Show Placings
Joint Border Terrier Clubs Championship Show
31st Aug 2025
Judge: Mrs Jane Morton-Shaw (Fehmarn)
Many thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge what turned out to be the last Joint Ch Show. I had a wonderful day, & I was very ably and efficiently aided by my two stewards Tracey Anscombe and Peter Armstrong & I send my thanks out to them again (shows can’t run without good stewards).
My main down side to a lot of the Borders I went over was the front movement (I’m not immune to this either)! This needs watching and careful breeding to try and improve on this fault - not easy I know, but something to aim for. Again very few Borders with a good thick pelt which we used to have. Top lines have much improved generally and good to see that most of the exhibits were in good fit/hard condition.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
Class Critique
very close decision for first 3 placings
South Wales Kennel Association
9th Oct 2025
Judge: Mrs Trak Fryer (Irton)
Thanks to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry, mid-week and in the depths of Wales! A lot of absentees in the dogs but some outstanding bitch classes which were a fascinating puzzle to sort out. There were some very nice dogs of good type but overall I think we are in danger of losing some of the essence of the breed. They are essentially working terriers which to me implies a certain outlook on the world. I try not to penalise exhibits for over fussy handling but I prefer to see a dog that can stand and show on its’ own, that is presented in fit condition and a reasonably tidy coat, and that covers the ground without fuss and flap. We were given an excellent ring, movement in general was better than I had expected. Heads were in general OK but many lacking strength over the jaw. I found virtually all dogs spannable though some were a bit heavy over the rib, pelts were also generally good.
The standard talks about eyes, ears, feet & tails, these are all important for different reasons but are often ignored. Very good feet were a rarity as were good tails, many being rather long and some a bit too gay. Having moaned about all these bits I would say that there were some excellent exhibits that were a joy to go over and which bode well for the future of the breed.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
Placing Critique
Smaller type, good head, OK in shoulder and OK for bone. In a sharp tight coat, moved out confidently – an attractive picture.
Class Critique
A good class of babies who will doubtless change places as they mature.
The Terrier Club of Devon and Cornwall Open Show
19th Oct 2025
Judge: Sarah Pateman (Lessien)
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2025
Judge: Felicity Freer (Felfree)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
Minehead & District Canine Society Open Show
2nd Nov 2025
Judge: Rachel Larner (Hawcoat)
I want to thank the committee for inviting me to judge today. It was a real pleasure and I had some lovely dogs to go over. Thank you to all the exhibitors who attended today. Many thanks to my very efficient stewards, who kept the ring running very smoothly.
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
The Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show
30th Nov 2025
Judge: Mrs M Fleming (Flegato)
A big thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge my breed at their lovely Christmas show. It was my first time judging at a breed club show and it couldn’t have gone any better - the welcome was amazing, my stewards were fantastic and the atmosphere felt so harmonious and friendly. A true club show atmosphere. I am also immensely grateful to the exhibitors who entered and let me go over their lovely dogs. Thank you all so very much, I had an amazing day.
Temperaments were good and all dogs were spannable. Coats were in different stages which is OK. A number of exhibits would benefit from a little less condition.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
Placing Critique
9 months old dark grizzle typy bitch puppy of a handy size. Excellent harsh coat coming through, plenty of undercoat and thick loose pelt. Moved confidently on neat tight feet. Super carroty tail set on well, and she used it on the move to her advantage.
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
Placing Critique
see 1st in PB.
Taunton & DCS Open Show
4th Jan 2026
Judge: Karen Thomas (Biggleswick)
Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
Terrier Club of Devon and Cornwall Open Show
15th Feb 2026
Judge: Lauren Goddard (Awbrooksky)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
Crufts
6th Mar 2026
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
Thank you to the Crufts committee for inviting me to judge and bringing my appointment forward one year. Many thanks to Pam Cox and Judy Carr for the professional stewarding they provided.
I enjoyed a full day’s judging and was very pleased to hear the applause from around the ring when dogs were placed, good sportsmanship.
Out of 264 entries, I had one wry mouth, one kinked tail, 6 very underweight dogs none of them placed. Dogs that had no coat were penalised as were very thin pelts. As a dog groomer of 48 years, I know when coats are chalked, not nice to feel. One exhibit while on the table had only one testicle the owner was gobsmacked but felt it and agreed there was only one, I was blamed for having cold hands!!! what after handling dogs in previous classes, ten minutes later the said dog came back for me to check again and yes there were two. I was disgusted to find an exhibit with sores on both cheeks; I was told what happened. And I’m leaving it there.
Teeth were very clean, only one tooth lost in an oldie.
I thought movement really should have been better than it was today, as I said thin pelts and no coats were penalised.
If I repeat myself with the first two placings that’s because they were what I was looking for.
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Yeomeadow Sunflower At Botterox
