Show Placings
Yorks, Lancs & Cheshire BTC Championship Show
24th Sep 2011
Judge: Mrs Marie Sharp
My thanks to the Committee for their hospitality, and to the stewards, Anita Harrison and Kevin Green who kept everything running smoothly. I always read the Standard before judging and decide where my priorities will lie. This time, I decided that for an essentially working terrier, narrow, lithe bodies are a must, not forgetting those features which distinguish a Border Terrier. Indeed most Borders are narrow when compared with a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, for instance, but far too many in this entry were too broad in the chest to be able to follow a fox to ground. When the chest is wider than my hand, it is far too wide. Going to ground is but one part of a working terrier’s life - he has to cover rough ground so needs sufficient length of leg, and a flexible loin to enable him to gallop, getting his hind quarters under his body. Following a horse is no walk in the park, it requires stamina - lung capacity which comes from sufficient length of ribcage. One word in the Standard always causes me trouble – “but” in the sentence “Head like that of an otter, but moderately broad in skull..” I found lots of otter shaped heads, a few with too much stop, few with too short a muzzle, so on the whole heads pleased me.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Special Beginners - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Scottish BTC Championship Show
12th Nov 2011
Judge: Mrs K Wilkinson
Thank you to the Members for inviting me to judge what has been for me and many others, one of the favourite shows on the calendar every year. Having won the Bitch CC and Best in Show here at the very first ScBTC Ch show in 1985 with Otterkin Blue Bouquet JW, perhaps I am slightly biased by good memories, but I think most people who attend consider it one of the most popular shows of the year, as there is always a warm welcome guaranteed from the Officers and Committee of the Scottish Border Terrier Club to exhibitors and spectators alike and a good atmosphere at all of their shows.
Many thanks to Marjorie Wanless who officiated as an uncomplaining and efficient steward all on her lonesome all day; what a star! Thanks too for the lovely gift from the Club.
It is good when decisions are accepted with grace, be it win or lose and I thank the exhibitors for that. It is not easy being a judge, knowing you disappoint some but please others, but one has to just judge the dogs and go with your instincts, please yourself, select those you like the best and hope others appreciate that you did your best, to your ability, without fear or favour.
Overall, the quality was high, with a lot to like. There were only a couple who felt too thin, so I will not dwell on this too much this time, except to say that a working dog needs some substance, some strength and endurance and this is NOT achieved when you starve a big dog to try to make it look smaller, as any judge fooled by that is not to be applauded. Going over a dog on the table, I hate to feel all the backbone and see the ribs sticking out. It is cruel and unkind to keep your dog too thin. Borders like their food. Not as many thin ones here as were at Crufts in 2007, just a couple. This is just something for people to watch please.
Teeth were not a big problem – only one slightly undershot and a couple with one tooth out of line. I will not penalise a dog/bitch for one tooth out of line and refuse to put that in the individual dog/bitches critique – that is for me to know (I am sure the exhibitors already know) and for other judges to find (or not) and do as they will. For me, there is so much more that is important than one tooth out of alignment. If such a dog/bitch with one tooth out of line still had a scissor bite and all other good attributes, then it was placed accordingly. I have seen critiques which say “Only one if” – I will not lumber any dog/bitch with that and have everyone wanting to know what it was.
I was surprised to find a couple with kinks in their tails, as exhibitors can feel this easily themselves. This has been touched upon in the 2007 BTC Year Book and judges (including me) have their own views on this, although there is nothing in the UK breed standard about it.
A couple had peculiar coats, with what seemed like some substance in them, which did not make them feel harsh, more sticky and stuck together and although that meant I could not see the skin, it was not because they had good coats and it gave me grubby hands after going over them. Substance in a terrier’s coat fools no-one – please do not do it! On the down side, there were a few more which left my hands dirty after examination. Although they are a working dog, please present them to the judge in clean condition. I didn’t turn up grubby and neither should they!
Overall though, I thought the breed to be in a good place and I was very pleased with all my top winners (well, I would say that, wouldn’t I)?
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Special Beginners - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
Unplaced in his previous 2 classes. Very light red grizzle, almost a wheaten. Small dark eye, although would prefer a stronger muzzle, but has a good flat skull. Good topline. Rib carried well back
National Terrier
7th Apr 2012
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Thank you for a super entry. At times I felt I had been let loose in a sweetie shop such was the quality of the exhibits before me. Indeed because I was spoilt I was hard on jaw and dentition faults and Borders that were more smart terrier than true Border in type. My experience over the years leads me to believe that such faults are heart-breakingly likely to continue to bite in the future if not stamped on. My main winners were true Borders. You read of “a-ha moments†and happily for me there were some rather nice ones here. Good times indeed.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
Another good class. Just out of puppy this quality individual took my eye early on, in repeat classes by PGD he was showing his age against the big boys but he excels in many ways, lovely correct bone, super legs and tight well padded feet, really good in shoulder and upper arm, straight and narrow but with necessary strength where required , lovely skull with correct stop, no exaggeration here, good expression, has the right coat and pelt, really well made fore and aft and ribbed back to give correct top and underline
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
6th May 2012
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Many thanks to the Committee of the Border Terrier Club, who were the hosts of this year’s Joint Border Terrier Club show, for inviting me to judge such a prestigious event. My thanks go, particularly, to my stewards, who kept things running smoothly and enabled me to get through a big entry in an unrushed way.
Overall, I felt the quality was reasonably high, with a lot to like. There were only a few which I felt could have done with a few square meals as they were a bit on the thin side. Exhibitors should know how to balance food intake with exercise to produce dogs in the correct condition. Lack of muscle on more was a greater problem. While the standard states ‘capable of following a horse’ many would have been tired following one round a stable yard let alone across country. This is evident when dogs are moved but not giving an active breed sufficient exercise also has an effect on their mental wellbeing.
There were a number of untypical heads. I wonder if some people don’t understand the proportions of an otter’s skull as some muzzles were lacking in breadth giving a ‘foxy’look, while other heads were too rounded giving the impression of a teddy bear. Mouths were not a big problem with only a couple incorrect and coats were also, generally, good. Most exhibits had an undercoat though there were quite a number which had thin skins. A good, thick, loose pelt is essential for a working terrier. Very few could not be spanned, so most would have been capable of getting to ground. A ‘one size fits all’ attitude does not really apply to working terriers as there are a variety of jobs and situations to be encountered but they do have to be able to get there in the first place.
I was very pleased with my top winners and extend my thanks to all the exhibitors.
Yearling - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Novice - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
Weaker in head than 1st. Straighter in shoulder which restricted his movement.
Scottish Kennel Club
19th May 2012
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge
A small but interesting entry with many good quality exhibits a pleasure to judge after the challenge of my previous two huge entries. The BOB and Dog CC winners are excellent examples of the breed with otter head, good length neck into well laid shoulders, correct length of body, flowing top line, well ribbed back into strong loin and well angulated rear quarters, short hocks and good feet, narrow throughout and spannable making for a dog that can run with the horse and go to ground on arrival. Both were in double full coats but the bitch presented better in hers and relaxed in the final challenge to show her full quality to take BOB.
RDCC
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
I liked this lighter red who excels in type and movement, super head shape well set eyes muzzle would benefit from more furnishings but has required strength, correct neck, shoulders and body length, well ribbed back to create that necessary lung room for endurance, good coat and pelt completed the picture RCC
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Bath Championship Show
25th May 2012
Judge: Mrs Diane Rayner (Stoneygin)
It was a real privilege to be asked to judge this show. I had a very good entry which pleased me and hope I did it justice. The dogs were generally in good fit condition, came across a few that were too thin, you can’t expect a young active dog to gain good muscle tone if you don’t feed them enough. They must feel miserable kept in that condition, constantly hungry. It was a very hot day, but we tried to keep them in the shade as long as possible but a few were showing signs of the heat. There were a few that looked rather scruffy with long nails and looked as if they had forgotten to take off their carpet slippers. But most were a pleasure to go over.
I was very pleased with my winners.
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
Racier type with excellent upper arm and shoulders. Easily spanned. Good scissor bite and neat ears. Level top line and tail set. Well angulated. Good coat. Moved and showed very well.
Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Southern Counties Championship Show
2nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Geoff Corish
A lovely entry. I thoroughly enjoyed judging the breed again & was able to find some lovely Borders. It was a great pleasure to watch my BOB go G4 as well.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
slightly heavier in type to 1. More settled to start with but didn’t move behind as well as 1. Standing he presents a nice outline, in great coat & condition
Class Critique
Only two but both did their best not to win.
Three Counties Championship Show
10th Jun 2012
Judge: Mrs P McLellan
I enjoyed my day very much and must thank the exhibitors for an excellent entry. I was pleased with my principle winners. Some dogs were penalised today for lack of coat. I know coats will grow but at this level of showing dogs really need to be in good coat and in good coat condition. Movement in some exhibits left a lot to be desired.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Yearling - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Blackpool Championship Show
22nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Dan Ericsson (Sweden)
Movement was difficult to assess under these circumstances, but most dogs seemed to cope remarkably well despite knee high mud & a water logged ring – living proof of the hardiness of the breed!
Despite the appalling weather I enjoyed my day with the Borders very much & was impressed with the overall quality of the dogs & the keen sportsmanship of the exhibitors.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
larger & longer than I prefer. Very good head, eyes & ears, excellent front & shoulders, hard coat, moved OK
Class Critique
Disappoi6nting class overall.
Leeds Championship Show
29th Jul 2012
Judge: Mrs M Sneddon (Kersfell)
Many thanks to my stewards who were well organized and efficient. We were allocated a large ring, conveniently placed for the wet weather tent, although fortunately we did not need to make use of this facility as the weather was good with only a few spots of rain – a nice change during this rather poor summer.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
5th Aug 2012
Judge: Nicholls & Dean
*Dog Critique*
An excellent entry at this my first club championship show. There were quality exhibits in all classes and overall, if this entry can be used as a yardstick, the dogs are now almost as good as the bitches, which couldn’t be said only a short while ago. This must bode well for the future of the breed.
I have been very critical of movement in the past, but I found a distinct improvement here and most of the class card winners had good parallel movement going away and back, and plenty of drive with economical front action. Coats were generally very good and heads were much improved with only a few weak snipey muzzles and apple skulls.
Many thanks to my hard working stewards, Sharon Pickering and Ray Bryan, who succeeded in keeping me out of trouble.
*Bitch Critique*
A very satisfying day, I had many good bitches to go over. My thanks to the MBTC for the invitation to judge and to the exhibitors for entering. All were capable of being spanned, there was a good number of typical jackets and overall quality was such that this was a factor in the placings. No bad mouths and many with good strong teeth. Construction has improved but be careful not to overdo the hind angulation and remember we look for narrow fronts. A few round ears and several larger than I prefer. Racy lines preferred but be careful as some lacked substance. I though the principal winners were all very good. BIS, RBIS and BOS were all worthy winners.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
Made on similar lines to 2 but coat at earlier stage and head not as good, nicely made with good rear angulation which helped his drive.
Paignton & District FA
7th Aug 2012
Judge: Miss Rebecca Barber (Alcumlow)
I would like to thank the committee for their hospitality, I thoroughly enjoyed my day. Thank you to all of the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry of quality dogs. I judge according to the breed standard and I felt that my winners today were extremely fitting.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
Another quality male, needs to mature a little but one to watch for the future. Pleasing head, dark keen eye. Good bodylines, topline and tailset, good angulation front and rear and this all came together very well on the move. Close coat, not quite in as good coat as 1.
Class Critique
A very nice Junior Dog class, lots of quality exhibits in this class, a pleasure to judge.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Welsh Kennel Club
18th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr Jack Watson
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
head lacked furnishings. Nice reach of neck, shoulders well laid, good topline & tailset
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr Frank Kane (Hirontower)
An interesting entry. I found some very good class winners. I was disturbed by the frequency of poor hindquarters, often a result of poor croups & tailsets & lack of angulation & second thigh resulting in lack of drive.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
17 months red, bigger & rangier but well angulated, good neckline & very good movement, spannable. A touch long in loin & not the head or balance of 1.
Yorks, Lancs & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Sep 2012
Judge: Mrs Janet Lee (Tythrop)
My thanks to the officers & committee for their invitation & hospitality , I thoroughly enjoyed my day with them , the border folk & their dogs .Thanks too to my stewards for the day who kept the ring running smoothly . It is 28 years since I attended my 1st YLCBTC Ch show , watching Ch Dandyhow Crofter gain his title & Ch Thistycroft Candlelight take top honours . I remember clearly the heavy fall Ted Hutchinson had due to lack of mats , thankfully no-one slipped today , though some dogs did.
For me the most important sentence is ˜essentially a working terrier” I fully appreciate a gorgeous otter head & all breed details , but the common factor of all terriers pedigree & crossbreed who go to ground is that they are narrow fronted & eminently spannable , having a flat rib, this is a flattish egg shape , never slab-sided , well sprung nor barrel chested , all equally faulty in a Border . If the frame is too big by being either too deep &/or sprung they will get stuck & die underground as not all places are diggable . I was taught they should resemble a lightweight hunter , legs slightly longer than depth of body & ˜fairly long in body”, i.e. longer wither to end of loin than wither to elbow with no trace of brisket below elbow . These essentials plus positive straight scopy movement were uppermost today . I have no colour prejudice nor pedigree preference at all.
Temperaments were excellent in the ring with only a couple of “outbursts” from outside, a must for a working terrier is an equable nature . All males were entire . A few misplaced teeth & tail faults which would not affect work but do pass on to progeny . Untypical round eyes often too close together are prone to damage & ulceration working , & give a surprised foreign look rather than kind in repose & keen when alert correct expression . Quite a few ran down to the shoulders being either short in foreleg &/or steep in croup . Was pleased my winners have enough scope & soundness to get there & handled well enough in rib & front to be able to get in & more importantly , back out again.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Placing Critique
Rangy red of 18m . Head looks plain due to lack of furnishings , but is proportioned well with good eye & bite. Lengthy neck , equally well angulated throughout with good shape & length to rib . Not quite as positive nor stylish on the move as winner . Has good texture deep coat with thick skin .
Special Beginners - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
Tonge & District Canine Society Open Show
20th Jul 2013
Judge: Mark Walshaw (Janmark)
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Chatmoss King Orry at Moddeyaalin
