Show Placings
Southern Counties Canine Association
27th Jun 2021
Judge: Mr Kevin Green (Terabyte)
I would like to thank all the Officers and Committee of the Southern Counties Canine Association for inviting me to judge their show for Border Terriers. It was my first judging appointment for a CH Show and I was very pleased with my entry also I would like to thank all the exhibitors who entered and for allowing me to go over their dogs. They all showed and behaved very well. Last but not least I would like to thank my steward who did an excellent job keeping everything flowing very well.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
This dog has a lovely head and correct bite, smart dog with a nice front and good coat, he moved well.
Devon County Show
2nd Jul 2021
Judge: Mrs Sandra Girling (Benattivo)
I would like to thank the show committee for offering me this appointment and I was very grateful to both my ring stewards for their help on the day.
This was a lovely show to come back too after such a long time away from the show ring. The weather today got very warm in the ring for some exhibits. I would like to have seen a couple of exhibits which were without coat on another day as I feel this is an important aspect when I judge the breed. All dentition was correct and was shown by the handler, all males had two testicles.
The level of quality throughout the entry was in my opinion outstanding. Which in some classes having only one first prize was not enough! Many of the exhibits today I believe will have bright futures ahead of them.
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Litter mate to the class winner. Plenty to like about this masculine dog of quality he’s a nice size dog with plenty of good breed points. He was also in a very good double jacket of depth. He has a good shoulder and is nicely angulated behind which enables him to move accurately and straight. I think the heat may have got to him a little on the final move so was pipped by his sister who headed the class today.
Wiveliscombe and District Canine Society
25th Jul 2021
Judge: Mrs J Pinfold (Cyres)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
14 month lad. Correct head, dark eye, correct bite. In good condition and harsh coat, moved well. RBOB
Bath Canine Society
1st Aug 2021
Judge: Mr T Ball
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
This 14 mth old was lovely to go over and shown to advantage. He presented a good outline with neck of moderate length, firm topline, good depth to chest, correct croup and tail good for both set and carriage. Masculine head and expression with nice eye and ear, strong muzzle and good dentition. He stands straight in front on small, tight feet and pads are thick enough. Well made hindquarters with correct turn of stifle. Good pelt and nice harsh jacket. Moving soundly all through.
Paignton Championship Show
7th Aug 2021
Judge: Mr B Aubrey
I only found 1 mouth fault and that was in the bitches, so i won't be mentioning teeth except some could have been cleaner and please watch movement there were some iffy ones here today.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
15month old very nice head, nice ears, strong in jaw, excellent bone nice feet, nice shoulders moved well should have a lot of fun with him
Bournemouth Championship Show
16th Aug 2021
Judge: Mr J Horswell
I very much enjoyed tackling this entry and found the breed to be in pretty good shape. Quite a relaxed and friendly atmosphere I thought. I did take coats into account, there were quite a lot who were rather naked on the day and as a result went further down the line that they might otherwise have done – you have to judge what you can see, and a good coat is important in a working terrier.
RDCC
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
V good proportions and he is in full coat. Masc head with strength of jaw. Strong neck. Balanced and moderate in his angulation. Holds a level topline. Slightly upright in pastern. He is well ribbed back. Accurate on move. Really promising young dog. RCC
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society Open Showq
18th Aug 2021
Judge: Vanessa Williams (Wegman)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
15 mths nice quality grizzle dog with harsh dense coat, has typical otter head and short strong muzzle, eyes are dark and alert, complete scissor bite encased in firm jaw, nice straight front legs and the desired racy hind. Sound throughout and moves freely fore and aft. Res.BOB.
Newton Abbot & South Devon CS Open Show
28th Aug 2021
Judge: Vera Harcourt-Morris (Lenacourt)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
The Terrier Club of Devon and Cornwall
17th Oct 2021
Judge: Sarah Richardson
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Best Dog
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Minehead & District Canine Society 9pen Show
7th Nov 2021
Judge: .Mr Peter Boot (Barotoba)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG2, Earthtaw Making the Day
Special Yearling /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Ladies Kennel Association
11th Dec 2021
Judge: Mrs Beverley Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you to everyone who entered their dogs for me to judge. I was pleased with my entry and very pleased that LKA took place in light of the current Covid19 situation. I must admit it was very challenging to judge properly whilst wearing a facemask all day in this indoor venue! I was very pleased with my principle winners. Some of the younger classes were not so good maybe with maturity the exhibits will probably change places many times. My principle of judging is always good sound movement, capable of following a horse, this requires good conformation. A well laid shoulder and a properly angulated rear allows a good free stride . Some dogs were too narrow and so swinging their fronts from side to side, and some were great standing but fell apart on the move, running downhill or rear out of line with front were common faults. Heads were very varied, some very exaggerated or with untypical expression. Bites were mostly okay although I did find misaligned jaws and some had small or uneven sized teeth. Coats were hit and miss but pelts were mostly good and all were spannable, although some were round in rib. But remember you always take the best dog home.
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Totnes & District Canine Society
19th Dec 2021
Judge: Mr A Dredge (Alcavona)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall Open Show
20th Feb 2022
Judge: Tracey Anscombe (Orangebox)
Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge at your show and to the Southern Border Terrier Club for their support of the classes. I thoroughly enjoyed my day, there was a friendly ringside atmosphere and lovely exhibits to judge. I could span all the exhibits and found no mouth faults or kinked tails.
Limit /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Adored this grizzle boy’s head a true otter in appearance, again lovely and narrow but could do with a little more rib to loin ratio for overall balance. Unfortunately, he was today in his underclothes and really didn’t show off his true assets on the move. He has a lot of good qualities and as they say ‘on another day places could change’
Torquay & DCS Open Show
26th Feb 2022
Judge: Jen Bowden (Chellowside)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
The Southern Border Terrier Club Limited Show
6th Mar 2022
Judge: Mandy Holmes (Bimandi)
Firstly I would like to thank The Southern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge and for their hospitality on the day. Also many thanks to everyone that gave me the privilege of going over their dogs and congratulation to all my winners.
All males were entire. All tails straight. One or two untidy mouths but nothing to be classed as a fault.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
20 months another male with a very good head, broad skull and muzzle. Straight front with sufficient angles front and rear. Level topline, held well on the move, Ribs well back. Thick pelt , coat not at its best today.
Crufts
11th Mar 2022
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Crufts has always been a memorable experience for me, from sitting ringside to winning top honours in this breed, and to retire from judging with my last appointment being Crufts was a special occasion. Many thanks to all the exhibitors for the entry of 233 dogs making 257 entries with 28 absentees.
It was a long day and with only one steward for almost all of the classes my sincere thanks must go to Robyn Burnett. Plus a special thanks to Judy Carr for stepping in to help Robyn in those last big classes to help us finish just in time to get the BOB to the Group. Also to Joyce Martin the photographer who worked hard throughout the day to get those special pictures, thank you. I enjoyed my day judging but found some of the classes quite challenging.
I was pleased with the lineup and my principal winners, but a little disappointed with what I was finding when the dogs came to the table. The standard reads “Head like that of an otter moderately broad in skull and small ears dropping close to cheek” but some were so untypical of our breed with narrow skulls, weak jaws and small teeth, with ears that were too big and standing away from the cheek.
In every class there were some that just could not be spanned - being too deep in the chest and strong in the rib. Movement was better behind than in front. Finding dogs with a short upper arm, this not only restricts the movement but when standing almost gives a Fox Terrier type front which I was seeing, to start accepting these deviations as acceptable would be a sad day for our breed as we know it.
General condition of the dogs was good, jackets came in all stages mostly acceptable with some good thick pelts. One problem I found today was the baiting of dogs on the table. In some cases it made it hard going for dogs and judge - no need to top and tail and bait all at the same time - personally I just needed the dogs to stand still.
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
WELKS
25th Apr 2022
Judge: Mr S A Mcpherson (Brumberhill))
Thank you to the WELKS committee for the invitation to judge their show and to my stewards, who did a sterling job, keeping everything moving, to get through the entry.
Wasn’t sure what to expect, being on a Monday, in the current financial climate, so was delighted to receive an entry of 126 dogs, making 181 entries, topping the Terrier Group, by quite a margin. Thank you to those exhibitors, for bringing their dogs, and wanting my opinion. There were very few I’d actually judged before, having last judged at Blackpool ’19.
We were blessed with a lovely sunny day, and a huge double sized ring, giving everyone full chance to show their dogs to full advantage.
I felt it was a high quality entry, especially the bitches, where, I felt, my final bitch challenge line up was one of the best I’ve judged. There were a number of bitches, both there, and in the placings, I have no doubt will gain their crowns, given a fair chance.
Main points of concern, as last time I judged, at Blackpool ’19, are still deep stops, with a rounder eye, giving an untypical expression. A few, with this problem, also had tighter, untidy bites, as they were very short in muzzle.
A few knobbly tails, some too long, carried high, but most were ok and well carried.
On the whole, I thought movement had improved, although still a few high steppers, due to incorrect shoulder and upper arm. Toplines were good, on most. Presentation, on the whole, was good, as most were in good coat, or evidence of texture.
Yearling - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Oakhampton & DCS Open Show
30th Apr 2022
Judge: Gareth Thomas
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG2, Earthtaw Making the Day
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Marlborough & DCS Open Show
2nd May 2022
Judge: Mr Ken Andrews (South Wales)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
National Dog Show
6th May 2022
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
Thank you to the Committee for the invitation to judge at this show; I had received an invitation to judge the breed here in 2007 but was unable to accept due to a previous appointment so was very pleased to be offered the opportunity again. Thanks to my stewards for all their hard work during the day and also to the exhibitors for entering some lovely Border Terriers. There were some wonderful quality exhibits but I was particularly pleased with my line-up of unbeaten bitches with 4 or 5 in contention for the top honours, a very difficult but enjoyable decision.
It is 50 years since I won my first CC in the breed and at that time it was emphasised to novices by the experienced exhibitors that the most important part of the breed standard was the first line “essentially a working terrier” and I have always had this at the forefront in my mind when judging the breed. Not, does it work, but could it do so; meaning could it follow a horse and go to ground when needed; also could it get out again.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
bigger than the winner and difficult to span. He has a good coat and pelt; hind movement not as good as winner today
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th May 2022
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of The Midland Border Terrier Club for the invite to judge the Open Show held in conjunction with The Birmingham National. The hospitality showed by both clubs on the day was tremendous plus the wonderful gift received with many thanks – I will remember my first club show appointment for a long time.
I could not of been more pleased with my entry on the day so a big thank you for all of the exhibitors that gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs and the quality presented. Junior Bitch, Limit Bitch and Limit Dog classes were of real quality and on another day placings could of easily been switched. That aside I was really pleased with my Bitch/Dog line ups having some real quality to pick my main winners from.
Also a special mention to my two stewards Sharon and La for keeping my classes going and to Bev who co-ordinated between the two rings whilst the judging was going on.
It was nice having the opportunity to see Terrier Group at the Birmingham National at the end of the day and see my Best Dog go on to represent the Border Terrier by getting short listed in a really big group, he had his 3 CC today and I was delighted to see he has become a Champion in his own right.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Yeovil & District Canine Society Open Show
14th May 2022
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for offering me my first appointment.
The weather was kind to us and there was a friendly atmosphere. I was lucky to have some lovely dogs to go over, however several were unsettled and distracted on the move making it difficult to assess movement. I was pleased with my winners and really enjoyed the day.
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Masculine dog of good size in thick double coat, lots to like, just preferred 1 on the day.
Minehead & DCS Open Show
27th Jul 2022
Judge: Mrs C E Sansom (Tarkaswell)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of Minehead & District Canine Society for the invitation to judge at their open show, held in conjunction with the Dunster Country Fair. My steward Vicky Prince, was a great help and kept the ring running smoothly. Thank you to the exhibitors for a lovely entry and for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.
I had some quality borders to go over that were a privilege to judge, and as always, my decisions reflected my interpretation of the breed standard on the day. I was delighted with the winners that came forward for the challenge.
The weather was kind and not too hot, there was a friendly atmosphere and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Wiveliscombe DCS Open Show
31st Jul 2022
Judge: Mr Anthony Allen (Allenie)
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Paignton Championship Show
6th Aug 2022
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
It was an honour to be asked to judge at Paignton & District Fanciers Association. My thanks go to the officers and committee for their kind invitation to judge Border Terriers and their excellent hospitality. I had a lovely day at this well organised show and would like to also thank the stewards, Helen & Norma, for keeping me on track and in order. The weather was exceptionally hot and although I do like to judge outside, I am sure exhibitors, and their dogs were grateful for the shade and cool that being inside gave us.
Although I did not have a huge entry, I was fortunate to have some real quality dogs entered and had some very hard decisions to make, however, at the end of judging I was delighted with my winners. On the downside, I did find some mouths that were not as they should be and some dogs who were deep in chest and therefore difficult to span. However, the most disappointing element was the lack of detail that some exhibitors pay to feet. The standard states that feet should be ‘small with thick pads’, however, quite a few exhibits had untidy feet with long nails. Although this seems minor point, long hair around the feet detracts from the overall look of the Border Terrier.
I was disappointed that I could not stay to watch the group, but unfortunately, I had to leave due to other commitments. I was delighted that all my top winners were shortlisted in the group and very pleased that my Special Beginner winner went Group 1 and the Best Puppy winner went Group 3.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Close decision with the 1st place so similar comments apply. Put together well and nice body lines in profile.
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Society - August Open Show
17th Aug 2022
Judge: Libby Tanton-Joy (Itsaso)
Firstly I would like to say thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge the border terriers at this lovely show. Secondly I would like to say thank you for those who entered under me, although only a small number to go over I was pleased with the overall quality.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG2, Earthtaw Making the Day
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
2 year old grizzle dog who caught my eye as he came into the ring. He has a strong masculine head, big teeth and correct bite. Keen expression with well-placed ears. Neck flowed into a good shoulder, straight front and neat feet. Good topline and tail set which he held well on the move. Present in fit condition, well-muscled rear with allowed him to move with reach and drive. Coat just coming into its best but texture evident and good pelt. BOB
City of Birmingham Championship Show
3rd Sep 2022
Judge: Mrs K Newsome (Kighills)
I would like to thank the City of Birmingham committee for inviting me to judge the Border terriers today. It was a most enjoyable day and to top it off I had some quality dogs and bitches to go over. I would also like to thank the exhibitors for their entries and excepting my decisions.
The quality of borders were good and adhered to the breed standard. All mouths were good and all the dogs were entire. Heads on the whole were very good but some lacked a strong broad muzzle. The movement was good and many moved with drive. Many coats were harsh and thick and pelts were nice and loose. I would like to see some exhibitors pay a little attention to trimming the feet and nails.
It would also benefit a few exhibitors to take their young dogs to ring-craft more to socialise them. This would get them use to unfamiliar situations i.e. hands on the dog etc.
To my surprise my main winners Best Puppy Dog, 2nd Grad Bitch, Bitch CC & Bitch RCC were all related to the Glebeheath Kennels so well done to you.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Earthtaw Making the Day (Miss J Haydon) Good head with pleasing expression shoulders ok good coat and thick pelt moved ok
Richmond Championship Dog Show
11th Sep 2022
Judge: Mr J A Barney (Romaunt)
Many thanks to Richmond in giving me the opportunity to judge a breed that still has some depth in quality to it. Generally, I felt movement needs to be attended to. It's a breed I've always associated with true movement both ways and a number did tend to pin in front. Coat texture was pretty good throughout but some would benefit from slightly neater presentation. I was able to span nearly all exhibits and pelts good. At the moment I would say that bitches are far stronger than the males.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Preferred the head and expression, more breed typical. Good small v shaped ear. Moderate neck into good topline with correct tail set and carriage. Well ribbed back. Moved well enough. Harsh coat and texture. Well conditioned
Exeter & County CS Open Show
17th Sep 2022
Judge: Mrs M Hughes
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
South Wales Kennel Association
6th Oct 2022
Judge: Mr Stewart Golding (Beaconpike)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge, this was my first time awarding CC’s. Thank you to my stewards for keeping the ring running smoothly. A big thank you must go to the exhibitors for a good entry especially on a Thursday in the middle of Wales in the current climate we live in. I only have a couple of concerns. Movement is paramount in our breed and these dogs should be able to cover ground easily I found due to poor shoulder angulation a few had restrained front movement. I did forgive coat in class placings where evidence of a new coat was present, however I did find a lot of single coated dogs possibly down to over grooming, my main winners all had correct double coat of depth. I had a very enjoyable day, thank you to everyone for accepting my decisions gracefully.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Taunton & DCA Open Show
8th Jan 2023
Judge: Mr M Sanders (Castellcoch)
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Wiveliscombe DCS Open Show
14th Jan 2023
Judge: Miss N Foster (Thozow)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall Open Show
19th Feb 2023
Judge: Libby Tanton-Joy (Itsaso)
Best Dog
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
The Southern Border Terrier Open Show
5th Mar 2023
Judge: Mr Matt Smith (Alncroft)
Many thanks to the club for the invitation to judge at their show and for their hospitality. Thank you to my stewards, and the exhibitors for entering under me. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was pleased with the quality present. Many of the classes were close decisions and coats played a big part in final standings. Whilst I didn’t find any dogs that I couldn’t span, having spent a lifetime around working terriers some of the bitches in particular were on the larger end of the scale for preference.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Good size, in good coat. Straight front, standing on neat feet. Comfortably spanned, well ribbed back with good firm loin.
Yeovil & District Canine Society Open Show
13th May 2023
Judge: Mrs Sue Baxter (Mysulan/Sulan)
Thank you to the committee for the kind invitation to judge today , also to my stewards who kept things moving along nicely, your help was much appreciated. A big thank you to all the exhibitors for allowing me to go over your dogs and accepting my decisions
in a sporting manner. General observations were, no kinked tails found and the males were intact . I did see a few animals with slightly untidy bites affecting some placings. On the subject of ring presentation I may suggest that perhaps some animals would have benefitted from more attention being paid to nail clipping and feet trimming … even with the long grass, once on the table the feet are very visible. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and had a quality bunch of Borders before me. Thank you to everyone who made it possible !
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Three year old grizzle. Nice head and good muzzle . Ears of a good size and
placement . A new coat coming through , loose pelt covering good ribs and loin . Topline and tailset good . Movement was ok , would like to see more second thigh and rear angulation . Hocks not quite as well let down as 1st placed dog.
Devon County Agricultural Association Premier Open Show
18th May 2023
Judge: Justine Monaghan
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Bath Canine Society
29th May 2023
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of Bath Canine Society for inviting me to judge today. A big thank you to my two very efficient stewards, Mark and Joyce, who kept the ring running smoothly and efficiently. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, it is always a privilege to do so. I was disappointed not to have been able to stay and watch the groups but circumstances outwith my control prevented me from doing so.
While there were plenty of good ‘otter’ heads in evidence, I found some heads lacking in muzzle strength and some with stops that were too deep, neither of which is desirable. Some exhibits were too heavy in frame and consequently didn’t come to hand easily. Some dogs had weak pasterns and feet that could have been tighter. Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, some just going over the top, and in some cases, this was a deciding factor. Overall, movement was good with correct tracking, plenty of drive off well angulated hindquarters and good length of stride. Some dogs could have benefited from more ring training and, at times, baiting on the table was excessive. A dog scrambling to get to bait makes it more difficult to assess. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners and final line-up. I was also pleased to see my Best Veteran win the Terrier Veteran Group, my Best Puppy shortlisted in the Terrier Puppy Group and my Best Special Beginners, Special Beginners Terrier Group 4
Post Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Southern Counties Canine Association
2nd Jun 2023
Judge: Miss Felicity Freer (Felfree)
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Another lovely dog. Seemed to drop his topline on the move. Shown in an excellent coat, thick pelt. Dark eyes, nose and big teeth.
Three Counties Championship Dog Show
9th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at Three Counties Championship Dog Show. My appointment was originally for 2020 but it was worth the wait to be able to judge at this lovely showground at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Many thanks indeed to my stewards Bill and Trish who kept everything moving ringside in an efficient and pleasant manner. My thanks go to all the exhibitors who brought their dogs under me. It was a real privilege and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. There were some close decisions and I would like to thank all those who accepted my decisions so sportingly.
Based on my entry I felt that the overall quality of the breed was good. Most were fit and I thought that fronts and heads had improved from the last time I judged. There were only a few that I was unable to span and a couple who had missing teeth and one that had a kinked tail. I was particularly pleased with my bitch line-up and I thought there were some very good quality exhibits who on another day could be ticket winners.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Class Critique
Close decision between first 3 in this class.
Taunton & DCA Open Show
17th Jun 2023
Judge: Miss Maria Clarke (Canequiss)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Minehead & District Canine Society Open Show
26th Jul 2023
Judge: Anne Speake
I would like to thank the officers and committee for the kind invitation to judge some of the terrier breeds at this well run show, set in the beautiful setting of Dunster Castle. My thanks to my two excellent stewards Mel & Vera for keeping the ring running smoothly. A special thank you to all the exhibitors who gave me such a lovely quality entry of dogs over all the breeds to judge, making for some difficult decisions in some classes.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
3 yr old g/t dog with a masculine head dark eye and strong muzzle. Nicely made dog who looked heavier than he was due to being in full coat. But well constructed and with a good outline and well made body, with muscular hindquarters. Move out well
Plymouth & DKA Open Show
21st Apr 2024
Judge: Ash Price
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Yeovil & District Canine Society Open Show
5th May 2024
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
Firstly, my thanks, as ever, goes to the committee and helpers of the shows whose efforts cannot be underestimated. Today it was the turn of Yeovil and District Canine Society whose sterling efforts despite the persistent and often heavy downpour,resulted in a well-run show with ever helpful and smiling faces- Bravo! Secondly my appreciation to Jan Russell de Clifford whose stalwart efforts as steward in our ring for the whole (freezing) day resulted in an efficient and well run ring. My thanks must also go to the exhibitors who primarily turned up on the most inclement of days, and accepted my decisions with good grace and not a little humour as the heavens opened.
The wind and rain did influence the performance of many of the exhibits unfortunately; but some rose to the challenge, and several were simply oblivious to it. Coats, as ever, were in various stages of growth; some great movement noted in many of the exhibits; all teeth clean and with correct bites and no kinked tails to note; feet on the whole were tidy and correct.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Three-year-old grizzle and tan dog, with a strong masculine head, good reach of neck into nice shoulder placement, good bone, straight topline with good tail set and easily spanned.
Nicely proportioned and angled, fore and aft. Good jacket in evidence with loose pliable pelt. Moved well just not as much purpose as 1 today.
Marlborough & DCS Premier Open Show
6th May 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
Firstly, I would like to thank the organisers of the show for the warm welcome and hospitality. I had some lovely dogs to go over.
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Placing Critique
Nice head with dark eye and good expression, straight front, good reach of neck, spannable, just lacking coat today.
Devon County Agricultural Association Premier Open Show
18th May 2024
Judge: Helen Filer
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Three Counties Agricultural Society
8th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my very capable stewards, Bill and Tricia for their efficiency and helpfulness and especially to the exhibitors who afforded me the honour of going over their dogs.
The weather was kind and the ring of sufficient size to allow dogs to get into their stride.
Overall I felt that there was more quality in the bitches but was more than pleased with my main winners in both sexes. Size and front movement continue to be problems and coats were at all stages of growth-this did affect some placings. I only found one undershot bite and all males were entire. Several dogs were carrying rather too much condition but more worrying were the few who were almost painfully thin which also meant that these dogs couldn’t possibly possess the muscle needed for work. A number of dogs would benefit from more exercise to improve their muscletone.
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Class Critique
Lovely class
Taunton & DCA Open Show
15th Jun 2024
Judge: Mr Neil Straw (Shaolin)
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Making the Day
