Show Placings
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
25th Mar 2023
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
What an absolute honour and a privilege to be invited to judge this show, my thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Border Terrier Club, and my two excellent stewards for the day, Judy and Marina.
My sincere thanks also, to ALL the exhibitors for making it truly memorable, with 196 dogs, 233 entries.
Some very close decisions had to be made!
On the down side, I found some very short muzzles and small teeth, and quite a number of filthy teeth!! Temperaments were generally good, there were 2 kinked tails and 1 suspect mouth, a lack of muscle tone and condition in some exhibits, which is essential for a terrier to do it’s job.
That said, it was an absolute joy to see so many super dogs.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
just 6 mths, g/t, just a baby with the sweetest expression, strong muzzle, neatly set ears, excellent bone, a little short of coat, but evidence of a thick jacket, moved well.
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.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
8th Apr 2023
Judge: Mrs J Carr (Wreighaugh)
My thanks go to the Committee of the NBTC for their invitation to judge their Open Show. I was honoured to receive this appointment and am incredibly grateful to the exhibitors who gave me such a great entry. It was a most enjoyable day and special thanks go to my Stewards, Andrea Pitt and Mark Atkinson, for keeping me on track and helping the ring to run smoothly.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
6 month old Grizzle and Tan. Nice head, strong jaw with good teeth and keen expression. Good shoulder angulation and length of rib, as yet not quite as deep in chest as 1, easily spannable. Moved well but not quite as fluently as 1. Good coat and pelt. Today I just preferred the movement of 1 however I’m looking forward to seeing her progress as she matures
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
16th Apr 2023
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
A bit thank to the committee of EABTC for inviting me to judge their championship show. I really enjoyed my day and when I later looked at the catalogue to see my winners I found it interesting reading, as all my major winners were of similar lines.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
a lovely class of babies, very pretty red grizzle of nice proportions, feminine head, good front and rear angulation, neat feet, level topline, moved true with a lovely spring in her stride. Very showy.
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
27th Apr 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Walshaw (Janmark)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for the invitation to judge at WELKS, it was quite a few years ago now, as I was due to judge them at the beginning of lockdown. Due to the heavy rain that had fallen over the preceding days, all judging was inside. It was slightly draughty, but we were allocated a double ring, so plenty of space, to see the exhibits stride out. I must thank the two stewards Lynn Jones and Celia Vines who kept the ring flowing beautifully and the exhibitors for making prompt appearances, we did well for time, starting approx. 0930 and finishing around 14:45. I thank all exhibitors for a wonderful entry (123 dogs making 172 entries} for a Thursday in Malvern and appreciate their time and expense for entering under me. There was plenty of quality to choose from and I was happy with my final decisions. Dentition was very good and a pleasure to judge dogs with clean teeth. I did find muscle tone to be poor/average in a lot of the exhibits, which must be one of the key areas for any working terrier. Jackets were mixed as was movement.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
A g/t, balanced promising youngster, very typical. Lovely head, with feminine sweet expression, strong in muzzle, neat, well set ears. Tidy through neck and front, well ribbed and excellent bone. Tidy tailset, racey rear. Sporting a good jacket today. Moved in a typical puppy fashion, steady away.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th May 2023
Judge: Mr Keith Baldwin (Nightstorm)
I would like to thank all the Officers and Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their club open show.
It is now 17 years that I have been judging Border Terriers and it was the 6th August 2011 that I attended the Midland Border Terrier Club breed specific seminar when Jena Tuck was the secretary.
I was very pleased with my entry of 112 quality dogs and bitches, also I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors who entered and for allowing me to go over their dogs. They all showed and behaved very well. I can report back to you that you have overall one of the soundest breeds that I have judged.
Last but not least I would like to thank my stewards who did an excellent job keeping everything flowing smoothly between the two shows in the Margaret Everton Pavilion
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
7 months old grizzle, a touch longer than winner and has a stronger yet feminine head with good planes, keen dark eye and scissor bite her muzzle is strong, ears neat and falling correctly, moderate neck into lovely shoulders, her rib is narrow so spannable but just a touch longer in body than winner, racy hindquarters and well let down hocks complete the standing picture, on the move she needs to settle in front.
National Dog Show
6th May 2023
Judge: Brigitte Belin Bernaudin (France)
First, I thank the committee for the invitation to judge this prestigious show. Thanks to my stewards for making a super job and keep my judging running smoothly. It was a real honour and privilege as foreign judge and breeder to have the opportunity of this 1st appointment to give CC in my breed, and thank to exhibitors to allow me to go over so many good Border.
Being able in my country to work my dogs, I have been looking for the right conformation as asks in the standard, making dogs able to do their original work underground and was happy many could do so.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Grizzle bitch, strong but feminine head, good flat skull, strong muzzle and bite; correct neck and well placed shoulders. Good length of ribcage and loins. Spannable. Good bone, straight front. Good hindquarters. Excellent coat and pelt. Moves well but preferred drive of 1st.
The Scottish Kennel Club (May) Championship Show
21st May 2023
Judge: Mr Frank Kane (Hirontower)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
8 months with good outline, built on flowing lines with correct proportions, best mover in the class, well angulated, particularly good quarters, feminine head which needs time to finish
Class Critique
Good class for quality
Leeds Championship Show
29th Jul 2023
Judge: Mr Brian Aubrey (Jenabeck)
Thank you all for a wonderful entry, I had to make some difficult choices on the day, but as always, I judge the dog on the day friend or foe and not what the dog as done in the past or what it will do in the future.
a few things did concern me on the day (1 ) so Many dirty teeth, (2) a few unfit dogs due to being overweight, (3) and the most concerning is short legs on one or two of the borders,
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Very smart puppy, future looks bright for the breed, out of Jacket today but i could feel some texture coming through another one of quality, lovely feminine otter type head, neat ears, dark eyes, correct bite, very good straight front, with good bone, Moved very well
Paignton Championship Show
5th Aug 2023
Judge: Colin Powell (Bowtman)
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
A promising puppy with good out-lines to her, nice pleasing head shape with clean out-lines, dark eyes and small ears, correct bite, neck, shoulders and feet very good, spannable body, good angulations, and correct tail set. Coat In good condition, moved and handled very well
Bournemouth CS Open Show
11th Aug 2023
Judge: Mrs Hilary Male (Malenbrook)
Junior /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Bournemouth Championship Show
13th Aug 2023
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
My thanks go to the committee of Bournemouth Championship Show for inviting me to award tickets for the first time, it was a very special day.
Special thanks to my stewards Gentle Lowe and Brian Aubrey for doing such a sterling job, allowing me to focus on the task in hand.
I was delighted with the entry that awaited me, a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the privilege to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and the sporting way they accepted my decisions, on the whole by most exhibitors.
I was told many years ago, by someone well respected in the breed to judge with the hands, not with the eyes, never did this ring true as today. Some dogs I have admired from the ringside, didn’t live up to expectations, whilst others that hadn’t previously caught my eye, surprised me and did.
Being the daughter of a hunt terrier man I could get no better grounding in the requirements of an earth dog, these were the days long before quad bikes, terriers would be expected to be on their feet from the moment hounds drew off until close of the hunting day, working in landscapes not dissimilar to that of that hunt the breed first originated from.
l tried to look subjectively at the exhibit before me to see if they had the confirmation and condition to undertake such duties. I was surprised how quite a number were difficult to span and far too deep in chest and too wide in front and came up heavy, lacking the narrowness to go to ground, a distinct disadvantage in the working arena, legs bend, chests don’t.
I was finding rear movement was better than front, but more than a few lacked the drive that I looked for with elevated front action that indicates an upper arm that is shorter than ideal.
I look to see feet that are tight with a good thick pad so vital in an earth dog, many were lacking in this important trait.
I found temperaments superb throughout the day, dentition was questionable on several exhibits and all dogs entire.
A plea to exhibitors if you bait them on the table, that is fine if they look hypnotically at the treat, but on several occasions, owners were wrestling with their dogs trying to get at the treat, making it difficult to assess them.
I am always mindful to judge fit for function, and I was happy that my winners fitted that bill and all sporting decent jackets and pelts and meeting my interpretation of the breed standard.
I was delighted to see my BOB going on to third in the terrier group and my BP winning the terrier puppy group.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Class Critique
A really nice class
The Welsh Kennel Club Championship Show
19th Aug 2023
Judge: Jane Morton Shaw (Fehmarn)
I would like to thank the WKC committee for inviting me to judge at this lovely show. It was very well organised with a super friendly atmosphere.
Thank you to all the exhibitors for your entry & accepting my decisions so graciously.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day, but I have to apologise for the late start! I’m always super early for everything, and had arrived on the showground by 8am. Unfortunately my watch battery ran out at 8.20 and I was mortified when I realised it had stopped and to find out that the time was 9.35!!!
I was very pleased to see my BOB, BPIB & BVIB shortlisted in their groups, with Veteran going on to Group 3.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Another that stood out as soon as she came in the ring & it was a close decision between her and the winner of Min.Puppy for BPIB. In fabulous coat. Good length of body & rib, well set on tail from a level top line. Pretty feminine head. Good angulation & bend of stifle, pelt & bite. Moved well but again needs to tighten up which I’m sure she will.
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.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
City of Birmingham Championship Show
2nd Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs K Wilkinson (Otterkin)
Thank you to City of Birmingham for the invitation to judge this show, for the very large ring provided to the breed and to all the exhibitors who entered under me – I was very pleased with the overall quality of the entry of 122 dogs making 144 entries in these days of falling entries, with very few absentees (16 from “new dogs” by my count).
The ring stewards did an excellent job of keeping everything running smoothly – so thank you to John Gardner and Ken Francis.
I would like to send my best wishes to Anna Duxbury (Ridgebow) who had initially been under contract to judge this as her very first Championship Show. Having seen Anna judge at the Border Terrier Club’s Open show in February 2022, I know she is a very experienced and knowledgeable judge as well as an excellent breeder and hope in time that she is able to take on another Championship Show appointment in the future. I had originally been invited to judge this show in 2024 and had sent my acceptance letter, but when the Secretary contacted me, I agreed to bring forward the appointment to 2023.
I have taken the name/s of the owner/s and the dogs’ names direct from the catalogue. Some may have other owners or Kennel Names added, or awards such as Ch or JW added now, but I must use the details from the catalogue.
*Handlers* – please do not stuff food/tubes of treats into your dogs’ mouths just before the judge needs to look at their dentition. Those who stood behind their dogs and held the lead, I had no problem examining their dogs’ mouths, but a small number of others who were stuffing food into their dog’s mouth as I approached, once they moved away, some dogs were up on their hind legs trying to get more food/treats from you. I had to examine the rest of the dog then come back and look in the mouth again when the dogs were not fidgeting about looking for food. If you are doing it to avoid the dentition being checked, it won’t work as a judge will just come back to it!
It was quite hot in the hall. Kudos to all the dogs as they were not put off by the noise made when judge and/or handler stood on whatever was under the carpet making a “clunk” noise. I found when spanning dogs, almost all of them were hot underneath. Never felt that before, even when judging in 90 degree heat outside in America, so just be aware that your dog may be getting overheated.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Class Critique
Another quality class with very difficult decision between the first two.
Richmond Championship Show
8th Sep 2023
Judge: Mr Tim Ball (Kaitak)
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Just coming up to 12 mths, this grizzle greatly appealed for type and presented a lovely balanced outline with moderate length of neck, correct topline and tail just right for set and carriage. She is well ribbed back and could easily be spanned. Super headed girl with good skull to muzzle proportions, expressive eyes of good colour, ears pleasing for size and set and correct dentition. She stands well naturally on good feet. Moving well when viewed in profile, good when going away but somewhat disappointing when coming at you. Good quality jacket and nice thick pelt.
Darlington Championship Show
17th Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs D Bullen (Fevstone)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge for the second time. I had a good entry of 125 with a few absentees as is usual, the dogs were of varying types and sizes which is to be expected. The ones that were unspannable aren’t fit for function as they fall at the first hurdle so to speak.
There are quite a lot creeping into the breed of late which lack power in the foreface. Falling away below the eye with a foreign expression. Also lacking in underjaw. Again a weakness in the breed which needs addressing or we will lose these qualities essential to work. A lot now have too short an upperarm which is vital in construction as it propels the dog forward as he should cover the ground effortlessly striding out. Not Pitter patter slowly. On a more positive note I found a lot of quality true to type borders that were a pleasure to judge. Effortless free movement which is essential. I’m sure the breed will go on to have a bright future if we all keep to the breed type.
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs J Guvercin (Glebeheath)
Thank you to the committee for this appointment, everyone worked hard to make it an enjoyable day. This venue always has a super atmosphere, however, the ring is too small really to see outlines, being far too near the dogs and side profile movement is very difficult to see, let alone for the dogs to perform really well. Many moved poorly, not liking the smooth mats and although I had to judge them on this today, I think most would move much better outside in a big grass ring.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
richly coloured grizzle in deep double coat of good texture with thick pelt. Super for size and type with a lovely feminine, typical head with strong jaw and good bite. Straight front, perhaps a shade wide coming on but has good bone and neat feet. Level topline to her easily spanned body and tail is well set and carried correctly, moved and showed well particularly on the go around. I liked her a lot.
The Scottish Kennel Club
1st Oct 2023
Judge: Mr M Armstrong (Bitcon)
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Another quality bitch, nice head and eye, good bite, nice neck and shoulders, good length of ribs, strong quarters, nice top-line, good bone, not feet of 1
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.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Feminine girl with a quality head and super expression, good depth of muzzle, well placed ears, good neat feet and straight front, narrow in shoulder, harsh coat and thick pelt, moved well and looked a picture stacked.
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
I think hind movement has generally improved though the same cannot be said for fronts. Most were shown in good coat and only one exhibit was clearly of poor temperament.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Another I really liked, shown in first class coat, thick, loose pelt, good thick pads, front movement not quite as true as 1 today
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
14th Oct 2023
Judge: Mrs Sue Baxter (Mysulan)
Firstly I’d like to thank The Border Terrier Club Committee for their very kind invitation to judge this Open show, I felt honoured and privileged . I thoroughly enjoyed my day and the hospitality on offer , the lunch certainly hit the spot..thank you Nancy Hogg. My two stewards, Jane Morton-Shaw and Marina Fleming kept things running smoothly and I am grateful for their support .
To the exhibitors , my thanks go unbounded as I had a lovely selection of good quality dogs to go over and there were certainly some tough decisions in many of the classes. It is an education to finally go over some of the dogs I have admired from the ring side. I am grateful that my decisions were taken, mostly in a sporting manner.
My general findings were , all males were intact , I found no kinked tails ( 1 dog had a bump on the underside of its tail , not a kink in my opinion), jackets were, as usual , at various stages of growth. I was impressed by the fact that all animals before me could be spanned , some a little easier than others.
Once again I feel compelled to comment on the state of nails and feet. In my opinion , many dogs had nails that were too long and some needed drastic fur trimming to enhance the shape of the feet.In my opinion it is a shame to groom your dogs for the ring but forget that ,especially whilst on the table, the judge has a perfect view of any, long nails and/or woolly “ Yeti” feet .
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
another one , of similar age, which I have liked from afar and appreciated the opportunity to go over her. Beautiful feminine head piece with lovely dark eyes . A strong muzzle with good dentition . Elegant neck and smooth transition into the shoulder . Good rib length and compatible loin , there was a new jacket coming through and pelt was plentiful… Top line and tail set were excellent , rear angles good , well let down hocks. Sound in movement. I am pretty sure these two girls will swap places many times in the future .
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Group Open Show
15th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr Ian Halbert (Marrimay)
I would like to thank the committee for the kind invitation to judge Border Terriers and for the warm welcome I received. Also thanks go to my steward for doing such a good job. My apologies to the Secretary and exhibitors for the delay in submitting this critique due to circumstances beyond my control
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Lovely red grizzle. Very pretty with good head and neck. Racey, but balanced, moved very well. Unfortunately her coat was not through yet. Lovely exhibit
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for a lovely entry and also to the Scottish BTC for this opportunity. Special thanks go to my two stewards for the day who kept everything running smoothly and for their good company. Although the lighting in the hall isn’t the best, it was adequate and the large square ring was perfect for watching movement, something I feel is very important in a border terrier. On that note I found my main winners to excel in this department. I was pleased to judge some strong puppy classes and also some strong adult classes
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
14 month old red bitch with beautiful head with keen dark eye. She has a great outline which she held on the move with strong well angulated hindquarters. She showed well in tight harsh coat. Easily spanned
Manchester & District Sporting Terrier Club Open Show
19th Nov 2023
Judge: Sonia Connell
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Stockport Canine Society Open Show
25th Nov 2023
Judge: Anne Speake
I’d like to thank the officers and committee for their kind invitation to judge some of the terrier breeds at there show today. My thanks to my 2 very capable stewards Aaron and Alex for keeping things running smoothly. To the exhibitors it was a pleasure to judge your dogs.
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
feminine well balanced 14 mth g/t bitch, with a lovely otter head, keen expression, small neat ears with a lovely dark eye. Good reach of neck, chest of good depth, standing straight in front, with rib carried well back, strong in loin and spanned with ease. Good angulations enabling her to move out with drive keeping her top line on the move.
BOB TG2
Ladies Kennel Association
8th Dec 2023
Judge: Mr Ken Bartlett (Dwilencia)
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
A nice young bitch typical head, good in neck and shoulders and length of body, firm in topline and well set tail. Liked her movement
Penrith & DCS Open Show
17th Dec 2023
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
My thanks go to both the Penrith & District Canine Society and the Border Terrier Club for considering me to judge a super entry of some quality dogs. The show committee were most welcoming and kept the judges well fed and watered. My stewards – Sue, Jane and Katrina keeping the proceedings flowing smoothly- my thanks.
All dogs presented today were of sound temperaments, all found to be spannable and, as to be expected, various stages of coat with some excellent coats and pelts on display. Movement overall was most pleasing; with some excellent examples of strong reach and drive making for fluid balanced movement. In some classes I found myself splitting hairs due to the quality of the exhibits. Again, my one plea is for clean teeth!
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
14-month-old Grizzle and Tan bitch-what a showgirl, easily spanned and presented in a great harsh new coat with good pelt. Dark alert gaze with good fill under eyes and strong muzzle and teeth. Narrow throughout with a good outline and reach of neck flowing to well-placed shoulders, straight topline with good length of loin, and well set on tail. Straight front with good bone, lovely underline and rear assembly, with for me, correct height to length ratio. Moved well.
Litchfield CS Open Show
7th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr John Finney (Sanguliano)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Manchester Championship Show
20th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
RBCC
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
A lovely bitch that is full of class, excellent type and size, lovely head and expression, in lovely coat condition, thick pelt, easily spanned, well set and carried tail, well muscled quarters, lovely bone and feet, moved and showed well, surely destined for her title, RBCC.
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.
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
16 months old typey bitch of a lovely size. Feminine head with a strong jaw and correct scissor bite. Dark eye with keen expression and neat ears. Good length of rib and easy to span. Level topline which she maintained on the move and well set tail, she went around the ring freely and showed herself off to the best. Striking in colour deep red undercoat and thick loose pelt but no top coat today.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Members Limited Show
28th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr. P. Appleby (Hollexby)
Firstly I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge this show, it was an honour and a privilege, secondly thank you to the exhibitors for entering a lovely selection of dogs for me to go over, and lastly but not leastly to my Stewards, Liz Barret and Val Mason for keeping me right.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Cumberland CA Open Show
4th Feb 2024
Judge: Mr Keith Derry (Vistca)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Barrow and District Kennel Association Open Show
11th Feb 2024
Judge: Jacqui Ward (Mianja)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
16 month old feminine young lady, excellent balance and outline, lovely otter head with super alert expression, well placed ears. Good neck, straight narrow front with neat feet. Easily spanned, good topline, moderate balanced angulation. Presented in harsh coat and thick pelt, moved well RBOB
Crufts
10th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
A tremendous entry of 275 Borders ( 25 absentees on the day)to enjoy handling, judging and placing. I must extend my appreciation to my two valiant stewards for their patience and skill in keeping classes moving. Thank you all.
I do believe our breed is changing, but in subtle ways. The lack of opportunities for true terrier work below ground for some Borders has been replaced by agility and other energetic pursuits, but lack of hard muscle tone has produced a ‘softer’ body on some exhibits. Some feet are slacker, pads are more spread and thinner and some fronts are wide. Movement is not always positive and a ‘driving’ action is lacking. Size is fluctuating too. We have a ‘working’ breed - let’s ensure that features defining the breed are not lost, i.e. ‘spannability’; a hard, harsh top coat and soft protective undercoat (not enough of those today); a dark, expressive eye, a broad skull and strong quarters – ‘the engine is at the back!’. Heads generally were good, but some bitch heads veered towards coarseness.
One thing not lost is the Border’s kind temperament – curious, interested and ready for anything.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Classic breed head on this red bitch. Perfect size with harsh jacket. Not overdone in any way. Level topline, easy to span and confident on the move with good driving action.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lynda Ward (Roundtown)
It was an honour to be invited to judge this, our parent club’s show. My thanks to the committee who ran such a lovely event with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. My judge’s gift is much appreciated and will be a treasured momento of the day.
My superstar stewards, Janice Johnson and Liz Barrett, worked hard and unobtrusively whilst keeping the classes moving smoothly over a long day – well done ladies.
Many thanks of course to the exhibitors who made the journey on a major bank holiday weekend giving a large and quality entry of 190 dogs making 229 entries plus 10 NFC.
I had some lovely sound and typical Borders to go over and, had I had them, I would have had no qualms in awarding 4 dog tickets and 5 bitch tickets.
Unfortunately there are always downsides in a big entry and today size was an issue with some overly large exhibits who were not spannable and very heavily built.
There were a number of youngsters which were obviously unused to having their mouths examined and more practice in a calm atmosphere would help to make them comfortable and avoid stress for them and their handlers.
Ears need watching as some were quite large and spoiled the head.
Sadly, as in the past I must complain about long tails. Tails are an integral aspect of the overall picture of a typical Border outline and long is simply wrong. Our breed standard is spartan compared to many others but for tails the description is clear and begins with, “Moderately short; fairly thick at base, then tapering.” Hopefully the issue will be addressed before the untypical becomes the norm.
On a positive note …
Feet were overall small and thickly padded although some would benefit from trimming and shorter nails.
There was a good number of lovely otter-like heads of correct proportions with well placed dark eyes and a keen expression.
As is usual these days coat presentation was generally good and today there were plenty of dense coats of correct texture and thick skins.
Do I think the quality shown in this entry bodes well for the breed? Yes.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix
Placing Critique
Another well-made bitch with lovely head and expression. Narrow front and stands well over the ground.
National Terrier Club
6th Apr 2024
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
Thanks to the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this prestigious show and to the exhibitors who did me the honour of judging their dogs. I was lucky to have two efficient stewards who kept things running smoothly, thank you Laura and Dave.
The entry showed a good depth of quality. In many classes the places were hotly contested with decisions needing to be made on the narrowest of margins. I was very pleased to find that there were some good coats on thick pelts and the nice thick short tails which set off a good border so well.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix JW
Placing Critique
Another grizzle bitch built on pleasing lines. Good for size with spannable rib of a nice shape. She was shown in excellent coat on a good pliable pelt.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
20th Apr 2024
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Thank you to the committee of the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the honour of inviting me to judge your Championship show and for your great hospitality on the day. It was hit-and-miss as to whether or not I would be judging inside or out, and I’m pleased that the committee took the decision to hold it outdoors. It is far nicer for the dogs to be outside, even with the biting wind, and we are not to forget that they are designed to be outside in that type of weather, which reiterates the importance of a good coat. I hope everyone at ringside managed to keep the chill away, myself having Cumbrian bloodlines, found it rather pleasant. Thank you to my stewards Tracey, Dave and Mike who worked tirelessly to keep the ring moving. My biggest thanks are to the exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry and took all my decisions in a sporting manner. I know it is always said there are too many good dogs for the number of cards and that was especially true of the limit and open classes. I was spoiled for choice in a number of classes and had to split hairs on a number of occasions. Dog’s are never static and can have good days and bad days just the same as us, and condition and coats can change dramatically. Some dogs were out of top coat or had no harshness to their coat on the day which cost them on this occasion. Repeating myself from my last judging appointment, I made mention that true movement isn’t necessarily conducive to good movement if no ground is covered at the same time, ideally of course we want both but I would rather see a dog with a good outline in profile than one very accurate that’s going nowhere. Good construction should be a given, I know not much mention is made to that in our breed standard, but to constitute soundness to follow a horse, the construction must be balanced and correct with no exaggeration. Thankfully, there were not many exaggerations on the day. One or two were big ribbed and not quite spannable, and surprisingly they were not necessarily the ones that looked up to size. Overall, I was very pleased with the quality of the dogs presented.
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix JW
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
26th Apr 2024
Judge: Mandy Holmes (Bimandi)
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterbobs Beatrix JW
