Show Placings
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Nov 2016
Judge: Mrs Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for their invitation to judge this show. It was a great privilege to be asked and I would like to thank my two ring stewards Jem Thomas and Richard Wright for keeping everything moving smoothly for me throughout the day.
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
Just 6 months of age this blue and tan bitch has a good head with a keen expression and a short strong muzzle with big teeth. She has plenty of bone and is well balanced. She has neat feet and nice short tail straight off the back. She has plenty of loose pelt and a good tight jacket. She is a handy size and moved soundly.
The Sporting Terrier Association Of Yorkshire Open Show
13th Nov 2016
Judge: Mr C Wallace (Hobholt)
My thanks to the committee for the appointment, my very capable steward and the exhibitors for bringing a fine group of Borders’ to the show. Pleased to see the Best Puppy go BPIS under Bill Browne-Cole.
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Sedgley & Gornal Canine Association Open Show
27th Nov 2016
Judge: Miss J Green
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Lancashire Sporting Terrier Club Open Show
4th Dec 2016
Judge: Roger Crooks
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Manchester General Championship Show
19th Jan 2017
Judge: Mrs Karen Dean (Tyrian)
I would first like to thank the society for inviting me to judge and also my stewards for efficiently managing the ring. This is a particularly difficult time of year for coats especially with Crufts on the horizon, producing some results that would change on another day. Several exhibits lacked the harsh top coat and some were past their best resulting in good harshness but lack of undercoat so giving a thin feel to coat and particularly the pelt. I was a little disappointed in the number of exhibits that were not displaying the drive I was looking for and hope this is also due to the time of year. I was particularly pleased with both my CC and RCC winners especially in relation to their movement.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Litchfield CS Open Show
28th Jan 2017
Judge: Sheona Fortune
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
8 month old Black and tan bitch. Stood alone today. Nice head of correct shape, strong muzzle and large white teeth. Good coat coverage, spanned easily moved well. Lost out in challenge for best puppy as I preffered size and proportions of Junior bitch.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
11th Feb 2017
Judge: Mr Jem Thomas (Daluce)
I would like to thank the club and it's committee for giving me the great honour and opportunity of judging their show. Thank you to my stewards on the day Sharon Pickering and Liz Wright who kept me on my toes and made sure everything ran smoothly. A massive thank you to the exhibitors who braved the elements on what what's a horrible morning weather wise and accepted my decisions In a wonderfully sporting manner.
Thank you all.
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
9m Old blue and tan bitch. Nice length, good for bone, excellent shoulders. Typical head with keen expression. Moved with drive and purpose lovely coat and pelt.
National Terrier Club
1st Apr 2017
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
Thank you to The National Terrier Club for the appointment also my stewards who did a sterling job in keeping everything moving smoothly and a thank you to the exhibitors for allowing me the opportunity to go over their prized possessions. A few dogs were under weight and some would benefit by having their feet and nails some attention. I only found one suspect mouth and lots lacking in body condition. Some need to put scissors in the drawer and leave them there too! I was pleased with the final lines of my winners of both sexes.
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
The Banbury and District Canine Association Open Show
1st May 2017
Judge: Anna Duxbury (Ridgebow)
I would very much like to thank the officers and committee for offering me this appointment, and for their hospitality. Thanks also to the two ring stewards. Mostly, of course, I would like to thank the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of going over their dogs and their sporting acceptance of my decisions Temperaments on the day were excellent; I found no dogs with incorrect bites and the one male dog was entire.
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
Litter sister to BOB today, Blue and tan 1 year old bitch. Again, good head and expression with straight front and small neat feet. Very good topline and tailset. Coat and pelt in good order. Well angulated all round – not as flat in rib as her sister and not quite as positive on the move today, but still a very nice bitch.
Birmingham National Dog Show
4th May 2017
Judge: Mr Terence Tuck
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
Decent head, nice overall proportions, generally well-constructed all through, and moved well. Preferred the slightly narrower body and racy hind quarters of the winner.
Scottish Kennel Club
21st May 2017
Judge: Mr I Hopper
I would like to thank the Scottish Kennel Club for inviting me to award Challenge Certificates for the first time. Thank you to everybody who entered their dogs for me to judge and also to my ring steward June who was good assistance on the day .There were no bad mouths all the dogs were entire, coats were at various stages. I enjoyed my days judging and the top winners were dogs that I felt fitted the breed standard.
Yearling - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Jun 2017
Judge: Mr Arthur Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to the Club for my appointment which I thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to the Officers and Committee for their hospitality and gift. Thanks to my stewards Tina Morgan and Jane Roberts for the efficient way they kept the show moving along. I was very pleased with my final line ups, which were all presented in very good coat and condition. I would have been happy to have awarded at least 3 CC’s in each sex. All the dogs placed had correct dentition which was very pleasing. Movement has improved since the last time I judged. However I do think more thought should be taken regarding heads as a lot appear to be lacking strength under the eye and jaw, which results in losing the otter like head.
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
East of England Agricultural Society
9th Jul 2017
Judge: Mrs Marion Reeves
Having achieved 80 years on my last birthday I have decided that this has to be the last occasion that I award C.C. ‘s in Border Terriers. It’s time for the next generation to step up. In the showring border terriers still come in every size & shape imaginable. Our breed standard is I believe the sketchiest of all the breed standards offering only limited guidance as to the perfect exhibit. What would be wrong with including an ideal ratio of length of body to height at withers? I also have a problem with “Hindquarters – racy” which for me describes a greyhound or a whippet. Surely we don’t want the overangulated hindquarters that have crept into the breed in recent years.
On to the Show! I was very pleased with my entry & had no difficulty finding some worthy winners.
Yearling - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Leek & DCS Open Show
29th Jul 2017
Judge: Mr G Richardson
Thank you to the society for inviting me to judge at their show and all the exhibitors who entered and allowed me to judge their dogs on the day. I was pleased with all the dogs placed on the day and to see my B.O.B .go on to take B.I.S.
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
Blue & Tan Bitch, otter head with neat ears. Scissor bite with large teeth. Good reach of neck. Spannable, narrow throughout. Excellent coarse coat, thick loose pelt. Moved well.
Bakewell Show
2nd Aug 2017
Judge: Mr Colin Powell (Bowtman)
Had a very good entry for this supported breed, only to be hampered by some of the worst condition I have ever judged in.
Had to be towed of the field before I started judging, traffic tall backs went on for hours even though the show was delayed for half an hour.
Felt sorry for the organizers and exhibiters alike, a lot of absentees and late arrivals,
On another day with kind weather, placing could be quiet different has a lot of dogs didn’t want to be outside in a ring with no cover and foul weather conditions.
Dog were good in general no bad mouths some with no coats, and soft muscle tone, and a few unspannable.
Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
The Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Feb 2018
Judge: Mr. J. Todd (Roxess)
I would like to thank the club for the invitation to judge and the hospitality I received. Thanks also to my steward Mr Ian Hopper for his great assistance. Finally thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs. I really enjoyed my day.
I was impressed with the quality of the majority of dogs present and although some were top size all placed dogs were easily spanned and had correct bite.. I felt overall movement was good, coats were variable some full and some lacking however in the run up to Crufts this is to be expected. The majority had good pelts which was pleasing. Mouths were generally good most with large teeth but I was disappointed to see many with dirty teeth.
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
11th Feb 2018
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Firstly, I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge their show, and thank you to the exhibitors for the lovely entry. Thank you also to my ring stewards Jem Thomas and Paul Brannan for their hard work and efficiency in keeping the classes running smoothly. I had some very pleasant surprises on the day when going over new dogs. Some dogs I found to be much lighter to handle than they appear from the ringside and also in the same vein, two or three were way over an acceptable departure from the standard weight. I found what I was looking for in so much as I believe we should be looking at the whole dog in balance. I sometimes think it is easy to get so hooked up on breed points that we lose sight of the whole picture. There were one or two difficult decisions on the day, but the dogs with balance, lightness and lack of exaggeration were generally rewarded and I do like to see a dog “active” as the standard calls for.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
Blue & tan. Strong headed bitch with good muzzle and little stop. Very good neck into well laid shoulders. Excellent topline and underline and well ribbed back. Well set short thick tail. Nicely angulated front and back. Shown in a good topcoat with excellent thick undercoat and pelt. Balanced and free moving.
Crufts
9th Mar 2018
Judge: Mr.Carl Gunnar-Stafberg
Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
31st Mar 2018
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
My grateful thanks to the BTC for the invitation to judge the annual Championship show and my thanks to my efficient stewards who were kept busy. I was astonished to see from my catalogue, as I prepared my critique, how far exhibitors had travelled, particularly with the unpredictable weather we are experiencing. Thank you all for coming.
Movement is improving. There are still are some upright shoulders and poor rear angulation. Size is incredibly variable and as this breed has a strong working heritage some exhibits would struggle to get into any fox earth. I would like to see more muscle tone on back ends. The opportunities to work Borders may have diminished, but the breed standard is our template and we should stick to it or we will have classes filled with ‘showing fools.’
Don’t chalk coats to harden them. Your judges will find it. It’s unnecessary - don’t let it become a fashion. A good coat needs no embellishments and good coats on the day were excellent coats. Coats will grow but in the process may miss out on top honours at a Championship show. We all want our dogs to have their best coats on a show day, but the two things don’t always coincide. I also appreciated that coats kept going for Crufts recently had then been stripped out.
Quality and breed type were lacking in some exhibits. Young heads need time at puppy stage but some young males were disappointing. One puppy dog was chronically thin. Puppies should be puppy-ish, carry a bit of weight and be happy in the ring and socialised. The Exhibition Hall is noisy and some pups are phased by unusual sounds, but I’m pleased to say that temperaments were excellent. I dislike seeing youngsters being strung up - dancing on their toes - and having their leads jerked to keep their attention, or to get them walking in a straight line. Try talking to your dog on the move and loosen those leads.
I have expressed an opinion on baiting before, and I will keep doing it until exhibitors take note, or I die pleading. Baiting a dog on the table unbalances the dog, gets in the way of the judge doing his/her job properly when it comes to checking the bite, and distracts the dogs completely. Borders are especially curious of strangers who approach, so the table contest for them becomes ‘bait’ or ‘stranger.’ A judge doesn’t want to waste time getting the dog’s attention away from bait. Practice getting the stance correct on a table without bait. Please - keep your bait until the dog is on the floor.
All males were entire; scissor bites generally were very good but some varied from a level bite, to the odd missing or chipped tooth and a couple of slightly wry mouths, but teeth were well presented and clean. There was just one kinked tail.
The best exhibits were exceptionally good. Eyes were dark and of good shape, bright and healthy. The good coats were tight, crisp and of great texture. Movement was impressive on the whole – straight and true - and almost all dogs were spannable. Sadly, not enough cards to go round and in some of the senior classes of both sexes, there were beautiful exhibits in tremendous condition, which could change places at any time. Their owners are to be congratulated.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
National Dog Show
11th May 2018
Judge: Mrs Jane Morton-Shaw (Fehmarn)
My sincere thanks to the Birmingham National Dog Show committee for inviting me to judge at what was my first CC appointment. My thanks also go to my super-efficient stewards on the day. Thanks to all of you exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry, and for your sporting acceptance of my decisions, some of which were difficult, as there were a couple of times when the quality was so good, it was hard to separate them, so I had to look at the minor points to split them.
There were a couple of level bites but no kinked tails. My main grumble were the huge ears on too many exhibits, front movement on many left much to be desired, and a number of exhibits were too big overall making some unspannable. A couple of dogs were badly overweight. All exhibits were presented in good clean condition.
I had a wonderful time and hopefully the exhibitors enjoyed their day too at this well-run show. The icing on the cake was the fact that my Best Puppy in Breed went on to win Terrier Puppy Group 2, and my DCC/Best Veteran went on the win Terrier Veteran Group 2.
Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Leek and District Show Society Open Show
28th Jul 2018
Judge: Anna Duxbury (Ridgebow)
I would very much like to thank the officers and committee for offering me this appointment at this lovely agricultural show, and for their hospitality. Thanks also to the efficient and helpful ring steward and most of all to all the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of going over their dogs. It was a very windy day, which bothered some dogs on the table. Temperaments on the day were excellent, coats were very varied and all male dogs were entire.
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
2 year old blue and tan bitch. Lovely ottery head, with keen expression, good earset and dentition, with strong muzzle. Nice front with straight legs onto small neat feet. Thick coat and pelt . Good rear angulation and tailset. Moved slightly erratically due to the windy conditions I think, but with enough drive to take 1st place today.
Leeds Championship Dog Show
29th Jul 2018
Judge: Mr Brian Baxter (Beenaben)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
The Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2019
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Open - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Richmond Championship Show
7th Sep 2019
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge (Risdene)
In this day of mentoring I make no apologies for restating the main criteria I apply in my judging. The standard states that the border terrier is essentially a working terrier and it should be able to follow a horse. Therefore I require a dog deep in chest but well ribbed back providing ample heart and lung room which will enable it to travel and be present when and if required to flush the quarry, narrow throughout and spannable to enable it to go to ground, head like that of a otter with strong muzzle and big teeth to help protect from any attack of the quarry, harsh double coat and thick skin as protection from the elements whilst underground or on the moors, good temperament to mix with the hounds and able to be handled as necessary.
I felt that most of my winners met this criteria and my report concentrates on the dogs distinguishing points that resulted in its placing. However no dog is perfect and that is where the judgement comes in and remember opinions from the ring side do not always hold up on closer inspection.
Open - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
22nd Sep 2019
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
May I take the opportunity to thank the Club and its members for inviting me to judge at this show, and for the super warm hospitality I received. Special thanks to my ring stewards Carolyn Richardson and Julie North, for being efficient and keeping me on track.
I found no bad mouths and as always in our breed, coats at various stages. Lots of spannable dogs and bitches which I like.
I would like to say a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Open - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Midland Counties Championship Show
24th Oct 2019
Judge: Mr Stuart Plane
Open - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
3rd Nov 2019
Judge: Ms Judith Fawcett (Carrock)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this my second breed club show. Thank you to the committee for their kind hospitality and the lovely gift I received at the end of the day. My two stewards, Sharon Pickering & Beverley Barber, kept things moving along nicely – thank you. I was delighted with the entry – thank you to everyone for giving me the opportunity of going over your dogs and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted. As expected coats were at various stages – some were good, some going over and a couple of exhibits were freshly pulled out. All dogs were entire and there were no kinked tails. There were one or two untidy and a couple of level mouths. I had one main concern on the day – size. There were some exhibits who were just too big to span and weighed heavy and this was reflected in their placings. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was delighted with my main winners - I had some good quality dogs to judge.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
heavier built than 1 and slightly deeper in chest. Shown in fit condition. Good head & ears. Moved soundly.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
6th Feb 2022
Judge: Mr Peter Armstrong (Atron)
Many sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for the kind invitation to judge at this Show, It really seemed to be a success judging by the happy atmosphere in the venue and congratulations must go to all the hard working Committee for the superb organization on the day despite the Covid regulations and the inclement weather. My thanks must also go to my two efficient stewards, Mr. Richard Wright and Mrs. Joyce Whiting, for their invaluable assistance in keeping the ring running smoothly and keeping me in check.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Totherend Blue Jean Genie
Placing Critique
Blue and Tan bitch with a good head, keen expression, dark eye, good earset, correct dentition and strong finish to muzzle. Good front construction, straight legs and small neat feet. Thick coat and pelt. Moved adequately but could not match the exhuberance of the winner.
