was delighted with my winning line up in both sexes, with top honours closely contested. I was disappointed that some exhibits who looked so good standing fell apart on the move, there were quite a few upright shoulders and I felt that efficient ground covering movement so essential for the breeds ability to follow a horse was somewhat lacking. It is encouraging to see quite a few younger handlers taking an interest in our breed today, so positive for the future. Thank you to both my excellent stewards who most competently kept the ring moving all day.
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
Grizzle male with attractive head & keen expression. Pleasing overall size and presented in toned condition with harsh coat and thick pelt. Has balance and holds a firm topline with carroty tail. Hindquarters well developed. Moved OK.
Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
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.
Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2023
Judge: Mr David Fryer (Irton)
My thanks to the Club for trusting me with a fine entry of dogs at this, one of my favourite shows; to my stewards for their understated efficiency which kept the show rolling; and to the exhibitors for the opportunity to go over their dogs, and for the sporting acceptance of my decisions.
The Border Terrier Breed Standard is a very brief document; as such, it needs some interpretation. The clue is in the first clause of it; ‘Essentially a working terrier’. This, together with a knowledge of the work the breed is traditionally expected to perform, gives an idea of the dog required. Thus we need a dog which can keep with the hunt over rough moorland country in what may be inclement weather, and then be able to go to ground and bolt or hold it’s own to a cornered fox. This implies sound, efficient movement, adequate heart and lung room, a weatherproof double coat and a thick, pliable pelt; but at the same time be small enough and flexible enough to follow a fox to ground .
Overall, I found most exhibits to be sound, and well presented (sometimes ‘overpresented’ to the extent that coats had more appearance than substance). The most prevalent fault I observed was untidy, converging front movement; an inevitable consequence of short upper arm and upright fronts. I did also find a few faulty bites; one undershot, one youngster with a lower incisor seriously out of line; and several with level bites, which, though permitted in the standard, are not (to my mind) desirable; also undesirable to me were the number of exhibits with small teeth in weak forefaces. There were also a couple of ‘winter noses’, but that, to me, is a purely cosmetic point and not to be penalised. All males were entire.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
a larger dog, better front but a bit straight behind, bit short of coat on the day, deep in body, moved OK
Special Beginners - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
2nd PG
Driffield Championship Show
26th Aug 2023
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to Driffield Championship Dog Show Society for the invitation to judge today and thanks to my stewards Peter and Lesley Armstrong, who kept the ring running smoothly. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs. Front movement in the breed still needs some improvement, but overall I had lots of quality exhibits. Bites were good and only one kinked tail.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Placing Critique
Grizzle male with keen expression, harsh coat just coming in, moved OK
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
7th Oct 2023
Judge: Mrs Norma Ellis (Normbar)
Thank you to the Committee for organising such a well run show. The quality of the the dogs was very good, making my decisions more difficult in a good way. Nice atmosphere plus friendly sportsmanship prevailed.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Class Critique
1 withdrawn
Bridlington & District Canine Society Open Show
26th Nov 2023
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
My thanks to the committee for the invitation to judge at this show.
Post Graduate /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
Northern Dog Club Open Show
27th Jan 2024
Judge: Mrs M Fleming (Flegato)
Thank you to the Committee for inviting me to judge at this very well run and friendly show. There could not have been a better first time appointment. Thank you to the ring stewards who organised the ring and paperwork in the most efficient manner and made it very easy for me. And finally, thank you to all the exhibitors who entered and who were able to come and bring their dogs – it was a privilege for me to go over them.
Post Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Achouffe Fens Stalker
