Show Placings
Driffield Championship Show
22nd Sep 2012
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Boston & District Canine Society Championship Show
13th Jan 2013
Judge: Mrs Janice Johnson
My thanks firstly go to Boston & District Canine Society Committee for giving me this opportunity to judge the breed again, for looking after me on the day and providing my excellent stewards who gave me great support throughout the day with their efficiency and unobtrusive discretion.
Secondly the exhibitors, who travelled many miles for my judgment, thank you all for taking my decisions sportingly. Thank goodness we didnâ??t have the following weekend when we were all had over 6 inches of snow!
I was extremely pleased with my main winners who all deserved their placings and I was delighted when I received the news that my BOB winner had gone G2 in Terrier Group under Ernie Darby and my best puppy had gone G1 in the Terrier Group under Peter Clifton.
I had some really good examples of the breed to go over and it is a pleasure when you find an exhibit in a class that really meets all your requirements. Movement in the younger classes was inconsistent some may settle others will not. I had a number of very nice quality borders who I know will go on to greater things and some promising puppies, I will watch their futures with interest. Coats on the whole were good with most of the exhibits having thick pelts.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Piacida
Placing Critique
nice bodied bitch with no exaggerations shown in the best of coats, super head and expression, narrow throughout, straight front, easily spanned, level topline, sound mover, good honest border presenting a very nice picture.
Queens Island Canine Club Open Show
16th Feb 2013
Judge: Anne Higham (Comberdown)
Best In Show
Name at show: BPIB, BOB, TPG1, TG1, BPIS, Ploughdown Placida
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
11 month old grizzle and tan bitch with a lovely feminine head and keen expression. Correct scissor bite and good teeth. She is well balanced and narrow throughout. Easily spanned and has correct shaped rib. Good for bone with straight front and muscled hindquarters, she moved well holding a level topline and tailset. Best of coats. A very good example of my breed presented perfectly before me today. BOB, and I was pleased to see her win the Terrier Adult Group and Terrier Puppy Group and after a long day she produced that extra will to win, when she showed her socks off to take BIS and BPIS.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2013
Judge: Mrs. Doreen Rushby (Dormic)
The Border Terrier Club held a Championship show at Low Hesket on 30 March 2013. I felt very honoured to judge at this show and my thanks go to the Committee and Exhibitors for such an enjoyable day.
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
feminine head & expression, good front, well balanced body lines, good hindquarters, neat feet, correct coat, moved out well.
National Terrier
6th Apr 2013
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Many thanks to all of the exhibitors who gave me such a nice entry of 201 dogs, giving 245 entries. My thanks go to my two stewards, with some large numbers in the classes they kept everything running smoothly and helped me to finish on time. Many decisions were difficult and some decent dogs went unplaced.
There were things that came to hand while going over the dogs on the table, short ribs and over long in the loin and long hocks. Some of these short ribbed dogs were not over sprung and quite narrow through the body, but our standard states ‘ribs well back‘, something to be watched in your future breeding programs. Some dogs looked on the heavy side when I first looked around the ring, but on the table I was surprised how so many of these dogs came to hand no problem. Upright shoulders were noticeable and front movement in some classes was a problem, along with some very straight stifles and sickle movement. Puppies and youngsters you would expect to be forgiven for movement, along with the size of ears - within time the head develops and things start to balance out.
Jackets were at all stages, spot on, starting to blow - with some owners trying to scissor or part strip them into shape, other coats were coming through with harshness and one or two had just undercoat. There were some that could have done with just a tidy up which would have helped the overall picture.
General overall condition and the spanning on most dogs was acceptable, with good thick pelts. I did feel some of the puppies were thin and were quite hollow behind the ribs. I only had one bad mouth but plenty with strong jaws and large teeth. In general the shape and length of tails were good. A few low set tails, which when a dog is in a full jacket you can feel the low set when on the table but not necessarily see it on the move.
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Litter sister to the winner of junior bitch, very much the same comments, another very nice bitch she is a grizzle and tan, a little longer cast than her sister. The owner must be well pleased with this mating.
WELKS
28th Apr 2013
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
My first appointment at this level and I would like to thank the officers and committee of WELKS for the invitation. Grateful thanks to my stewards who kept everything moving so efficiently and thanks to all the exhibitors who gave me the privilege of going over their dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and fully appreciated the opportunity to judge some high quality exhibits. Some decisions were difficult and places could change on another day.
On a positive note temperaments were good, as were mouths and feet. On the down side I felt that there were not enough exhibits that moved with drive and there were several with wide fronts - these are faults that would impact on the dog's ability to work.
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Litter sister to winner of junior. Grizzle bitch who is a rangier type than her sister and less mature. Displays similar attributes with a Good head and expression, excellent reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Narrow bodylines. Beautifully presented in very good coat with thick pliable pelt. Moved well from all angles
National Dog Show
9th May 2013
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
Thanks to Birmingham National for giving me the opportunity to judge this show and for providing me with two excellent stewards, who kept the ring running smoothly, also to all the exhibitors that gave me the pleasure of going over their dogs.
The quality in some classes was superb especially the limit and open of both sexes, leaving me with more dogs I liked, than cards to award. Temperaments and presentation were good.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
pleasing bitch, well constructed, like her length and balance, harsh jacket pleasing expression
Scottish Kennel Club
19th May 2013
Judge: Mrs M J Alexander (Glenbucket)
I would like to thank the Scottish Kennel Club for their kind invitation to judge this my first championship appointment. I would also like to thank my stewards who kept things running smoothly and the exhibitors for their sporting acceptance of my decisions
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
red grizzle with broad skull scissor bite almond shaped dark eye, level topline kept on the move moved and handled well.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
4th Aug 2013
Judge: Sharp & Bailey
*Dog Critique*
My thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge the Championship Show for the second time, the first being 10 years ago, and thanks to my Stewards for their efficiency. The entry of 103 with only 9 absentees was pleasing.
Some judges concentrate on heads, others on shape of eyes, or on small dark ears, some on presentation, others on neat accurate movement. As for me – I judge on a whether a dog is “fit for function†as a working terrier plus whether it looks like a Border Terrier and no other type of terrier.
A good proportion of the entry had major faults of construction which would render them, not useless, but inefficient at the job Border Terriers are designed to perform. For instance, short rib cages do not allow for lung room for the stamina a terrier needs to run all day, and these short rib cages (often sprung) were very much in evidence in the entry. Some were accompanied by long loins which might give the impression to the ringside that the dog had good length.
Secondly, upright shoulders, often with steep upper arms are a major design fault. A well laid shoulder with well angulated upper arm which brings the elbow under the body is not just a pleasure to look at – these act as shock absorbers when the dog is running so that his joints are not jarred, leading to wear and tear, thus shortening his effective life as a working terrier.
Finally, wide fronts, often associated with the previous construction – a Border should be able to creep into any space occupied by a fox, and these, despite their chunky appearance have very little body under that fur.
Coats were mixed as to be expected – and there were some really good pelts, only a couple with paper thin pelts. Undercoat was often missing on the back, but present on the sides. A handful of bad mouths, perhaps some all rounders might accept these but I could not. Few really outstanding otter heads which stay in one’s memory for years, but most were adequate.
My critique will not contain descriptions of the dogs, but will give an indication of why they were placed as they were. If your dog was not as high in the placings as you had hoped, take a good objective look at him, and you might find out why.
*Bitch Critique*
A big thank you to the MBTC committee for asking me to judge the Ch. Show it was a great honour. Thank you also to my stewards Ray & Sharon for making the classes run so smoothly. A nice entry of 144 bitches. I enjoyed the day; it was lovely to judge the bitches. The depth of quality in most of the classes was very pleasing. However, the fronts are still a problem within the breed & need to be addressed in future litters. Some quality bitches went cardless, unfortunately there is only 5 cards & many went without being placed. I was so delighted that my fellow judge Marie, agreed that my BCC & BRCC, should win the top honours, Best in Show and RBIS.
Yearling - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2013
Judge: Mr D W Shields (Wilholme)
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Lovely youngster from every angle, so well made throughout and was very close up for top honours on the day. Good size and built on clean flowing lines. Best of heads with a lovely dark eye and alert expression. Scores in neck and shoulders, thick pelt, pleasing topline and tailset, well muscled quarters, positive mover with excellent reach and drive.
City of Birmingham
31st Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for their invitation to judge, my two stewards and the exhibitors for their entries. It was an honour to judge this numerically strong entry 169 with 29 absent, the breed being represented from around the UK made it a very enjoyable day.
Front movement is still a problem in the breed, with heavy upright shoulders in many. Size varied as did coats. There are some long necks creeping into the breed, which look very stylish, the standard does state “Neck of moderate length†and a few long tails again incorrect. Saying that it was a very nice entry to judge and in some classes
I would have liked to have been able to award more placings, and could have awarded more CC’s.
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Litter sister to 1st in JB, she is also in good coat and condition both a credit to their owner. Nice head shape and keen expression. Good size with enough bone. Moves well.
Class Critique
Another very good class.
Darlington D S S
13th Sep 2013
Judge: Mrs Diane Rayner (Stoneygin)
I would first of all like to thank the society for inviting me to judge this show.
I would also like to thank Bob my steward for a sterling job.
I am sorry to bring this up again but I was most disappointed yet again to find a few exhibits that were far too thin. This determined placings as they are not fit for purpose.
Coats were at various stages as normally is the case, I had a few unspannable, but most were in a good fit condition.
I was pleased with my entry and enjoyed going over some lovely exhibits, most were a credit to you.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Lovely otter head with very little stop. Harsh dense jacket and loose pelt. Correct topline and tailset moved well around the ring
Driffield A S
21st Sep 2013
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald
My sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee, for inviting me to judge the Border Terriers at this show. We were truly blessed with some lovely autumn sunshine, and a well laid out ring.
Thank you, to all the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege to “go over†your dogs, however, I had concerns about the size and movement of some of the exhibits. I have a fair span and struggled to get anywhere near some dogs, which reflected in the placings.
Consequently, some heavy shoulders, and wide fronts.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
grizzle with lovely body length, in good condition, not the angulation of 1, but a nice example of the breed.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Sep 2013
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
It is always an honour to be invited to judge a club show and my first job here must be to thank Club, Officers, Committee and Members for asking me to judge their show. The hospitality shown to my Mother and myself made it a very enjoyable weekend. Thank you to my capable Stewards Les Moss and Ian Higham for their help on the day.
Thank you all for the great entry both in terms of number and in depth of quality I had to judge. There were some very tough, but enjoyable decisions to be made and in most classes and in the challenges the top honours were fiercely contested. .
I must repeat the often used cliché of not having enough cards on the day. Many who were down the line or even cardless today I would have been happy to have as winners in another entry.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Well constructed youngster in good coat with thick pelt. Pleasing body lines with good neck and rib, and pleasing top line. Good well muscled hindquarters.
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs Julie Guvercin
My most sincere thanks to all exhibitors for giving me such a lovely entry of 117 making 153 entries, the highest in the terrier group and one of only a few to break the 100 mark in the whole show.
It is human nature for us all to ringside judge and we are all guilty of this, but going over an exhibit first hand, is further revealing, a privilege for which, I was truly grateful.
Some lovely dogs, some more workman like than others, some in better condition than others, a few outstanding ones and the odd one or two I’d love to own!
I am the first to admit I love a flashy dog who will stand up and show, but along with that must come the workman like qualities that make it able to be essentially a working terrier. There is nothing to suggest in my mind, that the two trains of thought can’t co-exist, they can and they must.
Nervous or aggressive dogs and there were just one or two, were not rewarded, this is surely a temperament to be discouraged. Dour is a different matter altogether, especially when its nearly always on an otherwise, super exhibit, a frustrating combination.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
One of the best pelts and coats of the day, being both deep and double on the thickest, loose skin. Well proportioned head on well made body of good length, with strong topline and correct tail, tail set and carriage. Enough bone leading to good feet on which she moved well.
Crufts
7th Mar 2014
Judge: Mrs Melanie Lewis
Thank you to the exhibitors for giving me a record entry for the breed of 303 exhibits making 340 entries and indeed the largest entry for a single Judge at this prestigious show, also for the sporting way in which my decisions were accepted. Thank you also to my two Stewards, Roger and Heather Chaston, who worked tirelessly throughout the day, for their assistance in ensuring that I was able to get through this huge entry in plenty of time for my Best of Breed to compete in the Group.
It was an interesting entry with some difficult decisions having to be made such was the high standard of exhibits present. I felt that movement had improved since the last time I judged. Heads and expressions were good, although a few were a shade heavy in ear. Mouths overall were much improved with a marked reduction in the number of dogs presented with overcrowded jaws of small teeth, only the odd few having either a chipped, or in the case of an older exhibit, a missing tooth. The majority of teeth were clean with just a small number needing more attention in this area. All dogs were entire.
I was pleased that so many were presented with the correct double jacket that the standard asks for, unfortunately some exhibits that really appealed for type and size had very little evidence of, or no, jacket and on another day could have done better. Attention to feet was very evident, many of whom I believe may have benefited from plenty of roadwork, resulting in tight thick pads and short claws. Inevitably with any entry of this magnitude I had to let a number of worthy exhibits leave the ring without a prize card, which I really did not enjoy doing.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
is nice for make and shape and has well proportioned bodylines, good front and rib, nice reach of neck and good topline, well angulated quarters and very neat feet. Moved well.
National Terrier Club
5th Apr 2014
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My thanks to the committee of the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this group championship show. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Doyle and John Callow for their help and assistance in keeping me organised and the ring running smoothly. My appreciation also to the exhibitors for such a large entry in these tough financial times.
The ring was large with lots of space for dogs to move freely without being forced to stop/start. In general the dogs were in good condition. I found 1 dog that was not entire. Although teeth were mostly OK, apart from a few misaligned, they varied greatly in size. Coats varied as always but I judge on the day and lack of coat is taken into account when placing exhibits. I was concerned at the number of exhibits down on their pasterns, not giving the small feet as required. Many younger exhibits would really benefit from regular ringcraft experience.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Litter sister to the CC winner and won this class with ease. Lovely flat skull with no stop, strong muzzle, deep set dark eye and neat ears. Well made front end, good shoulder placement and flat ribs, strong over the loin to a nice short tail. Coat at its best on a lovely loose pelt.. Moving well both to and fro. To be critical I would prefer a little more rear angulation.
Southern Counties Canine Association
31st May 2014
Judge: Mr Terry Cooper
Firstly I would like to thank my able stewards for making my day of judging so enjoyable, they did a first class job in the process and my compliments go to them both. Secondly I thank the exhibitors for bringing some fine examples of the breed under me. In a few classes I was splitting hairs with a number of exhibits and on another day they would change places many times. I was very happy with my final line up of dogs and bitches, they were all of excellent quality and worthy of winning top honours.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
G/t. Litter sister to my BCC. Full of quality, well balanced all through. Attractive head and dark eye. Good coat. Showed well, with animation to win this class.
Border Union Agricultural Society
15th Jun 2014
Judge: Mr J R Gilpin (Otterbobs)
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
This one caught my eye in this class, very pleasing bitch, typical, particularly her head & expression, in perfect show coat, nice length of body, moved round the ring effortlessly
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2014
Judge: Mrs. A. Gregory (Manx)
Mid Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Lovely grizzle & tan. and she stood out in this class lovely head strong teeth nicely set ears and keen expression with lovely dark eyes Ribs carried well back and strong in loin Good level top line well set nice thick tail . Shown In good condition and moved around the ring with style
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
3rd Aug 2014
Judge: Bainbridge & Dandy
*Dogs*
Many thanks to the Midland Committee for this appointment and to all those especially the stewards who made for an enjoyable day. The entry in general reflected the type the exhibitors by now know I like. However there were a number up to size and exhibiting poor front angulation and short deep ribs and paid the price. I was looking for dogs with a typical otter head straight narrow front well laid shoulders ribbed back spannable and racey rear quarters with thick pelt in harsh double coat all of which we should be looking for in the ideal Border Terrier that is essentially a working terrier.
I was very pleased with my winners overall and had good depth of quality in the limit and open classes that generally displayed the above attributes.
The dog CC and ultimately BIS Ch Olderhill Afortunado is the ideal border terrier that shows with confidence and has class. He has a good border head of otter type strong jaw with keen expression on strong neck set into well laid shoulders ,narrow ribs carried back ,ideal length strong loin and the desired rear quarters ,shown in double coat and top condition moved with drive to cover the ground. Pleased my co-judge agreed this boys qualities worthy of BIS.
The RCC Tythrop Timepiece this excellent blue and tan displayed similar qualities to the above and with his good turn of stifle and short hocks and tight feet moved so well and with top presentation took this award over the quality 2nd in Open and Limit winner and with time maturity should complete the picture.
The Bitch CC winner and BOS,RBIS Ploughdown Placida is a top quality exhibit but for me just not the strength in loin of the dog but a close decision .
*Judge: John Bainbridge*
*Bitches*
A great honour to judge bitches at this breed club show, my grateful thanks to the Midland Border Terrier Club for their warm and friendly hospitality and to my two competent and hardworking stewards. I had a most enjoyable day and was delighted that my final line-up comprised of excellent and true to type examples of the breed, with some really promising youngsters amongst them. It is always foremost in my mind when judging this breed that it is essential that the dog’s conformation and movement should demonstrate its capability to work and follow a horse. I found this a challenge today, rather too many exhibits failing to demonstrate free ground covering movement or any length of stride to ‘follow a horse’: with weak pasterns resulting in uneconomic paddling action and poor reach; and sickle hocks impairing effective drive. I was also struck by the number of short ribs and untypical ‘cut up’ underlines. On a positive note temperaments were uniformly sound which is of great importance, although I felt numerous exhibits were neither ‘active’ nor ‘game’ in their demeanour. I was delighted to co-judge BIS with John Bainbridge and pleased that we agreed on all of our joint decisions today.
*Judge: Sarah Dandy*
BCC
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Outstanding bitch that caught my eye the minute she entered the ring, looked a picture standing and did not disappoint on the move. Beautifully balanced, with everything in the right place and a good grizzle jacket completes the picture. Typical, feminine head of good proportion atop a reach of neck into a cleanly defined wither, with a correctly proportioned front assembly. So well put together with a super topline, equally matched with an excellent underline with pleasing body and rib, firm loin and well-made racy hindquarters. Presented a most shapely, clean outline, well-honed and in fit order. Her movement is second to none, with accurate tracking she displayed a ground covering stride with great forward reach and drive in profile, so essential to follow a horse, a joy to watch on the move. Bitch CC. Reserve Best In Show & BOS.
Bournemouth CA Championship Show
10th Aug 2014
Judge: Mrs M Reeves (Baywillow)
A very enjoyable appointment in spite of the wind and rain. I found some lovely borders for the top awards. The line up for the bitch challenge was especially pleasing, each one of top quality with some very promising youngsters. On the minus side there were too many that were wide in front. This is a serious fault in a breed who need to get through narrow spaces underground. Whilst I am always critical of dogs that lack rear angulation there are one or two appearing in the breed who are over angulated which is not correct for a border.
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
g/t. Lovely size and outline, balanced angulation, straight front, correctly proportioned feminine head, shown in excellent harsh coat. Moved out true from every angle.
Class Critique
Super class with some good ones going home cardless
Scottish Kennel Club
23rd Aug 2014
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
My first appointment at this level. My thanks to the society for inviting me and to my two very efficient stewards, Lorrraine and Barbara, who kept things moving.
I was very pleased with both my line ups and feel that my main winners were excellent examples of the breed. Many dogs were sporting dense, tweedy jackets but, as is always the case, some were lacking in coat and this did influence some of the placings. Mouths were good and only one dog was unspannable. On the downside, size is an issue and some of the minor puppies are already up to size. Front movement could be better in a number of exhibits and a few were carrying too much weight.
My sincere thanks to all those who entered and afforded me the privilege of going over their dogs.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Another very nice animal.Grizzle,a little rangier than winner with a feminine head and neat ears.Good angulation front and rear,jacket in good order and free moving.Well handled and presented.
Darlington Championship Show
12th Sep 2014
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
I would like to thank the Darlington society for my invitation .The stewards were on the ball all day so I would like to thank them for making my day an easy one.
I would also like to thank the exhibitors for taking my decisions so sportingly.
However I feel that some exhibits would benefit from a little more food, feeding less does not make them any smaller!
One thing that particularly drew my attention was the dirty teeth in some of the younger exhibits, feet need improving by trimming nails. Nails on some were what a Hawk would be proud of!
Also scissor cuts do not enhance a coat , we are not a trimmed breed we are a breed where hand stripping is paramount.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Feminine head with strong teeth nicely placed small ears and keen expression with lovely dark eyes Ribs carried well back and good strong loin Good level top line with well set thick carrot like tail . Shown In good condition and moved around the ring with style.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
27th Sep 2014
Judge: Mr Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
My grateful thanks to the committee and officers for their brilliant hospitality and to stewards Doreen Rushby and Graham Richardson for their hard work and attempts at keeping me out of trouble. An excellent entry with real quality present in both dogs and bitches. Unfortunately, at the risk of sounding like a stuck record, front movement was a real problem in quite a few exhibits, not I might add in the top winners, but unfortunately occasional compromises had to be made in this respect in some classes when filling some of the lower placings.
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Beautiful red grizzle in excellent condition, lovely size, Excellent front, narrow body, good rib shape, nicely angled at both ends, covered the ground very well.
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2014
Judge: Mr Euan Castel (Flutorum)
My sincere thanks are extended to each exhibitor for providing me with such a wonderful entry, on this, my 1st CC appointment. At 160 dogs I had the highest entry in the group. I would like to thank the committee for their kind invitation and the hospitality that I received. Thank you to my two very competent stewards Alex & Barry Cole.
Mouths were good, a couple were unspannable and coats varied. Some exhibits were untidy in undercarriage, legs and feet and would benefit from a little grooming a few days prior to show day. More importantly, a number of exhibits were overweight and lacked muscle tone. That said, there was a depth of quality to each class and a number of nice dogs had to go unplaced on this occasion. I was extremely pleased with both the dog and bitch line ups.
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Nov 2014
Judge: Mrs P McLellan (Breconbeds)
My thanks to the Scottish Committee for the invitation to judge our prestigious annual Championship Show; to my excellent steward Joyce Orr, and to the exhibitors for such a good entry.
I was happy with my class winners which were super examples of the breed. On the down side a number of exhibits were short in the leg and in the body, giving an unbalanced appearance and it’s very unlikely that they would be capable of following a horse, as the breed standard requires. Some pelts were too thin and too many dogs were single coated.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Different type to the winner. Finer made right through. In good coat condition. Pleasing head and expression. Just preferred the overall balance of the winner.
Manchester Championship Show
15th Jan 2015
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
This was my first Championship Show appointment and I would like to thank the Society for the invitation and generous hospitality. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Attwood and Anne Speake who did a sterling job keeping the good sized, well appointed ring running smoothly throughout the day. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over some very high quality dogs. Generally the standard was good with the majority of exhibits showing and moving well. I was concerned by the number of short rounded ribs I found, especially in the bitch classes. There were several noses lacking pigment, some very long thin tails, and I found a few broken or out of line teeth. Coats were at various stages and some otherwise good dogs had to be penalised for lack of coat in the stronger classes. Whereas others with little coat made it into the line up on overall quality. I was very pleased with my main winners, and thank the exhibitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
BCC
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
A stunning grizzle bitch with typical, feminine head of good proportion with strong jaw, good teeth, well placed small ears and keen expression with dark eyes. Good front assembly, super top line, and good underline, narrow throughout with flat ribs carried well back, a firm loin and well-made racy hindquarters with well set thick tail. Came to hand well. Beautifully balanced, she moved straight and true covering the ground with great forward reach and drive. Presented in top condition and handled well to take Bitch CC and BOB
Crufts
7th Mar 2015
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
First of all I would like to thank the Kennel Club for the honour and pleasure of judging this prestigious show. I must then thank my efficient and capable stewards who kept me on track and looked after me through the day. Most of all I would like thank the exhibitors who rose from their beds at early hours and drove many miles to give me an entry of Border Terriers to be proud of and one which is was a delight to judge. It was not only strong numerically strong but also in depth of quality. It is a cliché to say that there were not enough cards to go around but in this entry it was certainly true. Determining all the final line up in each class was difficult and also in many deciding who should make the short list was also a challenge. Good dogs went without a card, ones who in a different entry I would have been happy to see as winners. In the challenges decisions remained tough and more than those that took the top honours were worthy of doing so and I would have been very pleased to have had more awards to give out.
In the days following this year’s show Crufts, dog shows and those who participate in them came in for some criticism. The picture painted by the media at this time was certainly not my experience. Before, during and after the show I found show people to be nothing but good natured, genuine and supportive. I enjoyed every minute of my day and hope that those that supported me with an entry or as spectators at the ringside did so too
BCC
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
CH subject to KC confirmation
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Beautifully sized, balanced bitch in excellent condition being well muscled and shown in neat tight harsh coat. Appealing feminine head with a keen expression and neat ears. Good reach of neck, good shoulders and good ribs easily spanned and nicely carried back. Good top line and underline. Put all in on the challenge to beat very tough competition to take the Bitch CC.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Mar 2015
Judge: Mr. Carl-Gunnar Stafberg (Bombax) Sweden
I will thank the club and the show committee for inviting me to judge this prestigious show, I feel very honoured to be invited. I really enjoyed my day and was very pleased with huge entries. My winner was really top quality border terriers, excelling in type and heads. The overall quality was very good, but I hoped to see more quality in the younger classes. Size was ok, coats in different stages because of the time of year. It was about 40 years since I judged my first CCshow in England and I still enjoy it so much. My stewards did a fantastic job on the day, keeping both me and the dogs in order. They make it running very smooth and efficient, thank you!!!
RBCC
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Very well balanced bitch, nice proportions, excellent topline, very well angulated and a nice mover. Excellent coat. resCC .
National Dog Show
9th May 2015
Judge: Mr John Dace (Cassacane)
I must begin by saying a very sincere thanks to the Kennel Club and the officers and committee of the Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd for giving me this most prestigious appointment to award Challenge Certificates for the first time.
Also again sincere thanks to the exhibitors for their splendid entry and acceptance of my decisions on the day, and to my very efficient Stewards who ensured that classes moved along which helped in a timely finish.
On reflection of the exhibits I found that teeth and mouths were very good on the whole, feet were variable as was movement. Temperaments were good. All dogs were entire. My main concerns were in the condition of some exhibits who could have been fitter and harder in muscle tone but where has the consistent “head like that of an otter” gone? The variance in head shape and therefore expression was quite evident. I was pleased with my final awards and again many thanks to everyone for making this one of my most memorable days.
The depth of quality particularly in the bitches bodes well for the breed in the future but as already mentioned concentration on heads to achieve the “head like that of an otter” should be one of the paramount objectives.
BCC
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
She is my ideal type of border bitch. Excellent in size. Lovely proportionate head with keen expression. Easily spanned. In super fit condition. Harsh double coat with good pelt. Good rear end angulation giving super movement. Hard decision in challenge for B.o.B.
Southern Counties Canine Association
30th May 2015
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
I must first extend thanks to my very professional and able stewards, who kept me on track and on time.
My general remarks here cover the real concerns I have about the way the breed is heading currently. Increasingly, upright shoulders and poor fronts are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Upright shoulders may produce a flashy show dog on its toes, but Borders are not flashy by nature. I suspect I have referred to this problem in every critique I have written for Championship shows I’ve judged and it appears to be getting worse, not better. Please read the standard carefully; look at anatomical drawings of the dog skeleton. Shoulders are now at a steep 60 degrees on some exhibits instead of the normal – and correct – 45 degrees. Undercoats are being raked out to give a cleaner profile – why? Borders – working terriers – need their undercoats 24/7 to keep them warm in bad winter weather while they are waiting to be called for action. It is a requirement of the standard, not a fashion statement. Sooner or later we will end up with a single coated breed, and to its detriment.
Judging today, temperaments were very good; I found two kinked tails, several minor dentition issues, many dirty teeth and one undershot mouth. Males were all entire. Coats were mostly betwixt and between but the good double coats were exceptionally good. I love to see happy dogs with wagging tails but some dogs were very lack lustre and did not seem to be enjoying their day. There were also one or two exhibits too thin and lacking in condition. Finally, baiting is still a contentious topic for me – I use bait sometimes myself – but on occasions it was almost impossible to get at the dogs or examine them without getting round, over, or under an outstretched arm with bait. As a courtesy to judges, please keep baiting to a minimum, especially on the table.
Thank you to everyone for accepting my decisions sportingly. It was a genuine pleasure to go over the entry – winners and non-winners.
Open - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Three Counties Agricultural Society
4th Jun 2015
Judge: Mr Brian Baxter
Best Of Breed
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
BCC
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
lovely sized bitch with real feminine head, dark eye, good front, well laid shoulders, super ribcage, loose pelt, harsh coat, lovely bend of stifle. She moved round the ring with a flowing action. CC & BOB
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.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Grizzle and Tan. Excellent head and expression. Good neck, shoulder, top line and tail set. Straight front, with good feet, just not quite so narrow as 1st. Good hindquarters. Super coat and pelt. Well presented, in good order. Sound mover.
Border Union Agricultural Society
20th Jun 2015
Judge: Mrs Nancy Hogg (Raeburnfoot)
I thoroughly enjoyed my days judging at Border Union showground. Such a pleasant show. Many thanks go to my two very able stewards. They had the ring (& me) running like clockwork. Thanks also to the exhibitors who entered under me. Had some lovely dogs to go over & some hard decisions to make. Coats were probably the best I have seen for some time. Thick pelts, too, were much in evidence. Mouths were good. Fronts continue to be a problem & movement letting some otherwise promising dogs down.
Open - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
18th Jul 2015
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
Thank you to the officers, committee and members for voting for me to judge their Championship show 2015.
My stewards were just perfect, even the couple of birds flying around enjoyed the day.
As you know it's all too easy to judge from the ringside but when you are in the ring judging dogs of varying sizes, heads, coats etc, I felt I did the best I could with the exhibits shown.
All dogs were entire, mouths were correct and teeth were of good size and clean apart from one level bite which is acceptable.
Movement needs to be improved front and rear, muscle tone was lacking in quite a few, presentation on some was dreadful, two dogs needed feeding up, but the main winners were of good standing.
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
BCC
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
light grizzle bitch with a harsh coat, nice shaped head and ear carriage, gd length of neck into well laid shoulders, straight front legs standing on small tidy feet, narrow and spannable, moved and showed to Bitch CC.
Leeds Championship Show
26th Jul 2015
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
Thanks to all the exhibitors for bringing such a quality entry, my two stewards for keeping things running smoothly and the rain for holding off till the near the end. I found the dogs in general to be fit with only a few exhibits Under weight I had some close decisions in quite a few classes especially the early bitch classes Mouths on the whole were correct with many having large clean teeth, coats were good and many had good thick loose pelts, movement was varied, temperaments were excellent and most were unperturbed by the noise from our adjoining ring
RBCC
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
Lovely feminine bitch in super coat. Nice head proportions and pleasing eye, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders good for bone, moves true and shows beautifully reserve bitch CC
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
2nd Aug 2015
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam & Mr Mick Rushby
*Dogs*
What a pleasure it was to be invited to judge the males at the Midland BTC Championship show on 2nd August 2015, and thanks to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry of males to go over. Thanks must also go to my stewards Chris Wallace and Margaret Davies who did a great job, making sure everything ran smoothly. It was interesting to be judging alongside my Co-judge Mick Rushby who I felt has similar views to how I interpret the Breed Standard and when it came to choosing Best of Breed, I appreciated the good qualities of his bitch CC winner and after a thorough deliberation we jointly decided that my Dog CC winner had the edge, and awarded him Best of Breed. Although I didn’t judge the bitches, from the ringside they did look a much more even entry than the males, which were quite mixed, but I was very happy with my main winners with several males who I felt were champion standard, my eventual CC winner stood away from the rest but I had a few contenders for the Reserve CC whom I really liked. No matter what time of year I judge there is always a percentage of exhibits out of coat, I am not normally too hung up on that, as coat is a transient thing and if there is evidence of a harsh coat and thick pelt, movement is good and the dog is well constructed I don’t penalize them too much, but when you get a dog before you with good construction, good movement and a fabulous coat, they really have the edge and stand out. Having said that and not wanting to sound as old as Methuselah, I really feel the correct Border coat is in decline, you rarely find the really good, harsh, dense wiry coats and pelts you did in the past, and is an important element to give the breed, type and is a requirement in the Breed Standard. The fashion for several years has been to show dogs with little coat, with all the undercoat scraped out to reveal a sleek outline. Thankfully not all exhibitors do this, and it was good to see some with decent coats, but judging by some of the poor toplines, and profiles on Sunday, I really think exhibitors should be thinking of leaving some undercoat in, and keep a good depth of coat, as it creates a more finished, Border Terrier look, rather than a thin skinned whippet look. Ultimately good coats and pelts need to be bred for. When I am judging, I tend to look at the overall dog, I never pick out one thing and allow it to seduce me into thinking it’s a good Border Terrier, the whole dog has to be balanced and fit for function, display good breed type and have the ability to follow a horse, moving with economy with long low strides. I don’t go in for extremes or exaggerations either, or a dog which looks like a caricature of a Border Terrier, because the breed standard doesn’t allow for that. I do like ring presence, clean dogs with good presentation and showmanship, a working dog can still have all that and it is a show after all, but it has to be a good Border Terrier first and foremost.
BCC
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
this is what I was looking for, the bitch is one of the best on the show scene today, I could not fault her, lovely feminine otter head, nice dark eyes, ears of correct shape & size, lovely neck into well placed shoulders, best of fronts, small catlike feet, excellent topline & tailset, moved out well, it was a pleasure to judge her, a very worthy champion
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
14th Nov 2015
Judge: Miss T James (Blackmine)
I was honoured to be invited to judge at the Scottish Border Terrier Club and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. It was concerning that there were a large proportion of exhibits with poor front movement. The other area which I thought needed attention was heads – many lacked strength in foreface. On the positive side all the dogs had good temperaments, were clean and trimmed up to a good standard. Coats were all at various stages (as usual) but I found very few single coated exhibits. It was also pleasing to see so many neat cat-like feet. I felt that the quality of the bitches out-weighed that of the dogs.
RBCC
Name at show: CH / Ir CH Ploughdown Placida
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH / Ir CH Ploughdown Placida
Placing Critique
another classy girl. Shown in tiptop condition. Neat straight front. Good bone and feet. Lovely lay of shoulder. Nice length of rib. Level topline. Good rear angulation which she used to well on the move. Shown and handled well. Preferred the head and racier outline of 1. Res.CC
Class Critique
Lovely class.
