Show Placings
Chertsey & District Canine Society Open Show
18th Apr 2014
Judge: Mrs Penny Sands (Krakenexis)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Beckenham Canine Association
27th Apr 2014
Judge: Tan Nagrecha (Chandlimore)
Puppy /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Whitstable & DCS Open Show
22nd Jun 2014
Judge: Tim Ball (Kaitak)
Junior /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
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!
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Kingston Canine Society
20th Jul 2014
Judge: Mr John Finney (Sanguliano)
Junior /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Horley Open Show
24th Aug 2014
Judge: Mr G Dybdall
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
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.
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Sep 2014
Judge: Mrs Trudi Baird (Dowgri)
Many thanks to the Southern Border Terrier club for inviting me to judge and for their fabulous hospitality. The new venue had light inside much improved from the old venue and was in a beautiful setting . My appreciation goes to my ring stewards Andrew Mooney , Bev Marsh & Jane Roberts who ensured the entrants were in order, and kept the classes running smoothly.
A good entry ,numerically and in quality , which gave way to some close decisions. Coats were as always at different stages , I found myself forgiving lack of coat or blown coats in favour of correct movement .Some exhibits that on first glance I thought were my winners let themselves down on the move , there were a couple who “crabbed” and some who’s front movement was very untidy .From ringside these dogs looked wonderful stacked . Some dogs were moved rather fast which may have contributed to their wayward movement.
A few dogs had too much beard and cheek hair left on , this stood out even more when the rest of the dog was immaculately presented .
On the plus side I found fit, well conditioned dogs , teeth and bites were good ,and excellent temperaments - bar a couple who were uncharacteristically shy . I was extremely pleased with both line ups and was spoilt for choice with the top honours.
Thank you for allowing me to go over your lovely dogs.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Placing Critique
G/T gorgeous headed bitch , lovely neat front and feet, good length of body with excellent topline and set on, coat was good and harsh with thick pelt ,happy showgirl , liked her a lot , note she is litter sister to class winner which explains why .
Camberley & District Canine Society Open Show
16th Nov 2014
Judge: Colin Powell (Bowtman)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Nov 2014
Judge: Jane Moreton-Shaw (Fehmarn)
I would like to thank the committee and members for inviting me to judge at the show, and to all those who entered under me. Also thanks to my two stewards Robert Brewster and Jeremy Young and for those who prepared lunch.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was very happy with my winners. In a couple of classes the decision was very close. There were no kinked tails, temperaments were good on the whole, with only 3 that were roughly handled, subsequently the dogs were behaving nervously. I had a couple of bad bites and a couple of level bites. All bar two were spannable. Coats again on the whole were good. Thank you to the exhibitors for accepting my decisions, apart from one unsportsmanlike behaviour in the ring!! The class I enjoyed judging the most on the day was Veteran Bitch. Lovely classy bitches in good condition and very close decisions between them all.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
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.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Chichester & District Canine Society Open Show
25th Jan 2015
Judge: Mrs Vera Harcourt-Morris
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG3, Emblehope Songcraft
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Placing Critique
17 month charming youngster, correct head, dark eyes keen expression, well laid shoulders & good angulation, tight feet. Movement sound. Deserved her BOB.
Horley & District Show Society
15th Feb 2015
Judge: Mr Mike Blay
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Maidenhead and District Canine Society Open Show
21st Feb 2015
Judge: Sue Wilson (Olderhill)
Special Yearling /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Placing Critique
Nice Grizzle bitch with attractive head and expression. Good strong topline and tailset. Easily spanned and moved well around the ring,
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
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Guildford & District Canine Society Open Show
27th May 2015
Judge: Mr Chris Wallace (Hobholt)
Thank you to the Society for the invitation and to the exhibitors for bringing your Borders' along. It was a pleasure to go over a fine group of Borders on a warm, sunny day in a super venue.
Post Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Three Counties Agricultural Society
4th Jun 2015
Judge: Mr Brian Baxter
Yearling - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
6th Jun 2015
Judge: Mr Stewart McPherson (Brumberhill)
My thanks, to the Club, for the invitation to judge their Club Show and the hospitality shown to Peter and myself. Thanks, also, to my Stewards, Wendy Mooney and Denise Townsend, who valiantly coped with the paperwork in the, at times, rather blustery conditions, keeping everything going smoothly! Thank you to the exhibitors, also, who entered for my opinion. The grass, in the ring, wasn’t exactly “bowling green”, so it certainly sorted out the good from the bad, on the move!
As is usual, from me, not an “everything in the garden is rosy” preamble! After 35 years, living and breathing Border Terriers, I tell it, as I see it!
As with my last appointment, Crufts, it is just over a 3 year gap, since I judged the Breed in the UK. I had obviously made my point, last time, that I wouldn’t pass the excessively broad skull, almost caricature like, that had become popular, despite the Standard asking for “Head like that of an Otter. Moderately broad in skull”, as there were none I thought overdone, on the day. I think, the problem lies, possibly, that the Standard doesn’t specify, as I was taught, that it refers to English River Otter, some people, mistakenly thinking the commoner headed Sea Otter, or deeper stopped Asian Short Clawed Otter is being referred to. There is a big difference between the three! Not helped by critiques, apparently, praising “broad” skulls, which, to me, sends out the wrong signals!
At Crufts, I had thought the breed had turned a corner, with regard to forehands ie. shoulder and upper arm construction…….how wrong was I?!!! I think I had the full range of faults today, upright shoulders, short upper arm, out at the elbow, sometimes all on the same exhibit! The widest part of a Border Terrier, “Essentially a working Terrier”, bred to go to ground, shouldn’t be the elbows, this fault usually being because the forehand isn’t set on the body correctly, being too far forward, due to a short, steep upper arm, usually, although not always, accompanied by an upright shoulder. These faults also affect that other line from the Standard “Capable of following a horse”, as, due to the incorrect angles, the movement is no longer efficient, being restricted to a shorter, hackneyed, step in profile, almost as though they are walking on hot coals, due to the foreleg not reaching full extension. It may look ok, coming and going, being accurate, as the shorter stride means there is less room for error, but the lack of a ground covering stride would mean the dog working twice as hard on the move, doing its job, soon becoming exhausted. This was brought home to me, discussing the stamina of various dogs with a friend, his son exercising their two Border Terrier champions chasing after him, on horseback, around a field. The accurate mover, with the shorter stride was soon exhausted, having had to work twice as hard, whereas the more angulated one, with the longer, ground covering stride, was up for more! Like, usually breeds like, good forehands being bred for. They don’t appear as if by magic! I am well aware that these faults are seemingly being passed by Judges, not just in the UK, at the very highest level, but that doesn’t mean that they are either correct or desirable and they are very difficult to breed out. I’m left wondering, having read a number of critiques, then having seen, or judged the dogs being praised, are the Seminars failing to educate the correct mechanics of economical movement, or are people just not seeing the movement faults, as long as its trots up and down, with its head and tail up, showing nicely for the Judge! Conversely, as ever, hind movement was pretty good.
It was interesting to note that those I have rewarded in the past, with the correct forehands and narrow fronts, at Crufts and previous engagements, came back, having retained their virtues and have also passed the same, narrow, lithe bodylines on to the next generation. If they are made right, they last right! A working Terrier, whose front is going, or has gone, by the time it is reaching maturity, is neither use nor ornament and is a liability to itself and its owner.
I would like to think, from ring side, that it was obvious that I was looking for Borders with a pattern of moderation and workmanlike construction, with sound, free, scopey movement, who also had quality and style. It wasn’t always easy, in some classes, but I thought my final line ups, in both sexes, demonstrated my priorities.
On the whole, coats and pelts were good, as always my opinion being that coats are transient. I don’t expect them to be aimed specifically, time wise, for me, as I am more concerned with correct construction, but it is “the icing on the cake.” As long as there was evidence of the correct textures, no one was unduly marked down, until it came to the top honours.
Most were spannable, although very few were easily spannable, slightly worrying, as my hands have a big span! This isn’t just a UK problem!
Mouths were all acceptable, a few with the odd broken tooth, which is only to be expected in a working Terrier and certainly wouldn’t be penalised by me.
Yearling - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
East of England Agricultural Society
10th Jul 2015
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Class Critique
Pleasing class.
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Sep 2015
Judge: Miss Felicity Freer (Felfree)
Many thanks to the committee & for all the exhibitors for making my appointment so enjoyable.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Ashford and Faversham DCS Open Show
28th Sep 2015
Judge: Vera Harcourt-Morris (Lenacourt)
Post Graduate /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Beckenham Canine Association Open Show
4th Oct 2015
Judge: Dr I H Gabriel (Gaybryl)
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Guildford and District Canine Society Open Show
29th Nov 2015
Judge: Mrs Karen Stockley (Foxfactor)
Post Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
East Kent Canine Society Open Show
7th Feb 2016
Judge: Mr A Easdon (Yakee)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
West of England Ladies' Kennel Society
24th Apr 2016
Judge: Mr Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
An excellent entry, with real quality in both dogs and bitches. I’m only sorry we were forced indoors after the puppy bitch class to get out of the biting wind bouncing off the Malvern Hills. Heads were generally good, just a few snipey muzzles, and three or four light noses. I found no bad mouths. Quite a few had short, round rib cages with weak loins. Coats were pretty good overall. The biggest problem, and has been for quite some time, was poor front movement, with exhibits moving quite reasonably, and as one would expect from a breed expected to run whilst carrying out its job, when viewed from the side, only to wave their legs all over the place when coming towards me.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
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.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Richmond Championship Dog Show
10th Sep 2016
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Crystal Palace Canine Association Open Show
12th Nov 2016
Judge: Mrs Felicity Snook (Pitcombe)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Horsham & District Canine Society Open Dog Show
24th Nov 2016
Judge: Mr Keith Baldwin (Nightstorm)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Woolwich, Bexley & District Canine Association Open Show
4th Dec 2016
Judge: Miss Helen Axford
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at this well-run show, to my very efficient steward and to the exhibitors for both entering under me and the sporting way they accepted my decisions. I found one suspect mouth and some of the tails would benefit from less hair on the end as this tends to spoil an otherwise balanced picture.
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Placing Critique
This bitch was narrow all through, she was good for size with ribs carried well back. Moved ok
Ladies Kennel Association
11th Dec 2016
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
I would like to thank the committee of Ladies Kennel Association for their kind invitation to the judge the breed at this well organised show and their generous hospitality. It was a real honour and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I would also like to thank my stewards Tony and Katherine for keeping things running smoothly throughout the day. Thank you also, to all the exhibitors for their entries and the sporting way that they took the decisions that I made.
As for the dogs – as expected, coats varied, all the dogs were entire, in clean condition and well behaved. There were a couple of dogs with teeth not set square in the jaw or with teeth out of line. I was looking for dogs of the correct size, with a typical otter head, a harsh double coat and a thick pelt, plenty of muscle, the correct amount of bone, and shown in hard condition. I also expect to see dogs that move true and with ease around the ring and look physically capable of doing a days’ work, whether they get the opportunity or not. All my winners had these attributes and as often happens many deserving exhibits went without cards on the day.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Placing Critique
A lighter built bitch and like the first place, she has a good head and keen expression. She is spannable and has a good front, strong loin, and is well muscled. Shown in a nice tweedy jacket with thick pelt. Her top line is level, with her tail coming straight off the back. Moved well fore and aft. Very difficult decision and could change places on another day.
Boston & District Canine Society
8th Jan 2017
Judge: Mr E Houston
My thanks to the Society for inviting me,to my two very able stewards, Barry and Debs,and,most especially,to the exhibitors who allowed me the privilege of going over their dogs and who accepted my decisions so sportingly.
Overall I was very impressed with the quality of the entry.The limit and open classes in both sexes had quality beyond the placings and there were some very promising puppies,especially among the bitches- this must augur well for the future.Heads were largely typical,most were spannable and considering the time of year I was pleasantly surprised to find so many in good coat.On the downside,many were lacking muscletone and front movement continues to be an issue and not just in the lower classes.I was pleased with both line ups and thought my main winners excellent examples of the breed. I was delighted to hear that my Best of Breed went on to win the Group.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Chichester & District Canine Society Open Show
29th Jan 2017
Judge: Miss N Foster
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Richmond
9th Sep 2017
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Apr 2018
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
With apologies for the delay in submitting this critique.
My sincere thanks to the officers and committee of East Anglia Border Terrier Club for offering me this appointment.
Huge thanks to my sole steward Rob Brewster who efficiently organised the ring and exhibits all day despite being in poor health and needing constant medication throughout the day. Most of all my appreciation to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to assess your dogs.
With the ever rising cost of suitable venues, it was necessary to move this show from the much appreciated previous Burgess Hall at St Ives to a new Leisure Centre at Littleport. On the day the huge venue was shared with a large number of indoor bowls enthusiasts which meant there was a longish walk from the large car park to our hall. The hall itself was large enough but dog cages all around the hall gave rise to lots of noise and distraction from barking dogs which was very evident when listening to my dictaphone. At lunchtime, with lots of people all trying to use the cafe/restaurant at the same time, this caused long queues and even longer waiting times for food and drinks to arrive, which in turn meant the lunch break overran.
I had the honour of judging the first border terrier club show to schedule Champion dog and bitch classes.
Prior to the show I was undecided about such classes but having here seen the smallish entries for both Open and Champions on reflection I see little point or need for them.
As always coats were at various stages but the exhibits were with a few exceptions in good condition. All males were entire. Bites were better than at previous appointments and I only found a few with misplaced teeth, however the size of teeth varies considerably. Although not a fault, I noticed a few liver noses. Several exhibits could benefit from attention to feet to produce the small feet as required. Movement in general was better at the rear than in front with too many swinging fronts, moving wide or toeing in.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Southern Counties Canine Association
2nd Jun 2018
Judge: Mr Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
Thanks to the exhibitors for an excellent entry. Quality was present in many classes especially both open classes and minor puppy dog. My thanks for a job well done go to those excellent stewards Janet and Maureen, who made my job so much easier.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
East of England Agricultural Society
6th Jul 2018
Judge: Mr Bob Wright (Totherend)
Many thanks to the East of England Agricultural Society for the opportunity to judge my fist Championship Show and to the excellent stewards who nursed me through with efficiency and humour. I was humbled by the size of entry and the willingness of the exhibitors to travel the length and breadth of the country despite the intense heat from which we tried to protect the dogs as much as possible.
I was particularly impressed by the quality of the open classes which were peppered with exhibits worthy of a ticket but unfortunately they only gave me two. A large number of exhibits were up to size and only just spannable but thankfully many of them were also narrow. I found one kinked tail, several borderline mouths and many promising exhibits that disappointed in the width or movement of their fronts. There was also a dearth of muscle particularly on the upper thighs but there were plenty of loose thick pelts and harsh coats. I was delighted not only with my winners but many of those who came close but regretfully had to leave empty handed despite being worthy of more.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Sep 2018
Judge: Mr Julien Barney (Romaunt)
A big thank you to the committee for giving me the opportunity to judge at this well run show. A super sporting atmosphere around the ring on a very pleasant sunny autumn afternoon.
My general comments would be about heads and the lack of that typical Otter look with a good skull and a powerful muzzle required to do their job. Front movement in some wasn’t good being tied in front and I wonder how well they would be able to follow a horse for a good days hunting. Plus size seemed to be an issue with some being well up to the limit.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Placing Critique
Lost out on topline to 1st. straight front and correct bone. Good harsh coat, Moved out well.
Ashford & Faversham DCS Open Show
30th Sep 2018
Judge: Gill Tully
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Placing Critique
A sweet little bitch and very feminine. Pleasing head good strong neck a little long in back, ok bone and feet. It’s a pity her handler held her tail straight up in the air as it made her put her bum up and spoilt the overall look. Moved ok.
Gravesend & Medway Towns CS Open Show
21st Oct 2018
Judge: Anne Speake
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Ashford and Faversham DCS
13th Jan 2019
Judge: Jane Hilden
Open /
Reserve
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Guildford & District Canine Society Open Show
2nd Mar 2019
Judge: Tracey Anscombe (Orangebox)
Thank you to the committee for the opportunity to judge at your well run show. Thanks also to my steward Sue for organising the ring and paperwork. I was absolutely thrilled with my entry and very much spoilt for choice which makes for some hard decisions.
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
Placing Critique
Grizzle bitch with a nice head and expression. Moved ok slightly better than 3 today. Shown in good jacket and spanned with ease.
Class Critique
1 withdrawn
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Sep 2019
Judge: Mrs Helen Bakewell (Norwelston)
Thank you to the committee and exhibitors for such a lovely day. Overall the quality was good, a lot of nice breed types, good feet, mouths, and was able to span most on the day.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Emblehope Songcraft
