Show Placings
Hitchin & DCS Open Show
19th Oct 2014
Judge: Margaret Yates (Okarito)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Nov 2014
Judge: Miss Tracy Peacock (Ragatam)
I would like to thank the committee for the judging appointment and the two stewards, Jem Thomas and Margaret Davies. I enjoyed my day very much. Thanks to the exhibitors for an excellent entry. I was pleased with my principle winners. Some dogs were penalised today for lack of coat, I know coats will grow back. Movement in some exhibits left a lot to be desired.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Placing Critique
Grizzle who is narrow and spannable. In good coat and condition with refined bone and nice feet. Not as well developed in head at present. Moved true.
Huntingdon CS Open Show
22nd Nov 2014
Judge: Mrs Vanessa Cox (Petaz/Pettipaw)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Gameway Mcvitie
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Nov 2014
Judge: Jane Moreton-Shaw (Fehmarn)
I would like to thank the committee and members for inviting me to judge at the show, and to all those who entered under me. Also thanks to my two stewards Robert Brewster and Jeremy Young and for those who prepared lunch.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was very happy with my winners. In a couple of classes the decision was very close. There were no kinked tails, temperaments were good on the whole, with only 3 that were roughly handled, subsequently the dogs were behaving nervously. I had a couple of bad bites and a couple of level bites. All bar two were spannable. Coats again on the whole were good. Thank you to the exhibitors for accepting my decisions, apart from one unsportsmanlike behaviour in the ring!! The class I enjoyed judging the most on the day was Veteran Bitch. Lovely classy bitches in good condition and very close decisions between them all.
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Placing Critique
A very nice grizzle puppy with lots of promise. In good harsh coat and he had a lovely pelt. Correct bite. Neat feet, carroty tail and good angulation. Moved well. RBPIS
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Ladies Kennel Association
14th Dec 2014
Judge: Mr David G Winsley (Davmar)
Though the standard calls for a narrow body I found many dogs who were too skinny & I could easily feel their ribs! Heads were quite disappointing, many had long weak muzzles not the proportions one associates with an Otters head. Many exhibits lack the small round foot & I doubt if they would cope with the exercise it needs to follow a horse. Coats were mixed & many just a seasonal problem.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Placing Critique
nicely balanced youngster who needs to mature on. Head not finished yet but he has a keen expression. Good balance, nice in neck & shoulders, would like him to carry more body at this age. Good coat & a sound youngster. BPD
Luton Canine Association Open Show
29th Dec 2014
Judge: Mr Jeff Horswell (Drakesleat)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Gameway Mcvitie
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Boston & District Canine Society
11th Jan 2015
Judge: Mrs Julie Guvercin
Thank you to all exhibitors for your entries I had a good cross section of dogs to choose from. Some dogs that I have admired in the past were either not in coat or didn’t move well and others that I've not noticed before, were 'found ' on the table. We must all remember judging should be on the day and not on what something has won or not won, beforehand. I'm sure the same dogs could be placed differently on another day under me, some that did or didn't perform affected their placings accordingly.
Some super puppies coming through, with all four of my puppy class winners looking very promising. They gave me some hair splitting decisions.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Placing Critique
9mths grizzle with nice head, neat ear and lovely eye. Strong jaws and correct mouth. Lovely front and narrow body of enough length with good top line and tail. Easy span, light frame and just enough bone with small, tight feet. Quality jacket and loose pelt. Moves well coming and going, with enough extension both ends. A promising prospect. BP
Manchester Championship Show
15th Jan 2015
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
This was my first Championship Show appointment and I would like to thank the Society for the invitation and generous hospitality. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Attwood and Anne Speake who did a sterling job keeping the good sized, well appointed ring running smoothly throughout the day. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over some very high quality dogs. Generally the standard was good with the majority of exhibits showing and moving well. I was concerned by the number of short rounded ribs I found, especially in the bitch classes. There were several noses lacking pigment, some very long thin tails, and I found a few broken or out of line teeth. Coats were at various stages and some otherwise good dogs had to be penalised for lack of coat in the stronger classes. Whereas others with little coat made it into the line up on overall quality. I was very pleased with my main winners, and thank the exhibitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Placing Critique
a 9 month old grizzle dog with masculine head and expression, dark eye, small neat ears and good length of neck. Good shoulders, well ribbed back, good turn of stifle with level top line and good tail set, narrow throughout. Presented in good coat and condition, and moving well around the ring.
Cambridge & County C.S. Open Show
25th Jan 2015
Judge: Mr Paul Harding
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Best Puppy
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Isle of Ely C.S Open Show
7th Feb 2015
Judge: Mr.M. Walshaw
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Feb 2015
Judge: Mr C Wallace (Hobholt)
This was my 1st Breed Club Show appointment and I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club Committee for the opportunity to judge the show. Thanks also to my stewards, Bob & Liz Wright who did a great job ensuring the smooth running of the ring throughout the day. Thanks also to all the exhibitors for allowing me to go over your Borders’.
All Borders were in good health, had good mouths and were complete. I was impressed with most coats and particularly pelts which were mainly loose and thick. A number of coats were clearly coming through to be at their best for Crufts.
I like “moderate” Borders, not exaggerated in any way. Of importance, straight, narrow fronts, good shoulders. Hind quarters racy, body fairly long as described in the standard. Equally I like movement to be a good length of stride with purpose & drive. On movement, some front and rear movement was not great, some wrists were astray, some “knitting” and some were better shown on a loose lead and not “strung up”. In summary, I was pleased with my winners & many down the line in some classes, I enjoyed the day, thank you all again for bringing your Borders’, it was appreciated.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Placing Critique
Gr&T, 10 month, Correct size, lightly framed with moderate bone, confident & well-schooled. Lovely otter head & expression, strong pasterns, narrow with nice shoulder, decent flat rib with good loins, nice easy stride, moved well, true front & rear, another one to watch.
Class Critique
Two very different types
Crufts
7th Mar 2015
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
First of all I would like to thank the Kennel Club for the honour and pleasure of judging this prestigious show. I must then thank my efficient and capable stewards who kept me on track and looked after me through the day. Most of all I would like thank the exhibitors who rose from their beds at early hours and drove many miles to give me an entry of Border Terriers to be proud of and one which is was a delight to judge. It was not only strong numerically strong but also in depth of quality. It is a cliché to say that there were not enough cards to go around but in this entry it was certainly true. Determining all the final line up in each class was difficult and also in many deciding who should make the short list was also a challenge. Good dogs went without a card, ones who in a different entry I would have been happy to see as winners. In the challenges decisions remained tough and more than those that took the top honours were worthy of doing so and I would have been very pleased to have had more awards to give out.
In the days following this year’s show Crufts, dog shows and those who participate in them came in for some criticism. The picture painted by the media at this time was certainly not my experience. Before, during and after the show I found show people to be nothing but good natured, genuine and supportive. I enjoyed every minute of my day and hope that those that supported me with an entry or as spectators at the ringside did so too
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Placing Critique
Quality puppy, in good jacket on a loose pelt, showing with activity. He has a good neck, narrow front and is right for size being easily spanned with ribs nicely carried back. The challenge for Best Puppy was a tough decision which could have gone either way with the bitch’s maturity going in her favour.
Herts & Essex Border CS Open Show
21st Mar 2015
Judge: Meriel France (Torbrae)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Mar 2015
Judge: Mr. Carl-Gunnar Stafberg (Bombax) Sweden
I will thank the club and the show committee for inviting me to judge this prestigious show, I feel very honoured to be invited. I really enjoyed my day and was very pleased with huge entries. My winner was really top quality border terriers, excelling in type and heads. The overall quality was very good, but I hoped to see more quality in the younger classes. Size was ok, coats in different stages because of the time of year. It was about 40 years since I judged my first CCshow in England and I still enjoy it so much. My stewards did a fantastic job on the day, keeping both me and the dogs in order. They make it running very smooth and efficient, thank you!!!
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Best Puppy
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Placing Critique
Promising pup, nice balance and outline. Nice head and expression, moves well. Excellent coat.
National Terrier
4th Apr 2015
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Overall, I felt there was reasonable quality in those forward. Some exhibitors continue to have their dogs underfed and/or carrying little muscle, both to the detriment of a terrier expected to put in a day’s work. There were a number of untypical heads – lacking width to the skull and strength to the muzzle. Please keep in mind the shape of an otter’s skull.
I was very pleased with my top winners and extend my thanks to all the exhibitors.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
The East Anglian Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Apr 2015
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
I would like to thank the East Anglian Border Terrier Club for their kind invitation to judge their 2015 Championship Show. It was both an honour and a pleasure to accept this appointment. Thank you to the committee for their hospitality, and special acknowledgement to Bev, Laurence and Zoe Jackson for their efficient stewarding and keeping everything running smoothly throughout the day.
I terms of exhibits, there were many difficult decisions during the day and some real quality dogs were left unplaced. In general, the quality was very good and the majority of dogs were spannable and I only saw one example of an incorrect bite. All dogs were entire and as is usual some coats were exceptional whilst others were either just coming in or past their best.
There were a few examples of heads that are untypical of the breed, in that they lack strength of foreface, width of skull and have eyes that are too close together – these are not what I would describe as ‘like that of an otter’.
On a more positive note I was very happy with all my winners, believing them to be excellent examples of the breed and would like to say thank you to all exhibitors for allowing me the honour of judging their dogs
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Placing Critique
Correct length of neck and shoulders on this young dog. Racy lines with good proportioned head and lovely dark eye. Narrow build with ribs carried well back. Not an over done border, with good hindquarters and in excellent coat. Moved well
National Dog Show
9th May 2015
Judge: Mr John Dace (Cassacane)
I must begin by saying a very sincere thanks to the Kennel Club and the officers and committee of the Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd for giving me this most prestigious appointment to award Challenge Certificates for the first time.
Also again sincere thanks to the exhibitors for their splendid entry and acceptance of my decisions on the day, and to my very efficient Stewards who ensured that classes moved along which helped in a timely finish.
On reflection of the exhibits I found that teeth and mouths were very good on the whole, feet were variable as was movement. Temperaments were good. All dogs were entire. My main concerns were in the condition of some exhibits who could have been fitter and harder in muscle tone but where has the consistent “head like that of an otter” gone? The variance in head shape and therefore expression was quite evident. I was pleased with my final awards and again many thanks to everyone for making this one of my most memorable days.
The depth of quality particularly in the bitches bodes well for the breed in the future but as already mentioned concentration on heads to achieve the “head like that of an otter” should be one of the paramount objectives.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie
Newmarket & DCS Open Show
14th Jun 2015
Judge: Graham Richardson
Yearling /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Windsor Championship Show
2nd Jul 2015
Judge: Mr M. Hollingsbee (Otterwood)
I thoroughly enjoyed my first judging experience at this level and thank the exhibitors for bringing their dogs of such good quality in front of me and accepting my decisions with good grace. In some of the classes there was only a hairs breadth between some exhibits and on another day the results would have been different. I like Borders that are narrow, strong and good movers. I do not consider coat to be a major factor except when differentiating between dogs of equal quality, As a Championship Show judge told me many years ago “bad coats can get better, many other faults cannot.”
I would also like to thank my stewards for keeping me in order.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
East of England Agricultural Society
10th Jul 2015
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
DCC
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Eye catching for the right reasons and free from exaggeration this one really steps out in true breed style, closer examination confirmed his very good construction, quality head with correct foreface and winning expression, harsh, tight coat, good legs and feet, easily spanned and correctly bodied, good in loin and hind quarters, freestanding uses himself well standing evenly on his toes just inclined to edge towards his handler occasionally and then pull his head back into his shoulders to look up but I think he is a superior individual CC
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
2nd Aug 2015
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam & Mr Mick Rushby
*Dogs*
What a pleasure it was to be invited to judge the males at the Midland BTC Championship show on 2nd August 2015, and thanks to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry of males to go over. Thanks must also go to my stewards Chris Wallace and Margaret Davies who did a great job, making sure everything ran smoothly. It was interesting to be judging alongside my Co-judge Mick Rushby who I felt has similar views to how I interpret the Breed Standard and when it came to choosing Best of Breed, I appreciated the good qualities of his bitch CC winner and after a thorough deliberation we jointly decided that my Dog CC winner had the edge, and awarded him Best of Breed. Although I didn’t judge the bitches, from the ringside they did look a much more even entry than the males, which were quite mixed, but I was very happy with my main winners with several males who I felt were champion standard, my eventual CC winner stood away from the rest but I had a few contenders for the Reserve CC whom I really liked. No matter what time of year I judge there is always a percentage of exhibits out of coat, I am not normally too hung up on that, as coat is a transient thing and if there is evidence of a harsh coat and thick pelt, movement is good and the dog is well constructed I don’t penalize them too much, but when you get a dog before you with good construction, good movement and a fabulous coat, they really have the edge and stand out. Having said that and not wanting to sound as old as Methuselah, I really feel the correct Border coat is in decline, you rarely find the really good, harsh, dense wiry coats and pelts you did in the past, and is an important element to give the breed, type and is a requirement in the Breed Standard. The fashion for several years has been to show dogs with little coat, with all the undercoat scraped out to reveal a sleek outline. Thankfully not all exhibitors do this, and it was good to see some with decent coats, but judging by some of the poor toplines, and profiles on Sunday, I really think exhibitors should be thinking of leaving some undercoat in, and keep a good depth of coat, as it creates a more finished, Border Terrier look, rather than a thin skinned whippet look. Ultimately good coats and pelts need to be bred for. When I am judging, I tend to look at the overall dog, I never pick out one thing and allow it to seduce me into thinking it’s a good Border Terrier, the whole dog has to be balanced and fit for function, display good breed type and have the ability to follow a horse, moving with economy with long low strides. I don’t go in for extremes or exaggerations either, or a dog which looks like a caricature of a Border Terrier, because the breed standard doesn’t allow for that. I do like ring presence, clean dogs with good presentation and showmanship, a working dog can still have all that and it is a show after all, but it has to be a good Border Terrier first and foremost.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Grizzle & tan Displays lovely breed type, liked him a lot, handy size and well presented in good tweedy jacket. Good head and expression, good bite but teeth not as big as my winners, easily spanned, moved well but not just as well angulated at the rear as my winner. Good bone, feet and legs.
Class Critique
Nice class of juniors, I liked all my winners who could change places easily on another day.
Richmond
12th Sep 2015
Judge: Mrs Eileen Needham (Titanium)
I should like to thank Richmond committee for my invitation to judge Border Terriers. It is quite a while since I judged the breed and so came to it today with a very open mind. I thoroughly enjoyed my day, with the opportunity of going over some very lovely dogs. I had plenty of choice in choosing my winners, and I would thank the exhibitors for bringing their dogs and receiving my decisions sportingly. My Stewards were excellent, keeping everything moving like clockwork.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
17 mths. old, close up to winner but not quite presenting the overall picture as 1. in profile, but a nice dog nevertheless.
Class Critique
Interesting class to judge, with differing types & sizes.
Darlington
18th Sep 2015
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Many thanks go to the exhibitors today for their support as terrier day at Darlington Ch Show is always on a Friday and this can be difficult for some coming on a working day.
Thanks go to my two good friends Alf and Carol Wood who were my stewards today and kept everyone informed class by class, keeping everything running smoothly.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Very typical and nice overall Border, very sound on the move, stands very naturally on a loose lead which shows a true picture of his attributes. Good jacket and thick pelt, good length of neck and top line, nice bend of stifle and sound on the move.
Driffield Agricultural Society
3rd Oct 2015
Judge: Miss Jean Singh
Many thanks to my two efficient stewards who kept the proceedings running smoothly. On the day I was surprised to find 4 level mouths, although a level mouth is acceptable in the standard, a scissor bite is preferable. Some exhibits could have been shown in a fitter condition and have their long nails clipped.
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2015
Judge: Miss Michelle Barnett (Brockfox)
My sincere thanks go to the society for the superb welcome and hospitality at this premium show, my proficient stewards and last but most importantly the exhibits and their exhibitors for their entries and sporting attitude. It was so nice to hear the ringside applause bestowed upon fellow exhibitors and as a judge it really does make for a pleasurable days judging
After my considerable absence ringside, my findings today were overall as always seems to be the case was the varieties in type, And some of the entry sadly on the day was far too big and by this i mean not necessarily in length of leg ( which the correct term is tall ) but in depth of chest and heavy shoulders , Fundamentally not the supple lithe bodies which is vital in an earth dog ,and an essential breed characteristic that we must strive to breed for.
Please assess your dogs objectively and ask yourself of your own dogs "is this really the build of an earth dog" ?
Mouths were on the whole correct but some very tight bites were apparent and teeth out of aliment I also found heavy almost houndy ears are also creeping in .
Always wanting to finish on a high note, once again temperaments as to be expected were excellent and all males were entire. As always when judging I was looking for a correct sized spannable tweedy border who comes to hand well, with the requisite ottery head shown in correct double jacket and thick pliable pelt, thus providing them the protection required of a working dog coupled with a lithe body with hard muscle tone and fitness to enable them to endure a day in the field
And in completing my appointment I was thrilled with my final line ups and ultimately such exemplary representatives of the breed to award the final top honours too.
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Nov 2015
Judge: Mr Dave Matthews (Tojamatt)
Really pleased to be invited to judge the midland open show, so my thanks to the committee for inviting me and for the hospitality received. Many thanks to Margaret Bailey and Paul Brannan for stewarding and making things run smoothly and keeping me on track. Also my thanks to the competitors for taking my decisions so well and for bringing real quality to the show ring it was hugely appreciated, whether you were first or third there were some close decisions and exceptional quality.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Shorter than winner, good harsh tweedy jacket and thick loose pelt easily spanned, enough bone, nice head and correct bite, just preferred length of winner although very showman like.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Nov 2015
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge their show, to the exhibitors for giving me such a super entry and especially to Robert Brewster for his excellent stewarding. I really enjoyed my day.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
smaller g/t good harsh coat, thick loose pelt, nice head with good expression, easy span, came to hand well.
Boston & District Canine Society
10th Jan 2016
Judge: Mrs Janet Lee (Tythrop)
My thanks to the Society for my invitation to judge at Boston show . Thanks too to my stewards who were both efficient and unobtrusive , great timesavers and cheerful ! I very much enjoyed my day on the woolsack and had some lovely dogs and bitches who I felt could do a days work , having the construction to enable them to run the equivalent of a marathon over rough terrain , as well as being narrow , lithe and spannable to get in underground and ultimately back out again . Some did pay the penalty of being too big in rib and thus were heavily over standard for weight when picked up or too wide in front to get in , others failed in their construction to move in a sound , balanced , long , free striding way making one think they could not follow a horse any distance ! All bar 1 male were entire , there were a few with kinks in their tails and I had more than the usual number of level bites , some with very jumbled or small teeth which I feel must be watched carefully and please try to breed out as they are the defence of a working terrier – Border Terriers should have big scissor bite dentition . I still believe a BT should be capable of free standing and moving on a looser lead as of yore , rather than having their legs screwed on and being too strung up , I understand some dogs do not make the most of themselves free stood , but a lot are pushed into a very strange shape by their handlers ,and lose the vivacity and ‘active and game’ outlook that is part and parcel of the breed , making them very depressed , even some of the puppies looked as though they would rather be anywhere else but in a show ring , either from being over shown or over handled . There were a few dogs who I felt needed more weight on them , their coats hiding their stuck up spine & pin bones – this may be to try and make them more easily spannable or weigh nearer the standard , but it is very unfair on any adult or puppy to starve them , and they did pay the price in some classes as they could not work as thin and lacking strength as they were. In other words they should be made right not starved into shape .
Both my challenge line ups pleased me , and I was especially pleased to have such a good even bitch challenge where I was spoilt for choice , ultimately the dog and bitch I could visualize most easily following horse and hounds and then working gained top honours , being well made , spannable , good coats and pelts , sound free accurate movers with quality and breed type .
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
21m dark grizzle of medium size, very typy and with a very good head , eye, ears and big teeth in a strong jaw. Balanced fore and aft in angulation , with firm backline and good underline. Narrow straight front, well shaped rib of decent length and strong loin . Came in good crisp topcoat and sufficient undercoat , but carrying his Xmas treats rather too well ! He still spanned OK but picked up a bit heavy . He moved straight, but would like him to stride out with a little more scope and activity .
Manchester Championship Show
14th Jan 2016
Judge: Mrs Ruth Ann Naun (USA)
I would like to thank the Manchester Dog Show Society, as well as Kate & Ronnie Irving who were my hosts while in Britain, I thoroughly enjoyed my judging and your hospitality.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Also nice head and good movement
Isle of Ely Canine Society Open Show
6th Feb 2016
Judge: Mrs Thelma Bromley (Bordaholic)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG3, Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Grizzle & Tan Dog of nice size with typical head, neat ears, strong muzzle/correct bite & keen expression. Good reach of neck, good shoulder placement/level topline/good rear angulation/neat feet. Moved well.
Crufts
13th Mar 2016
Judge: Mr W R Irving
It was a great honour to judge the breed at Crufts again - after having done so once before. That was some thirty nine years ago in 1977 when the show was still held at Olympia! The entry this year at 266 from 239 exhibits though down a good deal on last year, was still enough to be going on with and we finished by 3.30 p.m. thanks to my excellent stewards Mr and Mrs Chaston. The exhibitors all seemed very sporting in line with the breed’s sportsmanlike traditions.
I thought that the depth of quality was better in bitches than it was in dogs with several classes where I would have liked to have had more prizes. I thought that heads were in the main pretty good and that fronts, though there were still plenty which weren’t great, were rather better than the last few times I had judged. Crufts is always known as a bad time for coats and this year was no exception with very many lacking in coat and others with rather soft coats. Quite a number of dogs and bitches were rather long in body mainly caused by having ribs that were not as the breed standard demands “carried well back” and thus having loins that were long rather than the required “strong”.
And finally Border Terriers are supposed to have a tail which is, according to the standard, “set high and carried gaily” Quite a few slink around the ring looking miserable and present no sign of the “activity” required by the standard and with tails that are carried low rather than “gaily”. I like to see a Border Terrier that shows a bit of animation and has what I’d call ‘lines’.
My thanks to the exhibitors for entering and for the efficient way that they showed their dogs.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
a very pleasing dog which moved well both in front and behind and held a good outline while moving around the ring. Correct in stifle. Good head and expression with the correct neck and topline. Just enough coat and good for size and narrow throughout. Pleasing in rib and in topline and good tailset. Well presented and showed well all the time.
Herts & Essex Border CS Open Show
19th Mar 2016
Judge: Mr Roger Cruden (Shamsky)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Dunstable & DCS Opoen Show
28th Mar 2016
Judge: Wendy Cross
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
National Terrier
2nd Apr 2016
Judge: Mrs T Grubbe (Borderhouse)
It was a honour to be asked to judge National Terrier Club Championship Show, awarding CC for the second time. A great entry. I thoroughly enjoyed my day, I was very pleased with my main winners. The overall quality was good. I saw some dogs who could have more drive in the movement and better front.
I send my warmest thanks to the committee and my ring stewards for taking so good care of me and making me feel so welcome.
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Birmingham & District Gundog & Terrier Club Open Show
17th Apr 2016
Judge: Tan Negrecha
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
West of England Ladies' Kennel Society
24th Apr 2016
Judge: Mr Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
An excellent entry, with real quality in both dogs and bitches. I’m only sorry we were forced indoors after the puppy bitch class to get out of the biting wind bouncing off the Malvern Hills. Heads were generally good, just a few snipey muzzles, and three or four light noses. I found no bad mouths. Quite a few had short, round rib cages with weak loins. Coats were pretty good overall. The biggest problem, and has been for quite some time, was poor front movement, with exhibits moving quite reasonably, and as one would expect from a breed expected to run whilst carrying out its job, when viewed from the side, only to wave their legs all over the place when coming towards me.
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Class Critique
A strong class.
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
1st May 2016
Judge: Mrs Trak Fryer (Irton)
My thanks to the exhibitors for their entry, always an honour to be allowed to go over their dogs, I did thoroughly enjoy my day. My thanks also to my stewards who helped to keep things on the move throughout.
It was in many ways an interesting entry, the standard asks for a dog that is essentially a working terrier and I wonder how many breeders keep this in mind when planning their litters? This implies a dog of correct size, capable of going all day and with strength but not coarseness. Whilst there were many good dogs present that could answer these requirements, there were many that could not.
The quality was very much in the upper classes of both sexes with a few notable exceptions. The major problem is movement, particularly in front, and the puppies were disappointing in this respect. Many otherwise excellent dogs simply could not cover their ground with any ease; it was an excellent ring with good mats so no excuses there.
In general coats and pelts were good, some could have been tidied to effect, feet and nails were poorly presented and fitness varied, which I always find very disappointing in a breed that does so love to run! I was surprised to find a number of mouths that at best could be described as “iffy”, whilst these would not necessarily effect the dogs ability to work it is a worrying trend. I did, however, have some lovely dogs to go over and I was very pleased with my winners, not enough cards to go round in many classes.
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Class Critique
The breed Standard does allow for quite a difference in interpretation and they were all here! An excellent class that was difficult to sort such was the variation in type. Quality went all the way down the line.
National Dog Show
8th May 2016
Judge: Mr Peter Bakewell
DCC
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
good size and type, good head, dark eye, alert keen expression, strong jaw, good neck and forequarters, straight front, good ribs and body, strong loin, good hindquarters, good tail and set. Moved with drive. C.C.
Three Counties Championship Show
10th Jun 2016
Judge: Miss S Dandy
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Keen showman, full of type and well presented with a super harsh grizzle coat with thick pelt. Attractive, typical head and expression. Moderate and really balanced in outline with angulated quarters, correct topline, croup and tailset matched by good underline, good bone, feet and hocks. Makes a pleasing picture, striding out well in profile with good drive and tracked true. Handles well, in fit order.
The Sothern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Jun 2016
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
It was a pleasure to judge the SBTC Championship Show and very pleasing to do so on their return to the Cheltenham racecourse. The new venue on the racecourse site has impressive facilities and they helped to provide a good atmosphere all day.
The bitch classes were generally very much better than the dog classes and the number of border terriers with thick pelts and a good coat was impressive. Heads are very much improved although some deep stops and large heavy ears cost a few dogs a higher placing.
In general terms the construction of hindquarters has improved but we are now seeing some dogs which have too much bend of stifle and end up with their hocks well behind their tail root when standing. Lay-back of shoulders has also improved yet some still have those relatively upright shoulders which yield a stilted movement in front. In addition, we need to keep the narrowness of the breed in mind, the border terrier does not have a rounded chest and should be well ribbed back as a result.
I struggled to span quite a few male dogs but the bitches were much better. Dentition was very good overall and very strongly made teeth was most enjoyable to find and always an impressive quality to see when examining a border terrier’s mouth.
Finally it was nice to see a few dogs with the characteristic thick carrot-shaped tail which, when set on correctly, always finishes the overall picture. Keep in mind it is an asset for the working terrier.
At the end there were some very promising youngsters who will contribute the future of the breed and several very high quality Border Terriers competing for Best in Show.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Balanced outline, good length of leg and strong in loin. Typical head and expression. Flowing top-line and nicely set tail of correct shape. Harsh coat and thick pelt, Readily spanned and moves well.
Windsor Championship Show
3rd Jul 2016
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My thanks to the committee of Windsor Championship Dog for their invitation to judge at this show which is so efficiently organised and well run. Thanks also to my stewards Elaine Waddingham and Lynn Crane for their help and assistance in keeping the ring running smoothly at all times. My appreciation also to the exhibitors for their entries .
As usual at Windsor the ring was large in/out with lots of space for dogs to move freely and a fairly flat surface enabling movement to be assessed, without being forced to stop/start when moving the whole class. In general the dogs were in good condition and I found no dogs that were not entire. Although teeth were generally good, apart from a few misaligned, they varied greatly from very small to huge in size. Disappointed to see a few light eyes creeping in.
Coats varied as always with many shown in soft undercoat but lacking topcoat, but worryingly I found several with a decent topcoat but very little undercoat. Movement particularly at the front end continues to be of concern, whilst a puppy can improve and tighten in front as it matures, moving wide or high stepping in an older exhibit is difficult to change,
Generally the standard of the bitches was better than that of the dogs.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Close up to the winner and lots to like. Correct size and just righr for bone, spanning easily. Good strong jaw but a fraction heavy in ear. Well placed shoulder and excellent length and shape of rib. Strong well angulated muscular rear end. Lovely topline and nice carrot tail held correctly when moving well. Loose pelt but another needing a fraction more coat today.
East of England Agricultural Society
9th Jul 2016
Judge: Mrs A E Gregory
This was my first appointment at this level and I would like to thank the organisers of the East of England Show for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank my two stewards, David and Pat Sutton for keeping everything running along smoothly. Thanks must also go to the exhibitors for allowing me the honour and privilege of judging their dogs and for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. I thoroughly enjoyed my day!
Movement on the whole was good but front movement in a few was incorrect with toeing in when coming towards me. A few lacked muscle tone and some feet and nails could have been tidied to better advantage. Thick pelts were in the minority and some exhibits were shown without undercoat and this affected placings. Considering the harsh terrain in which the Border Terrier is expected to carry out its’ work, it should be in fit, hard condition with a thick double coat and pelt of depth and quality. Some heads also had stops which were too deep. This does not present a correct otter like head which should have a shallow stop. I also found a couple of suspect mouths and a few dogs, when lifted off the table, were too heavy. Some dogs would have benefited from more ring training. However, I was pleased with my winners and, in some classes, decisions were close. Although early rain made the ring conditions less than desirable, all dogs coped well.
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
16th Jul 2016
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the Northern Border Terrier Club’s committee for the invitation to judge at this well organised & friendly show, I really enjoyed my day. A big thank you, to my stewards Sharon & Graham, who kept me on track throughout the day. On the down side some poor mouths, some of the males where lacking substance & not very masculine, bordering on thin, not sure they could do a days work. The depth of quality in the bitches was excellent & this meant that some decisions were very close & many lovely bitches missed out on this occasion. Also my thanks to the exhibitors for their sporting acceptance of my decisions.
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Class Critique
Some dogs in this class lacked substance, not very masculine
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Aug 2016
Judge: Dogs: Ms Elspeth Jackson, Bitches: Mr Mike Hollingsbee
Dogs - Elspeth Jackson
I would like to extend many thanks to The Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for once again organising an enjoyable, well run show with a relaxed garden party atmosphere. It was an honour and a pleasure this year to enjoy it as Judge of the dog classes and I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for this honour. I was very ably assisted by two capable and efficient stewards to whom I would like to give thanks both for their help and for their hospitality. Further and important thanks are due to all the exhibitors who did me the honour of going over their dogs. It was a super entry both numerically and in depth of quality with cc quality dogs right down the line in some classes.
Bitches - Mike Hollingsbee
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of the Club for inviting me to judge bitches at their show. I would also like to thank my stewards Sharon Pickering and Helen Thomas for keeping me in order and running the ring so efficiently. My thanks also go to the exhibitors for allowing me to examine their dogs and accepting my decisions.
Together with my co-judge Elspeth Jackson we managed to agree on the major honours of the day apart from Best Veteran. I preferred Elspeth’s dog choice and she chose my selection of veteran bitch. Our referee John Dace was called in and awarded Best Veteran to the bitch.
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Class Critique
What a hard class this was to judge but for pleasing reasons being strong numerically and in depth of quality. Just deciding the short list was tough and the placings were very hotly contested with quality dogs in all places and beyond.
City of Birmingham Canine Association
3rd Sep 2016
Judge: Mrs C Archibald
My thanks to the Officers and Committee of Birmingham Canine Society, for the opportunity to judge the Border terriers at this show.
My personal thanks to all the exhibitors for allowing me to “go over” their dogs, and making it a most enjoyable and memorable day.
I was delighted to find some fabulous jackets/pelts, which is crucial for a working terrier.
On the downside, I found some exhibits with weak pasterns, hence front movement issues, and some ‘poppy’eyes which detracts from the ottery head, and expression of the border terrier, some very attractive dogs just too much of them. On the whole, apart from a missing tooth to a misplaced one, most were reasonably fit, and there were some very close decisions.
Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Class Critique
Strong Class
The Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
24th Sep 2016
Judge: Mrs Jena Tuck (Nettleby)
I would like to thank the Committee of the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this very enjoyable and well run show. It was an honour and pleasure. In the ring I was very ably assisted by my two capable stewards Ian and Bridget, who I would like to thank. The hospitality of the Club was second to none I had a truly wonderful day. Thanks must go to the exhibitors, who allowed me to go over their dogs. The depth of quality was remarkable and some very good exhibits had to go cardless I was delighted by my main winners, thank you again for giving me the pleasure of judging them. I chose the dog as BIS because he had that extra attitude and showmanship.
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
A very narrow typical grizzle dog, with a good balance, well constructed front and hind angulation, with a good topline, ok tailset.
Class Critique
Another very good class of top quality dogs.
South Wales Kennel Association
8th Oct 2016
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge (Risdene)
Thank you to the exhibitors who took the trouble to present their dogs at a difficult time of year in good condition with reasonable coats appropriately trimmed, as they know my wants. The top five winners were outstanding for being' normal' representatives of the breed with none of the current trend for exaggeration, in front and rear assemblies,all had correct length of body ,narrow front, deep ribs carried well back that provides the necessary heart and lung room for a border to be active all day and go to ground when needed.
RDCC
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Another typical dog that presents so well, no exaggeration here, just correct type and conformation good head and expression in double coat and moving with ground covering action but just out performed by the CC winner, RCC.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Nov 2016
Judge: Mrs Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for their invitation to judge this show. It was a great privilege to be asked and I would like to thank my two ring stewards Jem Thomas and Richard Wright for keeping everything moving smoothly for me throughout the day.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Smart grizzle dog with a good head with flat skull and neat ears. He is built on narrow lines with racy hind quarters and has neat feet. He was shown in a harsh double jacket and I liked his handy size. Moved well.
Luton Canine Association Premier Open Show
29th Dec 2016
Judge: Nr Andrew Gullick (Merauder)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Boston & District Canine Society
8th Jan 2017
Judge: Mr E Houston
My thanks to the Society for inviting me,to my two very able stewards, Barry and Debs,and,most especially,to the exhibitors who allowed me the privilege of going over their dogs and who accepted my decisions so sportingly.
Overall I was very impressed with the quality of the entry.The limit and open classes in both sexes had quality beyond the placings and there were some very promising puppies,especially among the bitches- this must augur well for the future.Heads were largely typical,most were spannable and considering the time of year I was pleasantly surprised to find so many in good coat.On the downside,many were lacking muscletone and front movement continues to be an issue and not just in the lower classes.I was pleased with both line ups and thought my main winners excellent examples of the breed. I was delighted to hear that my Best of Breed went on to win the Group.
Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Manchester General Championship Show
19th Jan 2017
Judge: Mrs Karen Dean (Tyrian)
I would first like to thank the society for inviting me to judge and also my stewards for efficiently managing the ring. This is a particularly difficult time of year for coats especially with Crufts on the horizon, producing some results that would change on another day. Several exhibits lacked the harsh top coat and some were past their best resulting in good harshness but lack of undercoat so giving a thin feel to coat and particularly the pelt. I was a little disappointed in the number of exhibits that were not displaying the drive I was looking for and hope this is also due to the time of year. I was particularly pleased with both my CC and RCC winners especially in relation to their movement.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Another well balanced dog of good construction. Good head, straight front, narrow throughout with well laid back shoulders, good length of rib and easily spanned. Harsh double coat with thick pelt. Could not match the head or movement of 1 today.
Isle of Eley CS Open Show
4th Feb 2017
Judge: Kathy Gorman
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
BOB. Nice masculine head and good length of body. Nice dark eye, lovely expression. Nice width and shape of skull. Good earset and carriage. Nice neck and shoulder with good return of upper arm. Well developed ribcage. Nice rear angulation. Shown in good coat and condition. Moved soundly on well padded feet.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
25th Mar 2017
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Thank you to The Border Terrier Club officers, committee and members who elected to give me the privilege of judging their club championship show, and many thanks to the exhibitors who travelled from near and far and accepted my placings sportingly. Thanks to my two stewards Janice Johnson and Judith Fawcett who did a grand job and also thanks to the hard working Joyce Martin for all the wonderful photographs.
Today the overall picture and my main concern was that we seem to be losing the "Head like that of an otter moderately broad in the skull, with short strong muzzle". What I was seeing was a narrow skull which does not give that typical Border Terrier expression. Movement was more of a problem in the dog classes, in the bitch classes came the quality and the soundness.
When it comes to the showring, presentation is, in my opinion, important. I like to see a dog smart but not over groomed or in full coat but tidy, today attention to ears, tails and feet could have been beneficial to some exhibits.
Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Overall picture good type, not so strong in head as winners and slightly smaller. Ears a little heavy but a good expression with a dark eye, nice straight front and good topline, good jacket and pelt and moved ok.
Birmingham National Dog Show
4th May 2017
Judge: Mr Terence Tuck
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Southern Counties Canine Association
3rd Jun 2017
Judge: Mr Kimmo Mustonen (Finland)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at this show. And to my two stewards who were very helpful all the day. I really enjoyed the show. It was a pleasure and an honour to judge my own breed Border Terriers in their home country. It was a day I will remember. Thank you to the exhibitors for their entries!
Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Jun 2017
Judge: Mr Arthur Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to the Club for my appointment which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to the Officers and Committee for their hospitality and gift. Thanks to my stewards Tina Morgan and Jane Roberts for the efficient way they kept the show moving along. I was very pleased with my final line ups, which were all presented in very good coat and condition. I would have been happy to have awarded at least 3 CC’s in each sex. All the dogs placed had correct dentition which was very pleasing. Movement has improved since the last time I judged. However I do think more thought should be taken regarding heads as a lot appear to be lacking strength under the eye and jaw, which results in losing the otter like head.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
A very nice sized masculine otter like headed dark grizzle dog. Nice body lines, spans well. Thick pelt with harsh coat, moved out well. Considered him for higher award.
East of England Agricultural Society
9th Jul 2017
Judge: Mrs Marion Reeves
Having achieved 80 years on my last birthday I have decided that this has to be the last occasion that I award C.C. ‘s in Border Terriers. It’s time for the next generation to step up. In the showring border terriers still come in every size & shape imaginable. Our breed standard is I believe the sketchiest of all the breed standards offering only limited guidance as to the perfect exhibit. What would be wrong with including an ideal ratio of length of body to height at withers? I also have a problem with “Hindquarters – racy” which for me describes a greyhound or a whippet. Surely we don’t want the overangulated hindquarters that have crept into the breed in recent years.
On to the Show! I was very pleased with my entry & had no difficulty finding some worthy winners.
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
The Nothern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2017
Judge: Mrs. P. McLellan (Breconbeds)
My thanks to the committee and members for giving me the opportunity to judge this show, with such an excellent entry. However, I’m sorry to say that I was alarmed to see so many dogs that were short in both rib and leg, resulting in short backed and cobby looking dogs with deep briskets. I also observed that some of these same dogs had pleasant enough heads but carried very small teeth.
Movement was a major concern; decent enough dogs to examine but poor fronts on the move spoiled the whole picture – toeing in and/or with incorrect shoulder angulation. Some were really wide in front.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Similar remarks apply to this dog. Just preferred the head type of the winner.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
6th Aug 2017
Judge: Dogs: Julie Guvercin, Bitches: Denise Townsend
Julie Guvercin, Dogs:-
Midland border terrier club ch sh 6th August 2017 A warm welcome and a super quality entry awaited me at this show with very few absentees.
A few kinked tails, some untidy bites and very noticeable were the amount of light eyes creeping in, some so pale it ruined the expression completely. Just one male with what felt like abnormal testicles!
Thank you for bringing your dogs, some classes were so hotly contested that all 5 placed had lots to commend them and 1st to 3rd was splitting hairs in some cases.
Some dogs looked beautiful stood, but failed miserably on the move and paid the price.
Denise Townsend, Bitches:-
I judged the first show ever held by the Midland Border Terrier Club back in 1984 which made me feel very old when I worked how long ago that was! Thank you to all exhibitors for the opportunity to go over your dogs – I always consider it a great privilege and I was very pleased with my winners. I could span virtually every bitch present so think that criteria went before me in terms of my entry! Just the very occasional crooked mouth and I would agree with my co-judge that I noticed several light eyes and some dogs that were light in underjaw.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Very dark grizzle boy, different stamp to 1 being smaller and less rangey. Wonderful deep double coat of super harsh texture covering a fit, spannable body. Good hindquarters and sound enough in all directions, pushing 1 very hard.
Class Critique
A lovely class with much quality in all five placed dogs, who could change places on another day.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Nov 2017
Judge: Mrs Sandra Girling (Benattivo)
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge my first club show. My very competent and Friendly stewards Jem Thomas and Richard Wright, were well organised to keep the day flowing so many thanks for their help. A special thank you to all the exhibitors who trusted me to evaluate their Border Terriers, accepting my decisions graciously.
I was very impressed by the standard of presentation particularly the quality of coats. I had some amazingly difficult decisions and in many classes placings were hotly contested, forcing me to ‘split hairs’ over placings. I appreciated that some quality exhibits did not win their classes despite some outstanding breed features. I looked for accurate movement and narrow body lines which were present in my primary winners. The youngsters were particularly noteworthy staying enthusiastic and keen right to the end of the show.
Reserve Best Dog
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Won this class on size and breed type. He was shown in such a smart grizzle and tan jacket of real quality. He has an unexaggerated head of good proportions and dark keen eye. He was one of the few free standing chaps which make the most of his lovely bodylines which are narrow. He spans easily and has a good top line. He headed this class today on his free striding clean movement.
Ladies Kennel Association
10th Dec 2017
Judge: Mrs Angela M Gregory (Manx)
My thanks to the LKA for their kind invitation to judge the Border terriers at this year’s championship show. My thanks go to the Stewards who assisted at the event and to you all who were very helpful and supportive. Sadly we were victims to the weather and this did have a marked impact on attendance which was a real shame but the association still managed to deliver a quality show. Thanks are also extended to the exhibiters who help support the show. Congratulations to those who did brave the inclement weather and I felt that despite the low attendance the standard of dogs offered a competitive environment. I was delighted to have seen the Border Terrier Group as having a high level of entries this year
Change this by selecting a new code /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Manchester Championship Show
18th Jan 2018
Judge: Mr Frank Kane (Hirontower)
Many thanks to my stewards Alan Small and Susan Kannangara.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Has the look of a real working terrier. In great coat, lithe and spannable, full of breed qualities and a very good head piece. Has scopey clean front action and good rear.
Class Critique
Excellent class for depth of quality
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
11th Feb 2018
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Firstly, I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge their show, and thank you to the exhibitors for the lovely entry. Thank you also to my ring stewards Jem Thomas and Paul Brannan for their hard work and efficiency in keeping the classes running smoothly. I had some very pleasant surprises on the day when going over new dogs. Some dogs I found to be much lighter to handle than they appear from the ringside and also in the same vein, two or three were way over an acceptable departure from the standard weight. I found what I was looking for in so much as I believe we should be looking at the whole dog in balance. I sometimes think it is easy to get so hooked up on breed points that we lose sight of the whole picture. There were one or two difficult decisions on the day, but the dogs with balance, lightness and lack of exaggeration were generally rewarded and I do like to see a dog “active” as the standard calls for.
Best Dog
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Dark grizzle & tan. Appealed to me very much for narrowness, size and balance while free standing. Good head without being overdone. Excellent neck into well laid shoulders. Just right for bone which runs right through his pasterns into excellent neat well padded feet. Very good in body and ribs and easily spanned. Excellent underline and topline which he kept on the move. Well set short tail. Shown in a good double coat. Balanced on the move and free from exaggeration. Best Dog & Reserve Best In Show.
Crufts
9th Mar 2018
Judge: Mr.Carl Gunnar-Stafberg
Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
National Terrier Club
7th Apr 2018
Judge: Mr. W. R. Irving
Thanks to the exhibitors for the entry of 160 from 157 dogs.
There were some very strong classes and interestingly the biggest class was Limit Dog with seventeen entries. My biggest worry about the overall entry was that there seemed be some very large exhibits which were well over the standard size. Even in bitches there were a good number that were too big and in dogs some were enormous. And it was not so much that they were too leggy - rather that so many were far from being able to be spanned. I think we really ought to try to do something about that.
Heads were by and large good but there were quite a few with big ears. Coats of course were variable and I only found one really bad mouth and one kinked tail.
Movement left a bit to be desired especially in front but I was disappointed also that so many were not moving well behind either.
My thanks to my two very efficient stewards which enabled us to finish by around 1 p.m. and to the exhibitors most of whom seemed to take my decisions in the sporting way befitting the breed
RDCC
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
another dog of the correct size and shown in excellent hard coat. Moved well in front and behind with good topline and tailset. Doesn’t have quite the bone of the winner and could do with just a shade more substance. OK in head. Scored for showmanmship over 3 Went on to win Res DCC.
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Apr 2018
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
With apologies for the delay in submitting this critique.
My sincere thanks to the officers and committee of East Anglia Border Terrier Club for offering me this appointment.
Huge thanks to my sole steward Rob Brewster who efficiently organised the ring and exhibits all day despite being in poor health and needing constant medication throughout the day. Most of all my appreciation to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to assess your dogs.
With the ever rising cost of suitable venues, it was necessary to move this show from the much appreciated previous Burgess Hall at St Ives to a new Leisure Centre at Littleport. On the day the huge venue was shared with a large number of indoor bowls enthusiasts which meant there was a longish walk from the large car park to our hall. The hall itself was large enough but dog cages all around the hall gave rise to lots of noise and distraction from barking dogs which was very evident when listening to my dictaphone. At lunchtime, with lots of people all trying to use the cafe/restaurant at the same time, this caused long queues and even longer waiting times for food and drinks to arrive, which in turn meant the lunch break overran.
I had the honour of judging the first border terrier club show to schedule Champion dog and bitch classes.
Prior to the show I was undecided about such classes but having here seen the smallish entries for both Open and Champions on reflection I see little point or need for them.
As always coats were at various stages but the exhibits were with a few exceptions in good condition. All males were entire. Bites were better than at previous appointments and I only found a few with misplaced teeth, however the size of teeth varies considerably. Although not a fault, I noticed a few liver noses. Several exhibits could benefit from attention to feet to produce the small feet as required. Movement in general was better at the rear than in front with too many swinging fronts, moving wide or toeing in.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Of good type this dark g/tan is well put together in all areas. His head is not overdone and carries a good bite, ears a fraction large. With a dense coat and thick pelt he moved well on neat feet holding his level topline on the move. In good condition he just seemed a little disinterested today.
Boston and District Canine Society Premier Open Show.
29th May 2018
Judge: Carol Dunford (Quixol)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Jun 2018
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
It is always a particular honour to judge a Breed Club Championship Show and my thanks go to the committee for their hospitality and my stewards who kept things running smoothly. I found only two poor mouths but more had wrong, thin skins and some needed to go home for a good feed. A working terrier needs to be correctly muscled and too many needed nourishment and exercise. The biggest problem, however, remains poor front movement showing both incorrect shoulders and, for some, over angulation in the hindquarters.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Newmarket Canine Society Open Show
10th Jun 2018
Judge: Mr A Goodsell (Li8vewyre)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2018
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
Thoroughly enjoyed my day with the NBTC. My thanks to the Committee for the appointment and the exhibitors for their entry of Borders. I was well looked after all day and I would like to express my gratitude to my Stewards who did an excellent job by keeping focused on their task throughout the day. I was extremely pleased with the overall quality of the dogs across both sexes. For those who left without prize cards do not be too disappointed, I saw only one undershot jaw and no dog was out of place in the show ring. My top winners were all outstanding dogs and there were several others who deserve that label who were placed but did not reach the final accounting. Overall heads are very good but let’s be careful not to breed for too much strength in skull. Ensure we balance what we have with equal strength in muzzle and under-jaw and please lots more beautiful large white teeth. Most dogs had the correct outline, with many good top-lines and neat tails. Coats and pelts were generally very good and do not be afraid to show a Border in that rich, thick ,harsh, double coat they are well known for. Generally conformation was correct, with shoulders and stifles showing acceptable angulation. The straight stifle is quite rare, but equally let’s not over do the angulation of the hind limb as that produces weakness. Short hocks go best with correct stifles. Dogs with a length of leg, drive from hindquarters, tight feet and good ribbing did well today provided they had the typical Border Terrier characteristics we all look for. A few dogs are getting a little long in body for a variety of reasons. Some have their shoulder set forwards on the chest, some lack the well ribbed-back conformation and so appear to have long couplings and some have shorter legs than they ideally need. Much of this was marginal today but they are all points to remember as the breed moves forward. I was pleased with the CC line ups and excited by the quality in some of the youngsters coming through. It would have been nice to reward some of these emerging future champions with higher honours but the quality at the top was too much for relatively immature dogs.
RDCC
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Close up, much to like here and very worthy. Like his type and construction. Good head and expression and lovely dark ears. Best of jackets, nicely made. Moves well. Just preferred the maturity of 1 and strength in hindquarters. Res CC
Driffield Championship Show
22nd Sep 2018
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Crufts
9th Mar 2019
Judge: Mrs Trak Fryer (Irton)
A very great thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such a superb entry, I hope that I did it justice. My thanks must also go to my Stewards who worked very hard to keep the classes moving well.
This was a very challenging entry with some very big classes filled with quality dogs all the way through, there were no easy decisions. I tried to pull out all the dogs that I felt were in contention to give those exhibits a closer look. This meant that those out of coat or condition paid the penalty. particularly in the upper classes many super quality dogs had to go out without a place - I just didn't have enough cards.
On the plus side all the exhibits were good tempered and happy in the ring. Most dogs came with a good coat on and a decent pelt. There were plenty of good heads and neat well balanced Borders, the key to the Standard. The Breed Standard asks for a dog that can run, requiring heart and lung room, and that can go to ground, requiring a good rib carried back without exaggerated angulations, a rather challenging blueprint to fit into a fairly small package.
There were quite a number with rather heavy or thin ears, round eyes and I was surprised to find quite a number of “winter noses”; I did not necessarily penalise these if the rest was OK. There were a number of heads with weak jaws framed by sticky out ears, a worrying trend. There were some heavy bitches well beyond spannable.
The biggest problem is movement with the forward angulations mostly at fault, this has been a problem in the breed for some time but there are now a significant number with tied in fronts waving their forelegs about, a new variant!
A well made dog will just cover the ground without any fuss or flipping – a joy to see. In order to do this they also need a reasonable build of muscle and it is a constant concern of mine that so many that come into the show ring do not have this.
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Class Critique
A stunning class, quality went all the way down and I was really splitting hairs to place my winners.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Apr 2019
Judge: Mrs. Nancy Hogg (Raeburnfoot)
I would like to express my thanks to the officers, committee and members for the invitation to judge their championship show. I enjoyed it very much. Special thanks go to my two very able stewards who kept everything running smoothly for me. I appreciated it.
There was a good selection of quality dogs and bitches for me to pick from. Coats on the whole were pleasing. As was size. Temperament too apart from one blip. Some with winter noses, possibly more than I have noticed before. A few with domed skulls which makes for an untypical head. I felt that the depth of quality in the bitch classes outweighed the dogs. Both the puppy bitch classes were a joy. Some lovely pups having to go cardless. Its very encouraging and surely bodes well for the breed.
I was very happy with my main winners. It was a pleasure to award them their honours.
Thank you EABTC.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Neat dog. Not as strong in muzzle as first two in class but has a dark eye with keen expression. Spans easily.Cat like feet. Good topline and tailset. Held his topline well round the ring. Showed very well.
West of England Ladies' Kennel Society
28th Apr 2019
Judge: Mrs L A Crawley
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
National Dog Show
11th May 2019
Judge: Mrs Anne Heathcote (Saxheath)
I would like to thank the Society for giving me the opportunity to judge our breed for the first time at their 160th Anniversary show and for their hospitality. I was able to complete the judging in good time thanks to my two excellent Stewards Steph and Alan.
The quality of the entry was pleasing overall but one or two could have benefited from tidying , it is a show and you owe it to your dog to present them well , and I was unable to span a few . However , my main winners were for me the correct size and in some of the classes the decisions were very close.
Thank you for accepting my decisions so gracefully.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Class Critique
Good class with a variety of types. True movement coming and going was the deciding factor
Windsor Championship Show
27th Jun 2019
Judge: Mrs Jena Tuck (Nettleby)
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my two very able stewards who kept everything moving smoothly, and to the exhibitors for giving me the privilege of going over their dogs. I was delighted by my winners, and by the overall quality of the entry.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
A good fronted, neat, workman like dog, typical head, good harsh topcoat, just thought he sloped off a little over the loin.
East of England Championship Show
6th Jul 2019
Judge: Mrs Janet Alexander (Glenbucket)
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Welsh Kennel Club
17th Aug 2019
Judge: Miss T Peacock
I was honoured to be invited to judge the Welsh Kennel Cub Ch. Show. The entry was excellent both in quality and quantity, It was a pleasure to go over such quality exhibits. Movement was variable and some exhibits moved okay coming an going but lacked drive.
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Richmond Championship Show
7th Sep 2019
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge (Risdene)
In this day of mentoring I make no apologies for restating the main criteria I apply in my judging. The standard states that the border terrier is essentially a working terrier and it should be able to follow a horse. Therefore I require a dog deep in chest but well ribbed back providing ample heart and lung room which will enable it to travel and be present when and if required to flush the quarry, narrow throughout and spannable to enable it to go to ground, head like that of a otter with strong muzzle and big teeth to help protect from any attack of the quarry, harsh double coat and thick skin as protection from the elements whilst underground or on the moors, good temperament to mix with the hounds and able to be handled as necessary.
I felt that most of my winners met this criteria and my report concentrates on the dogs distinguishing points that resulted in its placing. However no dog is perfect and that is where the judgement comes in and remember opinions from the ring side do not always hold up on closer inspection.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
DCC
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Gameway Mcvitie JW
Placing Critique
Class of the day, a line up of 5 super dogs all covering the ground. This one fits the standard so well, super otter head with good expression, big teeth, correct length of neck into well laid shoulders, flowing top line, correct ribbing back into strong loin, good second thigh and let down hocks allowing him to move with ease and drive presented in harsh double coat and fit condition. CC and BOB.
