Show Placings
Bath Canine Society Championship Show
24th May 2013
Judge: Mr Martin P Phillips
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Lovely type and so well balanced, very pleasing head, shape & strength, very good body for age, very good jacket & moved out well, oreferred the eye of 1.
Three Counties Championship Show
6th Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Jena Tuck (Nettleby)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
A very typical puppy, good head, strong jaw, with a nice reach of neck going into well laid shoulders. Narrow front, good topline, loved his overall balance. Correct coat and pelt, and he moved well fore and rear. Good tail set. Very pleased to award him Best Puppy.
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Jun 2013
Judge: Mr W R Irving
It was an honour to be invited to judge the Southern Border Terrier Club’s Championship Show for the second time, the last time having been exactly twenty years ago in 1993. The entry on this occasion was 215 from 203 dogs of which 14 were entered NFC. My thanks go to the Show Manager, Officers and Committee of the Club for their hospitality and organisation and to the exhibitors for their entries and for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. Special thanks to Wendy and Andrew Mooney and Bev Marsh for stewarding so efficiently and for organising the collecting ring which allowed us to finish in good time.
As usual there were more bitches than dogs entered. It was encouraging to see some good quality entries through the various classes and not just at the senior end, I thought that by and large heads and expressions were good with not many narrow long skulls there. My feeling was that while there were still plenty of dogs with poor fronts of one kind or another present, there were more good fronted exhibits around from which to find winners than the last time I judged. Coats were mixed and at times I had to forgive some lack of coat. As always there was a good deal of variation in size as always, but in the end I felt I was able to find winners of good enough size with enough scope and lines. I felt that tails were mixed and at times, in looking for overall quality, I had to reward dogs with tails that I felt were less than perfect in shape, length or carriage. By and large the dogs behaved pretty well and were presented clean. I was keen to see the dogs moving around the ring and not ‘stacked’. That is surely the most revealing in conformation terms.
DCC and BOB was Jenkins’ Badgerbeck Uncle Fester. RDCC was Stockleys’ Ch Foxfactor Pied Piper. BCC and RBIS was May and Whisker’s Thistlestone Jenny Wren. RBCC was Higham’s Comberdown Thistle. BP was Hall and Ellis’ Brackenfell Bok To Bach and BPB was Clark’s Gameway Fortune Cookie. BV was Stockleys’ Foxfactor Hornblower
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
another excellent puppy with a very pleasing and well developed head and skull with a good strong muzzle, good in topline, very pleasing in tail. Well muscled behind. Needs to tighten up a shade in front and pasterns, and to stride out with a bit more enthusiasm behind but shown in good coat and has a great deal of type about him.
Class Critique
A good class with some very promising youngsters.
Taunton and District CS Open Show
19th Jun 2013
Judge: Mr Jeff Luscott
Best Puppy
Name at show: RBPIS, TPG1, Benattivo Betfred
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Karen Dean (Tyrian)
I would first like to thank the society for inviting me to judge at this level for the first time, and my stewards for keeping me on track. Special thanks to the Border Terrier Club of Victoria, Australia and their secretary Denise Worthington for presenting a special sash to the Best of Breed winner providing a welcome highlight at the end of judging.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
7 months. Strong head and muzzle, straight front with good bone and well laid back shoulders. Easily spanned. Harsh coat with thick pelt. Short thick carrot tail well set on. Good hind angulation. Moved with drive although hind movement needs to settle. Best puppy dog.
East of England Agricultural Society
6th Jul 2013
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
I have to thank the society for the invitation to judge and to the exhibitors who accepted my decisions sportingly. Thank you also to my steward, on his own, for keeping things moving.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
(G/Tan) A very nice puppy with a typical overall appearance, well developed head with a good strong muzzle, good topline, short carrot shaped tail. Well angulated both front and rear. Moved well in both directions BP
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
21st Jul 2013
Judge: Mr. G. Pickering (Picer)
I was honoured to be asked to judge the Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I had an excellent entry, but was a little disappointed with the number of absentees. However the weather has been a challenge of late with some very high temperatures which I understand prevented some exhibitors from further afield attending.
I would particularly like to thank the NBTC committee for looking after me so well and also for my expert stewards, Allan Horner and Doreen Rushby, who ably assisted me ensuring that everything ran smoothly. I would also like to thank all the exhibitors for their entries and for accepting my decisions so gracefully.
As for the dogs on the day, coats varied as you would expect, but I do think movement is improving and although there were a few ‘flicking’ fronts, rear movement was in the main correct. I had one dog with a bad mouth and a few with misaligned teeth. This, I believe, is to be avoided in the show ring. All the dogs were entire and I could span all the exhibits. All in all, I was very pleased with both the dog and the bitch line ups, which meant that I had some real quality Border Terriers to pick from. All the winners looked the part – all in hard condition, with good heads and coats – able to do the job that they were bred for.
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Best Puppy
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
A very pleasing and confident youngster with a lovely typical otter head and expression. Good length of neck and well laid shoulders. Good straight front with correct amount of bone and muscle. Maintained a level top line on the move with good tail set. . BPIS
Paignton Championship Show
3rd Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs B Jackson (Clipstone)
I thoroughly enjoyed judging at Paignton Championship Show. The new venue (well, new to me) was very pleasant and the show was efficiently run by the helpful and friendly committee. I had an excellent entry which contained lots of quality dogs to choose from. Some classes were, however, a real mix of types, again the Fox Terrier type with high ear carriage are appearing, as are those with almost "hound like" ears, far too large and which ruin the head. Ultimately I judged to my interpretation of the Standard. I like a dog to be a real stallion dog and a bitch, his feminine counterpart. I do not like bitchy dogs and masculine bitches. I was incredibly pleased with my winners, neither of which I have judged before and who to my mind are excellent examples of the breed, both home bred too, not bought in.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
What a shame this boy was lacking in coat and was up against two pups in such good ones. Very nice and one I hope to see again in the future.
City of Birmingham
31st Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for their invitation to judge, my two stewards and the exhibitors for their entries. It was an honour to judge this numerically strong entry 169 with 29 absent, the breed being represented from around the UK made it a very enjoyable day.
Front movement is still a problem in the breed, with heavy upright shoulders in many. Size varied as did coats. There are some long necks creeping into the breed, which look very stylish, the standard does state “Neck of moderate length†and a few long tails again incorrect. Saying that it was a very nice entry to judge and in some classes
I would have liked to have been able to award more placings, and could have awarded more CC’s.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Liked this 9 month old dog, he is a nice size, good type and balanced throughout. Lovely type head with strong muzzle and teeth. Moderate length neck into good shoulder and nice length of rib. Level topline with good tail length. Moved and showed well. Very promising. BP.
Richmond Championship Dog Show
7th Sep 2013
Judge: Mrs K M Irving (Dandyhow)
In my view the breed still has problems with movement, particularly front movement. Hind action in bitches was also poor on this occasion. There was some variation in coats and some were shown without much jacket but others were somewhat blown in coat. However there were several with excellent coats and pelts – such an important feature of the breed. Dentition and temperaments were very good.
Because I don’t enjoy judging, and quite frankly never have, I decided before this appointment that is would be my last judging assignment. I hope that more younger Border Terrier enthusiasts will come forward as judges to ensure the successful future of the breed.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
another pleasing one with a good skull and correct head proportions. Good bone and correct shoulder and front. Good topline and tail. He too was shown in good coat and was very well presented. They were slightly different types but both made promising puppies. I preferred the expression of the winner.
Class Critique
Two very good puppies which made this a class of quality rather than quantity. Both had many virtues.
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Sep 2013
Judge: Mrs Kathy Newsome (Kighill)
I was very honoured to have been invited to judge the SBTC Open show and I would like to thank my Show Manager Wendy Mooney and the Officers of the Committee for their kind hospitality. I would also like to thank my stewards for the day Dave Hunt, Denise Townsend and Andrew Mooney for helping me to keep on track with a lovely entry of 137 dogs making a total of 157 and of course a special thanks to all the exhibitors.
I was pleased with the quality of some of my entries but we must not forget that the Breed Standard states that a Border Terrier is “essentially a working terrier†ie. “Going to ground â€. Unfortunately there were some that would not have been able to do the job that they were intended for, due to weight and depth leaving some unable to be spanned. Some heads were quite disappointing as they lacked the substance that would give them the “Head of an Otterâ€. On the plus side I found the fronts quite pleasing. Overall I was very pleased with my class winners and with my overall winners of the show on the day.
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
very much to type g/t dog that shone in his class, well presented and in good condition, good head and skull with a strong muzzle and correct bite, good laid back shoulders good topline, but would have liked a little more drive when on the move.
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs Julie Guvercin
My most sincere thanks to all exhibitors for giving me such a lovely entry of 117 making 153 entries, the highest in the terrier group and one of only a few to break the 100 mark in the whole show.
It is human nature for us all to ringside judge and we are all guilty of this, but going over an exhibit first hand, is further revealing, a privilege for which, I was truly grateful.
Some lovely dogs, some more workman like than others, some in better condition than others, a few outstanding ones and the odd one or two I’d love to own!
I am the first to admit I love a flashy dog who will stand up and show, but along with that must come the workman like qualities that make it able to be essentially a working terrier. There is nothing to suggest in my mind, that the two trains of thought can’t co-exist, they can and they must.
Nervous or aggressive dogs and there were just one or two, were not rewarded, this is surely a temperament to be discouraged. Dour is a different matter altogether, especially when its nearly always on an otherwise, super exhibit, a frustrating combination.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Grizzle and looking much more mature and more like the finished article. Still a little loose in his movement coming and going, but looks very stylish on the go around. Typical head and big teeth with well placed ear. Lovely body, narrow and of good length with tail well set and carried. In excellent condition throughout, with deep double coat and thick pelt. Super temperament, showed well.
The Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall
20th Oct 2013
Judge: Mr R Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the organisers and exhibitors for a very welcoming and well supported show with 43 Borders constituting over a quarter of the total show entry. There was plenty of loose pelts, harsh coats, neat feet and quality dogs although a few would struggle to be called spanable, one had a kinked tail and another a bad mouth. However, the day was topped off nicely with a reserve best puppy in show trying hard to maintain some decorum alongside her highly excited handler. A good day.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
17th Nov 2013
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
A big thank you to the Club for giving me the chance to judge this show, also to the exhibitors for giving me such a nice entry. Special thanks also to my stewards for making everything run so smoothly, and to the ladies in the kitchen for a great meal.
I had some quality dogs to go over and I am confident plenty will go on to achieve greater things. Coats were at various stages which is to be expected and although they don’t change the construction of the animal it can detract from the overall picture when awarding top prizes. Of course they are a working terrier but they are also on show so I have to have both things in mind when judging.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
grizzle and tan in full double coat, handy size and a well balanced dog with a lovely otter head, level topline and a short carrot tail with good bend of stifle. Moved round the ring well.
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
24th Nov 2013
Judge: Gemma Alpe (Pipruda)
I want to thank the committee of East Anglian Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge there November open show was a great privilege as growing up showing as a youngester at many of there breed club shows. My thanks also to my very experienced stewards of the day Bev Jackson and Simon Jackson who without them I'm sure my ring would not have ran so smoothly,and to all that entered under me. I was generally very pleased with the overall quality of the dogs entered under me a few who shone from the first time I caught sight of them. But no major faults found on the day which pleased me.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Nicely put together grizzle dog,in thicker coat than 1 but good harshness. Moved out well.
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
The Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall Open Show
16th Feb 2014
Judge: Paul Cheeseman (Bromscar)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
The Southern Border Terrier Club Limited Show
2nd Mar 2014
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
My thanks to the officers and committee for the invitation to judge this show, and their hospitality on the day. I thoroughly enjoyed the appointment. All dogs bar one were entire, and all mouths good apart from one level bite and a few forgivable signs of age in the veteran classes. I found some exhibits to be well up to size and difficult to span, but was very pleased with my final line up and main winners. Thank you to the exhibitors for entering and accepting my decisions so sportingly, and to my stewards on the day.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
16 months grizzle and tan, larger than the winner but a very nice dog with good angulation. Well presented in good coat. Just lost out on movement.
Crufts
7th Mar 2014
Judge: Mrs Melanie Lewis
Thank you to the exhibitors for giving me a record entry for the breed of 303 exhibits making 340 entries and indeed the largest entry for a single Judge at this prestigious show, also for the sporting way in which my decisions were accepted. Thank you also to my two Stewards, Roger and Heather Chaston, who worked tirelessly throughout the day, for their assistance in ensuring that I was able to get through this huge entry in plenty of time for my Best of Breed to compete in the Group.
It was an interesting entry with some difficult decisions having to be made such was the high standard of exhibits present. I felt that movement had improved since the last time I judged. Heads and expressions were good, although a few were a shade heavy in ear. Mouths overall were much improved with a marked reduction in the number of dogs presented with overcrowded jaws of small teeth, only the odd few having either a chipped, or in the case of an older exhibit, a missing tooth. The majority of teeth were clean with just a small number needing more attention in this area. All dogs were entire.
I was pleased that so many were presented with the correct double jacket that the standard asks for, unfortunately some exhibits that really appealed for type and size had very little evidence of, or no, jacket and on another day could have done better. Attention to feet was very evident, many of whom I believe may have benefited from plenty of roadwork, resulting in tight thick pads and short claws. Inevitably with any entry of this magnitude I had to let a number of worthy exhibits leave the ring without a prize card, which I really did not enjoy doing.
Special Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
another fine youngster who has correct head and body proportions, narrow in front with well laid shoulders and ribs carried well back. Nice topline and tailset. Set down in a good double jacket which covered a thick pliable pelt. Moved well
Bridgwater & District Canine Society Premier Open Show
23rd Mar 2014
Judge: Mr Jem Thomas (Daluce)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
15 month old rich red grizzle and tan dog. Shown in full double coat of harsh texture and good depth. Typical head and expression, with strong muzzle and big teeth. Excellent bone. Narrow straight front. Well ribbed back into strong loin. Good shoulder placement. Well angulated allowing free flowing movement around the ring. BOB
National Terrier Club
5th Apr 2014
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My thanks to the committee of the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this group championship show. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Doyle and John Callow for their help and assistance in keeping me organised and the ring running smoothly. My appreciation also to the exhibitors for such a large entry in these tough financial times.
The ring was large with lots of space for dogs to move freely without being forced to stop/start. In general the dogs were in good condition. I found 1 dog that was not entire. Although teeth were mostly OK, apart from a few misaligned, they varied greatly in size. Coats varied as always but I judge on the day and lack of coat is taken into account when placing exhibits. I was concerned at the number of exhibits down on their pasterns, not giving the small feet as required. Many younger exhibits would really benefit from regular ringcraft experience.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Windsor Championship Show
27th Jun 2014
Judge: Mr S Jackson (Clipstone)
Very sorry for the late publication of this report. Unfortunately the original was on a device that was stolen. It was an honour again to judge Windsor which is one of my personal favourite shows, and also my local!
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Nice youngster who was unfortunately out of coat on the day, but everything else is right.
East of England Championship Show
6th Jul 2014
Judge: Miss Jean Singh
I would like to thank my stewards who kept the event running smoothly. My decisions were made on the exhibit on the day
I found heavy ears are creeping in, detracting from the otter head and keen expression. An excessive amount of exhibits were not in hard, toned condition. ‘Couch potato’ dogs come to mind. Front movement is also a cause for concern. I found two level mouths, one just level and a puppy , had a tooth out of line. My decision on some unplaced exhibits were a culmination of a long foreface and untypical expression, unspannable even though I gave some leeway and poor front movement.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
smaller made than the winner, he has good bone and was presented in a harsh coat. He has a masculine head with a strong muzzle. He has good ear placement but his light eyes spoilt his expression. His rear movement was acceptable but his front movement let him down.
Paignton & DFA Championship Show
2nd Aug 2014
Judge: Mr T Johnston
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
a very nice dog with good head & eye, good neck, bone & width, slightly longer cast, good front action on the move & in good condition
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
3rd Aug 2014
Judge: Bainbridge & Dandy
*Dogs*
Many thanks to the Midland Committee for this appointment and to all those especially the stewards who made for an enjoyable day. The entry in general reflected the type the exhibitors by now know I like. However there were a number up to size and exhibiting poor front angulation and short deep ribs and paid the price. I was looking for dogs with a typical otter head straight narrow front well laid shoulders ribbed back spannable and racey rear quarters with thick pelt in harsh double coat all of which we should be looking for in the ideal Border Terrier that is essentially a working terrier.
I was very pleased with my winners overall and had good depth of quality in the limit and open classes that generally displayed the above attributes.
The dog CC and ultimately BIS Ch Olderhill Afortunado is the ideal border terrier that shows with confidence and has class. He has a good border head of otter type strong jaw with keen expression on strong neck set into well laid shoulders ,narrow ribs carried back ,ideal length strong loin and the desired rear quarters ,shown in double coat and top condition moved with drive to cover the ground. Pleased my co-judge agreed this boys qualities worthy of BIS.
The RCC Tythrop Timepiece this excellent blue and tan displayed similar qualities to the above and with his good turn of stifle and short hocks and tight feet moved so well and with top presentation took this award over the quality 2nd in Open and Limit winner and with time maturity should complete the picture.
The Bitch CC winner and BOS,RBIS Ploughdown Placida is a top quality exhibit but for me just not the strength in loin of the dog but a close decision .
*Judge: John Bainbridge*
*Bitches*
A great honour to judge bitches at this breed club show, my grateful thanks to the Midland Border Terrier Club for their warm and friendly hospitality and to my two competent and hardworking stewards. I had a most enjoyable day and was delighted that my final line-up comprised of excellent and true to type examples of the breed, with some really promising youngsters amongst them. It is always foremost in my mind when judging this breed that it is essential that the dog’s conformation and movement should demonstrate its capability to work and follow a horse. I found this a challenge today, rather too many exhibits failing to demonstrate free ground covering movement or any length of stride to ‘follow a horse’: with weak pasterns resulting in uneconomic paddling action and poor reach; and sickle hocks impairing effective drive. I was also struck by the number of short ribs and untypical ‘cut up’ underlines. On a positive note temperaments were uniformly sound which is of great importance, although I felt numerous exhibits were neither ‘active’ nor ‘game’ in their demeanour. I was delighted to co-judge BIS with John Bainbridge and pleased that we agreed on all of our joint decisions today.
*Judge: Sarah Dandy*
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
put together well and although a tad deep in chest is ribbed back I liked his head and expression and was presented in top coat and condition moved out well to take the class.
Bournemouth CA Championship Show
10th Aug 2014
Judge: Mrs M Reeves (Baywillow)
A very enjoyable appointment in spite of the wind and rain. I found some lovely borders for the top awards. The line up for the bitch challenge was especially pleasing, each one of top quality with some very promising youngsters. On the minus side there were too many that were wide in front. This is a serious fault in a breed who need to get through narrow spaces underground. Whilst I am always critical of dogs that lack rear angulation there are one or two appearing in the breed who are over angulated which is not correct for a border.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
g/t. Very pleasing in outline and construction. Good length of rib producing correct underline, straight front, well laid shoulder and good rear angulation. Excellent harsh coat and strong masculine head. Narrower in front than 2.
Welsh Kennel Club
16th Aug 2014
Judge: Mr A E Small (Bethane)
Thanks for a lovely entry, sorry for the delay but I could not be in both my breeds rings at the same time! It was nice to be outside at WKC, which hasn't happened for 9 years. Thanks to the Committee for the invite & looking after us, I really enjoyed my day.
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
City of Birmingham Championship Dog Show
30th Aug 2014
Judge: Dr Ron Wheatley
My thanks to the committee for their invitation to judge here, to my two very effective and helpful stewards Jane Keeves and Alan Tomlinson, and to the exhibitors for the large and interesting entry of many different types. Many of the classes had quality in depth, with many close decisions. Both line ups were pleasing with plenty of choice and close decisions for both cards. I found no kinky tails and one level mouth, most exhibits were of a good size, a few were too heavy and one undernourished, and many needed their nails trimming. Most moved well in the super sized ring that we were given.
Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Class Critique
Close decisions between all of them
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.
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Taunton & District Canine Association
4th Jan 2015
Judge: Mr W Harris
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
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.
RDCC
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Richest of dark reds in beautiful coat and condition with excellent pelt. Masculine head with powerful jaws, big teeth and well set ear. Lovely neck that fits smoothly into his narrow body of good length with strong loin and well muscled rear. Good bone and tight feet. Moved out well and was a pleasing picture for balance and un mistakable type. Pushed the CC winner hard, just losing out on eye and expression, but nothing more than that. A pleasure to judge and was thrilled to get the chance to do it again. RCC
Class Critique
Another class with several quality males.
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
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Class Critique
There were some really tough decisions to make in this class
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.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
A bit racier in outline than 1 but equally deep in the rib and, so, spannable. Pleasing head, good reach of neck, well angulated shoulder and ribs carried well back. Topline is good and shown in a good coat.
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
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
The last time that I judged I gave this dog Best Puppy in Show. He is an excellent example of the breed with a proper otter head, well developed skull and strong muzzle. Good bone, muscle tone and lovely body lines. Well angulated hindquarters. Moved and showed well, coat not as well through as I would like. Unlucky to meet 1st today.
Class Critique
What a lot of quality in this class which made the decisions for the first three places exceptionally difficult.
West of England Ladies' Kennel Society
25th Apr 2015
Judge: Mrs Su Williams (Hollybridge)
I would like to thank the exhibitors for super entry, it was an honour to go over so many excellent quality border terriers . I had some close decisions in many classes and some quality dogs had to go cardless. Overall I was impressed with the standard of both dogs/bitches and with the condition of them. Almost all were in fit condition with muscle tone,spanning wasn't an issue I'm pleased to say. Which means the breed is in a good way.. Mouths too on the whole were correct with many having good sized and clean teeth. .While coats are of course transient, texture was very good and the vast majority had good thick and loose pelts.
Last but not least Huge Thanks must go to my very capable & experienced Stewards who made my day so much easier.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Close decision between these two excellent dogs.many of the same remarks fit. loved his head and expression. shown in fit muscular condition and another with oodles of breed type.
Class Critique
Strong Class
The Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
3rd May 2015
Judge: Miss Julie Price (Oxcroft)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club committee for the opportunity to judge this year’s Joint club show. Many thanks to my two ring stewards Bob and Liz Wright for the smooth running of the ring and the cups of coffee. It was an experience to go over so many dogs of different types; this made my job difficult at times, as each one had different attributes to the next. A few classes I found very hard to decide who my winners would be for this reason. Is the breed getting better or worse? I do not think I am the first to mention that there are too many foreign heads and plain faces with no expression. The breed standard states “a head like that of an otter” and “essentially a working terrier”. Confirmation and movement, I think has improved a little, but the heads and strength of the dogs has declined. When I looked at some of the dogs, I liked them but then had to remind myself that they where dogs not bitches. Thank you to all exhibitors for letting me go over your dogs and the gracious way most of you accepted my decisions.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Smaller than 1st, this dark red dog in beautiful coat and condition with excellent pelt. Not quite as masculine as 1st but balanced. His head was of a different type to the two either side. He has a narrow front, good bone and tight feet. Strong loin and well muscled rear, better rear movement than front.
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.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Another fine example of the breed. Good otter type head with all attributes. Strong jaw. Large teeth. Dark eye. Correct stop. Harsh coat with thick pelt. Good bend of stifle giving ground coverage. Handy size.
Bath Canine Society
22nd May 2015
Judge: Mr Jack Watson
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
good head, neck & shoulders, straight front, ribs carried well back, nice bend of stifle, harsh jacket, good pelt
Southern Counties Canine Association
30th May 2015
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
I must first extend thanks to my very professional and able stewards, who kept me on track and on time.
My general remarks here cover the real concerns I have about the way the breed is heading currently. Increasingly, upright shoulders and poor fronts are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Upright shoulders may produce a flashy show dog on its toes, but Borders are not flashy by nature. I suspect I have referred to this problem in every critique I have written for Championship shows I’ve judged and it appears to be getting worse, not better. Please read the standard carefully; look at anatomical drawings of the dog skeleton. Shoulders are now at a steep 60 degrees on some exhibits instead of the normal – and correct – 45 degrees. Undercoats are being raked out to give a cleaner profile – why? Borders – working terriers – need their undercoats 24/7 to keep them warm in bad winter weather while they are waiting to be called for action. It is a requirement of the standard, not a fashion statement. Sooner or later we will end up with a single coated breed, and to its detriment.
Judging today, temperaments were very good; I found two kinked tails, several minor dentition issues, many dirty teeth and one undershot mouth. Males were all entire. Coats were mostly betwixt and between but the good double coats were exceptionally good. I love to see happy dogs with wagging tails but some dogs were very lack lustre and did not seem to be enjoying their day. There were also one or two exhibits too thin and lacking in condition. Finally, baiting is still a contentious topic for me – I use bait sometimes myself – but on occasions it was almost impossible to get at the dogs or examine them without getting round, over, or under an outstretched arm with bait. As a courtesy to judges, please keep baiting to a minimum, especially on the table.
Thank you to everyone for accepting my decisions sportingly. It was a genuine pleasure to go over the entry – winners and non-winners.
RDCC
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Both this red grizzle exhibit and the 2nd placing answered all of the above. Excellent on the move, racy, balanced, in great coats, driving away round the ring on well muscled hindquarters; small cat-like feet, well trimmed, with thick pads. ResDCC
Class Critique
A pleasure to judge this, the biggest class, with some lovely dogs, but there was also a big disparity in coats, dentition, shoulder placement and balance. The whole package has to be right – a working type, spannable with good coats. This is a Ch show.
Three Counties Agricultural Society
4th Jun 2015
Judge: Mr Brian Baxter
DCC
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
a very nice dog, liked him when he came into the ring. Good head, dark eye, clean shoulders going into nice length of body, narrow right through, loose pelt. Good bend of stifle. Pleased to give him the CC
Border Union Agricultural Society
20th Jun 2015
Judge: Mrs Nancy Hogg (Raeburnfoot)
I thoroughly enjoyed my days judging at Border Union showground. Such a pleasant show. Many thanks go to my two very able stewards. They had the ring (& me) running like clockwork. Thanks also to the exhibitors who entered under me. Had some lovely dogs to go over & some hard decisions to make. Coats were probably the best I have seen for some time. Thick pelts, too, were much in evidence. Mouths were good. Fronts continue to be a problem & movement letting some otherwise promising dogs down.
RDCC
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
what I look for in a dog. Very typy. Good size. Strong head & short, strong muzzle. Narrow with a beautiful, straight front. Excels in shoulder & in rear angulation. Harsh coat, thick pelt. Short, well set on carrot tail completes the picture. Moved effortlessly round the ring. RCC
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.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
dark grizzle dog well balanced typical Border head, level topline, good reach of neck and good rib, excellent body conformation, perfect tail set, very good movement out and back, pushed hard for RDCC
Bournemouth CS
10th Aug 2015
Judge: Mrs Lynda Ward
I would like to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge, the stewards for unobtrusively keeping things running smoothly and the exhibitors for bringing their good dogs and accepting my decisions with grace. I was gratified to have only 3 absentees despite the awful weather forecast. The necessary inside ring, albeit slightly sloping and uneven, was a decent size giving each exhibit the opportunity to get into stride. Coats varied but there were many good textured topcoats over dense undercoats and on the whole pelts were thick. My worst issue was that some exhibits, despite being narrow and not fat, were very heavy and also a difficult span. Pads were generally thick but feet could be better trimmed as some that looked large and flat actually weren’t on examination. I look for shortish carrot-like tails and although some were thick at the base and tapering correctly they were overly long. I only found 2 with misplaced teeth and it was delighted to find most today had large well set white teeth in good scissor bite. In the past I’ve commented on lack of condition and poor muscle tone in hindquarters so was happy that all today’s entry was presented fit and in hard condition. Overall type was good, I was pleased with both line ups and the veteran classes were a particular treat
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Liked him for type and body proportions. Good head well set onto clean neck-line and lean narrow body. Neat tight feet. In good coat and showing well.
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.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
South Wales Kennel Association
10th Oct 2015
Judge: Mr Phil Sharp
I would like to thank the committee of SWKA for their invitation to judge & their hospitality on the day, my stewards for all their hard work, & the exhibitors for their support making Border Terriers the highest entry in the group.
I was recently reminded just how long I have been involved with the breed when a photograph was circulated of the exhibitors at the very first open show of the Southern Border Terrier Club, held in a field close to the rectory at Hawkesbury. I guess this must have been in the early 1970s. It also prompted me to think that I must have judged for the first time some 40 years ago & I have seen a lot of Borders over the years since then. Each time I have judged I have been fortunate to find a few outstanding dogs, some very good ones, mostly good ones & very few poor ones. This was the case once again at this show.
Dentition was good, there were no kinked tails & movement & coats were variable as normal. A couple of the dogs were spooked by the loudspeaker announcements, which was a great shame for the owners. I believe that everyone knows the faults of their own dogs, so it is the plus points that I have noted down for the most part.
For one reason or another, I have not got to a show for a year or thereabouts, so seeing most of these dogs for the first time was a real pleasure.
RDCC
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
slightly smaller throughout than 1. In very good condition throughout. Good, well proportioned head & skull. Showed himself well on the table & moved very soundly. RCC
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.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
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.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Paignton & DFA Championship Show
6th Aug 2016
Judge: Mrs M Barrass
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
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.
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Bournemouth Canine Association
13th Aug 2016
Judge: Mr N Straw
I would like to thank Bournemouth Canine Association for the invitation to judge at their Annual Championship Show, my steward's who keeping things running smoothly in the 'office' and to the exhibitor's for a lovely entry. Temperaments as always in this breed were excellent. Size varied in both sexes with the bitches having the overall edge on the day. Heads were more uniformed than when I last judged, some were shown without the required 'double' coat and several were un-spannable, there were a few in-correct bites and front movement is still an issue, but the area that concerned me most was dirty teeth not just rear molars but the canines and incisors in particular some of the youngsters
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
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.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
grizzle with typical border head, lovely expression, well put together bodylines, leading to well set tail, fabulous jacket/feet, moved very well.
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 /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Class Critique
Another very good class of top quality dogs.
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.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Not so racy as winner, strong head and keen expression, excellent jacket and thick pelt, lovely topline and tail set, spanned ok.
West of England Ladies' Kennel Society
28th Apr 2017
Judge: Mrs L Illingworth
My thanks goes to the society for the welcome and hospitality and for giving me the opportunity to judge a smashing entry of Border Terriers. Special thanks to my proficient stewards Anne and Rod Green for keeping the ring flowing smoothly.
The quality was pleasing with many fit, well presented and workman like dogs present, Dogs on the whole were well balanced and span able , a few were too upright in shoulder effecting an economical stride my main worry was mouths there were quite a few with small teeth weak under jaws and others with teeth out of alignment, worrying in a working breed. Double coats and thick pelts were in plenty
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Joint Border Terriers Clubs' Championship Show
30th Apr 2017
Judge: Mrs. K. Wilkinson (Otterkin)
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Class Critique
Another very difficult class, with so many stars right down the line. Such a privilege to judge so many good dogs.
Birmingham National Dog Show
4th May 2017
Judge: Mr Terence Tuck
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
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!
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
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.
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
DCC
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Have judged this dog before, nice to see him here today he has matured well. Nice otter like head, good neck and shoulder, good body lines covered in a thick pelt and coat. Spans easily and came to hand well. Moved positively with drive. Pleased to award him the CC. BOS.
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2017
Judge: Mr Phil Sharp (Martec)
I would like to thank the Committee for inviting me to judge at this Show. It was my first visit to Kelso and I was most impressed with the hospitality and organisation there. My two excellent stewards, Gordon and Donald, kept me on the straight and narrow and contributed to a lovely atmosphere in and around the ring.
I did not make my usual visit to the SBTC championship show the weekend before as I wanted to see all the dogs afresh, and I am glad I did as many of the exhibits were new to me. In general, mouths were good, with dentition only slightly awry in one instance. I found no kinked tails and all dogs were entire.
It was a very hot and sunny day and this affected some dogs, who perhaps lacked their normal animation and were moving lethargically. As usual, there was a wide variation in coats, with some totally lacking top coat, and this naturally had an effect on the placings.
I would like to thank the exhibitors for the large entry and for the sporting way in which my decisions were taken throughout my judging stint.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Leeds Championship Dog Show
22nd Jul 2017
Judge: Mrs Jayne Alpe
Thanks to the committee for my invitation and for providing two excellent stewards who enabled me to easily get on with my judging. Thank you to the exhibitors for the good quality entry. Overall impression from last time I judged was that movement has improved somewhat but many lacked the drive and ease of movement that is needed in a dog that was bred to follow a horse. I was looking for both this and balance without some of the over exaggerations that I have noticed slowly creeping in to the breed. I was delighted to see my BOB pulled into the cut in the group and my BP with a Group 4.
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
balanced dog with lovely proportion, excelled in shoulder placement which showed on the move with both reach and drive. Good in head, eye and expression. Correct bite. Good coat and pelt. So close to top honours.
Class Critique
The first three in this class were all excellent examples and on another day could change places I was splitting hairs.
Paignton
5th Aug 2017
Judge: Mr Jeff Horswell (Drakesleat)
Great characters and a sporting ringside. I thought there were some size problems, a few being rather bulky. Front action is the biggest problem, not many being accurate coming towards. Feet by and large very good.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Liked his outline v much, just a bit untidy out and back on the move. Pleasing head, with dark eyes. Liked his neck. Enough and well balanced in angulation. Well ribbed. Level topline. In super jacket. Just used himself a bit better than 3.
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.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Another super male in this really good class and no secret that I like him, having awarded him a res cc last time out.He was very unlucky indeed to meet 1 on such sparkling form and another of several sitting on 2 ccs and hunting for that all important third. Nicely proportioned head and big teeth set on a good neck and straight front , narrow body with good rib and well developed loin into racy hindquarters. Went round well, his title can't be far away.
Bournemouth CA Championship Show
13th Aug 2017
Judge: Mr Harold Ogden
This was such a special appointment and I am indebted to Bournemouth for the opportunity. You see it was "Aunty Eva" Heslop, the revered breeder of the Corburn Border Terriers, who drove me to my first ever allbreed Ch show in 1970. Eva took Sunday school in the Methodist chapel in Corbridge, Northumberland, and I was her secret weapon boy soloist at the competitive music festival! I particularly remember the beautiful Ch Corburn Corn Dolly shown by Mr Skeet. Bellingham show was not only local for me but THE Mecca for Geordie/Scots Borders. I have judged the breed since 1992 and been educated both by a breed club seminar in 2012 and by obtaining a JDP Credit in Nov 2013. That would theoretically have halved the KC Judges Sub requirement of 160 hands on. I actually had 200. I only mention all this as cynics assume the likes of me to have been "fast tracked" and / or to have no actual interest.
69 of the original 82 starters made it so I had plenty to work with. The bugbear was fronts whether steep /elbows /plaiting /hackney. As a toydog specialist I am accustomed to spotting lift / hackney that is often written into the breed standards. But this no decorative breed but rather a functional working terrier "capable of following a horse" that
requires endurance and hence a rhythmical swing straight through from the shoulders ensuring no wasted effort, He will tire all too quickly otherwise. Moreover the breed standard expressly includes in the Faults section an assessment of "its effect on the terrier's ability to work"
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
4yrs; utmost quality; another who is thoroughly typical from head to tail; ex neck & backline to give a balanced outline; spannable; well ribbed back; racy quarters; gd jacket; went well; of obvious CC quality.
Class Critique
Competitive class
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society
16th Aug 2017
Judge: Mr Ken Andrews (South Wales)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Welsh Kennel Club
19th Aug 2017
Judge: Mr Max King
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Nicely made type, good head and shoulders,, liked overall proportions, handled and moved to advantage.
Scottish Kennel Club
27th Aug 2017
Judge: Mr Euan Castel (Flutorum)
My thanks to the committee for their kind invitation to judge at this my local Championship Show. Special thanks to my excellent steward Ben Joiner for keeping everything in order. Thank you to all exhibitors for providing me with a lovely entry to go over. I found a depth of quality in each class with some close decisions to make. Very pleased that my Best of Breed, Best Puppy and Best Veteran went on to do well in their respective groups – well done.
DCC
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Benattivo Betfred
Placing Critique
Beautifully presented grizzle who is ideal for size and balance, he has a lovely otter like head with nice eye and ear giving a nice border expression. Good shoulder placement, straight front and well placed rib being easily spanned. Harsh double jacket, carroty tail well set on. Well angulated rear, has the soundest of movement. Pleased to award the Dog CC which I later learned was his 3rd – well done.
