Show Placings
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Sep 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Baxter (Mysulan/Sulan)
I must start by thanking the committee for the invitation to judge at this lovely venue. The weather was kind to us and judging was able to take place outside , a fact I know so many exhibitors enjoy. My thanks also must go to my stewards , Rachel and Rhianne Mitchell , they certainly kept things running smoothly and were a big help keeping me on track ! Thanks ladies!
As usual , my gratitude to all who gave me entries and were able to turn up on the day , all very much appreciated .
I was presented with an array of lovely specimens and some classes made for some tough decisions .Several times I wished there were more red cards to award. The standard , I found, was very good and there was quality in depth in most classes. All males were intact , I found no kinked tails and most mouths were acceptable , coats , as usual , were in differing stages of growth and texture . All were spannable.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Placing Critique
real baby at 6 months and a couple of days ,a lovely pup all round , jacket and pelt good, angles front and rear , sweet feminine head and expression , on the somewhat uneven ground these two puppies made their movement look good and literally took it in their stride . Tough call , as I could have given two red cards .
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Trudi Baird (Dowgri)
I was honoured to accept SWKA's invitation to judge at their championship dog show where I received a warm welcome,even on cold day!
A Big applause to my two fabulous stewards ( I’m so sorry I forgot to make a note of your names – you were so appreciated by myself and the exhibitors)
It was such a very cold day inside the halls ,though myself being on my feet continuously moving,I kept warm.Unsurprisingly some dogs were feeling the chill and shivering on the table which showed how cold it was.
I was honoured and humbled to have such a fabulous entry both numerically and in quality, especially the limit & Open dog classes where I can quite rightly use the old cliche “I wish I had more cards to give out “, it's unfortunate when you have to let some dogs go unplaced that had great appeal, but such was the quality today .
Before my journey back to Cornwall that day I managed to stay and watch the groups where both the BoB & BPIB gave fantastic accounts of themselves, the exciting puppy gaining PGrp 1, he went back for the final day to go all the way to BPIS.
We were sadly unfortunate to have a large Terrier breed crated close by who's owners seemed unaware of the their unattended dogs behaviour ,every time human or dog traffic went by it caused them to “ kick off “frequently .This isn't fair on dogs on the table being examined or dogs on the move, therefore I had to stop judging twice until attempts to quieten the offending dogs were made.
A few points of note were-
A small handful of youngsters lacked body condition, I could feel ribs with no covering teamed with thin pelts. I believe diet & exercise comes into play here so consider what & how much you’re feeding , plus good exercise regime
Mouths were disappointing ,some with very small teeth & more untidy bites than I've encountered in the past.
Movement was ok in the main though it let down some otherwise beautiful exhibits who looked a picture stood but sadly fell apart on the move, we had the odd flicking out front foot , plaiting fronts, crabbing , wide rears & some loosing their top lines.
Lastly a plea – it would help immensely if exhibitors didn’t use excess bait on the table while a judge is trying hard to get a good clear look at bites ,it meant a fight to get a proper view of the mouth while a dog is having bait pushed in or the dog is busily chewing . Holding off baiting until the judge has got past the head would be most helpful.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Placing Critique
Grizzle and tan who was a delight and very together for one so young. She’s so well balanced in outline with a good length of body.Top line and tail set correct.lovely shoulder and front with neat tight feet.Correctly proportioned head with excellent scissor bite.
Well schooled , she moved well giving a lovely account of herself.
Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall Open Show
20th Oct 2024
Judge: Dave Lee (Socksdown)
Best Puppy
Name at show: BPIS, Botterox Astri
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2024
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Minehead & District Canine Society Open Show
3rd Nov 2024
Judge: Mrs Eileen Cole (Towden)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Botterox Astri
Placing Critique
Border Terrier bitch puppy of nice type, attractive head and expression with dark eye and strong bite. Flow of neck to rib into lion presents a pleasing outline and spannable body. Coat just going past its best but still had depth and texture. Moved well around the ring.
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Nov 2024
Judge: Sarah Pateman (Lessien)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge their open show. Also, all the exhibitors for such an amazing entry and for allowing me to go over their lovely Border Terriers. It was a great day with a quality entry and a good atmosphere. I was aware people had travelled and some afar and I was given the opportunity not to take a break for lunch to allow those that were driving to possibly not have to drive in the dark, so I think it worked out well in the end. Lots of dogs out of coat but I was aware Crufts is coming up so the timing is crucial for coats to be ready for the big day.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2024
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Taunton & DCA Open Show
5th Jan 2025
Judge: Bethany Stockton (Marlablue)
Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Manchester Championship Show
19th Jan 2025
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Cardiff CS Open Show
26th Jan 2025
Judge: Mrs A Kenny-Marriott (Millingford)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Botterox Astri
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
South Wales Kennel Association Open Show
8th Feb 2025
Judge: Mr Keith Jones (Darlaur)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Botterox Astri
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Terrier Club of South Wales
9th Feb 2025
Judge: Veteran/Dog Judge: Valerie Atkinson, Bitch Judge: Sue Spafford
Val Atkinson - Dogs
Thank you so much to the committee for inviting me to judge. The welcome was warm and the standards of exhibits high. Sportsmanship was very evident to see and this made for a really lovely atmosphere.
I apologize for the delay in these critiques but I took very poorly and spent some time hospitalized.
Sue Spafford - Bitches
I would like to thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to judge at the show. Together with my fellow judge, Valerie Atkinson (Read Wolf) – dogs. We had a super entry but a shame there were so many absentees on the day. We both agreed on our joint decisions for BoB, RBoB and BP.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Placing Critique
Another nice puppy, good head and expression. In good double coat today but a little nervous on the move in the atmosphere today
The Terrier Club of Devon and Cornwall Open Show
16th Feb 2025
Judge: Kathleen Haugh (Oxbeck)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Mar 2025
Judge: Mr Tony Allcock OBE (Sleepyhollow)
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Crufts
6th Mar 2025
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
It was a tremendous honour and a great privilege some 3 years ago to be asked by the Kennel Club to judge at Crufts in 2025. Having attended and enjoyed this show over many years it felt strange to be finally standing centre stage.
My grateful thanks to the exhibitors and handlers from both home and overseas for giving me a fantastic entry of 249 dogs making 279 entries. I wish to sincerely thank my 2 stewards Ken Francis and Bill Ashworth for organising the ring and me so efficiently and thus avoiding any delays between classes in what was a long and tiring day starting at 08.00. Thanks also to Joyce Martin for the excellent photographs.
I was looking for an exhibit that best fitted the standard and most importantly that they were spannable. With kennel cough widespread throughout the country I requested handlers show me the exhibits teeth to avoid possible further spread. On the day I tried to ensure that each dog was given equal time on the table and moving around the ring.
The general condition of most exhibits was fine with coats as usual at all stages and some appearing to have been stripped the day before. Movement was generally good at the rear but less so in front where several were loose and moving in various directions usually caused by poor shoulder construction. Feet were disappointing in some exhibits being spread and well down on their pasterns with thin pads. I found 2 kinked tails and in the mouths 2 undershot plus several with missing and misaligned teeth. All males were entire. Temperaments were good throughout the day.
I was pleased with my final lineups and delighted to see my Best of Breed make the shortlist and be awarded Group 4
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
Placing Critique
Almost a year old this pup is full of breed type with an attractive head and eyes set wide apart. In good condition with a straight front and good for bone, she has a neck that flows into a body with ribs carried well back and onto a short carrot tail held well when moving freely both ways. In a crisp double coat. Too much baiting meant she hardly stood still.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Mar 2025
Judge: Janice Johnson (Ratcheugh)
My thanks to the Border Terrier Club for this appointment it was indeed an honour and privilege to judge this prestigious show in Border Country. To my stewards Judy and Pam for their efficiency and all the exhibitors who entered, thank you for giving me this opportunity to go over your dogs and accepting my judgement on the day.
I had the most enjoyable day going over some excellent examples of our breed. My feelings are we have a good future in some of our younger exhibits but, watch out for size and movement. For all exhibitors, we must remember the border terrier is a working breed and should be able to follow hounds, sound movement is essential. I love a good coat and thick pelt and today I had both in abundance, all mouths were correct and all, but a couple were spannable.
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Botterox Astri
National Terrier Club
5th Apr 2025
Judge: Mr David Mitchell (Paleside)
Thank you to the National Terrier for the invite to judge, and to the exhibitors for an amazing entry,
I really enjoyed the day, and the chance to go over some lovely dogs.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Apr 2025
Judge: Miss Jean Singh (Vandamere)
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Botterox Astri
