Show Placings
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2008
Judge: Stuart McPherson (Brumberhill)
Thank you to those exhibitors, who, in the present financial climate, gave me the highest entry in the Terrier Group, by a considerable margin, nearly half as many again as the next breed. Friday, M6, NEC, extortionate car park charges are not a good combination!!
Thank you to my very efficient steward, who kept things running smoothly, so we could finish in good time, after the very late start due to the problems on the M6.
Now, to the dogs themselves! I know that I was very lucky, in that when I started in the Breed, in 1980, I was taught about type, construction and movement by Ted Hutchinson, a master of the sport, who had campaigned the then Breed Record Holder, plus a string of Champions across many other breeds. This knowledge, plus, I would like to think, a natural eye for quality, has served me well over the following years. Therefore, it saddens me to see the type and constructional faults that are creeping into the breed. These faults are now so prevalent, that newer breeders, exhibitors and some judges, probably think, and accept they must be correct, so widespread are they.
The Standard asks for an "otter" like head, moderately broad in skull. Too many have excessively broad skulls, giving an exaggerated, almost caricature look, rather than the refined beauty of an otter. Ear set is also a cause for concern. The standard calls for small, V- shaped, dropping forward close to the cheek. Too many ears are perched high, above the line of the skull, dropping forward to the temple, rather than the cheek, giving a foreign, almost Lakeland / Fox Terrier expression. While, I am sure, this may appeal in some quarters, it is totally incorrect on a Border Terrier.
Now, to shoulders, and especially upper arms, a major problem today, particularly in the younger classes. Upright shoulders and very short upper arms, mean the front assembly of the dog appears "tacked on". The shoulder should be clean and well laid, with a long upper arm, meaning that the dog can stand with their front legs under them, perpendicular to the floor, rather than like a “milking stool. This, affects movement, giving an action that can only be described as "peddling a bike" and causing no reach on the move .They are, after all, a working breed, who are supposed to be capable of "following a horse".
On the plus side, most were in good coat, and moved soundly behind, something which is much easier to achieve. Two exhibits were so thin, I felt their entry fee would have been better spent on a bag of quality food.
My top winners are examples of Breeders who have stuck to their ideals, of breeding sound, honest, typical Border Terriers, bred to last, not following fashion by breeding, what, to my mind, are shorter coupled, flashier "terrier" types to appeal to the more modern way of thinking. They wouldn't have looked out of place from when I first started in the Breed, matching beautifully for type and construction.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
National Terrier
4th Apr 2009
Judge: Mr. Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
Many thanks to everyone for an excellent entry, both in numbers and quality. While there were many well made exhibits it became a frustrating experience at times trying to find those with a decent coat, many having presumably been stripped out following Crufts in preparation for the season ahead, after all they can’t be in coat all of the time! Front movement again was a problem, not so much due to under reaching or circus pony, high stepping, but pinning and knitting. Heads were a mixed bag, one or two with excessive stops and rounded skulls but none excessively broad. There were some “snipey” muzzles present.
Novice - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Bath Canine Society
22nd May 2009
Judge: Mr W R Irving
The entry was 142 dogs making 149 entries with 20 absentees and I thank those who entered for doing so and for the sporting way in which my decisions were accepted. Thanks too to my Stewards whose quiet efficiency meant that the judging was completed in four hours.
I gather that there was comment in some quarters about how much I moved the dogs and I make no apology for that. I moved each dog individually twice and in each class around the ring sometimes on two occasions and sometime three. In these days when so many Borders are stacked to look as the exhibitor wants them to look, my view is that the only way to see the real outline of the dogs is to move them around a few times and see their natural lines, not the outline set up by the handler. Additionally I know as an exhibitor, that in these large classes the dogs get very bored standing around waiting and they welcome the opportunity to move around the ring. For those of us who still like to 'free-stand' our dogs, that does make a difference and it is only when you see them either 'free standing' or moving in profile, that you can get a true picture of outline. But that's probably rather an old fashioned view these days
The dogs were clean and well presented but with a number which were shown with absolutely no topcoat. Far too many have too little coat of the type demanded by the breed standard which asks for it to be Harsh and dense with close undercoat. Size was not bad generally speaking - with fewer excessively over sized dogs than I have sometimes seen before.
I was very pleased indeed by the final line up for the dog CC which I thought was particularly consistent for type and quality and the top bitches too were, in my opinion, excellent. Front movement generally still gives great cause for concern and shoulders are not great but there were also quite a few where hind movement was poor too. There were enough good movers to make the top winners strong in that area. I was also able to find enough exhibits with good heads but I have to say that there were rather too many with big heads and rather large, round looking eyes and too much stop.
Overall I very much enjoyed judging the breed on this occasion and I was encouraged by the number of good exhibits, particularly in the puppy classes. That makes me optimistic for the breed's future.
Best Breeder : Girlings' a very typical group with good heads and well proportioned all through.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Southern Counties Canine Association
6th Jun 2009
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
Thank you to all the exhibitors for your huge entry, it?s a good job we went outside for Limit Dog as we would not all fit into the inside wet weather ring. I really enjoyed judging the dogs more than the bitches not often is the case but today it was.
Coats were either non existence, blown or half and half, just a handful were in double coat and they looked the part. One bad mouth, one had a front tooth missing, all dogs were entire and no bitches in season
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Light red bitch very feminine shapely good tail set another with good hind angulation which shows in the movement.
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Paignton & District Fanciers Association
3rd Aug 2009
Judge: Mrs Nancy Hogg (Raeburnfoot)
I would like to thank the exhibitors for a lovely entry. Some quality exhibits to go over in both dogs and bitches and I was pleased with my winners. Temperament was excellent throughout. Such a shame we couldn?t be outdoors.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Showy bitch. Good head, strong muzzle. Right for bone. Narrow throughout. Excelled in coat and pelt. Moved well.
Bournemouth Championship Show
10th Aug 2009
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon (Kersfell)
Thank you to my very efficient stewards. I think we have a real problem with the front construction and movement in the breed; there were far too many exhibits with short, steep upper arms, often resulting in a build up of bulky muscle on the outer line of the shoulder and the movement in front on many was very poor. The Border is ?essentially a working terrier and this type of construction will seriously compromise its ability to work.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
handy size light grizzle with a good head and expression, in very good fettle with an excellent coat and pelt; narrow front, good legs and feet, moved really well.
Class Critique
A very close decision between the first two in this class.
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Welsh Kennel Club
22nd Aug 2009
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Very nice type and outline very showy moved well good grizzle coat.
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
City of Birmingham Canine Association
5th Sep 2009
Judge: Mrs Kathy Wilkinson (Otterkin)
An excellent entry awaited me at the City of Birmingham show, not only in numbers, but also in the depth of quality. In many classes, I found myself wishing for more than 5 places to award and sadly, dogs left the ring which I really liked and would have been happy to place on another day. In more than a couple of classes, it was very hard to decide on the 1st 5 in order and many went down the line because of coat texture and thickness, although on another day, in better coat, they would have fared better. As I have not been to many shows this year, it was good to view some dogs for the first time, including my Best of Breed, who I was pleased to ?find?, only to later discover she has already been found on a number of occasions, although not at this level!
I apologise for the lateness of this critique. Besides flying out to an appointment to judge in Italy only a couple of days after the show, we have had some personal and medical issues to deal with regarding the welfare of my elderly mother in law. As I write this, we have still not finalised arrangements for her, but hope to do so soon, so I hope you will understand that sometimes, dog shows do not come first.
On the way to the showground, my car made some terrifying noises when I touched the brake pedal and so, that will explain to anyone wondering, why I had to stop judging for a second or two to find my car keys for the AA man, who kindly fixed it at the hotel car park for us and saved us a long trip home on the back of a low loader.
An eventful weekend, made wonderful by the number of top class Border Terriers present at the show.
Many thanks must go to the very experienced and helpful ring stewards, Mr and Mrs Wright, who had the dogs present and ready for inspection at the start of every class and so enabled me to finish in plenty time for the Terrier Group. Good ring management was important with an entry of 185 dogs, making 193 entries (plus one or two whose entries had not been received and less a couple of NFC). This was the highest number in the Terrier Group today and I would like to thank all the exhibitors for allowing me the pleasure of going over their dogs. The absentee rate of dogs entered was 23.5%.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Class Critique
Very, very hard class to judge as I liked about 10 to 12 of those shown sufficiently to have awarded them a high placement
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Was Reserve in a very strong Junior Bitch class. She has a lovely body and a super head and expression, with nice ears, well placed and a good front. She moved well going and coming and her tail is bang on top. Good bend of stifle.
Richmond Championship Show
12th Sep 2009
Judge: Mrs Janet Lee (Tythrop)
Sincere apologies to my exhibitors, the committee failed to inform me the proposed order of group judging had changed & the Terrier group was brought forward, the tannoy call was the 1st thing I knew about it. My back spasm during junior dog meant I was reduced to shuffling, sorry.
Most dogs were new to me & temperaments in the ring were good, my winners could do the job they were intended for being free from coarseness & lumber, spannable & narrow, with corresponding good construction & movement.
Several heads were short in skull & blocky, more resembling the balance of an Asian Short Clawed Otter, than an English one, the latter have longer than broad flat skulls, clean cheeks & relatively short muzzles parallel in profile to their skull, Borders should have large teeth with good scissor bite to be effective. Today, square, deep skulls, often with round eyes & very short narrow muzzles with small teeth were in evidence. These too strong square heads tended to have heavy fronts & frames to match.
Many fronts were placed too far forward with pro-sternum behind point of shoulder, which lacked length & layback, the too short & steep upper arms having no support, badly affecting movement, the dogs moved away with their fronts crossing, when only two legs should be visible. As an alternative a few were close behind & swung in front, so again "four legs". Profile movement lacked ?travel?, being up & down short choppy strides rather than smooth & forward going with drive off the hocks.
Although bone wasn't generally too fine nor too heavy some didn't have enough through pasterns into feet, & they lacked the depth of pad to ensure soundness if worked regularly.
My major concern, however, was coats & especially pelts. When I came into the breed Borders were shown in deep double coat, always.Dogs then looked heavier than they were due to these double coats & lots of pelt which the standard says MUST be thick - not because they had big frames with drum tight skins.. Coat density & pelt are directly related, no coat, thus thin skin, but they should still be loose & pliant. Tight, paper thin skins without depth of under or topcoat is not what the standard calls for, nor any use to a working terrier. A great advantage to the dog is a continuous double coat that can be worked or shown all year round.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Class Critique
Good class, all those I shortlisted have narrow straight moving fronts. Much diversity in development decided places.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Typical red, balanced in outline, good feminine head eye & expression. Firm topline & well set short thick tail. In good coat. Moved better in this class, not quite as narrow all through as winner.
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Sep 2009
Judge: Mrs Elly Weijenborg-Weggemans (Netherlands)
I felt very honoured when I received the invitation to judge at the Open Show and was glad that I could accept this. What an opportunity to see and go over so many Borders in one day. Of course I have seen many Borders during the 40 years that I have lived with them but to see so many together is not possible on the continent. When I received the entry details I really was surprised and felt even more honoured then.
The Venue was good but unfortunately it was one of the warmest days and in the hall the temperature rose quite quickly. Nevertheless almost all Borders presented there showed until the very end of the day.
The judging went smoothly not in the least because of my exceptionally efficient steward, Peter Roderick, who took care of calling in the next class on time and made sure that there were no mistakes because of the re-entries which I am not used to. Many thanks also to my ring stewards!
I was surprised by the high quality presented to me. In some classes it meant that I could not always place otherwise nice exhibits. All Borders behaved themselves wonderfully when being handled, even inexperienced ones. Just one exception to that was a dog that didn't like to be handled on the table, which is not Border like.
It occurred to me that it is becoming to be a habit to string the dogs when moving. It worsens their movement in a lot of cases and for me they should be moved with a loosened lead. For some exhibits it made the difference in being placed or not. I found on the whole just a few problems. Just one wrong bite and one tail that was not correct. Feet need attention. Just a few had lovely strong padded catlike feet. As well as front movement which is a real problem in the Border Terrier all over the world. Waving, almost crossing, loose, just a few had a parallel and straight front movement. On the other hand, side movement was in almost all exhibits free and with a long stride. A lot of coats were in between. But I could feel the correct texture being double and harsh.
I had a lovely day and want to thank the organisation for their efforts to make me and my sister ? who accompanied me ? feel welcome and of course all the exhibitors for entering and taking my decisions so sportingly. The atmosphere around the ring felt warm, friendly and relaxed.
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Nice type of Border. Good otter head. Narrow all through. Spannable. Good carroty tail and tail set. Good pelt and coat. Correct bone and nice feet. Angulations OK. Both standing and moving she tends to be slightly overbuilt. She moved with purpose, just a bit short stepped and a bit loose in front.
Midland Counties Championship Show
22nd Oct 2009
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
The first sentence of the Standard reads, General Appearance: Essentially a working terrier. Bearing this in mind, I was most impressed with the quality of the coats. The great majority had really tough outer coats, and nice loose pelts. Though some of the blue & tans were showing white hairs (ticking), which is the hallmark of the blue & tan, there were some black all over which is incorrect. Pads were on the whole good with well shaped feet. Ears should be neither too thin nor too thick, and should hang correctly. Not always the case today. There were several atypical heads, with a few over long noses, and several being overlarge. Only one suspect mouth. Some with narrow muzzles had rather crowded incisors. In the past I have been very critical of movement, for if a Border cannot move properly it is not put together properly. Today there was both good and bad movement. There were problems with front movement, where many exhibits were moving too close. Strange to say there were very few wide in the front. Previously, from the ringside, I had thought there were too many Borders with overlong tails. There were some today, but a lot of this was due to the tail not being groomed properly. Tails should not be scissored, but over long hairs at the end should be judiciously removed. In every class there were always two and generally three exhibits which shone out. In some case it was difficult to pick out the remaining places. ( I was slightly perturbed when picking up my documents from the secretary’s office, that though I had a “Judging Book”, I was not in fact a judge but an “Adjudicator”, or so my badge said. Have we taken leave of our senses?
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2009
Judge: Mrs Jayne Alpe
Thank you to the LKA committee for this appointment, my first time giving CC’s, my thanks to my stewards who kept the judging flowing smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed my appointment and overall was pleased with the quality of my entry. My final line ups were all good examples of the breed, both in type, conformation and also in movement, which is what I was looking for. In some classes I was delighted at the quality forward, in particular limit and open bitch, which meant some very good bitch’s were unplaced. Overall I found movement better than I have seen it in the past, although there is still a lack of drive from a number of dogs. Not sure that they could do a full days work as they were meant to, without tiring. Front movement still needs looking to as well. I was disappointed to find one or two with misplaced teeth and some with untypical expressions and light eyes. My principal winners were exactly what I was looking for in the breed, as I do feel that what we are lacking in the breed at the moment is real stallions of dogs and femininity in the bitch’s. I was delighted to learn after judging that my best puppies were litter brother and sister.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
honest sound bitch, good size with nice head and well placed ears, good bite, nice tail set.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
National Terrier
3rd Apr 2010
Judge: Mrs Valerie Furness (Quatford)
A big thank you to the National Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this prestigious show and thank you to my stewards especially Fred who as always put everybody and everything in order and kept the judging on the move and flowing.
I was looking for a true Border and was pleased with all my placings to-day, all of good quality. What I did notice was a lot of quantity but not a lot of quality. Front and hind movement looks to be getting worse, some exhibits were so lacking in bone that the front legs would make good knitting needles and some were actually doing knit one, pearl one when moving back towards me. I could see front pads on some as they were moving away. Hind movement was either too close or too wide, over-angulation needs to be watched. Top lines on the whole were good but there were some strange under-lines. A lot of exhibits were so short in muzzle that this made for very tight dentition, small feet were few and far between and tails in some were far too long, where have all the “carrots” gone. I only found three incorrect mouths and two abnormal tails. Some exhibits would benefit from more handling/ring-craft experience as their poor performance affected placings.
I think the Breed Standard would make good reading for some exhibitors.
On a positive note, temperaments overall where very good.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Very similar type to 1, could change places on another day, although short of coat, what she did have was of good texture, moved with drive.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
WELKS
25th Apr 2010
Judge: Miss S A Leslie (Risdene)
I started the day with veteran dog followed by some excellent juvenile dog classes which were very enticing. Throughout the day size was sometimes a little difficult to come to terms with when exhibits at the top of the scale were the more shapely and sound but as long as they were spannable they still featured if they had the attributes breed and conformation-wise to do the job they were bred for. Generally I determined that there was no need for a diatribe from yours truly as I found my lovely entry on the whole brought forward much of what I was looking for and I thank exhibitors for that. Just remember while I love a proper double coat I still like a tidy coat! Heads were definitely improved with very few of the stoppy, round eyed exhibits I do not find typical. There were a few strangely grubby ones and some would have benefited from some tlc round their eyes to guard against stray hairs causing irritation. Be that as it may there were some smashing classes with dogs not making the cut that on another day would figure in the reckoning.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Feminine bitch, really appealed with her good head and lovely expression, narrow and spannable, presented in good fettle just wished she was fractionally longer in body and rib
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
National Dog Show
7th May 2010
Judge: Mr P Bakewell
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
nice size, feminine head with alert expression, good easily spanned rib, good body, good quarters, good coat & texture
Bath Campionship Show
28th May 2010
Judge: Mrs Melanie Lewis
Thank you to the exhibitors for an extremely nice entry and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted. A warm sunny day with a welcome breeze made conditions ideal. A bonus was the neatly mown grass in the ring which was ideal to assess movement. I was fortunate to have two extremely efficient Stewards who ensured the smooth running of the ring, enabling me to finish my task in good time, despite a delay in the start of judging.
On the whole I was pleased with the exhibits presented to me which were clean, although many lacked the correct double jacket that the standard asks for. Front movement is still a concern as indeed was the variation in the size of some of the exhibits. Heads generally were good although some exhibits were rather heavy in ear. Temperament’s were excellent, just one or two not too keen on being handled on the table. Two exhibits had teeth missing and I found a couple with incorrect dentition.
Feet can tell you a lot about a dog and its lifestyle. The standard asks for feet to be small with firm pads. Flat feet not helped by long nails are most undesirable and indeed would be a drawback if the dog was carrying out the task for which he was originally bred. Scissor marks unfortunately were very much in evidence on some exhibits which spoilt their overall appearance.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Correct for size, she has a good head and expression and was presented in fine fettle. She has a narrow front, with good legs and feet, the correct amount of bone, adequate length of back with good racy rear quarters and was sporting an excellent harsh coat over a good pliable pelt. Her sound movement secured her this well deserved placing.
Southern Counties
5th Jun 2010
Judge: Tinna Grubbe (Denmark)
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Nice racy type. Good eye and earset. Nose colour a little light, good neck and topline. Nice coat and movement
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Jun 2010
Judge: Mr J Bainbridge (Risdene)
A pleasing entry of 231 dogs with 55 absent on the day made for a representative entry without the classes being over sized. Generally the classes produced good winners none of whom looked out of place in the final line-ups. All were spannable and generally those in the cards were correct in this respect. Most exhibitors probably know by now what I look for in a typical Border Terrier and this was generally evident in today's entry.
Dog CC and BIS Hobholt Harrier JW (Mrs M A Wallace) such a lithe, mature 4 year old grizzle dog of impressive outline in super double coat and thick pelt, well presented, has a correctly proportioned otter head with keen expression, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, straight narrow front, ribbed back body into racy rear quarters which he used to move out well with long loping stride that is so economical for a dog that could go all day and get anywhere when required.
Dog RCC Brumberhill Blue Tempest (Mr S A McPherson) super outline and so well made throughout, and well presented in good coat and moved out well to take this award, just loved him for type.
BCC and RBIS, Brumberhill Breeze (Mr S A McPherson) in full, double grizzle coat and well conditioned. She has a super well balanced head, keen expression, terrific outline with correct flowing topline and well carried back ribs, shows a good underline, this bitch won the CC after much deliberation as all 3 bitches under consideration met the standard well and were active in movement and would have been worthy CC winners but today maturity held sway.
RBCC Yeomeadow Heather for Tyrian (Mrs K Dean). A lovely B/T bitch who was on top form today and has an excellent otter head and expression which finally decided the RCC over the yearling bitch winner.
BP Cobstoneway River Magic (Miss C Spencer) a mature dog puppy, shown in good coat and condition, well made throughout with good otter head and body lines, moved so well with long free gait to clinch this award.
BV CH Gameway Kiwi JW (Mrs P Clark) who was not showing his years, well presented in good coat and looking his best and a worthy champion
Mid Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
stylish type but not quite the movement of 1 and 2
Windsor Championship Dog Show
2nd Jul 2010
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the exhibitors for such a super entry of dogs for me to judge, I thought the standard overall was very good and I found it very encouraging to find some really nice youngsters coming up through the ranks. I had to make very tough decisions in some classes and many good dogs went card less but I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was pleased with my winners.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
A nice sized bitch, well presented by her handler, nice rib easy to span, strong loin and firm topline, well angulated hindquarters, moved OK front and rear.
Paignton & District FA
2nd Aug 2010
Judge: Mrs Carol Lumbard
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Bournemouth Championship Show
14th Aug 2010
Judge: Mr D W Shields (Wilholme)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
City of Birmingham Canine Society
4th Sep 2010
Judge: Miss A D Swales
This was a lovely entry, I send my good wishes for a speedy return to the ring to the scheduled judged Miss E D Rumsan. Coats were at all stages & I have to say that there were some which had no evidence of a second coat. Mouths were good except for, unusually, one overshot, Temperaments appeared to be OK, although a few lack confidence & were hesitant. The green carpet helped to show up some wide fronts & movement which did not extend & lacked drive, needed to follow a horse. All my placed dogs spanned comfortably. I was not happy with some exhibitors who were constantly feeding their dogs, even on the table.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Richmond Championship Show
11th Sep 2010
Judge: Miss Michelle Barnett (Brockfox)
My thanks to The Richmond Societies officers and committee for the warm welcome and the super lunch provided. Gratitude also to my stewards who organised the ring most capably. Thanks also to the exhibitors for their entries at a time in history when finances are truly stretched in this difficult and uncertain financial climate. To judge is always a privilege and on this occasion it was particularly appreciated. Overall I was very impressed with the exhibits, and when judging we are required to find the dog that most fulfils the breed standard and with the increasing variety of types present in the breed it made for some thought provoking decisions. Sadly the continuing trend to show all year round with few exhibits remaining at home to grow a decent double jacket proved that once again there were fewer exhibits shown in the requisite depth of jacket. Therefore I had to face the difficult task of placing some exhibits higher than I would as a rule. As justifiably construction and type being the foremost factor in placings, as coats naturally will come and go. But where as in lots of other breeds the coat can be considered a glamorous adornment please remember that in the Border (terriers in general) it is their essential protection whilst carrying out their job of work. On a positive note I was pleased to see today's entry lacking of the dogs presented in the recent improper fashion of clippering, razor and scissoring which as the true diehards of the breed know is totally unacceptable and exhibitors are to be strongly discouraged in this undesirable practice.
The correct and only way to present a Border terrier is by hand stripping thus achieving the beautiful natural tweedy look synonymous with our breed.
And I quote an extract from an old Border terrier yearbook ?Exhibitors and judges should be reminded that it is not in keeping with the sporting traditions of the breed to have the coat trimmed. The coat should be of a natural weather resisting character. Old dead coat may be stripped off by hand when necessary. The use of a razor or a strip comb embodying a razor in the preparation of dogs for show is strongly objected to?
Dogs that I had previously admired unfortunately paid the penalty today as on closer inspection they did not come to hand so well .Some due to weight, which can be easily remedied with an alteration of diet, exercise and plenty of regular road work. Others sadly due to wide fronts and heavy shoulders, subsequently when running the rule over them they were too coarse and cloddy. Therefore not displaying the lithe supple bodies required in an earth dog ,this is a breed characteristic which of course has to be bred for. Borders are a breed that enjoys longevity, health and well being and this was particularly evident in my DCC and DRCC winners today being a 7 year old and 9 yr old respectively. Perhaps this being true testimony that these males have been bred for the correct narrow body lines that will inevitably stand the test of time.
Temperaments as to be expected were excellent. Overall a most enjoyable day, I was delighted with both my final line ups and to find admirable representatives of the breed for top honours.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show with Critique
19th Sep 2010
Judge: Miss Gemma Alpe
Firstly I must thank SBTC for giving me the honour of judging my first Breed Club show. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and had some first class dogs to judge. I found no bad mouths and only one with a slightly suspect kink and movement on the whole was pretty good. The one thing that bothered me was that we seem to be losing our way a little with those lovely fronts that to me are a big part of our breed, and a number of dogs are toeing out both on the stand and on the move. I was pleased with my winners, they mostly fitted my interpretation of the breed standard, but I was delighted with my top winners, all of whom are a credit to the breed and I thank their owners for giving me the opportunity to judge them.
Open - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
South Wales KA
8th Oct 2010
Judge: Mr B Aubrey
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
not a big un but good working type, nice head dark eye, correct mouth, enough body, with nice length, easily spanned, sound in movement
Midland Counties CS
29th Oct 2010
Judge: Phil D Sharp
A magnificent entry, the highest in the terrier group. Some exhibits did not have a good otter head & appeared too coarse. Movement was also an issue, as it should be the hindquarters that provide the propulsion, with the topline remaining reasonably level as the dog moves. Tails were somewhat better than when I last judged at this level. I was pleased with my final line-up for both dogs & bitches.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
was equally well presented with a nice balance throughout, pleasing head, good hind angulation helped movement & kept a good outline on the move
Manchester Dog Show Society
20th Jan 2011
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
A curate's egg day with some great border terriers and some disappointments too. My winners were typical and not only had the heads to win but moved soundly and had the coat and pelt so desirable in the breed. On the downside, although bites were generally good, there are too many with pathetically weak teeth and several with shoulders set too far forward so they looked narrow but had no fore-chest at all. A terrier needs fore-feet under its chest.
I was looking for borders that were soundly made and could therefore cover ground and I found them but there are some with short choppy actions. However I do not intend to be too pessimistic for the breed put on a good show today and there were some really promising youngsters in the puppy classes. Thank you to those who exhibited dogs with the typical thick harsh coat and pelt, these were all much appreciated.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Southern BTC Limited Show
6th Mar 2011
Judge: Miss Lisa Jenkins (Badgerbeck)
Firstly, please accept my apology for the lateness of this critique, unfortunately I had problems with my PC which crashed and lost my first , almost complete report, leaving me with no option but to start again. Thank you for an excellent entry. I was very pleased to find that most of the exhibits were of a workable size & spannable, had big teeth with good strong muzzles/jaws, all males entire, only 2 very minor tail kinks, and temperaments were excellent. On the down side I had few in good deep double coat and a really thick pelt was hard to find, the true otter head seams to be being replaced by a squarer skull giving more of a teddy bear look not helped by over long moustaches/beards and big bushy eyebrows. Ribs were frequently too short & deep resulting in whippety underlines. Front movement is still a problem due to a lack of balance between front and hind angulation with dogs either having good hindquarters but short steep upper arms or they were correct in front but over angulated behind, this resulted in them either throwing their fronts about coming or dropping their withers in profile in an attempt to balance their stride. There were a handful with crowded incisors or missing a first or second premolar.
Open - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Class Critique
Strong class with little to separate them.
Crufts
12th Mar 2011
Judge: Mrs Elaine Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
It was an honour to be invited to judge this prestige show, and a privilege to be able to handle so many good borders. With an entry of 254 dogs, 306 entries, and with the help of my very efficient stewards this enabled me to finish on time for the BOB to go forward into the group. With the large classes it would have been nice to have had more time and more prize cards.
Many borders were in very fit condition and in gleaming coats, others sadly were not. I was very surprised at the numbers that were overweight, a few under and some in poor coat. There is a difference of being short of coat and being untidy which some were, several having scissor cuts in evidence which is totally unnecessary.
Some nice otter type typical heads were in evidence, some with quite large ears which seems to be creeping into the breed, and close set eyes giving an alien expression. Quite a few were upright and heavy in shoulder, with a shorter back than desired. Most were spanable although many had a rounder rib than required. This reflected in my placing's as the fitness and welfare of the dogs is of the uppermost importance, as the breed standard states, the breed being essentially a working terrier.
I thought my principle winners were excellent representatives of the breed, and I enjoyed seeing my BOB being short listed in the group.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Typy red with femine head. Good balance and body line. Good topline, coat and short tail. Moved well, nice all round bitch.
National Terrier
2nd Apr 2011
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
shorter coupled bitch than 1st,moved steady.
WELKS
29th Apr 2011
Judge: Mrs Margaret Sneddon
Many thanks to my stewards who had everything running smoothly in a calm and good-humoured manner, it makes judging such a pleasure. I had a good entry of 132 dogs with a lower than usual absentee rate of 14%, which was good for a Friday in the present economic climate and I was very pleased to be able to judge outside, although I understand some of the exhibitors found it rather chilly. Quality was rather varied but some of the classes were closely contested and I was delighted with my top winners. Front construction is still a problem with some and coats were rather varied but that could be due to the unseasonal weather which we have had recently. I was also pleased to see a number of the dogs moving freely, with reach in front and good drive from the hindquarters, Border Terriers could not work as they were intended to do without this asset.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Richmond Championship Show
10th Sep 2011
Judge: Mrs Beverley Jackson
I was incredibly honoured to be invited to award my first CC’s at Richmond. After much anticipation and excitement the long-awaited day arrived. I was thrilled with the size of my entry and wish to thank all exhibitors for giving me the honour of judging your dogs. I totally appreciate how difficult times are now and am humbled that you chose to exhibit. I was delighted with both of my line ups. I have always hated it when judges say oh I wish I had had more top awards, but I can honestly say that I truly now understand where they were coming from. I had some incredibly difficult classes with a lot of quality. This scenario continued when it came to choosing who the CC’s and Reserve’s should go to. There are, however, two distinct “types” of Borders developing, and often classes contained a mixture of both types. The chisled heads with high placed ears are not typical and we need to try to breed away from this as we are in danger of losing the otter head. I found no bad mouths ? just a few where teeth “placement” was peculiar, and some dirty teeth. Presentation on the whole has improved, although please leave the scissoring to other terriers. Our ring was a “bit of a ploughed field” but most exhibitors managed to find a level part and not fall over!
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Ladies Kennel Association
10th Dec 2011
Judge: Mrs Sarah Dandy
I was delighted with both my dog and bitch line ups, from a numerically strong entry of 181 dogs all were worthy winners, from very well contended classes, with several really promising youngsters. Temperaments were uniformly sound which is of great importance in any breed
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Shapely grizzle bitch, feminine and of moderate size. A nice head and expression, length of neck into good topline with defined wither. Soundly constructed well balanced quarters on good legs, bone and feet. Correct underline, ribbed back with good length and firm loin. Moved soundly and tracked particularly well
Southern Border Terrier Club Members Limited Show
4th Mar 2012
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Many thanks to the Southern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their limit show. Also special thanks to my stewards for their smooth efficient help during a most enjoyable day. Also big thanks to all the exhibitors for giving me such a nice entry.
On the whole I thought the quality was of a good standard, coats were at various stages which is to be expected.
I did notice that a few exhibits were scissored which did spoil them. A couple had tails that were cut straight at the end which did upset the overall picture somewhat. Borders should have a “carrot†tail, but not a chopped carrot!
Mouths were good, with a lot of big strong teeth on display, even right through to the veterans.
I was very happy with my principle winners and feel confident more success lays ahead for them.
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Crufts
11th Mar 2012
Judge: Mr Stewart McPherson (Brumberhill)
It was a great honour to be invited to judge at Crufts, possibly the pinnacle of anyone’s judging career. My thanks must go to the exhibitors for the entry of 264 dogs, making 304 entries, by far the largest entry for a single judge in the Group, which made for a very long day. Thanks also, must, go to my Stewards, Kim Lathaen and Eddie Bishop, for their efficient services, which ensured we finished just in time for my BOB to make the Terrier Group.
I last judged the Breed at LKA, just over three years ago. This was always going to be an interesting entry, after my preamble then, which was a bit “fire and brimstoneâ€, where I stated my deep concerns about the, in my opinion, untypical heads that were creeping into the Breed, gradually being accepted, as being correct, particularly the excessively broad skulls and high set ears. Therefore, knowing my preference for the otter like, MODERATELY broad skull, asked for in the Standard, I have to say, not without a little amusement, the “lollipop on a stick†type “Teddy Bear†heads with deep stops were almost conspicuous by their absence today!
While upper arm length was a major problem last time, in the younger classes, I found far fewer today that were totally unable to stand with their front legs underneath them, perpendicular to the floor, which, hopefully, was a good sign that Breeders are recognising and attempting to remedy the problem.
Movement, on the whole was pretty acceptable, behind especially. Front, maybe not quite as good, a small minority being rather less than accurate, flicking out, or toeing in. Most covered plenty of ground on the move.
The majority were spannable.
Most were in good, harsh coat, or evidence of texture coming through. I realise it’s the start of the show season, so those short of coat weren’t unduly penalised. My reasoning being, that, coats are transitory, whereas poor conformation will always be poor conformation, regardless of the wrapping.
I know they are a working Terrier, but, I have to say, considering the occasion, I was shocked at how dirty some of the dogs were. Some were thick with grease and would certainly have benefited from a bath, if only for their own comfort!
I was very pleased with both my line ups in the challenge for the CC’s, indeed, the first three in most classes. I felt that they all fitted my interpretation of the Standard and could, if required, do the job of a working Terrier.
Mid Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
National Terrier
7th Apr 2012
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Thank you for a super entry. At times I felt I had been let loose in a sweetie shop such was the quality of the exhibits before me. Indeed because I was spoilt I was hard on jaw and dentition faults and Borders that were more smart terrier than true Border in type. My experience over the years leads me to believe that such faults are heart-breakingly likely to continue to bite in the future if not stamped on. My main winners were true Borders. You read of “a-ha moments†and happily for me there were some rather nice ones here. Good times indeed.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Southern Counties Championship Show
2nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Geoff Corish
A lovely entry. I thoroughly enjoyed judging the breed again & was able to find some lovely Borders. It was a great pleasure to watch my BOB go G4 as well.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Class Critique
Fantastic class & some I liked sadly had to be left out.
Bournemouth Championship Show
13th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr W Browne-Cole
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Sep 2012
Judge: Mr Alan Hedges (Ramblix)
I considered it a great honour to be invited to judge this show. I looked forward to it greatly and I was not in any way disappointed. A classy club with a classy committee. My stewards were great and we had some interesting moments through the day, but we coped. Thank you to all involved with the club and most of all the exhibitors for doing me the honour of having me judge your dogs. Thank you.
Whenever I judge Staffords, which is my own breed I always make the point that exhibitors should rid their dogs of any reasons to get beaten. Long pointed nails are not a good look, nor are they good for the dog. Even I can make a decent fist of a borders coat and as a singular part of the breed and its identification a bit more attention would not have gone amiss in some. Excess weight is not good for anybody, least of all, what is ostensibly a working terrier. I think there may well be some stars of the future in some of the lower classes and I shall watch with greater interest now when I am at the border ring. Thanks again to you all for coming and entering into the spirit of the day. I had a brilliant day and I hope you did too.
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
repeating myself here, there was not much in it for this one either. She is very typy, has a lovely head, has a good expression and is in good condition.
Southern Border Terrier Club Limit Show
3rd Mar 2013
Judge: Mrs Linda Coleman (Hartswelin)
I would like to thank the club for giving me the opportunity to judge the breed. I also thank the exhibitors for entering their quality dogs under me. The atmosphere and sportsmanship from exhibitors and spectators made my day a very enjoyable one. All bites were correct and I found one monorchid. Front movement in general still has a way to go and there were far too many flat open feet with thin pads especially in the males. That said I felt I had a quality entry.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Jun 2013
Judge: Mr W R Irving
It was an honour to be invited to judge the Southern Border Terrier Club’s Championship Show for the second time, the last time having been exactly twenty years ago in 1993. The entry on this occasion was 215 from 203 dogs of which 14 were entered NFC. My thanks go to the Show Manager, Officers and Committee of the Club for their hospitality and organisation and to the exhibitors for their entries and for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. Special thanks to Wendy and Andrew Mooney and Bev Marsh for stewarding so efficiently and for organising the collecting ring which allowed us to finish in good time.
As usual there were more bitches than dogs entered. It was encouraging to see some good quality entries through the various classes and not just at the senior end, I thought that by and large heads and expressions were good with not many narrow long skulls there. My feeling was that while there were still plenty of dogs with poor fronts of one kind or another present, there were more good fronted exhibits around from which to find winners than the last time I judged. Coats were mixed and at times I had to forgive some lack of coat. As always there was a good deal of variation in size as always, but in the end I felt I was able to find winners of good enough size with enough scope and lines. I felt that tails were mixed and at times, in looking for overall quality, I had to reward dogs with tails that I felt were less than perfect in shape, length or carriage. By and large the dogs behaved pretty well and were presented clean. I was keen to see the dogs moving around the ring and not ‘stacked’. That is surely the most revealing in conformation terms.
DCC and BOB was Jenkins’ Badgerbeck Uncle Fester. RDCC was Stockleys’ Ch Foxfactor Pied Piper. BCC and RBIS was May and Whisker’s Thistlestone Jenny Wren. RBCC was Higham’s Comberdown Thistle. BP was Hall and Ellis’ Brackenfell Bok To Bach and BPB was Clark’s Gameway Fortune Cookie. BV was Stockleys’ Foxfactor Hornblower
Mid Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
not shown today in the best of coats but very pleasing in outline, shape and overall proportions. Good tail and tail set. Good stifles and strong second thighs. Enough bone and good feet.
Paignton Championship Show
3rd Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs B Jackson (Clipstone)
I thoroughly enjoyed judging at Paignton Championship Show. The new venue (well, new to me) was very pleasant and the show was efficiently run by the helpful and friendly committee. I had an excellent entry which contained lots of quality dogs to choose from. Some classes were, however, a real mix of types, again the Fox Terrier type with high ear carriage are appearing, as are those with almost "hound like" ears, far too large and which ruin the head. Ultimately I judged to my interpretation of the Standard. I like a dog to be a real stallion dog and a bitch, his feminine counterpart. I do not like bitchy dogs and masculine bitches. I was incredibly pleased with my winners, neither of which I have judged before and who to my mind are excellent examples of the breed, both home bred too, not bought in.
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
The Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall
20th Oct 2013
Judge: Mr R Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the organisers and exhibitors for a very welcoming and well supported show with 43 Borders constituting over a quarter of the total show entry. There was plenty of loose pelts, harsh coats, neat feet and quality dogs although a few would struggle to be called spanable, one had a kinked tail and another a bad mouth. However, the day was topped off nicely with a reserve best puppy in show trying hard to maintain some decorum alongside her highly excited handler. A good day.
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
well balanced grizzle bitch, plenty of harsh coat on a thick pelt didn’t mask the lovely outline and tail, good head with dark eyes, correct bite, well muscled and well moved, would have just liked a little more rear angulation but still RBOB
The Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall Diamond Jubilee Show
19th Oct 2014
Judge: Mrs Mary Small (Tilomoray)
Open - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Yeovil Canine Society Open Show
30th Dec 2014
Judge: Jane Atkin
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Southern Border Terrier Club Members Limited Breed Show
1st Mar 2015
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
My appreciation goes to the SBTC officers and committee for the opportunity to judge a lovely entry of Border Terriers and to the stewards for their support during the show. Also to the many exhibitors who quite rightly presented their dogs so proudly. I hope they enjoyed their day irrespective of the results, as above all this is a hobby to enjoy with the pets that you love.
It’s always good to see new faces exhibiting but I think most would benefit from a few visits to ring craft prior to launching themselves into the ring. This would give them an idea of the typical ring routine and some guidance on preparation of their exhibits. Whilst some concession can be made, lack of ring presence inevitably reflects in some way on their exhibit. Having said all that I can but admire the efforts of a seasoned 2½ year old handler as she moved her much older prized veteran up and down the mat!
I found some dubious dentition, a couple I couldn’t span and several only just spannable. Some dogs impressed in the line but disappointed on the move (particularly rear movement) but for a limit show I felt there was plenty of quality and I was particularly delighted with the main contenders. Some classes merited two “firsts” with precious little separating the first two and I was sad to disappoint. Not being first shouldn’t reflect badly on any dog it only means that a particular judge preferred another exhibit on the day. Certainly some of the dogs would have been better placed had they moved as well on the day as I’ve seen them move before.
I’m not of the school that expects to see a final line-up of identical dogs of a particular type. Several exhibits, whilst not of my preferred type, represented the breed standard well and couldn’t be denied an appropriate place irrespective of type or the appearance of the final line-up. I looked for a well balanced dog reflecting the aspects of the breed standard, without exaggeration and able to cover the ground smoothly and efficiently and I was pleased to find it in most classes.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
6th Jun 2015
Judge: Mr Stewart McPherson (Brumberhill)
My thanks, to the Club, for the invitation to judge their Club Show and the hospitality shown to Peter and myself. Thanks, also, to my Stewards, Wendy Mooney and Denise Townsend, who valiantly coped with the paperwork in the, at times, rather blustery conditions, keeping everything going smoothly! Thank you to the exhibitors, also, who entered for my opinion. The grass, in the ring, wasn’t exactly “bowling green”, so it certainly sorted out the good from the bad, on the move!
As is usual, from me, not an “everything in the garden is rosy” preamble! After 35 years, living and breathing Border Terriers, I tell it, as I see it!
As with my last appointment, Crufts, it is just over a 3 year gap, since I judged the Breed in the UK. I had obviously made my point, last time, that I wouldn’t pass the excessively broad skull, almost caricature like, that had become popular, despite the Standard asking for “Head like that of an Otter. Moderately broad in skull”, as there were none I thought overdone, on the day. I think, the problem lies, possibly, that the Standard doesn’t specify, as I was taught, that it refers to English River Otter, some people, mistakenly thinking the commoner headed Sea Otter, or deeper stopped Asian Short Clawed Otter is being referred to. There is a big difference between the three! Not helped by critiques, apparently, praising “broad” skulls, which, to me, sends out the wrong signals!
At Crufts, I had thought the breed had turned a corner, with regard to forehands ie. shoulder and upper arm construction…….how wrong was I?!!! I think I had the full range of faults today, upright shoulders, short upper arm, out at the elbow, sometimes all on the same exhibit! The widest part of a Border Terrier, “Essentially a working Terrier”, bred to go to ground, shouldn’t be the elbows, this fault usually being because the forehand isn’t set on the body correctly, being too far forward, due to a short, steep upper arm, usually, although not always, accompanied by an upright shoulder. These faults also affect that other line from the Standard “Capable of following a horse”, as, due to the incorrect angles, the movement is no longer efficient, being restricted to a shorter, hackneyed, step in profile, almost as though they are walking on hot coals, due to the foreleg not reaching full extension. It may look ok, coming and going, being accurate, as the shorter stride means there is less room for error, but the lack of a ground covering stride would mean the dog working twice as hard on the move, doing its job, soon becoming exhausted. This was brought home to me, discussing the stamina of various dogs with a friend, his son exercising their two Border Terrier champions chasing after him, on horseback, around a field. The accurate mover, with the shorter stride was soon exhausted, having had to work twice as hard, whereas the more angulated one, with the longer, ground covering stride, was up for more! Like, usually breeds like, good forehands being bred for. They don’t appear as if by magic! I am well aware that these faults are seemingly being passed by Judges, not just in the UK, at the very highest level, but that doesn’t mean that they are either correct or desirable and they are very difficult to breed out. I’m left wondering, having read a number of critiques, then having seen, or judged the dogs being praised, are the Seminars failing to educate the correct mechanics of economical movement, or are people just not seeing the movement faults, as long as its trots up and down, with its head and tail up, showing nicely for the Judge! Conversely, as ever, hind movement was pretty good.
It was interesting to note that those I have rewarded in the past, with the correct forehands and narrow fronts, at Crufts and previous engagements, came back, having retained their virtues and have also passed the same, narrow, lithe bodylines on to the next generation. If they are made right, they last right! A working Terrier, whose front is going, or has gone, by the time it is reaching maturity, is neither use nor ornament and is a liability to itself and its owner.
I would like to think, from ring side, that it was obvious that I was looking for Borders with a pattern of moderation and workmanlike construction, with sound, free, scopey movement, who also had quality and style. It wasn’t always easy, in some classes, but I thought my final line ups, in both sexes, demonstrated my priorities.
On the whole, coats and pelts were good, as always my opinion being that coats are transient. I don’t expect them to be aimed specifically, time wise, for me, as I am more concerned with correct construction, but it is “the icing on the cake.” As long as there was evidence of the correct textures, no one was unduly marked down, until it came to the top honours.
Most were spannable, although very few were easily spannable, slightly worrying, as my hands have a big span! This isn’t just a UK problem!
Mouths were all acceptable, a few with the odd broken tooth, which is only to be expected in a working Terrier and certainly wouldn’t be penalised by me.
Veteran - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Yeovil & District Canine Society Open Show
30th Dec 2015
Judge: Mr C Wallace (Hobholt)
Thank you to the Society for the invitation, the warm welcome by all and thanks to the exhibitors for a super entry and bringing your Borders’. The quality of exhibits was good, some tough decisions were made, I was really pleased with my final line up and that BOB and BP went well in the Group. It was unfortunate the Veteran class wasn’t called more clearly as not all the Veterans present were in the ring.
Limit /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
B, 7 ½ yrs, Gr/T who was in tip top condition, lighter in frame than 1, nice head, narrow. Easy span. Good, level top line, well balanced, honest Border who moved well
The Southern Border Terrier Club Members Limited Show
5th Mar 2017
Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
I would like to thank the committee for giving me the honour of judging at this lovely show, with special appreciation to show manager Jane Roberts, and ring stewards Sandra Girling and Sheila Hales. Most of all, I would like to thank the exhibitors for giving me the privilege of going over their lovely dogs.
With the phrase “Essentially a working terrier” in mind, I was satisfied that my main winners fitted the breed standard and moved soundly with good reach and drive. Coats also played a part, and although I appreciate that coats come and go, they did matter on the day. All the dogs were entire, there were a couple of level bites and the odd tooth out of line, but most exhibits were really nicely turned out. The puppy classes were very promising, and at the other end of the scale it was nice to see the veterans enjoying their day.
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
8 year old grizzle and tan, still narrow and spannable, has a good length of body, level topline and good tailset. She has the correct double coat of good texture, and loose pelt, a liver coloured nose and a correct bite. Moved well.
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
17th Sep 2017
Judge: Mr Gordon Dyer (Ruffenuf)
Firstly may I thank the SBTC Committee for inviting me to judge this Open Show. I felt very honoured. I thoroughly enjoyed my day. The ring ran smoothly with the help of my stewards and the whole venue had a pleasing and pleasant atmosphere. It was nice to see some old and many new faces. May I also thank the exhibitors for handling their dogs confidently and accepting my decisions. I was very impressed with the quality of the dogs and I only found one bad mouth and two sprung ribs. I had a few challenging decisions to make and uncoated dogs had to be penalised. Mostly the dogs were all in fit condition and able to do a day’s work. I was very impressed with my final line up and to have such sound dogs
representing the breed.
Best Veteran
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
a nice size and well balanced. Good coat and pelt, moved with drive and showed her heart out. BV
Class Critique
Two pleasing veterans in this class.
The Southern Border Terrier Club Limit Show
15th Apr 2018
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
My sincere thanks to the committee for the kind invitation to judge at my first club show, I enjoyed the day immensely. Thank you to my efficient stewards Tina Morgan, Rachel Larner and Wendy Mooney, show manager for keeping things running so smoothly.
My thanks must go to the exhibitors for bringing along their dogs today, and the sporting acceptance of my decisions.
I did note some untypical heads, which for me lacked for me the characterising feature of the breed, I found such heads to be somewhat exaggerated with too much stop, not the ‘moderately’ broad skull I was looking for.
On the whole, I found mouths were good, a couple of level bites, and one or two with misaligned teeth, but it was pleasing to find big strong teeth in most exhibits.
I was very pleased with my class winners; some decisions were very close especially in the bitch classes. In both sexes there were some promising youngsters coming through which can only auger well for the breed.
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
handy sized , presented in a decent jacket and pelt, she is narrow throughout and easily spanned, in lovely fit condition, not quite as angulated in hindquarters as 1, but presented a pleasing picture.
Devon County Show Open Show
17th May 2018
Judge: Miss Helen Axford
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at this friendly, well-run show, to my stewards Jenny and Sandra and to the exhibitors for both entering under me and the sporting way they accepted my decisions. All dogs were entire and all bites were in accordance with what is required by the breed standard, as is usual coats were at various stages. Some of the exhibits could do with rather less dinner.
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Sep 2018
Judge: Mr Julien Barney (Romaunt)
A big thank you to the committee for giving me the opportunity to judge at this well run show. A super sporting atmosphere around the ring on a very pleasant sunny autumn afternoon.
My general comments would be about heads and the lack of that typical Otter look with a good skull and a powerful muzzle required to do their job. Front movement in some wasn’t good being tied in front and I wonder how well they would be able to follow a horse for a good days hunting. Plus size seemed to be an issue with some being well up to the limit.
Veteran - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Yeovil & District Canine Society Premier Open Show
13th Jul 2019
Judge: Tracey Anscombe (Orangebox)
Thank you to the committee of this fantastic, friendly and well organised show for the appointment to judge originally the Border Terriers, but due to the group judge Colin Richardson falling fowl to a dodgy Chinese I was extremely honoured to be able to cover his breed classes with Darwin Martin completing the AV and Group. I wish Colin a speedy recovery. Thank you to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
Thanks you so much bringing her today. 11 year old light grizzle bitch who shows that this breed only gets better with age. Moved around the ring with a true tracking motion that covered it well. Carrying her short carrot tail straight off her back. Still sporting a scissor bite with good teeth. Beautiful head although greying a little has a varminty expression. A true pleasure.
Bournemouth Championship Show
10th Aug 2019
Judge: Mr Alan Small
It was a bit blustery to say the least down at Pikes Farm, with high winds throughout the day. A good crowd round the ring and a pleasant atmosphere prevailed. It was nice to see so many old friends.
Thanks to Officers & Committee of Bournemouth C.A. For the invite, to my Stewards for looking after the Ring & to the exhibitors for such a lovely entry. I enjoyed your Border Terries, thanks for coming.
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Worker's Playtime
Placing Critique
another nice oldie,pleasing expression, lots to like about her with good coat, a balanced bitch that went well.
