Show Placings
Scottish Border Terrier Club Members Limited Show
26th Jan 2025
Judge: Mrs Katrina Golding (Beaconpike)
A big thank you to the Scottish BTC for the invitation to judge their members limited show. This was my first breed club show which I very much looked forward to after being asked previously, but I didn’t quite feel ready at the time. I needn’t have worried as I was made to feel very welcome by the friendly committee and exhibitors, there was a lovely atmosphere in and around the ring. A special mention to my steward Anne Gregory for ensuring everything was in order and keeping the ring running smoothly. Considering the time of year with Crufts approaching I was delighted to find correct double coats with good depth. I forgave dirty teeth in preference for correct bites, sadly I found a number that were disappointing along with small teeth. Movement was on the whole ok though I found some dogs coming towards me had loose fronts though they looked good in profile.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ceilloch Discovery
Placing Critique
Another raw puppy who was just 6 months, head still needs to develop which he has time, he is more up on the leg to first, liked his length of body, another that used his rear quarters on the move, he moved well when he settled.
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
25th Apr 2025
Judge: Mrs J Guvercin (Glebeheath)
Thank you to everyone who entered on a Friday and gave me the biggest entry of the two groups on the day and the forth highest in the whole show! Pat and Paul my stewards were great and helped me to get through the dogs in an efficient way.
We were lucky enough to be outside on a perfect dog showing day weather wise.
Some super quality classes with hair splitting decisions and even lovely dogs unplaced. Whilst essentially a working terrier was a priority, I wanted my males, to look like males and my bitches easily recognisable as females, it sounds obvious but with some they could’ve passed for either.
Some really lovely dogs looked super stood, but failed on the move, not just coming and going, but more importantly to me, the side gait.
I think we need to be careful of mouths, I was surprised to find several with teeth out of line. Level bites, although allowed and not penalised on the day, some were in very young dogs and it makes me wonder if they will last.
Having said all that, I enjoyed my day and the dogs, who also seemed to enjoy being outside.
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ceilloch Discovery
Scottish Kennel Club 205th Championship Show
17th May 2025
Judge: Mr Ian Hopper (Esyntona)
Thank you to the following.
SKC for inviting me to judge after my two previous appointments at Driffield were cancelled due to corvid restrictions and the storms.
The stewards who helped keeping the classes running smoothly at times we had to wait for exhibitors who were showing in the SKC Champ show in the adjacent ring.
To all the exhibitors who entered their dogs under me, I was looking for dogs that were fit for function for what they were originally bred for even though very few get the chance to carry this out.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ceilloch Discovery
Scottish Kennel Club 206th Championship Show
17th May 2025
Judge: Mr J Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each exhibitor for providing me with an excellent entry, and l would like to thank the Scottish Kennel Club for inviting me to judge at their General Championship Show, unfortunately l never got my ring stewards name but a massive thank you to you for keeping things flowing.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ceilloch Discovery
Blackpool & District Canine Society
22nd Jun 2025
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
Thank you to everyone who entered under me. It was a pleasure to judge all your dogs. I found it difficult to judge to a particular type as the best dogs came from different sizes and types, and I believe there is a place for them all if they fit the breed standard. Most of the dogs had evidence of a double coat. As coats are constantly changing, I did not heavily penalise any for very tweedy coats or lacking some coat as long as they were presented in a tidy manner.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ceilloch Discovery
Driffield Championship Dog Show
25th Aug 2025
Judge: Mrs Julie Fletcher (Northborders)
I was so excited to be invited to give tickets for the first time so a big thank you to Driffield Committee for the invite but especially to the exhibitors for my fabulous entry
I found some really lovely dogs to go over and in some classes I wished I had more awards to give out , I was very pleased with my final line ups
Temperaments all day were very good. I didn't see one cross word between the dogs , Coats as always were varying and in some classes it was a consideration. The open and limit classes were of the highest quality and very enjoyable to judge
I thoroughly enjoyed my day and such a privilege to be able to go over all of your dogs , thank you
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Ceilloch Discovery
Driffield Championship Dog Show 49th
25th Aug 2025
Judge: Mr Bob Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the Driffield Championship Show Committee for the opportunity to go over a quality entry and a real thank you to the exhibitors for entering and coping with the unusual arrangements.
I know many expect to see a line up all of a type but you can only put up what is entered and you can’t deny a quality dog that is within the standard over a poorer exhibit of a type you personally prefer.
After the show I was re-introduced light heartedly (I hope) to a dog described by the exhibitor as “the one I didn’t like”, which I suspect is the interpretation many exhibitors of beaten dogs have. As a general rule I believe it’s much more likely that a beaten dog is in fact a liked dog but that on the day there may have been others that were liked more!
Over the years there have been many different concerns about where the breed is heading but I’m pleased to say that some of these look to have been put to bed. I saw lots of good mouths with big strong teeth and only two level bites. Loose thick pelts were a plenty and I’m delighted to see the return of good full coats shown with pride. There were no kinked tails but a good carrot tail is now as rare has hens teeth with flag poles more the norm.
Some puppies are coming in large and leggy and many entries were borderline for spanning. Close rear movement and loose fronts were a blight on some otherwise good dogs.
However, with the exception of a couple of classes, most exhibits were of real quality and I’m sure many exhibitors were left wondering why they never got placed. The answer is that you probably deserved one but I only had 5 to give and in some cases the 5th could equally well have been first. Limit bitch was absolutely full of quality and in Open bitch they were all well worthy of a CC with little to choose between them.
So overall I’m pleased with our efforts to produce quality exhibits but ditch the flag poles and enjoy the champions that you all take home.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ceilloch Discovery
Placing Critique
Well balanced B&T, good coat and pelt, well constructed and moved out well on neat feet.
City of Birmingham Championship Show
30th Aug 2025
Judge: Dr Margaret Armstrong (Ploughdown)
Thank you to the Committee of the City of Birmingham Canine Association for inviting me to judge at their Championship Show. It was an honour to judge Borders Terriers on the day. I would like to thank especially the Border Terrier exhibitors for giving me such a super entry and for their graciousness and sporting manner. The venue was airy and the ring was roomy. I realised afterwards that the carpet could be rather slippery and I think that this may have provided somewhat of a challenge at times. I had many lovely dogs to go over and sometimes making decisions was like splitting hairs.
Finally thank you to my stalwart stewards who were super organized and kept me on the straight and narrow.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Ceilloch Discovery
Darlington Championship Show
13th Sep 2025
Judge: Mrs. Carolyn Richardson (Staynorwood)
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Ceilloch Discovery
