Show Placings
Newton Aycliffe and District Canine Society Open Show
7th Dec 2014
Judge: Mr John Thomas (Blaisdon)
Best Puppy
Name at show: RBPIS, PTG1, Lynsett Bold Spirit
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Ladies Kennel Association
14th Dec 2014
Judge: Mr David G Winsley (Davmar)
Though the standard calls for a narrow body I found many dogs who were too skinny & I could easily feel their ribs! Heads were quite disappointing, many had long weak muzzles not the proportions one associates with an Otters head. Many exhibits lack the small round foot & I doubt if they would cope with the exercise it needs to follow a horse. Coats were mixed & many just a seasonal problem.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
another very nice puppy, again she has a nicely proportioned head with a good expression. Nicely made body, good turn of stifle, & a sound mover. In a good quality coat, nice disposition & showed well
Sleaford Open Show
28th Dec 2014
Judge: Dr Ian Gabriel (Gaybryl)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
North and South Shields Canine Society
4th Jan 2015
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Lynsett Bold Spirit
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
Attractive grizzle bitch, 6 mths, lovely head and expression, nice size and well proportioned, good coat and thick pelt, short carrot tail well set, moved and showed very well BP, TPG2
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
31st Jan 2015
Judge: Miss Claire Tutin (Riseburn)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for their invitation to judge their open show, and their warm welcome and hospitality. I would also like to thank my two efficient stewards on the day, Ian Hopper and John Thomas.
The entry was very pleasing but there were quite a few absentees on the day, especially the dog classes. However I enjoyed my day and was pleased with all my class winners, making a very satisfactory final line up, including some promising puppies, with some difficult decisions to be made. I found one bad mouth and one kinked tail.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Best Puppy
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
Loved this puppy she oozes quality, liked her size, feminine head with correct expression and dark eye, good reach of neck flowing into her well angulated shoulders, narrow all through, good length of rib with strong loin, super outline, presented in a harsh jacket, good hind angulation, tight feet, moved well with good reach, will watch her progress with interest, delighted to award her BPB and BPIS.
Jarrow and Hebburn CS Open Show
8th Feb 2015
Judge: Mrs C Richardson
Best Puppy
Name at show: RBPIS, TPG1, Lynsett Bold Spirit
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Feb 2015
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
Firstly I would like to say thank you to the Border terrier club, committee and its membership for allowing me to judge their show. Many thanks to my two ring stewards Ken and Paul who helped the proceedings run smoothly. Last but certainly not least the exhibitors who sportingly accepted my decisions many thanks to you who allowed me to judge your dogs.
I was more than happy to present my main winners with their relevant top awards. Many of the terriers shown were in fine fettle and we can look forward to a positive future.
Temperaments seemed to be sound. Mouths on the whole were generally good. Coats were at various stages many had good texture and thickness to them with ample undercoat. However I did find a few kinked tails some of which were quite severe some also quite long and thin.
As custodians of the breed as well as breeders and show people a like we must take a careful look at some of the issues creeping into the breed, Foreign head shapes with ear sets which would not go amiss on a working Lakeland terrier. Weak muzzles and skulls which fall away under the eye.
Front assembly’s wide fronts, bad shoulder placement weak pasterns and poor feet were in evidence on some exhibits and they paid the price in the ring for this. Bodies and rib shape are another concern the breed standard states "deep, narrow, fairly long ribs carried well back" not short bodies and sprung ribs! Condition and muscle tone are key factors along with many of the other points in the breed standard which all contribute to the overall picture of a working terrier. After all the breed standard starts with the first sentence "essentially a working terrier" a sentence which must be adhered too now and in the future...
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Best Puppy
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
Red grizzle lovely feminine expression good head shape, correct teeth and ear placement, flowing into good length of neck. Well laid shoulders. Narrow front continuing through with a narrow body, ribbed well back. Correct tailset good rear quarter’s, thick pelt and correct coat, tight feet. Moved with drive around the ring holding her topline whilst on the move and stood.. Best Puppy Bitch
Maiden - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Billingham Synthonia Canine Club Open Show
22nd Feb 2015
Judge: Mr K Green (Terrabyte)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Lynsett Bold Spirit
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
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
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Class Critique
Not an easy class to judge with a wide range of age and therefore maturity. There is much promise for the breed here and I look forward to watching their further development.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
21st Mar 2015
Judge: Karen S Stockley (Foxfactor)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for the judging appointment and for their hospitality on the day, the lovely gifts, also my stewards Alison and Callie and not least the competitors for a lovely entry and for allowing me the opportunity to go over their dogs. I was pleased with my final line ups, some close decisions particularly in the two hotly contested Junior classes where all the placed dogs and bitches could change places on another day. I felt my top winners all met the breed standard in that they would be capable of getting to ground and have the strength and stamina to do a good days work if called upon. There were a few with acceptable level bites, all tails were good, one or two could have been a little cleaner, some that would have benefitted from better coat tidying and presentation and surprisingly one with undescended testicles. However I felt that I was presented with some good representatives of the breed to have the pleasure to go over.
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Saltburn and District Canine Society Open Show
22nd Mar 2015
Judge: Mr Ian Hopper (Esyntona)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG4, Lynsett Bold Spirit
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
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!!!
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Reserve Best Puppy
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
Well balanced with nice proportions, excellent head, nice topline, excellent coat, moves very well.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
18th Apr 2015
Judge: Mr. J. Todd (Roxess)
I would like to express my thanks to the officers and committee of The Northern Border Terrier club for the invitation to judge my first Breed Club show and also acknowledge the help and assistance in the ring by my stewards Ann Maltby and Scott Cranson.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day and would like to thank the exhibitors for providing me with the opportunity to go over so many quality dogs.
I found the majority to be in good fit condition and in good coat. There was a variation in head type but most fit the standard in my interpretation.
Mouths were generally good with only a couple with an acceptable level bite. In some presentation could have been better with a few having untidy feet. I was impressed with both line ups and some decisions were very close.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
A quality grizzle bitch of 10 months with harsh dense coat. Straight front with well placed shoulders and correct length of rib. Moved out well front and rear, Good balanced head with dark eye.
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
The Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
3rd May 2015
Judge: Miss Julie Price (Oxcroft)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club committee for the opportunity to judge this year’s Joint club show. Many thanks to my two ring stewards Bob and Liz Wright for the smooth running of the ring and the cups of coffee. It was an experience to go over so many dogs of different types; this made my job difficult at times, as each one had different attributes to the next. A few classes I found very hard to decide who my winners would be for this reason. Is the breed getting better or worse? I do not think I am the first to mention that there are too many foreign heads and plain faces with no expression. The breed standard states “a head like that of an otter” and “essentially a working terrier”. Confirmation and movement, I think has improved a little, but the heads and strength of the dogs has declined. When I looked at some of the dogs, I liked them but then had to remind myself that they where dogs not bitches. Thank you to all exhibitors for letting me go over your dogs and the gracious way most of you accepted my decisions.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Best Puppy
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
Pretty bitch with lovely feminine expression, correct teeth and ear placement, good length of neck, well laid back shoulders. Narrow body with a good length of rib. Correct tail set good rear quarter’s, coat not at its best, but that will change. Moved with drive around the ring holding her top line whilst on the move. Best Puppy.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
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.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
11 mths. A young bitch with a strong head. Lovely expression with dark eyes – nice V shaped ears. The best of coats – wiry, double with thick pelt. Level topline. Narrow body. Very good tail - short – thick at base and tapering well. Moved well. One I liked very much. Hard decision in puppy challenge. B.P.B.
Scottish Kennel Club
16th May 2015
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
a very nice pup, moving well, narrow front, not the coat of 1
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.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
Similar size and type to the winner. Another red of good body length, with correct bone and neat feet. Attractive head, good reach of neck into narrow front – not overdone in any way but I preferred the rear assembly of the winner.
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.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
Grizzle and Tan. Real baby here, being just over 12 months, only emphasised by being short of coat. Typical head and expression. Excellent neck, shoulder, front and feet, top line and tail set. Easily spanned. Good hindquarters. Still a shade puppyish in movement. Just needs time to grow up a little.
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
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.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
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.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Scottish Kennel Club
30th Aug 2015
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to the society for my appointment & their hospitality, & to the exhibitors & my steward Bob Potts. Quite a mixed entry today of type & size with some being on the lean side & others rather overweight! I was surprised to find a couple totally oversized & therefore they paid the penalty. The over treating dogs I think is getting worse in the ring & on the table. Trying to assess a dog when it is fidgeting around looking for food is not satisfactory. Surely a dog can stand for a minute while being examined without having to be fed handfuls of food. The standard calls for a harsh & dense coat & the skin must be thick, many today were very short of coat & quite a number with thin pelts. A good coat is essential which seems to being overlooked in the breed today. The breed standard leans towards moderation not exaggeration & I hope this is maintained with the emphasis being on ‘essentially a working terrier’ & not ‘essentially a show terrier’.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
nice sized typical feminine bitch with a good head & expression. Shown in good harsh texture coat, with loose pelt. Good in rib easily spanned. Moved out with purpose, well handled
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Darlington
18th Sep 2015
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Many thanks go to the exhibitors today for their support as terrier day at Darlington Ch Show is always on a Friday and this can be difficult for some coming on a working day.
Thanks go to my two good friends Alf and Carol Wood who were my stewards today and kept everyone informed class by class, keeping everything running smoothly.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
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.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
my notes say small but beautifully balanced. Lovely strong but feminine head and sweet expression. Well placed shoulders. Good bone and neat feet. Level topline, nice bend of stifle. Moved with purpose. So much to like about this bitch but her size stopped her going further on the day
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
North and South Shields Open Show
3rd Jan 2016
Judge: Mrs Sandra Girling (Benattivo)
Many thanks to the Society for the kind invitation to judge and also to the exhibitors who trusted me with their lovely Border Terriers. My steward was friendly and efficient.
Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit
Placing Critique
Just 18 months old this grizzle & tan was a shade stronger in substance than 1. Feminine head with keen dark eye and short muzzle. She moved soundly and was nicely ribbed back and shown in a good jacket. Has very good body proportions.
Cumberland Canine Association Open Show
7th Feb 2016
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the organisers, stewards and exhibitors for a very welcoming and well supported show despite the current inclement conditions.
Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Open Show
5th Mar 2016
Judge:
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Border Union Agricultural Society
19th Jun 2016
Judge: Mrs M Wanless
My sincere thanks go to the officers and committee of Border Union for this appointment, this is such a well run, friendly show, with outstanding hospitality!
My thanks also to my two Stewards on the day, Ella Linton, and Alan Small. Thank you too to all those who entered under me, and came, and accepted my decisions with good grace. I was pleased with my winners. I do wish though that dogs were shown on a loose lead, and stacked freely. Big ears are becoming prevalent, not as in the standard. Presentation and condition played a large part in my decisions.
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
East of England Agricultural Society
9th Jul 2016
Judge: Mrs A E Gregory
This was my first appointment at this level and I would like to thank the organisers of the East of England Show for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank my two stewards, David and Pat Sutton for keeping everything running along smoothly. Thanks must also go to the exhibitors for allowing me the honour and privilege of judging their dogs and for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. I thoroughly enjoyed my day!
Movement on the whole was good but front movement in a few was incorrect with toeing in when coming towards me. A few lacked muscle tone and some feet and nails could have been tidied to better advantage. Thick pelts were in the minority and some exhibits were shown without undercoat and this affected placings. Considering the harsh terrain in which the Border Terrier is expected to carry out its’ work, it should be in fit, hard condition with a thick double coat and pelt of depth and quality. Some heads also had stops which were too deep. This does not present a correct otter like head which should have a shallow stop. I also found a couple of suspect mouths and a few dogs, when lifted off the table, were too heavy. Some dogs would have benefited from more ring training. However, I was pleased with my winners and, in some classes, decisions were close. Although early rain made the ring conditions less than desirable, all dogs coped well.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
16th Jul 2016
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Bailey (Grindelvald)
I would like to thank the Northern Border Terrier Club’s committee for the invitation to judge at this well organised & friendly show, I really enjoyed my day. A big thank you, to my stewards Sharon & Graham, who kept me on track throughout the day. On the down side some poor mouths, some of the males where lacking substance & not very masculine, bordering on thin, not sure they could do a days work. The depth of quality in the bitches was excellent & this meant that some decisions were very close & many lovely bitches missed out on this occasion. Also my thanks to the exhibitors for their sporting acceptance of my decisions.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Class Critique
3 lovely bitches very hard decision, all deserving 1st place
York Canine Association
31st Jul 2016
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
I would like to thank York Canine Association for inviting me to judge their 125th anniversary show. Thank you also for the great hospitality and to my efficient ring stewards. I had an excellent entry of quality dogs to go over and would like to thank all of the exhibitors for their entries. Unfortunately with only three mixed sex classes, some very good dogs had to stand down the line, but all of my card winners had the attributes I look for.
Open /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Richmond Championship Dog Show
10th Sep 2016
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Placing Critique
Another lovely bitch of good size and so well balanced throughout and pushed hard for top honours. Lovely head with a very typical appearance and good expression, scores in neck and shoulders, firm body with the best of toplines and tailsets. Put down in excellent coat and another sound and positive mover.
Class Critique
What a class, such strength in depth with some really lovely bitches missing out on the day, I was spoilt for choice.
Driffield Agricultural Society Championship Dog Show
1st Oct 2016
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the Driffield Agricultural Society for the invitation to judge at their show.
I was grateful to have the use of an excellent sized ring. The surface was rather undulating and rough cut in places, which proved more of a challenge to those dogs whose movement did not have “the soundness to follow a horse”. It was a very raw start to the day with the dogs being judged under rather cold and misty conditions although the sun did break through as the bitch classes began.
Grateful thanks to my stewards Anne and Sarah, who kept everything moving so efficiently and were good company for the day. My thanks to all the exhibitors, it really is a privilege to go over your dogs and is always a learning curve. I had a thoroughly enjoyable day and there were some top quality exhibits and some promising youngsters, whose progress I will watch with interest. Some decisions were hard, and limit dog, junior and limit bitch had quality in depth.
It was extremely rewarding to find some very good double jackets amongst the entry but felt there were several others who had thin pelts or lacked undercoat. There were a couple with teeth out of alignment and too many dogs whose movement lacked the necessary drive from the hindquarters.
I was mindful of the job that Border Terriers were bred to undertake and I was pleased with my class winners; making the challenge for both dogs and bitches an enjoyable if difficult task.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Placing Critique
Grizzle bitch. I liked her for size, balance and overall type. Really good head with keen expression. Very good reach of neck, narrow front, good shoulder placement, length of body and well angulated hind quarters. Correct shaped tail. Easily spanned. Presented in really good jacket. Moved soundly.
Class Critique
A very good class of quality bitches
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Oct 2016
Judge: Mrs. Carolyn Richardson (Staynorwood)
Many thanks to Officers and Committee of the Northern Border Terrier Club for their kind invitation to judge their Open Show and the exhibitors for the sporting way they accepted my decisions. Thank you also to my Ring Steward Allen Horner and Dave Mitchell. I was very pleased with my winners on the day.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Placing Critique
Another nice type of bitch, preferred head of No 1, good front. Good jacket and loose pelt. Moved well.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
28th Jan 2017
Judge: Mrs. A. Heathcote (Saxheath)
My thanks to the Committee for asking me to judge this show , my Stewards Callie and Ian for their invaluable assistance and all the exhibitors for allowing me to judge their dogs . I had some quality dogs to go over with some close decisions in some classes , however , I found front movement in particular was rather disappointing in the lower classes .That aside I thoroughly enjoyed my day .
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Billingham Synthonia Canine Society Dog Show
26th Feb 2017
Judge: Mr I Layfield (Dockwray/Fundoune)
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Ashington & District Open Show
1st Jul 2017
Judge: Margaret Davies (Glenorchy)
Many thanks to the Society for their kind invitation and hospitality, my steward for keeping things flowing nicely and to the exhibitors for their entry and giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs in a sportsman like manner. Thank you.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Placing Critique
Nice type of bitch, good front and jacket with lose pelt. Moved well. Just preferred overall picture of 1.
Scottish Kennel Club
27th Aug 2017
Judge: Mr Euan Castel (Flutorum)
My thanks to the committee for their kind invitation to judge at this my local Championship Show. Special thanks to my excellent steward Ben Joiner for keeping everything in order. Thank you to all exhibitors for providing me with a lovely entry to go over. I found a depth of quality in each class with some close decisions to make. Very pleased that my Best of Breed, Best Puppy and Best Veteran went on to do well in their respective groups – well done.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
23rd Sep 2017
Judge: Miss J Price
Thank you to the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club for asking me to judge this show and for their great hospitality. It was an honour to stand in for Cynthia Knight who sadly passed away in April 2015. My stewards for the day, Cally and Anna did a sterling job in keeping things running smoothly, thank you, to both of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself today and I was delighted with my top winners. In general some exhibits, even though made well were just too big and heavy, these would never get to ground to do the job, therefore not fit for purpose. I like a dog to be masculine and a bitch feminine, but both have to spannable and not overloaded in their shoulders, sadly quite a few exhibits were just this and were penalised for it. I found one exhibit to have a testicle with an abnormality. Some of the younger dogs were up to size already and have yet to stop growing. It will be interesting to see how some of them turn out.
Not everybody accepted my decisions in a sporting manner, but the general atmosphere was great. I didn’t go to the pub at lunch time but did see the pictures afterwards. Glad you all had a great time!
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Class Critique
This was the hardest class of the day to judge, as all of the exhibits were very different.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2017
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to the Officers, Committee and members of the Club for this appointment. It was a privilege to judge, with a very nice entry and sporting atmosphere throughout the day.
My thanks for the hospitality, gift and excellent lunch, and to my steward Shona.
I was pleased with the entry overall, coats varied throughout. My main concern not only today but with the breed in general would be size with many being too big and something that must be considered in future breeding. Front movement with pinning in lost some dogs placings today. It was rewarding to start two youngsters off with their first CC’s and I wish them well for their future.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Placing Critique
Close to one, handy bitch with good straight front well constructed. Nice length with good harsh coat. Good type head and okay on the move.
Houghton-Le-Spring Open Show
12th Nov 2017
Judge: Barry Croft (Malcro)
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Sunderland & DCS Open Show
26th Nov 2017
Judge: Mrs Mandy Kenna (Cynetkoy)
I would like to thank the officers and commitee for inviting me to judge Border terriers at their show today, The day was made even more special by my BOB Tyneaster undercover agent for Vandamere, ( Pollit ) also winning the Terrier group and then going on to win BIS.
Congratulations to his owners.
The catering was excellent, and my ring steward very efficient thank you.finally thank you to all the exhibitors for a lovely entry.
On the whole mouths were good, coats were at various stages as i would expect for this time of the year, some exhibits would benefit from tidying coats. Some muzzles and heads were lacking in depth and width, loosing that " otter head".
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2018
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of the Border Union Agricultural Society for inviting me to judge today. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me, by far, the biggest Terrier entry of the day. A big thank you to my two stewards, Nev and Liz Holmes-Leak, who kept things running smoothly and efficiently thus ensuring that we finished in time for my BOB to make the Group.
Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, and in some cases this was the deciding factor. Some exhibits were too fine in bone, particularly in the earlier classes. Some heads had ears set too high, some had deep stops with muzzles that were too short which gives a foreign expression. There were more than a few exhibits which would have benefited from having their feet tidied and nails cut. Soundness of movement in some dogs gave cause for concern. If a Border is to be fit for the function it was intended, it needs to be sound on the move. I found varying degrees of unsoundness in front movement from toeing in, crossing in front to paddling and out at the elbows. Hind movement in some exhibits was also less than desirable with hocks too close together when going away, cow hocks, lack of drive from hindquarters and, in some cases, lack of muscle tone. All of which would not allow a Border to be ‘capable of following a horse’ over rugged terrain. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners. I was also pleased to see my BOB shortlisted in the group.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Bold Spirit JW
Placing Critique
Strong but feminine head, dark eye, good expression, short strong muzzle with correct bite, good in front and rear construction, good length of rib, good topline and well set on tail, moved soundly, lacking in condition today.
