Show Placings
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2008
Judge: Stuart McPherson (Brumberhill)
Thank you to those exhibitors, who, in the present financial climate, gave me the highest entry in the Terrier Group, by a considerable margin, nearly half as many again as the next breed. Friday, M6, NEC, extortionate car park charges are not a good combination!!
Thank you to my very efficient steward, who kept things running smoothly, so we could finish in good time, after the very late start due to the problems on the M6.
Now, to the dogs themselves! I know that I was very lucky, in that when I started in the Breed, in 1980, I was taught about type, construction and movement by Ted Hutchinson, a master of the sport, who had campaigned the then Breed Record Holder, plus a string of Champions across many other breeds. This knowledge, plus, I would like to think, a natural eye for quality, has served me well over the following years. Therefore, it saddens me to see the type and constructional faults that are creeping into the breed. These faults are now so prevalent, that newer breeders, exhibitors and some judges, probably think, and accept they must be correct, so widespread are they.
The Standard asks for an "otter" like head, moderately broad in skull. Too many have excessively broad skulls, giving an exaggerated, almost caricature look, rather than the refined beauty of an otter. Ear set is also a cause for concern. The standard calls for small, V- shaped, dropping forward close to the cheek. Too many ears are perched high, above the line of the skull, dropping forward to the temple, rather than the cheek, giving a foreign, almost Lakeland / Fox Terrier expression. While, I am sure, this may appeal in some quarters, it is totally incorrect on a Border Terrier.
Now, to shoulders, and especially upper arms, a major problem today, particularly in the younger classes. Upright shoulders and very short upper arms, mean the front assembly of the dog appears "tacked on". The shoulder should be clean and well laid, with a long upper arm, meaning that the dog can stand with their front legs under them, perpendicular to the floor, rather than like a “milking stool. This, affects movement, giving an action that can only be described as "peddling a bike" and causing no reach on the move .They are, after all, a working breed, who are supposed to be capable of "following a horse".
On the plus side, most were in good coat, and moved soundly behind, something which is much easier to achieve. Two exhibits were so thin, I felt their entry fee would have been better spent on a bag of quality food.
My top winners are examples of Breeders who have stuck to their ideals, of breeding sound, honest, typical Border Terriers, bred to last, not following fashion by breeding, what, to my mind, are shorter coupled, flashier "terrier" types to appeal to the more modern way of thinking. They wouldn't have looked out of place from when I first started in the Breed, matching beautifully for type and construction.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
Blue and tan. 10 ½ months. Very forward puppy. Strong, but feminine head. Excellent neck, shoulder, front & feet. Superb topline & tail set. Super coat of good colour and texture. Easily the best mover in this class. Shown beautifully on a loose lead. Stood away for Best Puppy and should have a bright future.
Manchester Championship Show
15th Jan 2009
Judge: Mr David Winsley
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
National Terrier
4th Apr 2009
Judge: Mr. Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
Many thanks to everyone for an excellent entry, both in numbers and quality. While there were many well made exhibits it became a frustrating experience at times trying to find those with a decent coat, many having presumably been stripped out following Crufts in preparation for the season ahead, after all they can’t be in coat all of the time! Front movement again was a problem, not so much due to under reaching or circus pony, high stepping, but pinning and knitting. Heads were a mixed bag, one or two with excessive stops and rounded skulls but none excessively broad. There were some “snipey” muzzles present.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
BCC
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
Stylish blue and tan, narrow throughout, with excellent front, feminine head with strong jaw, good eye and correct shaped skull with well set ears, lovely neck into clean laid back shoulders, flat ribs and strong loin, well set tail, bone just right, coat in excellent condition, covered the ground easily. A picture of restraint. CC. and Best of Breed..
Class Critique
A tremendous class headed by three young bitches of the highest quality.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Champioship Show
19th Apr 2009
Judge: Mr Simon Jackson (Clipstone)
I was honoured to be invited by the Club to judge this show, which has always held a special place in my heart. My thanks to everyone involved at the Club for a super day, and exhibitors for a high quality entry.
Overall standards were high with a number of classes where exhibits genuinely worthy of placing went without reward, which was a nice position for me in, and an encouraging one for the breed to be in if this is replicated at other events.
I am pleased to say that I found only two incorrect bites. However, I am frustrated at the inability of some exhibitors to appreciate the correct speed of movement of their dogs, which if correct would improve the appearance of the dogs on the move, many dogs were moved too slowly, thereby preventing the dog from driving out.
Incorrect movement cannot be hidden by moving the dog slowly, likewise, correct movement can easily be displayed if the dog is just allowed to move freely, even if this means the exhibitor running with their dog. Do what the dog needs to get the best out of it.
It was a pleasure to judge in such a venue which is light, airy, clean and "exhibitor friendly". Please excuse the slight delay in providing this critique, with the newly resurrected Joint Show following 2 weeks after this, and my involvement in the management of that show, time has been tight.
I was heartened to find youngsters being youngsters, playful, awkward and proper babies, far too often these days we see perfectly turned out and immaculately school puppies which appear almost "models", let the youngster be so, this is a sport that we, and the dogs, are meant to enjoy. Puppies jumping over the dark lines in the carpet is a cute, if a little frustrating for the handler!
I was very impressed with my main winners. My Best in Show I have been aware of for some time and watched her develop with interest. I was excited on close examination of her to find her a superb example of the breed in every aspect, and was delighted to award her her first CC and Best in Show. I am sure she will have an illustrious career.
The Dog on the other hand was a total stranger to me and a highly pleasant surprise. On winning his class he took my eye and stole the Dog CC. It gave me great pleasure to also award him his first CC. My best to him for his future.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Joint BTBC Championship Show
2nd May 2009
Judge: Mr A Tomlinson (Lyndhay)
A few pointers that need addressing. Coat, the standard requires harsh and dense with a close undercoat, not a single one, as many exhibits carried today. Feet and nails, nails were unduly long, hair around the feet needed lots of attention. Also movement, it is not getting any better may be worse, rear movement was worse than front and appeared as if they were on stilts. On the positive side mouths seemed better, I found many with excellent strong teeth set correctly with a good bite
RBCC
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
Very smart young bitch, very feminine head, neat ears, dark eyes, good mouth, strong teeth, good bite, good length of neck, neat shoulder, straight front good feet correct length of back, good topline nicely angulated rear quarters, superb B/T jacket, good texture moved soundly, a very nice bitch RBCC
Birmingham National Dog Show
7th May 2009
Judge: Mrs Betty Judge (Plushcourt)
I judged the breed just two years ago & I was alarmed at the change for the worse in the type & quality. The number of dogs entered was 115 with few absentees, four more being added to the original entry due to a catalogue error, an entry of which I was pleased with, especially in these financially hard times & terrier day being on a Thursday.
I was really surprised to find exhibitors showing dogs with incorrect dentition & I found several of these. I was puzzled as to why upright shoulders & straight hind legs, some with hocks barely defined had become so prevalent. Generally movement was poor, but with construction so poor & with so many dogs with straight hind legs what else would you expect?
Several single coats & thin skins. Heads, where have all the beautiful otter heads gone. I found round skulls, some with a distinct brow over the eyes, large round shaped ears & they were not close to the cheek. Several dogs & bitches I was unable to span due to round ribs, with no carryback of rib. There were two dogs with kinks in their tails.
More seriously, bad temperaments on a couple of dogs was also depressing, I have never had a Border Terrier snap at me before until this show. In some of the classes, when the dogs came into the ring, overall quality was so poor I nearly lost the will to live.
However, I was very pleased with my CC & RCC winners & both my BD & BB puppy winners, & several other class winners, so there are still some breeders out there with the correct interpretation of the Standard. Perhaps it would be a good idea for the less experienced breeders & exhibitors to take note of these experienced breeders? & exhibitors? good dogs & learn from them.
I was delighted to see my BOB go G4 in a very strong group & then to see my BP winner go PG3 in an equally strong puppy group.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
bl/t of correct colour, quality bitch, stood out in this class, typical in head, strong jaw, big teeth, good topline, lovely carrot shaped tail, moved well. Would prefer to have slightly more angulated hindquarters
Three Counties Championship Dog Show
16th Jun 2009
Judge: Mrs. Marie Sharp (Rhozzum)
Thanks are due to exhibitors for a good turn out of quality Borders, Mr & Mrs Hall for their expert and unobtrusive stewarding, and to the weatherman who forecasted a dry day and delivered. Most Border folk know that I favour a Border that is on the leg to enable it to cover the terrain found in Border Hunt country, yet narrow enough to follow the quarry to ground. Those in the cards today fulfilled most of the criteria set down in the Standard, so my individual critiques could become repetitive. True otter heads were not abundant, and those with a proper skull sometimes lacked muzzle strength. Coarse and/or upright shoulders featured too frequently, along with short and/or rounded ribcages. Not too many straight stifles were seen, but one or two were over-angulated in their hind quarters, an exaggeration which has crept into other breeds, let?s hope it will not do so in Borders. The Standard asks for a deep and narrow body, but many were deep in brisket only, with a cut-up underline. A worrying find which I have not encountered before to this extent was the number of kinky tails - not obvious to the eye but feeling lumpy to the hand. A warning to future judges of Borders - take plenty of wet-wipes. No Border appeared dirty, but the evidence appeared on my hands.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Blackpool & District CS
26th Jun 2009
Judge: Miss Sarah Dandy (Dandale)
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
A stylish bitch, very striking and presented in tip- top condition with super B/T coat of correct texture and colour. Pleasing feminine head and expression with good neck, topline and underline, most pleasing in size and narrow through, she presented a clean outline with well balanced quarters. Just lost out to 1 on tracking, but moved well in profile. Close decision between the first two places.
Welsh Kennel Club
22nd Aug 2009
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Driffield Championship Dog Show
3rd Oct 2009
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
Thank you to Driffield Agricultural Society for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at their Championship Show. I had a good entry of 169 from 162 dogs and had a large number of quality exhibits to go over. It was a shame that the weather, being extremely windy, meant that because of health and safety reasons I had to judge indoors. This meant that at first the ring was not as spacious as I would have liked and the noise from the wind in the marquee at times disturbed some of the younger exhibits. In addition, the length of the grass and the unevenness of the surface were problematic for some of the exhibitors.
I was extremely pleased with my final line ups and there were many classes where deserving dogs went unplaced due to the quality of the entry. Overall coats, were very good and temperament was excellent. However, I did find two examples of the odd tooth out of place and a number of dogs which could have been tidier particularly around feet and tail.
In my winners I was looking for a correct size Border with a harsh double coat, well muscled, correct bone and looking like it could do a good days work. I found those qualities in my winners.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
A lovely b/t bitch in very good order, narrow throughout, she is easily spannable. A super head and expression, correct bite. Her reach of neck and shoulders are correct and she has a first class front. Correct in top line and tail set and she moved out with drive, true and with confidence. Lovely picture in profile.
Class Critique
A line up of real quality, all worthy winners and could change places on another occasion.
East Anglia BTC Open Show
29th Nov 2009
Judge: Mr Euan Castel (Flutorum)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of the Club for their invitation to judge their Open Show. Special thanks to Bev Jackson for her efficient stewarding. Despite a cold and rainy day outside the atmosphere in the hall was excellent, thank you to the exhibitors for a lovely entry of 100 from 84 dogs, with 20 absentees. Overall the quality was good, with some close decisions in several classes. I was very pleased with both the final dog and bitch line up.
Best In Show
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Best Bitch
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
very well presented blue and tan, excellent for size and balance, lovely feminine head, short strong muzzle with well placed eye & ear. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulder, straight front and good length of body. Loose pelt with coat of good texture. Best of movement and pleased to award her Best Bitch & Best in Show.
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2009
Judge: Mrs Jayne Alpe
Thank you to the LKA committee for this appointment, my first time giving CC’s, my thanks to my stewards who kept the judging flowing smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed my appointment and overall was pleased with the quality of my entry. My final line ups were all good examples of the breed, both in type, conformation and also in movement, which is what I was looking for. In some classes I was delighted at the quality forward, in particular limit and open bitch, which meant some very good bitch’s were unplaced. Overall I found movement better than I have seen it in the past, although there is still a lack of drive from a number of dogs. Not sure that they could do a full days work as they were meant to, without tiring. Front movement still needs looking to as well. I was disappointed to find one or two with misplaced teeth and some with untypical expressions and light eyes. My principal winners were exactly what I was looking for in the breed, as I do feel that what we are lacking in the breed at the moment is real stallions of dogs and femininity in the bitch’s. I was delighted to learn after judging that my best puppies were litter brother and sister.
BCC
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
Feminine b/t bitch of correct size, she caught my eye when she came into the ring. She has a correct otter head with keen expression, good scissor bite. Shoulder placement and reach of neck excellent. Harsh dense pin wire coat, thick pelt, and moves true with drive and holds her top line round the ring. BCC
Windsor Championship Dog Show
2nd Jul 2010
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the exhibitors for such a super entry of dogs for me to judge, I thought the standard overall was very good and I found it very encouraging to find some really nice youngsters coming up through the ranks. I had to make very tough decisions in some classes and many good dogs went card less but I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was pleased with my winners.
RBCC
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
My notes say “What a jacket”, superb harsh, wiry topcoat, good undercoat and thick pelt. Beautifully turned out, loved her head, good dentition, dark eye and neat ears, good neck into well constructed shoulders, easily spanned rib, straight forelegs and small neat feet, racy hindquarters, moved well coming and going. RBCC.
East of England Championship Dog Show
10th Jul 2010
Judge:
Thanks to exhibitors for the entry, which thankfully, was undercover on such a very hot day.
I was surprised at the size of the Minor Puppy dogs, which were up to size at such a tender age. I was disappointed at the lack of foot and claw care on some exhibits ? feet not properly trimmed and claws much too long for a working breed or any breed shown at a Championship show. Shaved bellies are becoming more evident - why? It's obvious and unattractive. There were too many single coated exhibits, and not enough clean ones. I was pleased with my winners.
BCC
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
Very attractive, well ticked b/t bitch. Lovely feminine head and expression. Well placed ears, good reach of neck into clean shoulders. Super level topline on the move and really drove away round the ring. Balanced construction and she showed her socks off. BCC.
Yorks, Lancs & Cheshire BTC Championship Show
25th Sep 2010
Judge: Mrs. Doreen Rushby (Dormic)
Many thanks to the exhibitors for a super entry. My DCC, BCC, and BP were a credit to the breed. Shoulders are still a big problem, ferrety feet was a recurring problem, thick pads are essential in a Border. A number lacked condition, trying to keep weight down should not be at the expense of nourishment.
Open - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: CH Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Crufts
11th Mar 2012
Judge: Mr Stewart McPherson (Brumberhill)
It was a great honour to be invited to judge at Crufts, possibly the pinnacle of anyone’s judging career. My thanks must go to the exhibitors for the entry of 264 dogs, making 304 entries, by far the largest entry for a single judge in the Group, which made for a very long day. Thanks also, must, go to my Stewards, Kim Lathaen and Eddie Bishop, for their efficient services, which ensured we finished just in time for my BOB to make the Terrier Group.
I last judged the Breed at LKA, just over three years ago. This was always going to be an interesting entry, after my preamble then, which was a bit “fire and brimstoneâ€, where I stated my deep concerns about the, in my opinion, untypical heads that were creeping into the Breed, gradually being accepted, as being correct, particularly the excessively broad skulls and high set ears. Therefore, knowing my preference for the otter like, MODERATELY broad skull, asked for in the Standard, I have to say, not without a little amusement, the “lollipop on a stick†type “Teddy Bear†heads with deep stops were almost conspicuous by their absence today!
While upper arm length was a major problem last time, in the younger classes, I found far fewer today that were totally unable to stand with their front legs underneath them, perpendicular to the floor, which, hopefully, was a good sign that Breeders are recognising and attempting to remedy the problem.
Movement, on the whole was pretty acceptable, behind especially. Front, maybe not quite as good, a small minority being rather less than accurate, flicking out, or toeing in. Most covered plenty of ground on the move.
The majority were spannable.
Most were in good, harsh coat, or evidence of texture coming through. I realise it’s the start of the show season, so those short of coat weren’t unduly penalised. My reasoning being, that, coats are transitory, whereas poor conformation will always be poor conformation, regardless of the wrapping.
I know they are a working Terrier, but, I have to say, considering the occasion, I was shocked at how dirty some of the dogs were. Some were thick with grease and would certainly have benefited from a bath, if only for their own comfort!
I was very pleased with both my line ups in the challenge for the CC’s, indeed, the first three in most classes. I felt that they all fitted my interpretation of the Standard and could, if required, do the job of a working Terrier.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Tallowbrook Memento of Quatford
Placing Critique
Blue and tan. Typical head and expression. Excellent neck, shoulder, front and feet, topline and tailset. Narrow bodylines, with rib carried well back. Good tail. Superb coat, of excellent blue colour and good pelt. Very sound on the move.
