Show Placings
The Scottish Kennel Club
18th May 2019
Judge: Mrs Marylynne Winder (Appleside)
My thanks to the Scottish Kennel Club for giving me the opportunity to judge at this years Championship show, and the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs. A special thanks to my hard working ring stewards.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Bath Championship Show
27th May 2019
Judge: Miss Felicity Freer (Felfree)
Many thanks to the Officers and Committee for my invitation to judge this superb breed. The weather was not on our side to start but it warmed up and made for a superb day. I have owned or shown this breed for over 20 years and found a real mixed bag today. I found the youngsters to be really pleasing which is promising for the breed. Many thanks to all the exhibitors for taking the time to show under me.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
A little out of coat today but a lot to like. Good size, thick pads and tight feet
The Southern Counties Canine Assocation
1st Jun 2019
Judge: Miss J Singh (Vandamere)
I was a delighted to receive the invitation to judge at this friendly and well run show The weather was glorious and there was a nice atmosphere around the ring.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day as I had some quality dogs to go over and this was reflected on the impressive results in the Group placings . I was thrilled to learn that the Best of Breed was awarded Terrier Group 1, my bitch CC winner was awarded Terrier Junior Group 2, the puppy gained Puppy Terrier Group 3 and the veteran was awarded Veteran Terrier Group 3. Is this a new record for group placings at one show for the breed?
The day was kept running smoothly by my two stewards Alan McKenzie and Sue Hann,
I was concerned about the number of exhibits with misplaced teeth. In total I found five exhibits each with a misplaced tooth, also two kinked tails and one exhibit with one testicle. Some exhibits were lacking in muscle tone and condition.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Class Critique
Two promising puppies, not much to choose between them however my winner just had the edge on maturity.
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Jun 2019
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the Southern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge at their Championship show, it was an interesting day going over the dogs and I thank the exhibitors for their good sized entry and the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. Thanks must also go to my excellent stewards, Tina Morgan and Felicity Freer who kept me on track and everything running smoothly throughout the day.
Coats were at varying stages of growth and there was a wide variety of types, and a few with heavy shoulders and short, round oversprung ribs and poor toplines. I was quite surprised to see some faults in the entry which I wasn’t expecting, I found a young male with only one testicle descended, three with teeth out of line, one whose mouth didn’t close correctly and two kinked tails.
I judged the entry as I saw the dogs on the day, and as always I was looking for a dog which excels in breed type, fits the standard and appears capable of doing a day’s work. I value all the essentials required in a working dog and also those who have that extra something as a show dog. I was pleased with my winners and look forward to watching show careers with interest.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Another 6½ months G&T I liked, very similar in overall type to my winner, but came without much coat today. Good head and expression good feet and legs.
Border Union Agricultural Society
15th Jun 2019
Judge: Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
I would like to thank Border Union Agricultural Society for the invitation to judge my first CC appointment in Border Terriers and to my ring steward Alicia Wilson for keeping me right and the smooth efficiency of getting each class in the ring to keep things going.
I was delighted with the super entry of 123 dogs making 142 entries and appreciate all the exhibitors that gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs and the sporting way they accepted my decisions.
The overall quality was excellent, I was privileged to judge so many lovely dogs and I was pleased with my main winners, all looking in tip top condition on the day.
I was surprised that in some of the exhibits that underneath good coats there was lack of condition and a bit thin and some were lacking thick skin and loose pelt that is important in our breed.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
An 8 month old lighter g/t bitch with a good head and a tight pinwire jacket with plenty loose pelt. Moved well.
Blackpool & District Canine Society
23rd Jun 2019
Judge: Mr S A Mcpherson
My thanks go to Blackpool & District Canine Society for the invitation to judge their show, my very efficient stewards and to the exhibitors for their wonderful entry, topping the Terrier Group by quite a margin!
It was a good quality entry, all the way through, especially in the younger classes, Junior bitch being quite exceptional, which bodes well, for the future!
I thought the line ups, for the CCs, were excellent, all, for me, fitting the Standard well, good for size, lithe bodied, easily spanned and with a good length of stride.
Only a very few were difficult to span.
As for points of concern, a number with very deep stops, often with a rounder eye, which gives a rather untypical expression, more reminiscent of the Asian short clawed Otter, rather than the English River Otter.
Forehand construction, as ever, is the main area for concern, correct shoulder and upper arm being the most difficult thing to breed for and attain. A correct forehand is a joy to watch, on the move, especially if they have the rear angulation to match, giving totally balanced, efficient, ground covering movement, but get it wrong and the movement is a bit like a “ bike with square wheels! “ in profile! I’m well aware it’s possible to win, at the highest levels, with the latter, but it doesn’t make it correct, when the Standard asks for the soundness to follow a horse, which, obviously, would require a good length of stride.
A few dogs weren’t too keen on the bandage on my hand, covering up the aftermath of an unfortunate trip up, on gravel, none were unduly penalised.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Grizzle and Tan, 7 ½ months. Typical head and expression. Similar remarks apply, but not the shoulder and upper arm of the 1st, which showed up on the move, not having quite the length of stride.
Windsor Championship Show
27th Jun 2019
Judge: Mrs Jena Tuck (Nettleby)
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my two very able stewards who kept everything moving smoothly, and to the exhibitors for giving me the privilege of going over their dogs. I was delighted by my winners, and by the overall quality of the entry.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
East of England Championship Show
6th Jul 2019
Judge: Mrs Janet Alexander (Glenbucket)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Kingston Canine Society Open Show
21st Jul 2019
Judge: Mr John Canty
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Paignton Championship Show
3rd Aug 2019
Judge: Mr. Mark Ord (Marnadee)
Thank you all who entered today some classes more difficult than others & some that could change places on a different day. For me it is all about judging the dog on the day and how it performs. I am sad to say I found many of the males difficult to span, I was not impressed with a lot of the heads, the standard is specific on what it requires. Tails I found better than previously. A lot of dogs I thought good on the stack fell apart in front movement. Bitches for me had more depth of quality and more uniform in size, happy to say I could span most of them. I have been criticised before as have others for using the term racy when the breed standard only uses the term with regard to quarters but I also interpret the statement “able to follow a horse” to mean a dog needs to be racy. Nothing heavy & broad will be capable of this task. Vital to remember what the breed was bred to do. Borders had the biggest entry in Terriers today by a long shot & I thank you all for giving me the privilege to handle your dogs.
I was delighted with my top winners today, I was informed my doc C.C, res C.C. & best puppy dog were all related. My bitch C.C. I did well as a puppy at an open show and is the daughter of the bitch I gave the C.C. last time i judged the breed.
Special Beginners in Breed
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
from a repeat mating of Sp. Beginners D, lovely otter head with short & strong muzzle, correct dentition, moderate length of neck leading to correct shoulder & upper arm, good depth of chest & easy to span her ribs, strong in loin and holds her top line well both on stack & moving, lovely racy quarters, tail well set & carried, moved soundly with ease, in good hard condition with correct double coat
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
4th Aug 2019
Judge: Dogs: Diane Bullen (Fevstone) Bitches: Sally Leslie (Risdene)
*Judge: Dogs: Diane Bullen (Fevstone)*
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their show and making me feel most welcome. I would also like to thank my Stewards for a sterling job.
A good exhibit entry on the day with couple of them forgetting to remove their carpet slippers judging by their feet, and also a couple that I felt they were impersonating Austin Powers international man of mystery judging by the amount of chest hair left on! But on a more serious note, yet again underweight dogs with some having barely a covering of flesh which was disappointing, some dogs also un-spannable.
Both of the above reflecting in my placing’s. On a more positive note some excellent specimens shown today both in coat, movement and good old fashioned strong otter type heads.
*Judge: Bitches: Sally Leslie (Risdene)*
Thank you to the Committee and Exhibitors for a super day. It must always be a pleasure and honour to judge at a club show where the depth of quality is clearly high and this was especially appreciated after so many had also made the long journey to Devon the day before.
I’m not going to lecture. After all we are all on the same side and want our breed to thrive. However I think I should mention that movement is not generally true and accurate fore and aft. I did see some strange limb and joint placement. Notwithstanding less than perfect gait I still sought something that did not make me uncomfortable to watch and importantly for me exhibited easy freedom using the whole of the foot and leg assembly to take energy from the ground not jolting or with feet flipping limply but fluid placement with reach and drive. That does not imply exaggeration and wasted energy just simple low to the ground daisy cutting propulsion and economy which is a thing of beauty to behold.
Mouths and jaws generally were pleasing. The small pearly dentition of a while ago were not in evidence and I enjoyed the large teeth that never fail to surprise and please. For this reason I have not felt the need to remark individually.
I never penalise stacked exhibits but I Ioved the preponderance of handler’s free showing. Relaxed, well made examples do stand nicely naturally and it often seems to me that exhibitors know less than their charges when it comes to limb placement and balance.
Coats - I really appreciated those exhibitors who felt able to leave coats in place even though a little past their sell by date. I can happily judge through a good coat which enables me to ascertain texture and quality whereas however neat an outline the lack of any evidence of coat in this working breed must be a negative.
Happily my fellow judge and I agreed on most of the main placings and I did not trouble the Referee as for me the prime consideration for any exhibitor must surely be the CC.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Another promising puppy who appealed, good skull and muzzle, pleasing eyeset, shape and expression. Scored in neck and shoulder. Correct bone. Well coated and has all the qualities required to finish well.
Special Challenge - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
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.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
The Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2019
Judge: Mr Richard Allen (Penparc)
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Richmond Championship Show
7th Sep 2019
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge (Risdene)
In this day of mentoring I make no apologies for restating the main criteria I apply in my judging. The standard states that the border terrier is essentially a working terrier and it should be able to follow a horse. Therefore I require a dog deep in chest but well ribbed back providing ample heart and lung room which will enable it to travel and be present when and if required to flush the quarry, narrow throughout and spannable to enable it to go to ground, head like that of a otter with strong muzzle and big teeth to help protect from any attack of the quarry, harsh double coat and thick skin as protection from the elements whilst underground or on the moors, good temperament to mix with the hounds and able to be handled as necessary.
I felt that most of my winners met this criteria and my report concentrates on the dogs distinguishing points that resulted in its placing. However no dog is perfect and that is where the judgement comes in and remember opinions from the ring side do not always hold up on closer inspection.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Needs more time to develop in head, moved ok, but could tighten in front, out of coat.
Worthing & District Canine Society Open Show
22nd Sep 2019
Judge: Becky Johnson (Downstream)
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
The Birmingham & District Gundog & Terrier Club
19th Oct 2019
Judge: Mrs Linda Coleman (Hartswelin)
Thanks for the good entry, marred by absentees, it seems some had entered two shows today and unfortunately for me chose to go to the other one!
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Gravesend & Medway Towns Canine Society Open Show
20th Oct 2019
Judge: Miss L Goddard (Awbrooksky)
I would firstly like to thank the committee for asking me to judge the Junior Handling and my own Breed,Border Terriers.Secondly to my steward for keeping the classes running smoothly and finally to the exhibitors for sportingly accepting my decisions today.
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Twigglestone Serendipite
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
East Kent Canine Society Open Show
3rd Nov 2019
Judge: Mr Mark Cocozza (Freecloud)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Crystal Palace & District Canine Association Open Show
16th Nov 2019
Judge: Julie Green (Breckgreen & Stowthorney)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge their November Show. I would also like to thank the exhibitors for their fantastic entry of quality dogs.
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Grizzle bitch of nice size. Nice head with a lovey dark eye. Correct scissor bite. Nice reach of neck into well laid shoulders. In a harsh tight new jacket. Held her top line on the move of which she moved well.
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
17th Nov 2019
Judge: Mrs Jenny Miller (Feorlig)
I must thank the officers and committee for allowing me to judge their Club Open show which was a great honour and which I really enjoyed. The hospitality and the friendly atmosphere made for a nice show and the quality of the dogs was exceptional. I must thank the Club for the lovely gift and Jan Hollingsbee for the flowers which are still alive and looking good. I must also thank my steward Julie Green who gave up her entry to steward for me.
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Placed in the strong Junior class and certainly moved out with a better action and soundness in this class. Very feminine head well shaped and furnished, used her ears better in this class giving her more expression to her dark eyes. Slight stop and strong short muzzle. Good neck well laid-back shoulders and spannable. Has a better and firmer top-line than my second placement and her tail is set on and correctly carried. Well bodied with depth, ribs well back, harsh textured coat and in nice condition. Balanced and boned legs and compact feet.
Guildford & District Canine Society Open Show
8th Dec 2019
Judge: Mrs Sandra Girling (Benattivo)
My thanks firstly go to the Society for the kind invitation to judge this show and also to the exhibitors who trusted me with their lovely Border Terriers. All my class winners were of very good quality and were in super condition which was very pleasing. I did feel some of the exhibits perhaps weren’t so comfortable on the arena surface. Also some were not awfully animated which I felt may have been contributed to the cold weather as they seemed not to be very relaxed through the loin.
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Quality grizzle and tan bitch just over a year old. Very attractive Ottery looking head she has a dark eye and keen expression. Very nice flowing neck into a level top line she has a good rib and strong loin. She was shown in a smart new tweed jacket and thick pelt. She strode out very well around the ring showing very nice in side profile.
Ladies Kennel Association
14th Dec 2019
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
I would first like to thank all the exhibitors for a lovely entry, and for making the effort to travel to the N.E.C on a dark winter’s morning. There was a variation in breed type to a degree, which is always the case, but I was very happy with both my final lineups and only wish I could hand out more awards.
Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Guildford & DCS Open Show
16th Feb 2020
Judge: Mrs C E Sansom (Tarkaswell)
My thanks to the officers and committee of the Guildford and District Canine Society for inviting me to judge at their Valentine’s open show, and the exhibitors who managed to attend despite the storms and flooding. My steward George Wingfield kept everything running smoothly and I was delighted to hear that both my BOB and BP were placed under group judge Dave Burrage (Sametova).
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG4, Twigglestone Serendipite
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
15 month old grizzle and tan bitch. She presented a balanced picture, without exaggeration, standing and on the move. Full of quality, she showed with presence and confidence. She had a feminine head, with neat ears, dark eyes and correct dentition. Her good reach of neck flowed into a level top line with well set tail. She was narrow throughout, with her ribs carried well back. She moved out well with purpose, but was short of coat today. BOB, TG4
Woolwich, Bexley & District Canine Association Open Show
15th Mar 2020
Judge: Dr K Suggitt
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
1st Aug 2021
Judge: Mrs C Archibald (Dogs) Mrs L M Ward (Bitches) Ref Mr T Tuck
Referee’s Report:
I was asked to make the final decisions for BIS, Res BIS, BOS, and Best Veteran. It was a real pleasure to go over these quality borders.
BIS: I thought that the dog Brewster and Green’s Stowthorney Wicker Man JW, and the bitch Irving’s Dandyhow Pandora, were both eye-catching borders though quite different. The dog was very well constructed throughout, with a typical otter-like head, strong muzzle and large teeth. He had good angulation front and rear, moved well, and was in good coat. The bitch was a handy size, with an attractive outline and balanced overall proportions. She also had a thick pelt and correct coat though I think it was not yet at its best. I just favoured the dog for BIS on the strength of his head, his overall outline, and coat on the day.
Res BIS: I felt that Tuffin’s Hartswelin Veritas with Oatberry edged it over the bitch for similar reasons to those given above. He shared a lot of qualities with BIS, having a lovely outline and angulation, a good otter-like head, and an excellent coat and pelt.
BOS: Irving’s Dandyhow Pandora.
Best Veteran: Both veterans were eye-catching and typical borders, with very good coats. The dog, Jackson’s Clipstone Starshine, had a lovely head and expression, and I liked his outline and overall proportions. The bitch, Dean’s Ch Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star, had balanced proportions and she was very well constructed all through. I thought her neat front and shoulders, plus her hind angulation gave her the edge for Best Veteran.
Referee: Terence Tuck
DOGS
My sincere thanks to the MBTC for inviting me to judge the dogs at this show. Also thank you to all the exhibitors for their support. A very convivial atmosphere, it was so good to be out and about with dogs again. The weather did it's best to stay fair, ideal temperature for dog showing. I found movement still to be an issue, particularly front, also small teeth, the odd broken or missing tooth, and some dirty teeth too! Size and weight need to be addressed - some too heavy, the other end of the spectrum, needed a good feed!! Jackets at various stages, good to see some exhibits in full coat, a rarity these days. I was very happy with my winners and pleased the referee agreed in part.
BITCHES
Many thanks to the club for the invitation to judge, to the exhibitors for a nice entry and my steward Carol Smith for keeping the ring running smoothly.
As ever at this show the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly but was tinged today with poignancy by the sad loss of so many of our good friends. I must mention Dawn Bladen who has been a close friend since 1995 when we had a litter brother and sister by my dog. On principle Dawn didn’t show under me so would again have been at the ringside today with her camera. We miss them all and hope to continue to see their families and friends amongst us.
There was a noticeable diversity in both type and overall size today. My chief concern was exhibits that came very heavily to hand and often in combination with being very difficult (for a man’s hands) to span. It really needs to be addressed if we are to keep the Border “Essentially a working terrier”, as the standard lays down.
There was only one mouth with misplaced teeth and I was especially pleased to find so many otter-like heads.
Coats were generally good for texture and depth and good undercoats on thick pelts predominated. B/T jackets were especially harsh and dense and I aplaud the breeders who have achieved this huge improvement compared to the B/Ts of the 90’s.
Today tough pads were plentiful but it was a pity that feet on some exhibits appeared to be bigger and flatter than they actually were when this could be easily remedied by trimming.
Tails seem to get thinner and longer each time I judge. In this entry we have overcome the problem of kinks that was evident for some years but with the loss of the desired carroty shape and moderately short length which finishes off the typical Border outline.
Overall I was pleased to find good fitness and muscle tone plus good condition and only one that needed a good dinner and a couple that had obviously enjoyed too many.
I was very happy with my lineup and fully expect to see several going on to the higher honours which they narrowly missed out on today.
My colleague judge and I cordially agreed to disagree when it came to the final accolades (in each case having a preference for the sex we had judged) so referee Tez Tuck was kept busy to the very end with his decisions accepted with good grace by the exhibitors.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Strong head and hard-bitten expression. Showed well and little to criticise. Left her coat at home.
Kent County CA Open Show
22nd Aug 2021
Judge: Mrs Mandy Kenna (Cynetkoy)
Post Graduate /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Richmond Championship Show
11th Sep 2021
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
Thank you to the committee of the Richmond show for granting my first appointment to award CC’s, I was well looked after on the day and had great support from my stewards which was very much appreciated. It was a real privilege to judge some wonderful examples of the breed and the future looks bright as there were so many wonderful puppies and juniors. I really appreciated all my entries and rewarded those in the best condition on the day, I also acknowledge that many had good breed type and quality even amongst those not in the challenge and some that were not placed in the stronger classes.
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Much to like about this well constructed bitch who was short of coat today, otherwise she could have taken top spot. Her strong muzzle and pleasing head with a strong loin all add up to make her a good example of the breed.
Border Union Championship Show
4th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Many thanks go to the exhibitors and my two stewards who kept going throughout a rather damp session during the judging of the bitch classes. One of the essentials of a working terrier is being able to withstand a little rain but there were a few exhibits with thin skins and short of coat. I found that some lacked muscle, particularly behind, which affected the driving movement necessary for the breed’s function. My other main concern was the lack of width in the jaws of some, detracting from the desired, ‘like that of an otter’, head shape. This is a most identifying feature of the breed and needs to be carefully adhered to.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Bit bigger than 1 but another well built bitch showing well. Good length of body, standing on good feet
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr Jimmy Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I feel honoured to have been elected by the members to have judged their clubs 75 year show, and can I thank Alan and Graham for keeping things running so smoothly for me, and can I especially thank the committee for lunch that they provided and also Mr J Whalton for looking after me and my wife, I am not going to rant on about this and that but where have all the heads and tail sets gone ?
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Placing Critique
Pleasing feminine head, dark almond shaped eyes, nice fold of ear, good level top line leading to a well placed carrot shaped tail, moved true.
Crystal Palace Canine Association Dog Show
16th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr Jack Wood (Nasabe)
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Gravesend and Medway Towns Canine Society Open Show
17th Oct 2021
Judge: Derek Pearmain (Delandmar)
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Nov 2021
Judge: Mr M Ord
Massive Thank You to The Officers & Committee for inviting me to judge your Championship Show today. This club I was a member of in the formative years and have fond memories of the very first Championship Show where I was an exhibitor. It is good to see a club go from strength to strength and the committee worked very hard to put on this event in what has been difficult times to plan ahead. Thank you everyone who entered today and I was honoured with an entry of 150 Dogs, 192 Entries & 0 NFCs. Like every show absentees were inevitable but I hope those present today took my decisions sportingly.
A few general observations on todays entry which are my thoughts and because I care so much for this lovely breed. Driving to the venue today was a perfect way to view the countryside where this breed was developed and all could see the rough terrain they would need to work in. It is essential you judge a breed with the work they were bred to do foremost in your mind and learn why they are built the way they were and why the breed standard exists. It is a dog show and we now want to see them clean, healthy and well presented but I was sad to see today several exhibits with very clear evidence of scissor work on the coats and not just on tidying feet etc. Please stop this trend NOW. Several were scissored from hip to hock, no need to do this & does nothing to enhance the dog. Good otter heads were not in abundance today and I witnessed a lot of fly away ears. We have always witnessed the odd one but today quite a number could be seen when the dog was in action & not always on youngsters either.
Coats as always were in various stages today but you must judge the dog on the day and find evidence of the correct texture and undercoat which is vital to stop the working dog getting wet through to the skin. Mouths were very good today as where tails which have thankfully improved greatly. Some exhibits in my opinion had lovely conformation however where far too big and long in leg. I though ribs were good with only a few that would be unable to be spanned with the average size hands. I did find today the bitches were more uniform for size so just need to work on the males not becoming big, leggy & heavy.
Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
Boston & District Canine Society Championship Show
9th Jan 2022
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Twigglestone Serendipite
