Show Placings
Sunderland & District Canine Society Premier Open Show
23rd Nov 2025
Judge: Mrs Margaret Armstrong (Carrickfarm)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Placing Critique
7 month Red grizzle,stronger type with broad flat skull, neat ear set,dark eyes. Short strong muzzle,good dentition,good topline and tailset. Coarse double coat,just spannable.Moved ok
Eston and Barnaby Premier Open Show
21st Dec 2025
Judge: Carmel Clarke O'Neill (Lemracdream)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Manchester Championship Show
15th Jan 2026
Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gaybryl)
Many thanks for the lovely entry, both in terms of quality and quantity. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with the Border Terriers. When I last judged I felt there were too many with houndy large ears, this did not seem to be replicated in today’s entry which was pleasing and expression was generally much improved. What I did notice was that front action is something that we need to watch. Being Manchester and the last Championship show pre Crufts there were quite a few dogs who had been stripped in preparation and quite a few out of coat. In part that did play a part in some of my fineer placings.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Ashington & DCS Premier Open Show
8th Feb 2026
Judge: Miss Mhairi Scrimgeour
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Feb 2026
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
Firstly, my sincere thanks to the Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge at this prestigious show. I am also grateful to my stewards, Sue and Kat, for keeping the ring running efficiently, and to my husband, La, for his support throughout the day.
The majority of exhibitors accepted my decisions in a sporting manner, which is always appreciated. However, a small minority saw fit to make unsportsmanlike remarks whilst still in the ring. If one is unwilling to accept a judge’s opinion, then entering under them is perhaps ill-advised. There is no place for such behaviour either in or around the ring.
On examination, tails were correct and all males were entire. I was disappointed to encounter several suspect mouths, particularly among younger exhibits. Whilst a level bite was not penalised, it does raise concern that such mouths may deteriorate with age. Greater attention to dentition is required overall, with a number showing tartar build-up and, in some cases, signs of gingivitis.
Condition was variable. Encouragingly, few exhibits were overweight; however several were too light and lacking in condition. This often results in poor muscle tone and thin pelts. While there is understandable awareness regarding increasing size within the breed, a dog must be fit, well-muscled, and in proper body condition to perform its intended function. There is little value in a lighter dog if it lacks the strength, stamina, and resilience to carry out a full day’s work.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Placing Critique
10-month-old grizzle with a balanced head and correct bite. Well ribbed back and easily spanned. Angulation adequate, though would prefer a touch more bone. Good tail set and carriage. Lacking top coat but undercoat and pelt are good. Movement improved as he settled, though not always helping his handler.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Placing Critique
See 1st Puppy Dog.
North and South Shields Premier Open Show
28th Feb 2026
Judge: Sarah Hemstock (Jolihem)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Gateshead Metropolitan Borough CS Open Show
1st Mar 2026
Judge: Mr R Harrison
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Crufts
6th Mar 2026
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
Thank you to the Crufts committee for inviting me to judge and bringing my appointment forward one year. Many thanks to Pam Cox and Judy Carr for the professional stewarding they provided.
I enjoyed a full day’s judging and was very pleased to hear the applause from around the ring when dogs were placed, good sportsmanship.
Out of 264 entries, I had one wry mouth, one kinked tail, 6 very underweight dogs none of them placed. Dogs that had no coat were penalised as were very thin pelts. As a dog groomer of 48 years, I know when coats are chalked, not nice to feel. One exhibit while on the table had only one testicle the owner was gobsmacked but felt it and agreed there was only one, I was blamed for having cold hands!!! what after handling dogs in previous classes, ten minutes later the said dog came back for me to check again and yes there were two. I was disgusted to find an exhibit with sores on both cheeks; I was told what happened. And I’m leaving it there.
Teeth were very clean, only one tooth lost in an oldie.
I thought movement really should have been better than it was today, as I said thin pelts and no coats were penalised.
If I repeat myself with the first two placings that’s because they were what I was looking for.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Open Show
15th Mar 2026
Judge: Jo Hughes (Arunmere)
Firstly, I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers. I was very pleased with the entry and would like to thank the exhibitors for bringing their dogs, as well as my stewards, who kept everything running smoothly.
Overall, the dogs were presented in good condition. Coats were generally very good, with some approaching the end of their best. Movement was varied, and puppies in the early classes were understandably distracted by activity in the neighbouring ring. All dogs were entire, with no kinks; however, two exhibits were found to have misaligned teeth.
Best Puppy - Dog
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Placing Critique
11month Lively grizzle youngster who gave his handler a hard time. He has an attractive, masculine head with a strong muzzle and good dentition. Harsh jacket, strong well proportioned frame with level topline and well-set tail. Once settled, he went well.
Sunderland & District Canine Society Premier Open Show
22nd Mar 2026
Judge: Paige Edens (Dalens)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to come and judge at your show, and to all the border exhibitors for your entries and for making it a very pleasant day.
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Mar 2026
Judge: Mrs Kathy Wilkinson (Otterkin)
I was honoured to be invited to judge our Club’s Championship Show, 30 years after I last judged here (at a different venue) in 1996. This is my 16th time awarding CCs in the UK. Thank you to the Committee for this invitation. Thank you also to my two excellent ring stewards Janice Johnson and Marina Fleming and to the Collecting Ring Stewards Judy Carr and Judith Fawcett, all four of whose efforts throughout the day kept everything running smoothly so we finished in good time. Many thanks to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs to show to me and for the friendly atmosphere I encountered throughout the day. Win or lose, you always take the best dog home, as they say.
I found the quality excellent throughout, with many classes where I was really spoilt for choice. All males were entire and most of the entry had good scissor bites, with only one or two in Veteran being not so “precise”, shall we say. Some of the dogs were a little difficult to span and so paid the price, but on a whole, most were spannable and had good rib shapes. The standard does not ask for a flat rib – I do love to see a good rib shape when viewed from above, with enough capacity for heart and lungs to do their jobs. It is important to the breed’s job of work that they are spannable and have ribs carried well back. Movement is also important as it plays a major part in making them fit for function. An otter-like head takes them apart from a generic terrier and makes them the breed we love to own.
When the line ups came into the ring, particularly my bitch line up, I was very pleased to see them all and happy that we have such good examples of the breed.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Placing Critique
Love this boy’s head and expression – he has a lovely dark eye and nice reach of neck. Good, thick jacket and pelt. Good tail, well set on. A little erratic in front movement today, which could improve perhaps if walked a little slower. Very happy showdog.
Special Beginners - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
24th Apr 2026
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
Second Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Third Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Novice - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Tomhome Im An Upstart For Raleniro
