Show Placings
Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
10th Feb 2013
Judge: Mr M. Hollingsbee (Otterwood)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of the Club for their kind invitation to judge this show, my third opportunity at a breed club show.
My heartfelt thanks to my two stewards, Kathy Newsome and Jem Thomas who, by their calm organizing ability ensured that the show ran smoothly and finished in good time for the exhibitors to beat the inclement weather.
Finally the exhibitors for braving the threatened snow storm and allowing me to go over their dogs.
I only found one bad mouth. The quality of coats varied as would be expected in the run up to Crufts. Of concern to me is that a few of the exhibits were much too large for the standard. To be able to go to ground it is essential that the breed does not get oversized. Overall the quality of the exhibits was good and decisions in some of the classes were very close.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
very much the baby in this class, nice grizzle coat, good pelt, moved well but a little short of fore chest. Overall though a pleasant bitch who should mature well.
Hinckley & District Canine Society Open Show
24th Feb 2013
Judge: Mrs Ann Maltby (Pherjan)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
Grizzle baby of just 7months. Broad skull with neat ears, dark eye. Good dentition, harsh coat coming through a good undercoat. Angulation was correct both back and front. Level topline finished with a short carrot tail. Moved well for one so young. BP TPG1
Southern Border Terrier Club Limit Show
3rd Mar 2013
Judge: Mrs Linda Coleman (Hartswelin)
I would like to thank the club for giving me the opportunity to judge the breed. I also thank the exhibitors for entering their quality dogs under me. The atmosphere and sportsmanship from exhibitors and spectators made my day a very enjoyable one. All bites were correct and I found one monorchid. Front movement in general still has a way to go and there were far too many flat open feet with thin pads especially in the males. That said I felt I had a quality entry.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Best Puppy
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
I wouldn't change anything about her at present. I fell in love with her. A confident promising pup in lovely double coat with a thick loose pelt. B.P.I.S.
Class Critique
A class full of promising babies.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
30th Mar 2013
Judge: Mrs. Doreen Rushby (Dormic)
The Border Terrier Club held a Championship show at Low Hesket on 30 March 2013. I felt very honoured to judge at this show and my thanks go to the Committee and Exhibitors for such an enjoyable day.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: RBPIS, BOSPIS, Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
pretty feminine head and keen expression, straight forelegs, neat feet, firm pasterns, good outline with good tailset, good coat and moved out well.BPB
National Terrier
6th Apr 2013
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Many thanks to all of the exhibitors who gave me such a nice entry of 201 dogs, giving 245 entries. My thanks go to my two stewards, with some large numbers in the classes they kept everything running smoothly and helped me to finish on time. Many decisions were difficult and some decent dogs went unplaced.
There were things that came to hand while going over the dogs on the table, short ribs and over long in the loin and long hocks. Some of these short ribbed dogs were not over sprung and quite narrow through the body, but our standard states ‘ribs well back‘, something to be watched in your future breeding programs. Some dogs looked on the heavy side when I first looked around the ring, but on the table I was surprised how so many of these dogs came to hand no problem. Upright shoulders were noticeable and front movement in some classes was a problem, along with some very straight stifles and sickle movement. Puppies and youngsters you would expect to be forgiven for movement, along with the size of ears - within time the head develops and things start to balance out.
Jackets were at all stages, spot on, starting to blow - with some owners trying to scissor or part strip them into shape, other coats were coming through with harshness and one or two had just undercoat. There were some that could have done with just a tidy up which would have helped the overall picture.
General overall condition and the spanning on most dogs was acceptable, with good thick pelts. I did feel some of the puppies were thin and were quite hollow behind the ribs. I only had one bad mouth but plenty with strong jaws and large teeth. In general the shape and length of tails were good. A few low set tails, which when a dog is in a full jacket you can feel the low set when on the table but not necessarily see it on the move.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
Nice outline super neck and topline with a good short tail. Her grizzle and tan jacket was harsh with a thick pelt, nice neat feet just the right amount of bone and good bend of stifle, moved ok for a puppy.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
14th Apr 2013
Judge: Mrs Jean Willetts (Hanway)
I would like to thank my stewards for all their hard work on the day, and to the committee for inviting me to judge there show. Also to the exhibitors who brought their dogs under me. I was pleased with my winners and placed dogs. I found that some had short muzzle coupled with round eyes which does not give a border expression.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Class Critique
This was a really nice class. First three could change places on another day.
WELKS
28th Apr 2013
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
My first appointment at this level and I would like to thank the officers and committee of WELKS for the invitation. Grateful thanks to my stewards who kept everything moving so efficiently and thanks to all the exhibitors who gave me the privilege of going over their dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and fully appreciated the opportunity to judge some high quality exhibits. Some decisions were difficult and places could change on another day.
On a positive note temperaments were good, as were mouths and feet. On the down side I felt that there were not enough exhibits that moved with drive and there were several with wide fronts - these are faults that would impact on the dog's ability to work.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Class Critique
This was a lovely class to judge and there were some promising puppies who were unplaced. As one would expected at this age there was varying degrees of maturity and it will be very interesting to see how they develop.
Joint Border Terrier Club's Championship Show
5th May 2013
Judge: Mrs Denise Townsend (Llanishen)
I was thrilled to be awarded this prestigious appointment and would like to thank everyone for making this a very enjoyable day. I have always been a fan of the joint show and the opportunity it gives for the clubs to come together. The entire organising team was marvellous but special mention must go to my stewards Peter Roderick and Colin Girling for all their support and assistance, and to collecting ring organisers Wendy and Andrew Mooney for keeping the action flowing. Also thanks to Kathy Wilkinson and Su Williams for all their help in organising the event.
Overall I was pleased with the quality of my entry although there was more quality in depth in bitches. Movement was generally good and there were very few wry mouths. True otter heads seem somewhat in decline and there were several single coats. However, I was delighted with all of my winners.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
Another nice puppy with many good qualities. Lovely flowing body lines and just the right amount of bone. Typical head and expression. Up on her toes and moved well.
National Dog Show
9th May 2013
Judge: Mrs Laura Illingworth (Thorneyhurst)
Thanks to Birmingham National for giving me the opportunity to judge this show and for providing me with two excellent stewards, who kept the ring running smoothly, also to all the exhibitors that gave me the pleasure of going over their dogs.
The quality in some classes was superb especially the limit and open of both sexes, leaving me with more dogs I liked, than cards to award. Temperaments and presentation were good.
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Southern Counties Canine Association
1st Jun 2013
Judge: Mr Hans T Lehtinen (Finland)
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
Nice in her body lines. Like to see her with longer foreface. Beautiful neck and topline.
Nice bent of stifle. Not in good coat condition on the day.
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Jun 2013
Judge: Mr W R Irving
It was an honour to be invited to judge the Southern Border Terrier Club’s Championship Show for the second time, the last time having been exactly twenty years ago in 1993. The entry on this occasion was 215 from 203 dogs of which 14 were entered NFC. My thanks go to the Show Manager, Officers and Committee of the Club for their hospitality and organisation and to the exhibitors for their entries and for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. Special thanks to Wendy and Andrew Mooney and Bev Marsh for stewarding so efficiently and for organising the collecting ring which allowed us to finish in good time.
As usual there were more bitches than dogs entered. It was encouraging to see some good quality entries through the various classes and not just at the senior end, I thought that by and large heads and expressions were good with not many narrow long skulls there. My feeling was that while there were still plenty of dogs with poor fronts of one kind or another present, there were more good fronted exhibits around from which to find winners than the last time I judged. Coats were mixed and at times I had to forgive some lack of coat. As always there was a good deal of variation in size as always, but in the end I felt I was able to find winners of good enough size with enough scope and lines. I felt that tails were mixed and at times, in looking for overall quality, I had to reward dogs with tails that I felt were less than perfect in shape, length or carriage. By and large the dogs behaved pretty well and were presented clean. I was keen to see the dogs moving around the ring and not ‘stacked’. That is surely the most revealing in conformation terms.
DCC and BOB was Jenkins’ Badgerbeck Uncle Fester. RDCC was Stockleys’ Ch Foxfactor Pied Piper. BCC and RBIS was May and Whisker’s Thistlestone Jenny Wren. RBCC was Higham’s Comberdown Thistle. BP was Hall and Ellis’ Brackenfell Bok To Bach and BPB was Clark’s Gameway Fortune Cookie. BV was Stockleys’ Foxfactor Hornblower
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
very good in head where she scored with just the right expression. Pleasing outline, good hindquarters and OK in tail. Could be more positive in front and sadly today was very much lacking in coat.
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Derbyshire County Show
23rd Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Karen Stockley (Foxfactor)
My thanks to the show Committee for the opportunity to judge at this lovely County Show and to my steward who kept things running smoothly inspite of the wet weather.Although it was light rain I chose to judge outside in a more than adequate ring where some exhibits especially in the puppy class weren't moving their best possibly due to the wet fairly long grass and some going cardless who on another day would have been placed.I found my main winners to have enough bone and substance without being too big therefore able to do a days work in the terrain they originate from.Quite a few exhibits needed their claws trimmed.I was disappointed as I'd waited to find that my BOB and BPIB didn't stay to represent the breed in the BIS ring.
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
11 months quality gr b of good size and proportions.Good head with shallow stop,strength in muzzle and foreface,easily spanned,flowing body lines and moved very well,unfortuanately today short of top coat.
East of England Agricultural Society
6th Jul 2013
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
I have to thank the society for the invitation to judge and to the exhibitors who accepted my decisions sportingly. Thank you also to my steward, on his own, for keeping things moving.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
(G/Tan) Won this class on overall appearance she has a feminine head on a good neck, level topline, short thick tail, harsh coat with good pelt moved the best in this class.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
21st Jul 2013
Judge: Mr. G. Pickering (Picer)
I was honoured to be asked to judge the Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I had an excellent entry, but was a little disappointed with the number of absentees. However the weather has been a challenge of late with some very high temperatures which I understand prevented some exhibitors from further afield attending.
I would particularly like to thank the NBTC committee for looking after me so well and also for my expert stewards, Allan Horner and Doreen Rushby, who ably assisted me ensuring that everything ran smoothly. I would also like to thank all the exhibitors for their entries and for accepting my decisions so gracefully.
As for the dogs on the day, coats varied as you would expect, but I do think movement is improving and although there were a few ‘flicking’ fronts, rear movement was in the main correct. I had one dog with a bad mouth and a few with misaligned teeth. This, I believe, is to be avoided in the show ring. All the dogs were entire and I could span all the exhibits. All in all, I was very pleased with both the dog and the bitch line ups, which meant that I had some real quality Border Terriers to pick from. All the winners looked the part – all in hard condition, with good heads and coats – able to do the job that they were bred for.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
An eye catching puppy bitch turned out in the show ring beautifully. Lovely feminine head with plenty of width and strength in the foreface. Good scissor bite. Nice straight front into well laid shoulders. Lovely body lines, level topline with correct shaped tail. Good harsh double coat with thick pelt. Moved well. BPB
Class Critique
Another lovely class which was a pleasure to judge
Maiden - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Leeds Championship Dog Show
26th Jul 2013
Judge: Mr M G Rushby
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
very nice pup, good body lines, good shoulders & forehand, lovely topline, excellent coat & pelt, in very good condition, very well presented, moved out well
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
4th Aug 2013
Judge: Sharp & Bailey
*Dog Critique*
My thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge the Championship Show for the second time, the first being 10 years ago, and thanks to my Stewards for their efficiency. The entry of 103 with only 9 absentees was pleasing.
Some judges concentrate on heads, others on shape of eyes, or on small dark ears, some on presentation, others on neat accurate movement. As for me – I judge on a whether a dog is “fit for function†as a working terrier plus whether it looks like a Border Terrier and no other type of terrier.
A good proportion of the entry had major faults of construction which would render them, not useless, but inefficient at the job Border Terriers are designed to perform. For instance, short rib cages do not allow for lung room for the stamina a terrier needs to run all day, and these short rib cages (often sprung) were very much in evidence in the entry. Some were accompanied by long loins which might give the impression to the ringside that the dog had good length.
Secondly, upright shoulders, often with steep upper arms are a major design fault. A well laid shoulder with well angulated upper arm which brings the elbow under the body is not just a pleasure to look at – these act as shock absorbers when the dog is running so that his joints are not jarred, leading to wear and tear, thus shortening his effective life as a working terrier.
Finally, wide fronts, often associated with the previous construction – a Border should be able to creep into any space occupied by a fox, and these, despite their chunky appearance have very little body under that fur.
Coats were mixed as to be expected – and there were some really good pelts, only a couple with paper thin pelts. Undercoat was often missing on the back, but present on the sides. A handful of bad mouths, perhaps some all rounders might accept these but I could not. Few really outstanding otter heads which stay in one’s memory for years, but most were adequate.
My critique will not contain descriptions of the dogs, but will give an indication of why they were placed as they were. If your dog was not as high in the placings as you had hoped, take a good objective look at him, and you might find out why.
*Bitch Critique*
A big thank you to the MBTC committee for asking me to judge the Ch. Show it was a great honour. Thank you also to my stewards Ray & Sharon for making the classes run so smoothly. A nice entry of 144 bitches. I enjoyed the day; it was lovely to judge the bitches. The depth of quality in most of the classes was very pleasing. However, the fronts are still a problem within the breed & need to be addressed in future litters. Some quality bitches went cardless, unfortunately there is only 5 cards & many went without being placed. I was so delighted that my fellow judge Marie, agreed that my BCC & BRCC, should win the top honours, Best in Show and RBIS.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
Another quality bitch, good head and expression , neat straight front and feet. Correct neck and shoulders level top line, not quite the length of rib as 1, but still narrow. Well angulated rear quarters, moved well. In tight harsh coat.
Maiden - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
As Junior
Bakewell Show
7th Aug 2013
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
My thanks to the Society for the invitation and to all the exhibitors for entering and accepting my decisions. The ring was of a decent size and fairly level but quite exposed, which may have been why some exhibits were not very enthusiastic, especially as judging was delayed due to an accident on the M1. All mouths were good and all dogs entire, coats were at various stages . I was very pleased with my main winners, and delighted to see my Best of Breed take Terrier Group 2.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG2, Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
Just 12 months, grizzle bitch - presented in tip top condition, lovely head and expression, small neat ears, straight front with correct shoulder placement, level top line and good tail set, well ribbed back, correct turn of stifle, good bone going into small neat feet. Pleased to award her Best of Breed and see her go on to Terrier Group 2.
Bournemouth Championship Dog Show
10th Aug 2013
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
Red grizzle, another of very nice type, lovely head and expression, good neck and topline, and underline, lovely coat and pelt, moved well.
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Leicester City Canine Society Open Show
26th Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs Glenise Hyslop (Raisbeck)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
City of Birmingham
31st Aug 2013
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for their invitation to judge, my two stewards and the exhibitors for their entries. It was an honour to judge this numerically strong entry 169 with 29 absent, the breed being represented from around the UK made it a very enjoyable day.
Front movement is still a problem in the breed, with heavy upright shoulders in many. Size varied as did coats. There are some long necks creeping into the breed, which look very stylish, the standard does state “Neck of moderate length†and a few long tails again incorrect. Saying that it was a very nice entry to judge and in some classes
I would have liked to have been able to award more placings, and could have awarded more CC’s.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Class Critique
Excellent class of very promising bitches. Splitting hairs between them on the day.
Richmond Championship Dog Show
7th Sep 2013
Judge: Mrs K M Irving (Dandyhow)
In my view the breed still has problems with movement, particularly front movement. Hind action in bitches was also poor on this occasion. There was some variation in coats and some were shown without much jacket but others were somewhat blown in coat. However there were several with excellent coats and pelts – such an important feature of the breed. Dentition and temperaments were very good.
Because I don’t enjoy judging, and quite frankly never have, I decided before this appointment that is would be my last judging assignment. I hope that more younger Border Terrier enthusiasts will come forward as judges to ensure the successful future of the breed.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Darlington D S S
13th Sep 2013
Judge: Mrs Diane Rayner (Stoneygin)
I would first of all like to thank the society for inviting me to judge this show.
I would also like to thank Bob my steward for a sterling job.
I am sorry to bring this up again but I was most disappointed yet again to find a few exhibits that were far too thin. This determined placings as they are not fit for purpose.
Coats were at various stages as normally is the case, I had a few unspannable, but most were in a good fit condition.
I was pleased with my entry and enjoyed going over some lovely exhibits, most were a credit to you.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Sep 2013
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
It is always an honour to be invited to judge a club show and my first job here must be to thank Club, Officers, Committee and Members for asking me to judge their show. The hospitality shown to my Mother and myself made it a very enjoyable weekend. Thank you to my capable Stewards Les Moss and Ian Higham for their help on the day.
Thank you all for the great entry both in terms of number and in depth of quality I had to judge. There were some very tough, but enjoyable decisions to be made and in most classes and in the challenges the top honours were fiercely contested. .
I must repeat the often used cliché of not having enough cards on the day. Many who were down the line or even cardless today I would have been happy to have as winners in another entry.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
Another bitch with lots of quality shown in super condition with good thick double coat. Lovely head with keen feminine expression. Balanced and well muscled throughout.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
3rd in Junior Bitch
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
17th Nov 2013
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
A big thank you to the Club for giving me the chance to judge this show, also to the exhibitors for giving me such a nice entry. Special thanks also to my stewards for making everything run so smoothly, and to the ladies in the kitchen for a great meal.
I had some quality dogs to go over and I am confident plenty will go on to achieve greater things. Coats were at various stages which is to be expected and although they don’t change the construction of the animal it can detract from the overall picture when awarding top prizes. Of course they are a working terrier but they are also on show so I have to have both things in mind when judging.
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
grizzle and tan well balanced throughout. Strong but feminine head, shallow stop, with keen dark eye. Coat just coming in. Moved very well holding a level topline throughout. One I will watch for future honours. BB BOS.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
24th Nov 2013
Judge: Gemma Alpe (Pipruda)
I want to thank the committee of East Anglian Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge there November open show was a great privilege as growing up showing as a youngester at many of there breed club shows. My thanks also to my very experienced stewards of the day Bev Jackson and Simon Jackson who without them I'm sure my ring would not have ran so smoothly,and to all that entered under me. I was generally very pleased with the overall quality of the dogs entered under me a few who shone from the first time I caught sight of them. But no major faults found on the day which pleased me.
Best In Show
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
15 month old grizzle bitch took me from the start,a balanced topline held well on the move with fantastic movement to match,lovely strong head but feminine head with fab keen eye. One I will be definitely watch for with great intent. BB BIS
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Ladies Kennel Association
15th Dec 2013
Judge: Mrs Jayne Alpe
I was honoured to accept this appointment at short notice, due to Kathy Wilkinson’s ill health. I was impressed with the new halls and layout this year.
I was able to judge with no preconceptions, as I have only been to two shows this year, so the majority of dogs were new to me. A good size entry with some good quality dogs present in a number of classes in which I was splitting hairs I had two very good stewards who handled the large classes with calm and efficient precision allowing me to get on with my job.
Overall movement, has improved considerably. In my opinion Borders should move soundly, positively and with the minimum of effort needed to cover the ground well, this means that they use far less energy when travelling distances, and my principal winners all fitted this criteria. Nice large teeth and good bites were very much in evidence. At long last I am starting to see definition between dogs and bitches, I like to see a masculine dog and a feminine bitch. The other thing I was pleased to see was the majority had good tight feet. Some exhibitors seem to be under the impression that an underweight dog is a way to make them easier to span, it doesn’t work! I hate to be able to feel bone and not muscle.
I learnt after judging that there was some kind of aggression in one of the classes, unfortunately I did not witness this personally, as I was going over a dog on the table, if I had of seen it then I would have taken appropriate action as this type of temperament is totally unacceptable in our lovely breed.
RBCC
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
What a beautiful feminine girl, she fills the eye both stood and on the move. Tight harsh coat with good pelt, excellent topline and tailset. Otter head and good dark eye. Has everything that I like in a bitch. Beautifully presented. RBCC
Manchester Dog Show Society
16th Jan 2014
Judge: Mr Philip J Greenway
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
nice quality bitch, well balanced, good profile, nice neck, topline, set on, moved soundly. Good head & outlook.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
25th Jan 2014
Judge: Mr Ian Hopper (Esyntona)
I enjoyed my day judging and would like to thank exhibitors for entering under me.
A big thank you to Carly and Anita who were very efficient in there stewarding duties.
I found on the day that the bitch classes were stronger than the dogs; coats were at various stages which you would expect at this time of year. All dogs and bitches were spanable. There were no bad mouths one concern is that some teeth are in need of cleaning. Movement in the main winners was excellent and they were shown in fit hard condition.
Best In Show
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star
Placing Critique
17 month old red grizzle bitch excellent head good teeth nice ear set good shoulders and flat rib loose pelt and harsh coat well muscled hind quarters moved and showed well ,liked this bitch a lot Best in Show
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Feb 2014
Judge: Mrs Ann Maltby (Pherjan)
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Grizzle bitch presented in good coat and condition, dark eye of correct shape, Ample length of neck into well placed shoulders. Rear angulation was good, and this reflected in her movement. Another lovely short carrot shaped tail. Moved well
The Southern Border Terrier Club Limited Show
2nd Mar 2014
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
My thanks to the officers and committee for the invitation to judge this show, and their hospitality on the day. I thoroughly enjoyed the appointment. All dogs bar one were entire, and all mouths good apart from one level bite and a few forgivable signs of age in the veteran classes. I found some exhibits to be well up to size and difficult to span, but was very pleased with my final line up and main winners. Thank you to the exhibitors for entering and accepting my decisions so sportingly, and to my stewards on the day.
Best In Show
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
20 months grizzle and tan - Beautiful feminine head and expression, lovely size and spannable, narrow throughout with good shoulder placement and rear angulation. Moved out well covering the ground with ease. Well presented in good coat and condition. Best Bitch and Best In Show.
Crufts
7th Mar 2014
Judge: Mrs Melanie Lewis
Thank you to the exhibitors for giving me a record entry for the breed of 303 exhibits making 340 entries and indeed the largest entry for a single Judge at this prestigious show, also for the sporting way in which my decisions were accepted. Thank you also to my two Stewards, Roger and Heather Chaston, who worked tirelessly throughout the day, for their assistance in ensuring that I was able to get through this huge entry in plenty of time for my Best of Breed to compete in the Group.
It was an interesting entry with some difficult decisions having to be made such was the high standard of exhibits present. I felt that movement had improved since the last time I judged. Heads and expressions were good, although a few were a shade heavy in ear. Mouths overall were much improved with a marked reduction in the number of dogs presented with overcrowded jaws of small teeth, only the odd few having either a chipped, or in the case of an older exhibit, a missing tooth. The majority of teeth were clean with just a small number needing more attention in this area. All dogs were entire.
I was pleased that so many were presented with the correct double jacket that the standard asks for, unfortunately some exhibits that really appealed for type and size had very little evidence of, or no, jacket and on another day could have done better. Attention to feet was very evident, many of whom I believe may have benefited from plenty of roadwork, resulting in tight thick pads and short claws. Inevitably with any entry of this magnitude I had to let a number of worthy exhibits leave the ring without a prize card, which I really did not enjoy doing.
Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
a very smart bitch who was well presented and handled, lovely shaped head with nice dark points, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, ribs carried well back, good topline and tailset. She has well muscled racy quarters and small tight feet. Shown in a correct jacket she was easily spanned and moved so soundly.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Mar 2014
Judge: Mr. David Matthews (Tojamatt)
I wish to thank the YORKS LANCS AND CHESHIRE BORDER TERRIER CLUB for the opportunity to judge at this level many thanks to the stewards Carolyn Richardson, Cally Harris and Julie Price for the help in the smooth running of the show I would also like to thank the exhibitors for allowing me the pleasure of going over their dogs.
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
red bitch that once settled moved well lovely head and expression, thick loose pelt covered in a harsh double coat, good reach of neck and shoulder placement with plenty of drive from the rear, easily spanned with a lovely outline when stood RBBIS.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Mar 2014
Judge: Mrs Jane Parker (Conundrum)
I would like to thank the BTC club, for giving me a second chance to judge this, the most prestigious of the breed clubs championship shows. I was judge elect in 2010, but caught the awful Noro virus the night before I was due to judge and spent the next two days flat out.
The new venue that the committee has found, has to be lauded. It is large, airy, light, the flooring is excellent. The car park looked huge. From a judges point of view I could see all the dogs clearly at any time. Congratulations on a super venue.
My two stewards, Chris Davis and Liz Barratt were so very organised and kept me informed and on time throughout the day, with good humour lots of smiles and attention to detail. With such a lovely entry numbers wise, it was a long day. Thank you both.
Living in Canada now, it was a real pleasure to judge dogs that I had mostly not seen. Obviously some of the older ones were mere youngsters before I left and it was nice to see how they had progressed through the years. I found no missing testicles, mouths on the whole were good, with only a few missing teeth or one or two misaligned. Heads were in general better overall than when I left, with more who carried a moderately broad backskull and also a lot more with very good underjaw, something one had to look hard to find a few years ago. Coats were on the whole, good, there were a very few however, who had greasy and dirty coats, this I feel is completely unnecessary. A few arrived without their coats, this is just unfortunate as dogs do not know about our ambitions in regard to shows, and if the coat needs to come out then so be it! Feet in some instances were weak, with some flat footed and others harefooted, this breed needs to have really good tight feet, small with thick pads and be well knuckled, poor feet make the whole outline of the dog look wrong. The worst fault I found, as usual were fronts, all the usual suspects were there, wide fronts, narrow fronts, flicking wrists etc. I do begin to wonder if we will ever get this completely right, but if we are breeders looking to the future, we must be hard on this most prevalent fault, and do not use these dogs and bitches in our breeding programmes. Bitches had the most quality through the entry, again, this is usual, however the dogs that were good, were very very good, and the best, were exceptional. Size does need to be watched, this is a somewhat cyclical thing, but there were some big dogs and bitches in the ring. The first and most important words in our standard...â€Essentially a working terrierâ€...if it cannot be spanned, it is too big. In general I feel the breed in the country of origin is in pretty good shape, the top percentage of the dogs I judged were quite lovely and had breed type to spare. In my critique you will no doubt notice expressions I use again and again. I find certain things are ubiquitous (but none the less hugely important to breed type) and have my pet ways of describing them, I hope you forgive my industrial repetition in some regards.
RBCC
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
What can one say about this young lady, she appealed as she came into the ring, her femininity oozing from her. She is a good size, not overdone in this department at all, I feel if weighed she would be bang on. Upon assessment she did not disappoint, her head is all border, strong muzzle big teeth, keen expression. Moderate neck into beautiful shoulders and a narrow correctly shaped rib, giving a good underline. Her racy hindquarter powered her around the ring and she came and went cleanly. She is a very fit, attractive bitch whom I was very happy to award the Res CC.
National Terrier Club
5th Apr 2014
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
My thanks to the committee of the National Terrier Club for their invitation to judge at this group championship show. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Doyle and John Callow for their help and assistance in keeping me organised and the ring running smoothly. My appreciation also to the exhibitors for such a large entry in these tough financial times.
The ring was large with lots of space for dogs to move freely without being forced to stop/start. In general the dogs were in good condition. I found 1 dog that was not entire. Although teeth were mostly OK, apart from a few misaligned, they varied greatly in size. Coats varied as always but I judge on the day and lack of coat is taken into account when placing exhibits. I was concerned at the number of exhibits down on their pasterns, not giving the small feet as required. Many younger exhibits would really benefit from regular ringcraft experience.
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
An attractive very feminine red bitch so well handled. Good head qualities, strong muzzle, well set dark eye and lovely bite. Clean lines wherever you look. Reach of neck, shoulder, front and tail placement all correct, Good angulation both ends used to move true and with confidence both ways. Coat in good order, tight and thick. Considered for honours.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Apr 2014
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
It was a great pleasure to judge my own club’s championship show. The venue is excellent, and I was able to experience this from the judge’s side of the table. The show was run very smoothly, and I was particular grateful to Beverley Jackson who, as chief steward, saw that everything was in the right place at the right time. I was pleased with my class winners, though some of the lower placing were a little problematic. As one would expect at this time of the year, with a few exceptions, coats were excellent. I seem to go on about movement every time I judge. I was pleased to note that wide fronts were fewer than before, however we seem to be going in the opposite direction,, with front paws nearly touching on the move. In my opinion the top-line should either be level or slightly sloping downwards to the hind legs. There were several exhibits in which the slope was the other way, with the top of the hind legs above the front legs. This is a wrong. There were several tails that were far too long. There was only one really bad mouth, the dog in question should not in my opinion be shown, and a couple with an incisor out of alignment. And that raises a question. The first line of the standard states ‘Essentially a working terrier’. Does a minor tooth misalignment affect the ability of the dog to work? Any judge can see a fault in the mouth and penalize it, and yet miss other faults which can indeed affect the working ability. Similarly how important are missing teeth? Many a Border has one or more of the first premolars missing or not properly erupted. The standard makes no mention of teeth other than in the context of a scissor bite. At least we are not obsessed with counting teeth as are the Germans.
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
I liked this little bitch. Her handler really knows how to get the best out of her. Correct size for a bitch. Attractive feminine head, with good reach of neck and good topline. Good front and well angulated hind quarters. Moved well.
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
19th Apr 2014
Judge: Mrs. Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
I would like to thank the Northern Border Terrier Club for their kind invitation to judge at this show, my first breed club appointment. I was well looked after by the committee and their hospitality was wonderful. I would like to thank my 2 ring stewards - Tracy Peacock and Allen Horner - who were very efficient in keeping me right and kept everything running smoothly. It was a great privilege for me to have such an excellent entry and of such good quality to go over. Thank you to all those who gave me this opportunity and for taking my decisions so sportingly.
Best In Show
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
(BB & BIS) This young bitch entered the ring with real style. She stood beautifully and was presented in pristine condition with the tightest of pin wire coats and loose pelt. She has a super otter head with flat skull and short strong muzzle and sweet expression with small neat ears. She has a good reach of neck which flows into well laid back shoulders and a lovely top line. She has a moderate length of body with a super short carrot tail coming straight off the back giving a lovely balanced outline. Her feet are small, catlike with thick pads. She is a handy size and is not exaggerated in anyway. She moved true all ways She showed so well for her handler and I was pleased to award her Best Bitch and then BIS.
The Joint Border Terrier Clubs Championship Show
4th May 2014
Judge: Mrs E Weijenborg-Weggemans
What a big honour it is to judge the Border Terrier in the native country. I didn’t know what to expect because I haven’t been to Crufts or other shows to have a clean look at what I was presented on that May, 4th, 2014.
I myself live with Border Terriers most of my life now and I have seen the breed changing through the years. What the old breeders feared for years and years ago seems to happen: changing a working terrier into a show terrier. Meaning that the trimming is too short therefore missing the tweedy look, clipping belly, tail and buttocks, overangulation especially in hindquarters. Saying this I was really pleasantly surprised finding so many genuine Border Terriers during this show. Of course I know that coats can’t be in the best condition all year long so some specimens were rather short in trim but as long as I could feel the required harshness and see the correct double coat it was fine for me and only played a role in placing when there were more Borders with the same qualities. I didn’t see any faulty mouths, found only big strong teeth. Movement is – as in the rest of the world – still a problem in the breed. Especially front movement is an issue. When placing, movement was one of the criteria to place one Border higher than the other, but the right type, body proportions, spannability, thick pliable pelt and harsh double coat came first.
In some classes the quality was so high that some of the Borders left the ring unplaced while they were of excellent quality.
I really want to thank all the exhibitors for their sporting attitude in taking my decisions, for entering their dogs under me and give me a hard day’s work with 222 entered dogs and of course the committee for trusting me this honourable job and their hospitality during this weekend for me and my sister, who accompanied me. My congratulations to the breeders and owners for presenting such nice Border Terriers and keeping the breed on such high standard.
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Nice sized bitch, just a bit shorter in body than nr 1, lovely head, super thick harsh double coat, nice carroty tail, a bit too much tuck-up, neat strong feet, moves well, easy to span, I just prefer the head of nr 1.
National Dog Show
9th May 2014
Judge: Mr Rainer Vuorinen (Finland)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Beautiful head, lovely expression, excellent ribcage, straight forelegs and feet, very good rear and angulations, excellent topline and tail, short coat, excellent on the move.
Three Counties Championship Dog Show
7th Jun 2014
Judge: Mr D E Fryer (Irton)
Thanks to my two highly efficient stewards who, whilst never obtrusive, always had everything in the right place and ensured that I could get on with judging the dogs efficiently and smoothly.
A very pleasing entry, many classes had winning quality beyond the number of cards available. I found no missing teeth, no serious mouth faults, and all males were entire. Coats were variable; ranging from several in profuse double coat (not a problem if still of good weatherproof quality); to some who had only undercoat and a few who had adequate top coat but completely lacked undercoat (both incorrect and adversely affecting placings). There were a number of very smartly prepared and presented terriers on show; but however smart and showy a terrier may be, as 'essentially a working terrier' it must be 'capable of following a horse, combining activity with gameness' in order to be a BORDER Terrier. Too many exhibits were deficient in shoulder construction, front movement and drive.
Yearling - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
neatly made, well angulated, well prepared, moved well both ends; nice head with strong skull and jaw; neat feet; overall well balanced with well laid shoulder ; good tail.
Class Critique
a big class with a lot of good 'uns in it
Windsor Championship Show
27th Jun 2014
Judge: Mr S Jackson (Clipstone)
Very sorry for the late publication of this report. Unfortunately the original was on a device that was stolen. It was an honour again to judge Windsor which is one of my personal favourite shows, and also my local!
Yearling - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Another typical bitch, easy to span and sound. Good head and neck and excellent movement.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2014
Judge: Mrs. A. Gregory (Manx)
Mid Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Scottish Kennel Club
23rd Aug 2014
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
My first appointment at this level. My thanks to the society for inviting me and to my two very efficient stewards, Lorrraine and Barbara, who kept things moving.
I was very pleased with both my line ups and feel that my main winners were excellent examples of the breed. Many dogs were sporting dense, tweedy jackets but, as is always the case, some were lacking in coat and this did influence some of the placings. Mouths were good and only one dog was unspannable. On the downside, size is an issue and some of the minor puppies are already up to size. Front movement could be better in a number of exhibits and a few were carrying too much weight.
My sincere thanks to all those who entered and afforded me the privilege of going over their dogs.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Another quality exhibit.Grizzle bitch of excellent size.Attractive head,well angulated back and front,very nice tail.Narrow throughout and sound on the move.Good pelt,enough coat.
City of Birmingham Championship Dog Show
30th Aug 2014
Judge: Dr Ron Wheatley
My thanks to the committee for their invitation to judge here, to my two very effective and helpful stewards Jane Keeves and Alan Tomlinson, and to the exhibitors for the large and interesting entry of many different types. Many of the classes had quality in depth, with many close decisions. Both line ups were pleasing with plenty of choice and close decisions for both cards. I found no kinky tails and one level mouth, most exhibits were of a good size, a few were too heavy and one undernourished, and many needed their nails trimming. Most moved well in the super sized ring that we were given.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Class Critique
another large class with quality in depth
Richmond Championship Dog Show
6th Sep 2014
Judge: Mr W Gray (Pontbeck)
Thanks go to my stewards for making the day run smoothly and to the exhibitors for their enthusiasm for the breed and the sporting way they took my decisions.
Since the hunting bill I 've been concerned how the breed would keep to the line in the breed standard " Essentially a working terrier " as the opportunities for work have been reduced and the spin off as to why we require a double coat and the dog to be narrow all through may be lost to some exhibitors who haven't the opportunity to work or know someone who does or has worked their dogs. There was evidence today that we may have lost sight of the fact that this is a working breed. I'm not suggesting that all Borders should work but that all Borders should be capable to work and those who are closest to the breed standard should be able to do the job required of them.
There were a few exhibits with single coats today, look very smart but would soon pay the price on a cold wet winters day if they had to be out in the elements for any length of time. Some exhibits were carrying a little too much weight and quite a number would benefit from a good walk, some with little muscle.
RBCC
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
A most pleasing example of the breed. Lovely feminine head and expression , narrow ribs of correct shape carried well back, coat of the best and moved well. Nothing I could find to be critical of this bitch but she is 7/8 of the size I prefer. A quality Border Terrier non the less. Reserve CC
Darlington Championship Show
12th Sep 2014
Judge: Mr A Horner (Stineval)
I would like to thank the Darlington society for my invitation .The stewards were on the ball all day so I would like to thank them for making my day an easy one.
I would also like to thank the exhibitors for taking my decisions so sportingly.
However I feel that some exhibits would benefit from a little more food, feeding less does not make them any smaller!
One thing that particularly drew my attention was the dirty teeth in some of the younger exhibits, feet need improving by trimming nails. Nails on some were what a Hawk would be proud of!
Also scissor cuts do not enhance a coat , we are not a trimmed breed we are a breed where hand stripping is paramount.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Driffield Agricultural Society Championship Dog Show
20th Sep 2014
Judge: Mrs A C Fryer (Irton)
Thanks to the exhibitors for giving me a lovely entry and to my stewards for keeping the ring running efficiently throughout. We had a good day with a very very slight drizzle; the exhibitors and exhibits seemed untroubled but it did cause the ringside to flee temporarily! There were some very good dogs present and I enjoyed all my winners but there are always some buts, and looking through my notes there was a preponderonce of “OK” over “good”. The standard asks for a dog that has the soundness to follow a horse; this, of course, must be understood in the context of a terrier working with the Hunt on rough moorland ground, but even so only the minority of exhibits could meet this requirement. Inadequate angulation leads to poor ground covering ability and untidy front movement – evident in a lot of exhibits. Whilst most exhibitors take the trouble to present their dogs as well as possible, a number were unfit and lacking muscle tone and would one of the Breed Clubs please put on a grooming seminar which shows exhibitors how to prepare feet and nails?? It is clearly needed. I forgive coats since these are outwith your control and sadly some excellent dogs had to pay the price for coming without a jacket.
Limit - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Class Critique
This was a truly excellent class where I think any one of the exhibits could have won, I considered pulling out, but with the exception of the seen bitches, that would have been the whole class. So it really was down to splitting hairs and dividing atoms, my apologies that so many lovely bitches had to go cardless.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
27th Sep 2014
Judge: Mr Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
My grateful thanks to the committee and officers for their brilliant hospitality and to stewards Doreen Rushby and Graham Richardson for their hard work and attempts at keeping me out of trouble. An excellent entry with real quality present in both dogs and bitches. Unfortunately, at the risk of sounding like a stuck record, front movement was a real problem in quite a few exhibits, not I might add in the top winners, but unfortunately occasional compromises had to be made in this respect in some classes when filling some of the lower placings.
Limit - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Lovely headed bitch, very nicely made and finished with an excellent coat and pelt, beautiful outline, excellent mover. A toss up between these two excellent bitches.
South Wales Kennel Association
10th Oct 2014
Judge: Mr Kevin Holmes
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2014
Judge: Mr Euan Castel (Flutorum)
My sincere thanks are extended to each exhibitor for providing me with such a wonderful entry, on this, my 1st CC appointment. At 160 dogs I had the highest entry in the group. I would like to thank the committee for their kind invitation and the hospitality that I received. Thank you to my two very competent stewards Alex & Barry Cole.
Mouths were good, a couple were unspannable and coats varied. Some exhibits were untidy in undercarriage, legs and feet and would benefit from a little grooming a few days prior to show day. More importantly, a number of exhibits were overweight and lacked muscle tone. That said, there was a depth of quality to each class and a number of nice dogs had to go unplaced on this occasion. I was extremely pleased with both the dog and bitch line ups.
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Light red grizzle, excellent in head, short strong muzzle, good dark eye and nice ear placement, keen expression. Lovely reach of neck into well laid shoulder, straight front and narrow throughout. Tight harsh jacket and pliable pelt. Nice carroty tail and set on. Well angulated quarters and moved with drive.
Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Nov 2014
Judge: Mrs P McLellan (Breconbeds)
My thanks to the Scottish Committee for the invitation to judge our prestigious annual Championship Show; to my excellent steward Joyce Orr, and to the exhibitors for such a good entry.
I was happy with my class winners which were super examples of the breed. On the down side a number of exhibits were short in the leg and in the body, giving an unbalanced appearance and it’s very unlikely that they would be capable of following a horse, as the breed standard requires. Some pelts were too thin and too many dogs were single coated.
Mid Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Lovely grizzle bitch, shown in tip top condition. Feminine head with good dark eye. Good reach of neck. Nice level topline and tailset. Would have liked a little more length of leg.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Nov 2014
Judge: Miss Tracy Peacock (Ragatam)
I would like to thank the committee for the judging appointment and the two stewards, Jem Thomas and Margaret Davies. I enjoyed my day very much. Thanks to 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 back. Movement in some exhibits left a lot to be desired.
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Beautiful bitch. Smart and well turned out. Handy size with super otter head and expression. Good reach of neck. Easily spanned . Well angulated quarters. Very nicely balanced outline. Moved freely. Correct double coat and thick pelt. (RBB)
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
23rd Nov 2014
Judge: Jane Moreton-Shaw (Fehmarn)
I would like to thank the committee and members for inviting me to judge at the show, and to all those who entered under me. Also thanks to my two stewards Robert Brewster and Jeremy Young and for those who prepared lunch.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was very happy with my winners. In a couple of classes the decision was very close. There were no kinked tails, temperaments were good on the whole, with only 3 that were roughly handled, subsequently the dogs were behaving nervously. I had a couple of bad bites and a couple of level bites. All bar two were spannable. Coats again on the whole were good. Thank you to the exhibitors for accepting my decisions, apart from one unsportsmanlike behaviour in the ring!! The class I enjoyed judging the most on the day was Veteran Bitch. Lovely classy bitches in good condition and very close decisions between them all.
Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Best In Show
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Stunning bitch of lovely size. Correct in every way. In excellent coat. Good angulation, bend of stifle and length of rib and neck. Beautiful feminine head with dark eye. Lovely carroty tail. Moved well with drive. BEST BITCH & BIS
Boston & District Canine Society
11th Jan 2015
Judge: Mrs Julie Guvercin
Thank you to all exhibitors for your entries I had a good cross section of dogs to choose from. Some dogs that I have admired in the past were either not in coat or didn’t move well and others that I've not noticed before, were 'found ' on the table. We must all remember judging should be on the day and not on what something has won or not won, beforehand. I'm sure the same dogs could be placed differently on another day under me, some that did or didn't perform affected their placings accordingly.
Some super puppies coming through, with all four of my puppy class winners looking very promising. They gave me some hair splitting decisions.
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Manchester Championship Show
15th Jan 2015
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
This was my first Championship Show appointment and I would like to thank the Society for the invitation and generous hospitality. Thanks also to my stewards Brian Attwood and Anne Speake who did a sterling job keeping the good sized, well appointed ring running smoothly throughout the day. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over some very high quality dogs. Generally the standard was good with the majority of exhibits showing and moving well. I was concerned by the number of short rounded ribs I found, especially in the bitch classes. There were several noses lacking pigment, some very long thin tails, and I found a few broken or out of line teeth. Coats were at various stages and some otherwise good dogs had to be penalised for lack of coat in the stronger classes. Whereas others with little coat made it into the line up on overall quality. I was very pleased with my main winners, and thank the exhibitors for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
A lovely grizzle bitch of nice size with super head and expression, short strong muzzle, dark eye and good ear set. Lovely reach of neck into well laid shoulder, straight front, neat feet, ribs carried well back and narrow throughout . Good top line and tail set. excellent jacket and pelt. Well angulated quarters and moved with drive but a little close on the day.
Southern Border Terrier Club Members Limited Breed Show
1st Mar 2015
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
My appreciation goes to the SBTC officers and committee for the opportunity to judge a lovely entry of Border Terriers and to the stewards for their support during the show. Also to the many exhibitors who quite rightly presented their dogs so proudly. I hope they enjoyed their day irrespective of the results, as above all this is a hobby to enjoy with the pets that you love.
It’s always good to see new faces exhibiting but I think most would benefit from a few visits to ring craft prior to launching themselves into the ring. This would give them an idea of the typical ring routine and some guidance on preparation of their exhibits. Whilst some concession can be made, lack of ring presence inevitably reflects in some way on their exhibit. Having said all that I can but admire the efforts of a seasoned 2½ year old handler as she moved her much older prized veteran up and down the mat!
I found some dubious dentition, a couple I couldn’t span and several only just spannable. Some dogs impressed in the line but disappointed on the move (particularly rear movement) but for a limit show I felt there was plenty of quality and I was particularly delighted with the main contenders. Some classes merited two “firsts” with precious little separating the first two and I was sad to disappoint. Not being first shouldn’t reflect badly on any dog it only means that a particular judge preferred another exhibit on the day. Certainly some of the dogs would have been better placed had they moved as well on the day as I’ve seen them move before.
I’m not of the school that expects to see a final line-up of identical dogs of a particular type. Several exhibits, whilst not of my preferred type, represented the breed standard well and couldn’t be denied an appropriate place irrespective of type or the appearance of the final line-up. I looked for a well balanced dog reflecting the aspects of the breed standard, without exaggeration and able to cover the ground smoothly and efficiently and I was pleased to find it in most classes.
Best In Show
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Well presented, lively, well balanced, in full harsh double coat covering a loose pelt, good dentition and dark eye housed in a strong but feminine head with a good reach of neck flowing smoothly into well laid back shoulders, a lovely level topline and well set carrot tail, narrow but deep enough to house the essential organs, good rear angulation, well muscled, moved purposefully and freely on neat thick padded feet. Best Bitch and Best in Show.
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!!!
BCC
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Balanced bitch with excellent size. Nice head. Excellent topline, nice angulations and moves very well. Excellent coat. CC and BOS
National Terrier
4th Apr 2015
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Overall, I felt there was reasonable quality in those forward. Some exhibitors continue to have their dogs underfed and/or carrying little muscle, both to the detriment of a terrier expected to put in a day’s work. There were a number of untypical heads – lacking width to the skull and strength to the muzzle. Please keep in mind the shape of an otter’s skull.
I was very pleased with my top winners and extend my thanks to all the exhibitors.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
The East Anglian Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Apr 2015
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
I would like to thank the East Anglian Border Terrier Club for their kind invitation to judge their 2015 Championship Show. It was both an honour and a pleasure to accept this appointment. Thank you to the committee for their hospitality, and special acknowledgement to Bev, Laurence and Zoe Jackson for their efficient stewarding and keeping everything running smoothly throughout the day.
I terms of exhibits, there were many difficult decisions during the day and some real quality dogs were left unplaced. In general, the quality was very good and the majority of dogs were spannable and I only saw one example of an incorrect bite. All dogs were entire and as is usual some coats were exceptional whilst others were either just coming in or past their best.
There were a few examples of heads that are untypical of the breed, in that they lack strength of foreface, width of skull and have eyes that are too close together – these are not what I would describe as ‘like that of an otter’.
On a more positive note I was very happy with all my winners, believing them to be excellent examples of the breed and would like to say thank you to all exhibitors for allowing me the honour of judging their dogs
Best In Show
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
BCC
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
I have judged this bitch previously and it is nice to see how she has developed into real quality as she as matured. A lovely border of correct size, make up and proportions. Superb head, strong yet quintessentially feminine. Well filled under the eye, correct ear placement and strong muzzle with correct scissor bite. An excellent front – straight with correctly placed, smooth shoulders and just the correct amount of bone. A balanced profile with correct rib and strong loin. Nice tight feet, presented perfectly on thick pads. Shown in the best of double coat. Good angulation, moved out well covering the ground effortlessly. Pleased to award her BCC and BIS.
Class Critique
This was a super class of quality bitches who were a pleasure to go over and judge
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.
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Another quality grizzle bitch with a good head also in excellent hard condition with a tight harsh coat. Nice straight front and neat tight feet. Good shoulders and rear angulation which gave her good drive around the ring. Very close decision
Class Critique
This was a wonderful class full of quality exhibits and was a privilege to judge and only minor preferences separated the placings.
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.
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
A grizzle bitch of nice size with good head and expression, Good top line and tail set. Excellent jacket and pelt. Well angulated quarters and moved with drive
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.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Slightly smaller than1 but an extremely good type. Smashing border head with good scissor bite – dark eyes – small v shaped ears. Good reach of neck. Narrow front – easily spanned. Ribs well back. Strong loins – covered ground well . Tight harsh coat. Could swap places anyday.
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.
RBCC
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
another quality bitch. Beautiful head. Short, strong muzzle. Shown in tip top coat & condition. Well laid shoulders & good turn of stifle. Catlike feet. Good tailset & topline which she held on the move. RCC
Windsor Championship Show
2nd Jul 2015
Judge: Mr M. Hollingsbee (Otterwood)
I thoroughly enjoyed my first judging experience at this level and thank the exhibitors for bringing their dogs of such good quality in front of me and accepting my decisions with good grace. In some of the classes there was only a hairs breadth between some exhibits and on another day the results would have been different. I like Borders that are narrow, strong and good movers. I do not consider coat to be a major factor except when differentiating between dogs of equal quality, As a Championship Show judge told me many years ago “bad coats can get better, many other faults cannot.”
I would also like to thank my stewards for keeping me in order.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
similar build to 1 very good topline, good reach of neck, well balanced body, good ear set
City of Birmingham
5th Sep 2015
Judge: Mrs P. Clark (Gameway)
My thanks to City of Birmingham for the invitation to judge and to the exhibitors who gave me such a good entry in both numbers and quality. Thank you also to my two hard working stewards who kept the ring running very smoothly. I found the limit and open classes in both dog and bitch had quality in depth and they were a pleasure to judge Thank You
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Richmond
12th Sep 2015
Judge: Mrs Eileen Needham (Titanium)
I should like to thank Richmond committee for my invitation to judge Border Terriers. It is quite a while since I judged the breed and so came to it today with a very open mind. I thoroughly enjoyed my day, with the opportunity of going over some very lovely dogs. I had plenty of choice in choosing my winners, and I would thank the exhibitors for bringing their dogs and receiving my decisions sportingly. My Stewards were excellent, keeping everything moving like clockwork.
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Class Critique
This was a most interesting class to judge with so many pleasing bitches.
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.
RBCC
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Quality bitch, true otter head and lovely expression, good reach of neck well placed shoulders straight topline and good carrot tail, harsh jacket thick pelt and easy span, presented in first class order. Res C.C.
The Yorkshire, Lancs & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
26th Sep 2015
Judge: Mrs Kathy Wilkinson (Otterkin)
What a privilege to be invited by the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club to judge their Diamond Jubilee Championship show, marking 60 years since the Club was first incorporated. The event was tinged with sadness that their long time Secretary, Mrs Cynthia Knight, could not be here to witness this special occasion. A minutes silence in her memory was called at the beginning of the show. I like to think she would have been looking down on the Club and the show with satisfaction with the way her team have continued to run the Club, always remembering the great influence and impact she and her husband Gordon ("Tag") had on their Club. Also being remembered at the show, were recent sad losses to the breed of Eva Heslop and Kathy Fell and to terriers in general, the redoubtable Maureen Micklethwaite.
Congratulations to the Acting Secretary, Tina and her husband and Chairman, Kevin Green and the rest of the team on a well run show and thanks to my ring stewards, Graham Richardson and Sharon Pickering for keeping everything running smoothly.
A show is not held for the benefit of a judge or a society; it is held for the dogs to be assessed and their owners and exhibitors to have a good day out, win or lose. I therefore hope that everyone enjoyed their day.
Very pleased with the entry of 211 dogs making 242 entries, both in terms of numbers and in depth of quality of the entry. Class entry numbers shown are give or take some catalogue changes during the day, which are reflected in my numbers below. Absentees in new dogs gave an absentee rate of 34%.
Given that I have previously had to talk about dogs being kept too thin, it was good that there were only one or two dogs who could have done with more weight on them (one especially where I could feel the pin bones protruding), but most of those shown today were in good body weight and condition. While it is a real thrill, it is also a sadness to me to be judging well filled classes of quality dogs or bitches, knowing that some of those I really like have to go card-less, just because of the excellence of the entry.
Many times, in quite a few classes, hard decisions had to be made. Spanning is to me, one of the most important things after breed type (after all, you can span other breeds of terrier and I was looking for a Border!), but even the best typy dogs cannot win if I am unable to span them. A Border that cannot get to ground and back out, is not "essentially a working terrier". There were so many good ones today who were easily spanned, who also had excellent heads and moved so well and who came to hand well when lifted from the floor. Although some I had loved from ringside, were difficult to span and so paid the price, it is surprising that others, who might have looked on the large side from ringside in earlier days, were surprisingly easy to span. Nothing beats getting hands on. Judging by today's quality entry, I can safely say that the breed is in a good place.
I understand that during the day, a Diamond Jubilee Celebration cake, arranged by Pat and Brian Baxter, was cut into and offered to exhibitors, with a glass of fizz to toast the Club. Special gifts were awarded to each exhibitor/member (one per household) of a glass paperweight bearing the Club's name and notation to celebrate the Club's Diamond Jubilee. I was also pleased to receive one of the paperweights as the judge, along with a nice bottle, thank you!
It was a long day, with a 10am start. In future, the Club may decide to think about an earlier start and while the 2 classes held in the interval were a good idea, I thought, and well received, it did mean that I was not able to ask for the 20 minute or 1/2 hour break I would have preferred, but in the end, while waiting for those classes to be judged, I believe the break lasted around an hour and a quarter (we finished Puppy bitch at 1.25pm but could not get back into the ring to start Junior Bitch until 2.40pm), which put the show's ending back to much later than it might have been. Perhaps if Clubs decide to put on those extra classes, they would best be done either at an Open show, or at a Championship show where the venue is big enough for a separate ring. There was an entry of 26 for the judge of the 2 separate classes. What if it had been 50? Having said that, I offer my congratulations to the society for being innovative and forward thinking on this, but I just think it needs tweaking.
A long day, but a very enjoyable one; thanks again to all who entered under me at this special Diamond Jubilee Show of the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club and thank you to the Club for their hospitality and the lovely gifts.
Thanks again to all exhibitors for a super entry for this special celebration show.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Lighter boned bitch and smaller all through, but with a very pretty otter like head and keen expression, one I have liked from ringside for a long time now. Good ears, well placed. Good topline, with the tail coming straight off the top of the back. Lovely neat feet with a good narrow front. She too was in the best of condition and coat and was a strong contender for higher honours.
Class Critique
Including 1 transferred from Novice bitch), less 7 ab and 1 withdrawn)
In this class, I was spoilt for choice and ended up splitting hairs. I loved all the first five placed and would have happily given a first and further honours to any of them, such is the joy and the sadness of judging such a good class. Although throughout the show, I was aware that with such a large entry, I needed to crack on and only moved the total classes once, then moved those shortlisted a further time/s, in this class, I indulged myself a little and moved them all twice, as I would prefer to do anyway, if time permitted.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Oct 2015
Judge: Mr J Thomas (Daluce)
It was an honour to be invited to judge such a prestigious show as "The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show " I would like to humbly thank the committee for their invitation and their warm welcome on the day.
I would also like to thank my stewards on the day Allen Horner, Anne Maltby and Dave Mitchell, who kept the ring running smoothly for me.
Finally would like to thank the exhibitors for giving me the pleasure of going over their dogs and accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Grizzle and tan bitch of handy size. Put down beautifully. In lovely harsh coat with a thick pelt. Moderately broad skull with short strong muzzle. Varminty expression. Well placed shoulders. Straight front. Narrow throughout. Moved soundly from all angles. Excellent top line with lovely short carrot tail set on well. RBB
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Nov 2015
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the East Anglia Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge their show, to the exhibitors for giving me such a super entry and especially to Robert Brewster for his excellent stewarding. I really enjoyed my day.
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
handy sized g/t, shown in good condition with tight harsh coat and thick pelt, lovey feminine yet strong otter head, narrow front with good topline and short carrot tail well set on, moved around the ring with confidence and drive. RBB, RBIS
Ladies Kennel Association
13th Dec 2015
Judge: Mrs Melanie Lewis (Tonromel)
Thank you to the Officers and Committee of LKA for the invitation to officiate and to my two excellent Stewards, Barry McCartney and Sue Jones, for their invaluable assistance throughout judging. Thank you to the exhibitors for a super entry of 176 exhibits making 192 entries, the largest entry in the Terrier Group, and also for the sporting manner in which my decisions were accepted.
Numerically the bitch entry was double the size of the dog entry, but on the whole the standard in both sexes was pleasing with some very strong contenders for top honours. Coats varied from being completely stripped out with only soft undercoat to those that were completely blown, however, many were presented in good jackets of the correct texture. Feet on the whole were good, being firmly padded. On a few exhibits the tails appeared to be overly long which on closer examination revealed that it was superfluous hair. If this had been removed it would have improved the overall picture. All males were entire and the temperaments displayed by all the exhibits was very good. I was presented with some very nice puppy entries, many showing a lot of promise, which can only auger well for the future of the breed.
I was very pleased with both my final dog and bitch line ups, with some tough decisions having to be made when it came to awarding the top honours, such was the depth of quality. All of my finalists were in fit condition; moved with purpose; had good muscle tone; pliable pelts and spanned with ease and I believe that, if the opportunity presented, they would be able to undertake the functions asked for in the breed standard. My one plea to exhibitors is to please refrain from pushing treats into the dog's mouth when the dog is being judged on the table as it makes it very difficult for a judge to assess the exhibit. Reward them by all means if you have to, but only do so at the appropriate time.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
a slightly smaller bitch who was well presented and handled, lovely shaped head with nice dark points and good expression, good reach of neck into well laid shoulders, narrow front and well proportioned body lines. Good length of back with sound rear quarters and small tight feet she was easily spanned. Moved confidently.
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.
Open - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Class Critique
This was a hard class, many went cardless that would be in on another occasion.
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.
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Leeds Championship Show
22nd Jul 2016
Judge: Mr Ken Bartlett
My thanks to the officers & committee for this appointment giving CCs in this breed for the first time, also the exhibitors for a lovely entry, also my two stewards who kept things running smoothly.
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
another nice size bitch, good head & mouth, nice reach of neck, good topline & tailset, well ribbed, good for bone, easily spanned, pleasing on the move
The Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
24th Sep 2016
Judge: Mrs Jena Tuck (Nettleby)
I would like to thank the Committee of the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge this very enjoyable and well run show. It was an honour and pleasure. In the ring I was very ably assisted by my two capable stewards Ian and Bridget, who I would like to thank. The hospitality of the Club was second to none I had a truly wonderful day. Thanks must go to the exhibitors, who allowed me to go over their dogs. The depth of quality was remarkable and some very good exhibits had to go cardless I was delighted by my main winners, thank you again for giving me the pleasure of judging them. I chose the dog as BIS because he had that extra attitude and showmanship.
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Very well balanced throughout, not overdone in anyway. Very neat typical head, with a good topline and tailset, with good front and hind angulation, easy span.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Oct 2016
Judge: Mr. Graham Richardson (Staynorwood)
I would like to thank The Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their Open Show . The club and officers were very welcoming and I thoroughly enjoyed my day . I would like to thank my very helpful stewards Liz Barratt and Janice Johnson who kept things flowing through the day . I was pleased with my entry with some quality dogs to handle. It was also good to see some promising pups coming through . I was very pleased with my winners on the day
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Good conformation , feminine head and expression, good reach of neck leading to correctly shoulders , narrow throughout .Dense coarse jacket ,thick pelt well angulated rear , moved with drive around the ring.
The Scottish BTC Championship Show
12th Nov 2016
Judge: Mrs. Nancy Hogg (Raeburnfoot)
Thank you for inviting me to judge this show. If my memory serves me correctly this was the very first Border Terrier show I exhibited at……30 years ago.
It really was a pleasure to go over so many good examples of the breed. Coats were at various stages and some paid the penalty with either little top coat or totally blown. Mouths were good. Some movement, especially front. Not so good. Size was better than I have seen in the past. Temperament on every exhibit was really good I am pleased to say. No noise from the cage area either that I was aware of. I was delighted with my main winners.
Special thanks must go to my very able steward and to the kitchen ladies for a lovely meal and coffee.
Best In Show
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
BCC
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Feminine ottery head. Short muzzle. Lovely reach of neck and good layback of shoulder leading on to a lovely topline and tailset. Straight front. Neat feet. Well set on carrot tail . Harsh jacket. Thick pelt. Shown in good condition. Moved so well. CC. BIS.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
19th Mar 2017
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
What a pleasure it was for me to judge the East Anglian Border Terrier Club Championship Show on Sunday 19th March 2017. Thanks to the EABTC for inviting me to judge and to the exhibitors for the lovely entry and the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. A really friendly relaxed atmosphere and a good big well lit ring awaited me, along with a good steward in Robert Brewster who did a sterling job keeping everything running smoothly. It certainly was a quality entry and I really enjoyed going over all the dogs and coats and pelts were much improved since the last time I judged. Toplines, shoulders and movement were varied but I was very pleased with my winners on the day, in some classes they would change places on another occasion but I was judging them today as I saw them, and how I interpreted the Breed Standard.
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Another lovely bitch who was turned out to perfection, super outline in profile movement, good head with short strong muzzle, stood well on small neat feet. A tad heavier over the shoulders than my winner and not so positive in front movement.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
25th Mar 2017
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Thank you to The Border Terrier Club officers, committee and members who elected to give me the privilege of judging their club championship show, and many thanks to the exhibitors who travelled from near and far and accepted my placings sportingly. Thanks to my two stewards Janice Johnson and Judith Fawcett who did a grand job and also thanks to the hard working Joyce Martin for all the wonderful photographs.
Today the overall picture and my main concern was that we seem to be losing the "Head like that of an otter moderately broad in the skull, with short strong muzzle". What I was seeing was a narrow skull which does not give that typical Border Terrier expression. Movement was more of a problem in the dog classes, in the bitch classes came the quality and the soundness.
When it comes to the showring, presentation is, in my opinion, important. I like to see a dog smart but not over groomed or in full coat but tidy, today attention to ears, tails and feet could have been beneficial to some exhibits.
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Worthy champion fits the standard well from head to tail, well balanced throughout presented in first class condition.
West Midlands Terrier Society Open Show
25th Nov 2017
Judge: Mr. S. Golding (Beaconpike)
Thank you to the Club and Committee for inviting me to judge and for the wonderful hospitality, and thank you to the exhibitors for allowing me to judge their dogs.Thank you to the Club and Committee for inviting me to judge and for the wonderful hospitality, and thank you to the exhibitors for allowing me to judge their dogs.
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Open - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
5 year old grizzle and tan another nice dog from this kennel which was shown and presented beautifully, lovely sweet head with thick ears, handy size, narrow throughout, super carrot shaped tail which was set on well, good coat and pelt, moved soundly both coming and going, pleased to award her Reserve Best of Breed.
Crufts
9th Mar 2018
Judge: Mr.Carl Gunnar-Stafberg
Open - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
National Dog Show
11th May 2018
Judge: Mrs Jane Morton-Shaw (Fehmarn)
My sincere thanks to the Birmingham National Dog Show committee for inviting me to judge at what was my first CC appointment. My thanks also go to my super-efficient stewards on the day. Thanks to all of you exhibitors who gave me an excellent entry, and for your sporting acceptance of my decisions, some of which were difficult, as there were a couple of times when the quality was so good, it was hard to separate them, so I had to look at the minor points to split them.
There were a couple of level bites but no kinked tails. My main grumble were the huge ears on too many exhibits, front movement on many left much to be desired, and a number of exhibits were too big overall making some unspannable. A couple of dogs were badly overweight. All exhibits were presented in good clean condition.
I had a wonderful time and hopefully the exhibitors enjoyed their day too at this well-run show. The icing on the cake was the fact that my Best Puppy in Breed went on to win Terrier Puppy Group 2, and my DCC/Best Veteran went on the win Terrier Veteran Group 2.
Open - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
9th Feb 2020
Judge: Mrs. Carolyn Richardson (Staynorwood)
I would like to thank Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge and to thank my Stewards Pete Armstrong and Sue Baxter. Unfortunately, the entry was somewhat reduced due to the awful storm conditions keeping many at home, but I was pleased with the quaity of dogs present for me to go over and very happy with my winners.
Best Veteran
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Typical head and expression on this girl, neat ears set correctly. Good front, enough length of rib, strong loin. Shown in fit condition. Good depth of harsh coat, correct carrot tail. Easily spanned, moved well both ways. Best Vet
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Feb 2020
Judge: Anne Speake
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the officers and committee for inviting me to judge the first of their centenary shows this year and for their warm welcome and hospitality. Thank you to my two stewards, Judy Carr and Judith Fawcett who had the ring running like clockwork, which enabled me to get on with the job of judging a large quality entry. Thank you to all the exhibitors for giving me such a wonderful entry of 143 dogs, sadly the serve flooding at the time made for several absentees, but I’d like to thank everyone who braved the floods and made the journey. This was my first breed club appointment, which was a truly memorable experience and one I won’t forget. Thank you for the lovely gifts which I will treasure. I was generally very pleased with the overall quality of the dogs entered under me. Coats were at varying stages, and some dogs paid the price today. The quality in some classes made for some difficult decisions, especially in the limit/open classes, and I would have liked more first places.
Best Veteran
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
7 half yr old g/t who has a terrific coat for texture. She has an attractive head with well placed ears, dark eye and keen expression. Good body shape & outline with good angulations and moved with drive around the ring keeping a good top line. BVIS
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.
Best Veteran - Bitch
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Best Veteran
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
At 9 years this lovely headed bitch is typical throughout. Her balanced construction enabled sound easy movement whilst keeping her topline. Seriously considered for top honours. BV & BVIS
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
26th Feb 2022
Judge: Anna Duxbury (Ridgebow)
I would sincerely like to thank the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge at this lovely well run show and for their kind hospitality on the day. Also for the lovely gifts received from the Club.
Many thanks also to my two stewards Judy and Marina, who were a great help and kept things running very smoothly.
I was extremely flattered by the wonderful entry and would like to thank each and every exhibitor for kindly allowing me to go over their dogs, and for their sportsmanship when accepting my decisions.
Coats, as always were very varied at this time of year, and some had to pay the penalty for not having enough topcoat. Nearly all dogs were spannable, all males were entire and dentition was good overall. I found I had some difficult decisions to make, and I was sorry I could not give more places.
Best Veteran
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Immaculately turned out, does not look her age. Good head, lovely thick coat and pelt, good topline and tailset, moved well with drive to win the class.
Crufts
11th Mar 2022
Judge: Mrs. Margaret Curtis (Matamba)
Crufts has always been a memorable experience for me, from sitting ringside to winning top honours in this breed, and to retire from judging with my last appointment being Crufts was a special occasion. Many thanks to all the exhibitors for the entry of 233 dogs making 257 entries with 28 absentees.
It was a long day and with only one steward for almost all of the classes my sincere thanks must go to Robyn Burnett. Plus a special thanks to Judy Carr for stepping in to help Robyn in those last big classes to help us finish just in time to get the BOB to the Group. Also to Joyce Martin the photographer who worked hard throughout the day to get those special pictures, thank you. I enjoyed my day judging but found some of the classes quite challenging.
I was pleased with the lineup and my principal winners, but a little disappointed with what I was finding when the dogs came to the table. The standard reads “Head like that of an otter moderately broad in skull and small ears dropping close to cheek” but some were so untypical of our breed with narrow skulls, weak jaws and small teeth, with ears that were too big and standing away from the cheek.
In every class there were some that just could not be spanned - being too deep in the chest and strong in the rib. Movement was better behind than in front. Finding dogs with a short upper arm, this not only restricts the movement but when standing almost gives a Fox Terrier type front which I was seeing, to start accepting these deviations as acceptable would be a sad day for our breed as we know it.
General condition of the dogs was good, jackets came in all stages mostly acceptable with some good thick pelts. One problem I found today was the baiting of dogs on the table. In some cases it made it hard going for dogs and judge - no need to top and tail and bait all at the same time - personally I just needed the dogs to stand still.
Best Veteran
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Worthy Champion and in super fettle for a 10 year old. Still retaining great body lines, she has a good head and expression even with a few white whiskers and with a strong jaw, she was an easy span with a great topline and tail. Right amount bone, neat feet one of the best turn of stifle and let down of hock today. Movement was sound. BV
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
26th Mar 2022
Judge: Dr. Ron Wheatley (Loiriston)
I was very privileged and honoured to judge this excellent show and would like to thank the members of the Border Terrier Club for their invitation, and the committee for their help and hospitality. The committee and members had provided a wonderful range of Specials and mementos to celebrate the Centenary of the Club. Many thanks to my very efficient ring stewards, Carol Mackenzie, and Judy Carr, for their help through a long day. Thanks also to the exhibitors for the large entry of 183 dogs, making 223 entries with 43 absent, which ranged over many types. There was quality in depth in many classes with close decisions. I found no kinky tails, two exhibits with one missing front tooth, and a few bites that had worn even. Coats as might be expected were at different stages, most in good coat and a few with the top just coming through.
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
9 yr old. Another excellent bitch with a good head, nice narrow body with good coat and pelt.
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
30th Apr 2022
Judge: Miss Elspeth Jackson (Clipstone)
What a great honour it was to be invited to judge the Joint Border Terrier Clubs’ Show in the Border Terrier’s centenary year. Waiting an extra two years did not decrease my excitement for the appointment and my anticipation was richly rewarded with a super entry both in turns of numbers and quality.
My critique must start with several expressions of gratitude to those who made this appointment possible and so enjoyable.
To the Committee for inviting me to judge at such a prestigious event. It was truly an honour, and the memory of the day will be one I shall treasure. Further the hospitality that myself and my family were shown at the show and the dinner following was much appreciated. We all had a great time.
To the show organisers, especially Show Manger Helen Axford, whose organisation and show layout allowed everything to run smoothly even when the weather was a little less than kind to us.
To my capable and efficient Stewards Christine Horner and Sharon Pickering. Having you in the ring with me was both supportive and enjoyable.Thank you to the exhibitors for giving me a lovely entry to judge. I enjoyed judging each and every dog whether in the cards or not. I had some tough decisions to make and in the stronger classes five places was insufficient for the depth of quality. A number of dogs I liked very much went cardless. I loved the line up in both my challenges and was able to find the type I wanted in all classes.
I was glad to find some super coats and pelts. The changeable late April Border weather and biting wind certainly showed us the importance of these. It left us in no doubt that for a Border Terrier working the Border country in the colder winter months and at higher elevations a good coat is a must. I understand that it is not always possible to present your dogs at a show in the perfect jacket but when out of coat, personally I prefer to see a dog neatly stripped back rather than left with a few top coat hairs.
I found three mouths with teeth well out of line and a couple of tails were questionable but overall the quality was excellent.
Veteran - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Class Critique
What an excellent class with quality right down the line and beyond. Some super girls who on another day I would have been more than happy to have as my winner went cardless today.
The Southern Border Terrier Open Show
5th Mar 2023
Judge: Mr Matt Smith (Alncroft)
Many thanks to the club for the invitation to judge at their show and for their hospitality. Thank you to my stewards, and the exhibitors for entering under me. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was pleased with the quality present. Many of the classes were close decisions and coats played a big part in final standings. Whilst I didn’t find any dogs that I couldn’t span, having spent a lifetime around working terriers some of the bitches in particular were on the larger end of the scale for preference.
Reserve Best Bitch
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Best Veteran
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Beautiful bitch of super size. Belies her age. In tip top condition. Excellent double coat. Good head, correct eye and ear, good strength to muzzle. Good shoulder. Lovely topline with correct tailset. Well made hindquarters. Moved well all ways. Pleased to award her BVIS and RBB today.
Crufts
11th Mar 2023
Judge: Mr David Shields (Wilholme)
To judge Border Terriers at Crufts was both a privilege and a honour and I must thank the Crufts Committee for the appointment to judge the breed at what is the greatest dog show in the world. A big thanks go to the exhibitors from both home and abroad for such a super entry which made for a great days judging with quality in depth in many of the classes. Finally I must thank my two stewards who kept things moving in the ring to allow me to finish judging in good time.
On the day I was looking for a workmanlike dog as the standard asks for but one also must remember that in the show ring you also need that attitude and showmanship to complete the picture. I felt my BOB put up a great show in the Group and was so pleased to see him take Group 2 in a quality line up.
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Another very typey bitch of good size who presents a clean and balanced appearance. Feminine head piece but has the required strength. Neat well set ears and a pleasing dark eye and alert expression. Scores in neck and shoulders, firm topline and the best of quarters. Put down in good order on the day. Moved well.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
14th Oct 2023
Judge: Mrs Sue Baxter (Mysulan)
Firstly I’d like to thank The Border Terrier Club Committee for their very kind invitation to judge this Open show, I felt honoured and privileged . I thoroughly enjoyed my day and the hospitality on offer , the lunch certainly hit the spot..thank you Nancy Hogg. My two stewards, Jane Morton-Shaw and Marina Fleming kept things running smoothly and I am grateful for their support .
To the exhibitors , my thanks go unbounded as I had a lovely selection of good quality dogs to go over and there were certainly some tough decisions in many of the classes. It is an education to finally go over some of the dogs I have admired from the ring side. I am grateful that my decisions were taken, mostly in a sporting manner.
My general findings were , all males were intact , I found no kinked tails ( 1 dog had a bump on the underside of its tail , not a kink in my opinion), jackets were, as usual , at various stages of growth. I was impressed by the fact that all animals before me could be spanned , some a little easier than others.
Once again I feel compelled to comment on the state of nails and feet. In my opinion , many dogs had nails that were too long and some needed drastic fur trimming to enhance the shape of the feet.In my opinion it is a shame to groom your dogs for the ring but forget that ,especially whilst on the table, the judge has a perfect view of any, long nails and/or woolly “ Yeti” feet .
Best Veteran
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
A worthy champion and at the age of 11 years , can still show some of the youngsters how it’s done…. Super ladylike headpiece , with neat set ears and good eye colour and placement . Bodily proportions were very pleasing and she has kept her shape well …. Angles fore and aft were great and she moved with grace …Beautiful elderly lady …..Given serious consideration in the challenge… BVIS
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Nov 2023
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for a lovely entry and also to the Scottish BTC for this opportunity. Special thanks go to my two stewards for the day who kept everything running smoothly and for their good company. Although the lighting in the hall isn’t the best, it was adequate and the large square ring was perfect for watching movement, something I feel is very important in a border terrier. On that note I found my main winners to excel in this department. I was pleased to judge some strong puppy classes and also some strong adult classes
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Another quality bitch in perfect harsh coat. Lovely head, narrow throughout, great topline, easily spanned. Another that can move.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
24th Feb 2024
Judge: Libby Tanton-Joy (Itsaso)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge their open show held at Jedburgh, the home of the border terrier. It was a great privilege, and I had some amazing dogs present who are a credit to their owners, thank you for bringing them.
Thank you to my stewards for organising the rings so smoothly and keeping me on track so we finished at a reasonable time. The hospitality was second to none and I would like to thank the whole committee for this.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
This 12-year-old bitch truly defies her age. Although a little grey she still possesses the attributes that gave her the title of Champion. Shown in fabulous coat she has a beautiful head and still knows how to own the ring on the move.
Class Critique
This is always one of my favourite classes and all are credit to their owners. I absolutely loved my top two.
The Midland Border Terrier Club 40th Anniversary Championship Show
4th Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the club for inviting me to judge this 40th Anniversary show, and for the hospitality on the day. Thank you also to the hardworking stewards, it was a long and very busy day. Most of all, thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such a fabulous entry. I appreciated each and every exhibit, and had the privilege of going over so many quality dogs that difficult decisions had to be made and many lovely dogs went cardless. Foremost, I see the Border Terrier as ‘essentially a working terrier’ and was therefore looking for construction that would render this possible. A few exhibits were too big, too wide or too deep in brisket which might prevent them from going to ground, or even cause them to get stuck. A few had very thin skin – skin must be thick. Most bites were good, just a few with teeth out of line or missing. Coats come and go, so were understandably at different stages. However, on a working terrier a good hard coat does complete the picture. Good movement and a strong, even, economical gait comes from soundness of construction and the muscle tone of a well exercised dog. Therefore I looked for good layback of shoulder and the correct length and angle of upper arm to give a good reach in front, a strong loin, good bend of stifle and well angulated, well muscled hindquarters to give matching drive from the rear.
Best Veteran
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Youthful 12 year old grizzle and tan who was really enjoying her time in the ring. She had a wonderful thick pelt with correct double coat, and really good muscle tone for her age. Her head was very ottery, with a broad skull and short, strong muzzle, and she had a good topline and tailset. She has kept to her correct weight and size, being narrow in rib and still spannable. A credit to her owner.
Joint Border Terrier Club's Championship Show
31st Aug 2024
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
Thank you to The Scottish Border Terrier Club for asking me to judge the Joint Show. It’s been a long time coming as I was invited to judge in 2019 and COVID 19 got in the way! I would like to thank the exhibitors who managed to attend the show after the problems caused by Storm Lilian at Driffield. I also appreciate that the absentees were higher as a result of many people having prior appointments on the day that the show was rearranged. The City of Birmingham Society where very accommodating, we had a lovely ring with plenty of space.
However, I had a super entry, and I had lots to choose from in the dogs that were able to show under me. Thank you to everyone – I really appreciate being asked to give an opinion on other people’s dogs, it’s a real honour. I would also give a special note of thanks to my steward Bill Shorthose who single handedly managed the ring and made sure everyone was in the right place at the right time. Particularly with the challenges of a partnership show and the clashes that this can cause across two rings. Thank you to all the exhibitors who managed to negotiate two shows with good heart.
When judging, I look for dogs with good heads, plenty of strength under the eye, very little stop and a good strong jaw – essentially a’ Head like that of an Otter’. I also like to see straight fronts, correct shoulder placements and tidy small feet. I found these characteristics in all of my top winners. Generally, mouths were good, although there were a couple of dogs with a tooth out of place. Movement was ok in generally, but as breed we do need to keep an eye on front movement as there were some dogs who did not move as well as they should walking towards me. All the males were entire. I was very pleased with all my placings and when choosing my top winners, I had some difficult decisions to make and so were some dogs that were very unlucky on the day.
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
Another quality border with plenty of breed type. Lovely head, strong yet feminine with very little stop. Well placed ears close to the cheek, dark eye and keen varminty expression. Nice reach of neck moving into correct shoulder placement, good length of back, level topline and tail straight off the back. Good harsh double jacket and pelt. Well angulated rear construction. Moved ok.
Class Critique
A lovely class of older ladies, all shown in hard fit condition. A real credit to their owners.
Darlington Championship Show
13th Sep 2024
Judge: Mrs L Roberts
Best Veteran
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Veteran - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
19th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Margaret Armstrong (Carrickfarm)
Thank you to The Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge The Open Show at Low Hesket, one of my favourite shows and venues. As always hospitality was superb and a lovely enjoyable lunch.
Thank you to Judy and Andrea my two excellent stewards who kept proceedings running smoothly and on time and thank you to all exhibitors.
I had a lovely entry and some lovely dogs to judge. A very enjoyable day.
Veteran - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Placing Critique
12 yr..Another quality grizzle and tan bitch shown in superb condition.Strong otter head,short strong muzzle good topline and tailset. Narrow in rib and spannable.Lovely double coat and thick pelt. Moved well and happily round the ring.
Class Critique
Such a lovely class of Veterans.
