Show Placings
The Sporting Terrier Association of Yorkshire Open Show
19th Feb 2023
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
I would like to thank the SToY for giving me the opportunity to judge the four classes of Border Terriers on this, my first judging appointment; the exhibitors who trusted me to evaluate their dogs/bitches and to Mr John Thomas, who kindly donated, the £10 for Best of Breed and £10 for the Best Puppy in Breed.
The committee did a sterling job given the last-minute change of venue; and my stewards, Margaret and Julie, kept the ring moving smoothly and effortlessly.
I was pleased with the number of entries, and it was great to see some fine examples of ‘otter – like’ heads – the breed stamp. All dogs were spannable today, and most had correct small tight round feet.
It was gratifying to see many examples of sound fluid movement, and good construction– Movement is so important for the Borders terrier to do its job- “Essentially a working terrier “.
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
6-month-old grizzle and tan bitch. Still very much a baby but has a lovely outline, balanced and is correctly angulated front and rear; a straight front and strong racy hindquarters, with tail well set on with a good turn of stifle. Short of coat today and more hesitant on the move than 1 today- time to settle.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
25th Feb 2023
Judge: Mrs Julie Fletcher North (Northborders)
Firstly I would like to thank the Committee for my invite to judge my first Club show , also my 2 able stewards Judy and Kathy for keeping me and the ring in order , mostly I thank the exhibitors for their wonderful entry and allowing me to go over their beautiful dogs , I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I was really pleased with both my line ups , I loved all my main winners and look forward to following their futures
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
Another 6 mth old Grizzle and Tan baby , lovely head of correct proportions good correct bite , neat ears , moderate neck into nice lay of shoulder , bit shorter in rib than 1 , no jacket today but nice thick undercoat, lovely well set tail , moved ok
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Maiden - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Whitehaven & District Canine Association Open Show
19th Mar 2023
Judge: Miss Katie Hamilton (Cromlechs)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG4, Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
25th Mar 2023
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
What an absolute honour and a privilege to be invited to judge this show, my thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Border Terrier Club, and my two excellent stewards for the day, Judy and Marina.
My sincere thanks also, to ALL the exhibitors for making it truly memorable, with 196 dogs, 233 entries.
Some very close decisions had to be made!
On the down side, I found some very short muzzles and small teeth, and quite a number of filthy teeth!! Temperaments were generally good, there were 2 kinked tails and 1 suspect mouth, a lack of muscle tone and condition in some exhibits, which is essential for a terrier to do it’s job.
That said, it was an absolute joy to see so many super dogs.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
8th Apr 2023
Judge: Mrs J Carr (Wreighaugh)
My thanks go to the Committee of the NBTC for their invitation to judge their Open Show. I was honoured to receive this appointment and am incredibly grateful to the exhibitors who gave me such a great entry. It was a most enjoyable day and special thanks go to my Stewards, Andrea Pitt and Mark Atkinson, for keeping me on track and helping the ring to run smoothly.
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Apr 2023
Judge: Debbie Lorraine (Raleniro)
I would like to thank the Club for the invitation to judge this show. It was originally planned for me to judge in April 2020, but this was rearranged due to the pandemic and other outstanding appointments. I would like to thank the Committee for the wonderful hospitality shown to me throughout the day, and thank you to my Steward who kept things running smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
I have not judged for just over 4 years, so it was a pleasure to see so many new dogs and new faces around the ring. I was pleasantly surprised by the strength and quality throughout the classes, and pleased to see a return to a more narrow dog, as I was seeing a trend for wide fronts last time I judged.
All dogs were entire and temperaments throughout were good. Bites were correct, with just the odd broken, misplaced or dirty tooth. Coats were, as to be expected, at various stages. There were a few close decisions, and some classes where I wish I had more prize cards to give out. Thank you to all the exhibitors for the privilege of judging your dogs, and also for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions.
Lastly, can I please apologise for the delay in submitting my critique, as I usually have them done within a day or two of the show. There has been an ongoing issue with the health of a close relative which has taken up a lot of my time, so again, apologies for the delay.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
8 months grizzle and tan. Feminine head with sweet expression and neat ears. Correct bite. Nicely balanced with level topline and nicely placed tail. Good angulation and length of rib. Easily spanned. New, crisp jacket just coming through. Moved with economy covering the ground with ease. Won the class on her movement. A nice pup.
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
see 1st MPB
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
30th Apr 2023
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
A very big thank you to the SBTC for inviting me to judge this very well run show, to Marina for stewarding and to the exhibitors for entering under me.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Scottish Kennel Club (May) Championship Show
21st May 2023
Judge: Mr Frank Kane (Hirontower)
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Class Critique
Two top bitches in a close decision
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2023
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for giving me the opportunity to judge Border Terriers in their spiritual home territory. My stewards, Audrey & Judith did a great job in running the class changes efficiently on a hot humid day. It was a lovely entry, with many exhibits that I had not judged before – thank you all. I found some exhibits which could have been better prepared with attention to coat, body condition and clean teeth. A few level bites a couple of kink tails influenced placings but all dogs were entire and overall a nice group of BT’s to go over. My main winners had breed qualities that outweighed any imperfection, that in my opinion wouldn’t impact on its ability to perform its traditional work.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Blackpool & District Canine Society
25th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at Blackpool & District Canine Society Championship show. Grateful thanks must go to my very efficient steward Gisela Duran who did an excellent job in making sure everything ran like clockwork. Finally thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such an excellent entry of 142 dogs making 183 entries, the largest entry across all breeds on the day. It really was a privilege to go over such a large entry of dogs and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
The size of dogs has always been a perennial topic, but I was pleased to say overall, many of the dogs were of correct size on this occasion, with very few oversized dogs and only the odd one or two I couldn’t span. Bites were good and only an odd one with teeth out of line, although a few had broken teeth, quite a few had dirty teeth and some had small teeth which is something I really don’t like to see on, essentially a working terrier. It was good to find some really lovely tails, with not too many long thin, spindly tails we have seen in the past, although I was surprised to find four kinked tails in the entry.
Overall I thought it was a good entry, I found some quality exhibits and I was very pleased with my winners, and in particular will watch the progress of my puppy and junior placings with interest.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2023
Judge: Mr David Fryer (Irton)
My thanks to the Club for trusting me with a fine entry of dogs at this, one of my favourite shows; to my stewards for their understated efficiency which kept the show rolling; and to the exhibitors for the opportunity to go over their dogs, and for the sporting acceptance of my decisions.
The Border Terrier Breed Standard is a very brief document; as such, it needs some interpretation. The clue is in the first clause of it; ‘Essentially a working terrier’. This, together with a knowledge of the work the breed is traditionally expected to perform, gives an idea of the dog required. Thus we need a dog which can keep with the hunt over rough moorland country in what may be inclement weather, and then be able to go to ground and bolt or hold it’s own to a cornered fox. This implies sound, efficient movement, adequate heart and lung room, a weatherproof double coat and a thick, pliable pelt; but at the same time be small enough and flexible enough to follow a fox to ground .
Overall, I found most exhibits to be sound, and well presented (sometimes ‘overpresented’ to the extent that coats had more appearance than substance). The most prevalent fault I observed was untidy, converging front movement; an inevitable consequence of short upper arm and upright fronts. I did also find a few faulty bites; one undershot, one youngster with a lower incisor seriously out of line; and several with level bites, which, though permitted in the standard, are not (to my mind) desirable; also undesirable to me were the number of exhibits with small teeth in weak forefaces. There were also a couple of ‘winter noses’, but that, to me, is a purely cosmetic point and not to be penalised. All males were entire.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
larger bitch, quite sound, moved well behind, good coat and pelt, angulations OK,
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
2nd NB
Otley CS Open Show
1st Aug 2023
Judge: Mrs R Barney (verrami)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Wolsingham & Wear Valley Agricultural Society Open Show
3rd Sep 2023
Judge: David Alcorn (Lourdace/Comalegy)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at this buzzing, well organised, show. It was an extremely hot day so I moved dogs less than I perhaps would normally, to allow for the extreme temperatures we were all enjoying but the dogs were not. There was a good public attendance who seemed to enjoy the array of breeds on show. Thank you for the marvellous entries in the terrier breeds which made for a very enjoyable day indeed.
Border Terrier
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
Another with a good head, and another presented in excellent condition with good coat and well developed muscles! Just a shade longer cast than 1 at present
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Scottish Kennel Club
1st Oct 2023
Judge: Mr M Armstrong (Bitcon)
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
7th Oct 2023
Judge: Mrs Norma Ellis (Normbar)
Thank you to the Committee for organising such a well run show. The quality of the the dogs was very good, making my decisions more difficult in a good way. Nice atmosphere plus friendly sportsmanship prevailed.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
14th Oct 2023
Judge: Mrs Sue Baxter (Mysulan)
Firstly I’d like to thank The Border Terrier Club Committee for their very kind invitation to judge this Open show, I felt honoured and privileged . I thoroughly enjoyed my day and the hospitality on offer , the lunch certainly hit the spot..thank you Nancy Hogg. My two stewards, Jane Morton-Shaw and Marina Fleming kept things running smoothly and I am grateful for their support .
To the exhibitors , my thanks go unbounded as I had a lovely selection of good quality dogs to go over and there were certainly some tough decisions in many of the classes. It is an education to finally go over some of the dogs I have admired from the ring side. I am grateful that my decisions were taken, mostly in a sporting manner.
My general findings were , all males were intact , I found no kinked tails ( 1 dog had a bump on the underside of its tail , not a kink in my opinion), jackets were, as usual , at various stages of growth. I was impressed by the fact that all animals before me could be spanned , some a little easier than others.
Once again I feel compelled to comment on the state of nails and feet. In my opinion , many dogs had nails that were too long and some needed drastic fur trimming to enhance the shape of the feet.In my opinion it is a shame to groom your dogs for the ring but forget that ,especially whilst on the table, the judge has a perfect view of any, long nails and/or woolly “ Yeti” feet .
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
14 month old grizzle , pleasant head with well placed ears of a good size . Enough length of neck into a slightly heavier shoulder but good flat rib which extended back into a moderate loin . Not much of a jacket but a new one was clearly on its way ! ..rear angles were ok … Tail and topline were good .. Moved well ..
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Terrier Club of Scotland
15th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr Keith Baldwin (Nightstorm)
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Midland Counties Championship Show
26th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr J Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I would like to thank the officers & committee for giving me the opportunity to judge the Border Terrier classes, & also a big thank you to Penny Winger & Gavin Argill my two ring stewards who kept things in order & also made sure we finished on time, and a special mention to my Best of Breed winner for attending the terrier group, and being rewarded with being short listed in the final seven.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
Lovely expression with a strong foreface, she’s got that gamely look about her, harsh red grizzle jacket which had room for her to move in, narrow in rib and loin, good bend of stifle and small feet.
Selby Canine Society Open Show
28th Oct 2023
Judge: Jill Young (Chadbrook)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Houghton le Spring CS Open Show
29th Oct 2023
Judge: Lesley McNally (Conekesheved)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for a lovely entry and also to the Scottish BTC for this opportunity. Special thanks go to my two stewards for the day who kept everything running smoothly and for their good company. Although the lighting in the hall isn’t the best, it was adequate and the large square ring was perfect for watching movement, something I feel is very important in a border terrier. On that note I found my main winners to excel in this department. I was pleased to judge some strong puppy classes and also some strong adult classes
Special Beginners in Breed
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
G&T with lovely otter head, keen eye, narrow front with great reach of neck. Well angulated and moved with purpose around the ring
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Sporting Terrier Association of Yorkshire Open Show
12th Nov 2023
Judge: Sarah Pateman (Lessien)
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Post Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Limit /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Nov 2023
Judge: Libby Tanton-Joy (Itsaso)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to Judge their Open show, and all exhibitors that entered. I had a lovely entry with some quality dogs to go over. All placing’s were accepted with grace. Many thanks to both my stewards who kept the ring moving. The show had a lovely atmosphere and I enjoyed my day
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
Grizzle and tan bitch who was presented in full jacket with good pelt. Good head with strong jaw correct bite. Ears neat and set correctly. Good through rib and loin into rear angulation which she used to move well fore and aft
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Bridlington & District Canine Society Open Show
26th Nov 2023
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
My thanks to the committee for the invitation to judge at this show.
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
16 month grizzle and tan bitch lighter in colour than the first. She has a typical otter head with a beautiful expression. This houses large teeth with a correct scissor bite. She has a moderate length of neck which leads to a good shoulder and straight front. Her rib is carried well back and is easily spannable. Her pelt is thick and loose and she had a full double jacket today. She has good angulation behind and moved ok, just not quite the balanced reach and drive of the first today.
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
see 2nd in Junior
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
see 2nd in Junior
Burton on Trent KA Open show
3rd Dec 2023
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
My thanks go to the committee and volunteers of BOTKA for putting on this well organised show, under rather challenging circumstances, with sunny smiles and cheery dispositions. But, above all, my thanks go to the stewards, Margaret and Julie, and the brave exhibitors- the hardy few- who endured the awful road conditions to make it to Newark today.
In the ring, unfortunately both the colder than expected temperature, and the fan blowing warm air right next to the ring did affect most of the dogs to a varying degree- mostly in movement unfortunately. There were no kinked tails, all were of sound temperaments with keen gaze. Every dog had a strong scissor bite and clean strong teeth, and were spannable, with some good pelts and jackets on show today.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
15-month-old grizzle and tan bitch – Superb Otter like head with shallow stop good ear placement; a kind inquisitive gaze with plenty of fill under her eyes and a strong jaw with corresponding large teeth. Correct proportions throughout – straight legs with decent bone; level topline and good tailset- easily spanned with nice turn of stifle and good second thigh; well let down hocks and shown in a superb full coat with thick skin and a most pliable pelt. Correct angles fore and aft meant she was balanced whilst on the move and freestanding. She looked ready for a day’s work and I was pleased to award her Best of Breed today.
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
1st in Junior
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
See 1st Junior
Ladies Kennel Association
8th Dec 2023
Judge: Mr Ken Bartlett (Dwilencia)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Northern Dog Club Open Show
27th Jan 2024
Judge: Mrs M Fleming (Flegato)
Thank you to the Committee for inviting me to judge at this very well run and friendly show. There could not have been a better first time appointment. Thank you to the ring stewards who organised the ring and paperwork in the most efficient manner and made it very easy for me. And finally, thank you to all the exhibitors who entered and who were able to come and bring their dogs – it was a privilege for me to go over them.
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
another typey youngster, not dissimilar to 1. Pleasing head with neat ears and dark eyes with alert expression. Strong short muzzle, correct scissor bite. Good length of rib and strong loin, well muscled rear and fantastic thick carroty shaped tail. No top coat at all today.
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
See 2nd in Junior
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
27th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
Thank you to the committee of the YLC Border Terrier Club for this appointment, a very hard working team that pulled a lovely show together at a great venue and also my two very capable stewards Bridget Singh and Margaret Davies. To the exhibitors that also supported me on my wonderful entry for the day and generated a great atmosphere around the ring.
The lunch time interval also kept me busy with 6 lovely puppies taking part in the puppy walk, a great idea successfully carried out by the club and an opportunity to get the youngsters out and into a show environment – some promising youngsters to go over made the interval very pleasing.
I was really pleased with my final line ups on the day although I felt that the bitch classes were stronger than the dog classes, jackets with Crufts up and coming in a few weeks were varying so again thank you for putting exhibits forward that we all knew could do with some more jacket to just complete the picture.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Members Limited Show
28th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr. P. Appleby (Hollexby)
Firstly I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge this show, it was an honour and a privilege, secondly thank you to the exhibitors for entering a lovely selection of dogs for me to go over, and lastly but not leastly to my Stewards, Liz Barret and Val Mason for keeping me right.
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
2.5 year old grizzle, stood well on the table, nice head, neat paws, moved nicely, lacking in coat
Cumberland CA Open Show
4th Feb 2024
Judge: Mr Keith Derry (Vistca)
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Post Graduate /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
24th Feb 2024
Judge: Libby Tanton-Joy (Itsaso)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge their open show held at Jedburgh, the home of the border terrier. It was a great privilege, and I had some amazing dogs present who are a credit to their owners, thank you for bringing them.
Thank you to my stewards for organising the rings so smoothly and keeping me on track so we finished at a reasonable time. The hospitality was second to none and I would like to thank the whole committee for this.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Crufts
10th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
A tremendous entry of 275 Borders ( 25 absentees on the day)to enjoy handling, judging and placing. I must extend my appreciation to my two valiant stewards for their patience and skill in keeping classes moving. Thank you all.
I do believe our breed is changing, but in subtle ways. The lack of opportunities for true terrier work below ground for some Borders has been replaced by agility and other energetic pursuits, but lack of hard muscle tone has produced a ‘softer’ body on some exhibits. Some feet are slacker, pads are more spread and thinner and some fronts are wide. Movement is not always positive and a ‘driving’ action is lacking. Size is fluctuating too. We have a ‘working’ breed - let’s ensure that features defining the breed are not lost, i.e. ‘spannability’; a hard, harsh top coat and soft protective undercoat (not enough of those today); a dark, expressive eye, a broad skull and strong quarters – ‘the engine is at the back!’. Heads generally were good, but some bitch heads veered towards coarseness.
One thing not lost is the Border’s kind temperament – curious, interested and ready for anything.
Yearling - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2024
Judge: Mrs Lynda Ward (Roundtown)
It was an honour to be invited to judge this, our parent club’s show. My thanks to the committee who ran such a lovely event with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. My judge’s gift is much appreciated and will be a treasured momento of the day.
My superstar stewards, Janice Johnson and Liz Barrett, worked hard and unobtrusively whilst keeping the classes moving smoothly over a long day – well done ladies.
Many thanks of course to the exhibitors who made the journey on a major bank holiday weekend giving a large and quality entry of 190 dogs making 229 entries plus 10 NFC.
I had some lovely sound and typical Borders to go over and, had I had them, I would have had no qualms in awarding 4 dog tickets and 5 bitch tickets.
Unfortunately there are always downsides in a big entry and today size was an issue with some overly large exhibits who were not spannable and very heavily built.
There were a number of youngsters which were obviously unused to having their mouths examined and more practice in a calm atmosphere would help to make them comfortable and avoid stress for them and their handlers.
Ears need watching as some were quite large and spoiled the head.
Sadly, as in the past I must complain about long tails. Tails are an integral aspect of the overall picture of a typical Border outline and long is simply wrong. Our breed standard is spartan compared to many others but for tails the description is clear and begins with, “Moderately short; fairly thick at base, then tapering.” Hopefully the issue will be addressed before the untypical becomes the norm.
On a positive note …
Feet were overall small and thickly padded although some would benefit from trimming and shorter nails.
There was a good number of lovely otter-like heads of correct proportions with well placed dark eyes and a keen expression.
As is usual these days coat presentation was generally good and today there were plenty of dense coats of correct texture and thick skins.
Do I think the quality shown in this entry bodes well for the breed? Yes.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Scottish Kennel Club (Ocober)
16th May 2024
Judge: Mr. Stewart Golding (Beaconpike)
Sorry for delay in critiques, work commitments had to take priority. Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge the October show which was brought forward in conjunction with the May show. Thank you to my two stewards for keeping the ring running smoothly, which wasn’t easy with two shows running side by side. Thank you to the Exhibitors for a lovely entry and accepting my decisions in a sportsmanlike manner. I had some difficult decisions especially in the bitch classes where I just didn’t have enough cards to hand out. Coats from last time I judged had improved and it was a pleasure to see so many in correct double coat of depth. On the whole movement was good. I did find a couple of incorrect bites and one kinked tail
Yearling - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Class Critique
A super class where I wish I had more cards to hand out
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Jun 2024
Judge: Dr Margaret Armstrong (Ploughdown)
Thank you to the officers and committee of the Scottish Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their June 2024 Breed Club Open Show. The day was marked by very good weather conditions: a mixture of sunny spells, brisk breezes and cloud. Just right for the dogs. The dreaded rain kept at bay so the Gods smiled down on us. What a super venue to hold a show. There was a large indoor hall if needed. However, given the clement conditions, we were outside for judging on a large paved area surrounded by raised grass banks that afforded for spectators a good view of events. The welcome from officers and exhibitors alike was warm and hospitable and I’d like to thank exhibitors for the super entry I had and for their good grace in accepting their placings. There was a great sense of collegiality among members and good humour was in plentiful supply. The catering was second to none; the poached salmon salad at lunch was super. And I was sent on my way with enough food to see me back over the sea to Northern Ireland. Finally I’d like to thank my two stewards on the day: Kath Lothian and Pete Appleby. They were welcoming and fulfilled their duties with quiet good humour.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
Pleasing head with good balance of flat, broad skull and strong foreface. Lovely dark eye that lent her a typical expression. Scissor bite showing big white teeth. Good neck that flowed into a level topline and strong loin. Well angulated in shoulder and stifle. Deep body, easily spanned. Just holding on to her coat which was harsh and dense. Pliable pelt. Moved with ease around the ring.
Boston & District Canine Society
5th Jul 2024
Judge: Julie Green (Breckgreen & Stowthorney)
I would like to thanks the officers and committee of Boston and District Canine society for inviting me to give my first set of tickets in Border Terriers. It was such a well-run show and in such a lovely setting. I would also like to thank the exhibitors who entered under me. Thanks also to my two stewards who kept the ring moving for me on the day.
All in all, I was happy with my entry. I found all males to be entire and no kinked tails on the day. A couple of mouths that were not quite correct.
Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2024
Judge: Mr. Mark Ord (Marnadee)
Having attended & a long association with this breed club I was very honoured when I received the invitation to judge this show. It is pleasing that the club has such a wealth of supporters who do such sterling work and put on shows that make you want to return to. Walking into this venue today brought back many memories of the past and I am sure the pioneers of the club would be thrilled to see how it has prospered from humble beginnings. The Border Terrier continues to hold its own compared to many of today’s terrier breeds both as a companion and show dog. Breed standards were compiled by looking at the dogs of the time and their working capabilities fitting this purpose, this should still be adhered to now despite hunting no longer being allowed. This being said dogs should be presented for the show ring to the best of an owner’s capabilities, in hard muscular condition and coat presented clean and fit for the purpose of working in rough terrain.
I today found mouths to be good in the majority and I like to see large dentition along with a correct scissor bite. Several had eyes that needed attention in the way of cleaning before coming into the show ring. We still are seeing the incorrect flipping front action due to short upper arms and if not addressed this will become the norm. After my last appointment, I was pleased to only see a small minority where scissoring had been used on the coats which should not be the case. I did find today several coats that I would class as broken rather than the desirable tight harsh top weatherproof coat with undercoat for warmth. On a positive note, the bitches were easy to span and only a minority of males could not be. Pelts were pretty good being both thick & loose.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
bigger than I like for a bitch but scored well for her soundness, moved well with a good stride & precision, well proportioned head piece, has a firm top line stood & on the move, good ribbing in shape, well set tail, completely in her undercoat today.
Wolsingham & Wear Valley Agricultural Society Open Show
8th Sep 2024
Judge: Mrs Norma Ellis (Normbar)
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
Appealing shapely bitch, sweet head and eye, harsh fitting coat, good depth of rib, straight front, good body length good turn of stifle. Moved well .
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
19th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Margaret Armstrong (Carrickfarm)
Thank you to The Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge The Open Show at Low Hesket, one of my favourite shows and venues. As always hospitality was superb and a lovely enjoyable lunch.
Thank you to Judy and Andrea my two excellent stewards who kept proceedings running smoothly and on time and thank you to all exhibitors.
I had a lovely entry and some lovely dogs to judge. A very enjoyable day.
Special Beginners in Breed
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
2 yr old with a flat broad skull and strong fore face.Correct scissor bite and big white teeth. Good neck flowing into level topline and strong loin. Well angulated shoulder and easily spanned. Harsh jacket and pliable pelt. Moved with ease
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Group Open Show
20th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Sue Spafford (Dassett)
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
A little more bone than I would like for a bitch but spannable, with good head. Well set ears, nice top line, good hind angulation. Moved ok.
Selby Canine Society Open Show
26th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Val Mason (Valicetarn)
I would like to express my gratitude to the Selby C A committee for the invitation to judge and for their warm welcome to their well run show.
I felt incredibly spoiled to have the opportunity to go over some quality dogs.
Thank you also to my able stewards and to all exhibitors.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
Placing Critique
Pleasing otter like head. Broad flat skull, short muzzle, housing large white teeth & correct bite. Inquisitive expression & dark eye. Well balanced ears.
A longer cast bitch shown in full, correct textured jacket, plentiful undercoat and loose pelt.
At first glance she looks heavy but you really needed to put your hands on her to appreciate her construction. Well placed shoulders and tail set.
Good length of rib and deceivingly easy to span. Moving soundly
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Nov 2024
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
I would like to thank SCBTC and committee for the privilege of judging this years Championship show and thank my very capable steward Euan Castell for keeping the ring flowing and the exhibitors for their lovely entry. There were some really nice dogs for me to go over. But I must say that looking at them in general heads are starting to stray away from that of the border terrier, the other thing that I think needs addressing is the general cleanliness of their exhibits. I found three suspect mouths and two kinked tails . thank you one and all for an enjoyable day,
Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Otterpaws The Thunder Rolls
