Show Placings
Ladies Kennel Association
14th Dec 2025
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
Thank you to my stewards who helped me with their friendly efficiency that made it easy for me to concentrate on the Border Terrier judging. A bit of pressure to get out of the ring but I hope this did not spoil anything for my top winners or the other exhibitors who seemed to appreciate my choices out of a wonderful group of dogs. A couple of close bites and the odd bump in tails, some under/over weight exhibits which was a shame as some may well have moved further up the line. As expected a great deal of variation in coats but the vast majority were presented as well as they could be in their growth cycle. Thanks to everyone who entered and showed such good sportsmanship in accepting my decisions and supporting others. I was delighted with my class winner lines ups for both dogs and bitches, some hotly contested classes and tough choices for me throughout the day.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Thistlemead Cascabel
East Kent Canine Society Open Show
1st Feb 2026
Judge: Joanna Taylor (Barkanellie)
I would like to thank the society for giving me the opportunity to judge border terriers for the first time. I had a super entry and some lovely dogs to go over. There were a number of dogs light on coat, presumably due to preparing for Crufts, which impacted some placings. Overall movement was good, as were teeth, tails and temperaments. I was pleased to see my BoB take TG4 any my BP take TPG3. Special thanks to my steward Libby Wain who kept everything on track and organised.
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Thistlemead Cascabel
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Cascabel
Placing Critique
Superbly presented 8 month old bitch. Strong muzzle with big teeth, lovely ear set and expression. Excellent harsh double coat. Moved with confidence and purpose around the ring. Went on to take BP and TPG3
Portsmouth & Southsea KA Open Show
8th Feb 2026
Judge: Stephen Randall-Goodwin (Lanola)
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Cascabel
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Mar 2026
Judge: Mrs Kathy Wilkinson (Otterkin)
I was honoured to be invited to judge our Club’s Championship Show, 30 years after I last judged here (at a different venue) in 1996. This is my 16th time awarding CCs in the UK. Thank you to the Committee for this invitation. Thank you also to my two excellent ring stewards Janice Johnson and Marina Fleming and to the Collecting Ring Stewards Judy Carr and Judith Fawcett, all four of whose efforts throughout the day kept everything running smoothly so we finished in good time. Many thanks to the exhibitors for bringing their dogs to show to me and for the friendly atmosphere I encountered throughout the day. Win or lose, you always take the best dog home, as they say.
I found the quality excellent throughout, with many classes where I was really spoilt for choice. All males were entire and most of the entry had good scissor bites, with only one or two in Veteran being not so “precise”, shall we say. Some of the dogs were a little difficult to span and so paid the price, but on a whole, most were spannable and had good rib shapes. The standard does not ask for a flat rib – I do love to see a good rib shape when viewed from above, with enough capacity for heart and lungs to do their jobs. It is important to the breed’s job of work that they are spannable and have ribs carried well back. Movement is also important as it plays a major part in making them fit for function. An otter-like head takes them apart from a generic terrier and makes them the breed we love to own.
When the line ups came into the ring, particularly my bitch line up, I was very pleased to see them all and happy that we have such good examples of the breed.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Cascabel
National Terrier Club
4th Apr 2026
Judge: Mr Matt Smith (Alncroft)
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlemead Cascabel
Southampton and DCS Open Show
6th Apr 2026
Judge: Mr R Chaffe (Rougeau)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Thistlemead Cascabel
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Cascabel
