Show Placings
Birtley and District CS Open Show
1st Apr 2018
Judge: Tracey Anscombe (Orangebox)
Thank you to the committee and Secretary for the invitation to judge at your show, the hospitality was second to none. Thanks to the NBTC for sponsoring the class, my steward Dave and all the exhibitors for bringing your dogs under me.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Just 7 months old blue and tan bitch. Still very much a baby with everything developing. She had a pretty head with correct bite and dark eye. In good harsh coat. She couldn’t match the puppy dog for maturity in movement for BPIB but had a lot to like about and I will watch her progress with interest.
National Terrier Club
7th Apr 2018
Judge: Mr. W. R. Irving
Thanks to the exhibitors for the entry of 160 from 157 dogs.
There were some very strong classes and interestingly the biggest class was Limit Dog with seventeen entries. My biggest worry about the overall entry was that there seemed be some very large exhibits which were well over the standard size. Even in bitches there were a good number that were too big and in dogs some were enormous. And it was not so much that they were too leggy - rather that so many were far from being able to be spanned. I think we really ought to try to do something about that.
Heads were by and large good but there were quite a few with big ears. Coats of course were variable and I only found one really bad mouth and one kinked tail.
Movement left a bit to be desired especially in front but I was disappointed also that so many were not moving well behind either.
My thanks to my two very efficient stewards which enabled us to finish by around 1 p.m. and to the exhibitors most of whom seemed to take my decisions in the sporting way befitting the breed
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Class Critique
The first two here were close up and of similar size, maturity and proportions.
Novice - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
The East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
8th Apr 2018
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
With apologies for the delay in submitting this critique.
My sincere thanks to the officers and committee of East Anglia Border Terrier Club for offering me this appointment.
Huge thanks to my sole steward Rob Brewster who efficiently organised the ring and exhibits all day despite being in poor health and needing constant medication throughout the day. Most of all my appreciation to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to assess your dogs.
With the ever rising cost of suitable venues, it was necessary to move this show from the much appreciated previous Burgess Hall at St Ives to a new Leisure Centre at Littleport. On the day the huge venue was shared with a large number of indoor bowls enthusiasts which meant there was a longish walk from the large car park to our hall. The hall itself was large enough but dog cages all around the hall gave rise to lots of noise and distraction from barking dogs which was very evident when listening to my dictaphone. At lunchtime, with lots of people all trying to use the cafe/restaurant at the same time, this caused long queues and even longer waiting times for food and drinks to arrive, which in turn meant the lunch break overran.
I had the honour of judging the first border terrier club show to schedule Champion dog and bitch classes.
Prior to the show I was undecided about such classes but having here seen the smallish entries for both Open and Champions on reflection I see little point or need for them.
As always coats were at various stages but the exhibits were with a few exceptions in good condition. All males were entire. Bites were better than at previous appointments and I only found a few with misplaced teeth, however the size of teeth varies considerably. Although not a fault, I noticed a few liver noses. Several exhibits could benefit from attention to feet to produce the small feet as required. Movement in general was better at the rear than in front with too many swinging fronts, moving wide or toeing in.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
At 7 months this b/tan bitch is a size larger than 1 & 2 and does not have their level topline. She looks very good at the front with a dark eye and a decent head, good neck and feet. Body is OK but rather lacking in angulation at the rear with a longish thin tail
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
14th Apr 2018
Judge: Ms Judith Fawcett (Carrock)
I would firstly like to thank the Northern Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their show and for their lovely hospitality – lunch was very tasty. Thank you also to the committee for their lovely gift. My two stewards, Graham Richardson and Geoff Sugars, kept things moving along nicely – well done. This was my first breed club show and I was absolutely delighted with the excellent entry – thank you to everyone for giving me the opportunity of going over your dogs. As expected coats were at various stages but on the whole were good; only a couple of exhibits on the day had no coat at all. All dogs were entire and there were no kinked tails. There were one or two missing or broken teeth, especially in the veteran class and one or two untidy mouths. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was delighted with my main winners - I had some really good quality dogs to judge.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Maiden - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Group Open Show
22nd Apr 2018
Judge: Mr C Dixon (Thornheswin) D, Mr P Brannan (Brankell) B
I would like to thank the offices and committee for their invitation to judge their well organised terrier group open show, Thanks also to the two stewards for their help in making it all run smoothly. Finally a big thankyou to all the exhibitors for entering their dogs under me, giving me a nice entry. Mr P Brannan (Brankell)
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
West of England Ladies' Kennel Society
28th Apr 2018
Judge: Miss Anita Harrison (Iacheslei)
Many thanks to the society for inviting me to judge and to the exhibitors for a lovely entry of 117 making 151. My very efficient stewards did a marvelous job and kept the ring running well throughout the day. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was pleased that exhibitors accepted my decisions in a sporting manner. There was a good atmosphere around the ring and all exhibits displayed good temperaments. I was disappointed to see so many large oversized dogs (and bitches) which were not able to be spanned. Movement was also a concern, I was forgiving of loose front movement in some of the youngsters, but both front and rear movement in some of the adult exhibits was poor. Many exhibits had large ears, low tail sets or short round ribs which had to be penalized. I was pleased with my main winners and delighted to see my Best of Breed shortlisted in the group and the Best Special Beginner placed 2nd in the SB group.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
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.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Moved well. Nice thick pelt and harsh coat, but would like more ticking. Good bend of stiffle. Nice length of neck and carroty tail. Neat feet on thick pads.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
12th May 2018
Judge: Mrs. Carolyn Richardson (Staynorwood)
Many thanks to the Officers and Committee of the YLBTC for their kind invitation to judge their Open Show and the exhibitors for the sporting way they accepted my decisions. Thank you also to my Ring Stewards Ian Hopper and Bridget Singh. I was very pleased with my winners on the day.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Nice baby with correct head and earset. Harsh double jacket. Moved well for a youngster.
The Scottish Kennel Club
18th May 2018
Judge: Mr Brian Aubrey (Jenabeck)
Firstly thank you all for such a nice entry, Secondly thank you to a great steward who single handily run the ring for me. There who some very nice border on view all mouths were good,
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
res in MP stood alone in this class a puppy that needs to improve, she as the makings of a nice bitch but today her coat was very soft and not well prepared but when she has all this she as the makings of a nice one
Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Premier Open Show
19th May 2018
Judge: Tracey Anscombe (Orangebox)
Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge at the Premier Open Show held in conjunction with the Spring Festival, which is a lovely Agricultural show full of lovely local produce. Thanks also to my steward Michael for keeping the ring all in order. Thank you to all the exhibitors that entered, unfortunately there were a number of absentees due to the Championship show the day before and of course the Royal Wedding or maybe the FA cup final! All dogs were entire and they could all be spanned.
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
I have judged before as a raw puppy, now almost nine months old and she is maturing well showing the promise she had when I first saw her. Blue and tan in good thick harsh dense jacket with plenty of pelt. Pretty head still developing, small ears and good scissor bite. She moved with confidence around the ring covering the ground well. I will continue to watch her progress with interest.
Southern Counties Canine Association
2nd Jun 2018
Judge: Mr Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
Thanks to the exhibitors for an excellent entry. Quality was present in many classes especially both open classes and minor puppy dog. My thanks for a job well done go to those excellent stewards Janet and Maureen, who made my job so much easier.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Blue and tan, good in outline, good length of back and tail set, easily spanned.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Shiow
3rd Jun 2018
Judge: Mrs J Lilley (Kensing)
What a privilege it was to judge Border Terriers actually at their home in the Borders! Thank you to all exhibitors for such a flattering entry of charming dogs and thank you to all the committee and officers for your welcome, hospitality and generosity. complete with a delicious lunch. Certainly it was one of the best halls that could be imagined for a breed open show with the option to judge outside had the weather been better. I was most impressed with the hard condition of the vast majority of the entry and particularly with the thickness of pelts and short thick carrot tails. There seemed to be a sporting friendly atmosphere throughout to give me such a memorable happy day. I must just add an extra thank you to my helpful steward, Katie Hamilton, and to Margaret Boulcott, for whose great kindness, hospitality and long distance driving skills I was so grateful.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Blue & tan with good head and a charming expression, in harsh coat with a well shaped short thick tail. Good topline, happy and enthusiastic on the move, she went very accurately if a little overkeen on her tailcarriage at times.
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
The Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Jun 2018
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
It is always a particular honour to judge a Breed Club Championship Show and my thanks go to the committee for their hospitality and my stewards who kept things running smoothly. I found only two poor mouths but more had wrong, thin skins and some needed to go home for a good feed. A working terrier needs to be correctly muscled and too many needed nourishment and exercise. The biggest problem, however, remains poor front movement showing both incorrect shoulders and, for some, over angulation in the hindquarters.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Another of good size and with a keen expression. Moved Ok but not the harshness of coat of the others.
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2018
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of the Border Union Agricultural Society for inviting me to judge today. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me, by far, the biggest Terrier entry of the day. A big thank you to my two stewards, Nev and Liz Holmes-Leak, who kept things running smoothly and efficiently thus ensuring that we finished in time for my BOB to make the Group.
Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, and in some cases this was the deciding factor. Some exhibits were too fine in bone, particularly in the earlier classes. Some heads had ears set too high, some had deep stops with muzzles that were too short which gives a foreign expression. There were more than a few exhibits which would have benefited from having their feet tidied and nails cut. Soundness of movement in some dogs gave cause for concern. If a Border is to be fit for the function it was intended, it needs to be sound on the move. I found varying degrees of unsoundness in front movement from toeing in, crossing in front to paddling and out at the elbows. Hind movement in some exhibits was also less than desirable with hocks too close together when going away, cow hocks, lack of drive from hindquarters and, in some cases, lack of muscle tone. All of which would not allow a Border to be ‘capable of following a horse’ over rugged terrain. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners. I was also pleased to see my BOB shortlisted in the group.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Good sized, o.k in head, good length of neck, narrow body of good length, well set on tail, easy span, good bend of stifle, harsh coat, moved well.
Blackpool & District Canine Society
22nd Jun 2018
Judge: Mr Karl-Erik Johansson
I was most happy with such a good entry on this my first CC-appointment having had close contact with breed since the early 70s.
Overall size was excellent as was temperament. I was able to span almost everyone although I had hoped for more typical otter-heads. There were some long and narrow muzzles. Bites were excellent and Pelts mostly good for the season.
Conformation and movement coming and going was very good. Maybe I am a bit more concerned about side movement as some who was excellent standing lost the topline on the move.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Ex type. Good head, dark eyes. Good proportions.
East of England Agricultural Society
6th Jul 2018
Judge: Mr Bob Wright (Totherend)
Many thanks to the East of England Agricultural Society for the opportunity to judge my fist Championship Show and to the excellent stewards who nursed me through with efficiency and humour. I was humbled by the size of entry and the willingness of the exhibitors to travel the length and breadth of the country despite the intense heat from which we tried to protect the dogs as much as possible.
I was particularly impressed by the quality of the open classes which were peppered with exhibits worthy of a ticket but unfortunately they only gave me two. A large number of exhibits were up to size and only just spannable but thankfully many of them were also narrow. I found one kinked tail, several borderline mouths and many promising exhibits that disappointed in the width or movement of their fronts. There was also a dearth of muscle particularly on the upper thighs but there were plenty of loose thick pelts and harsh coats. I was delighted not only with my winners but many of those who came close but regretfully had to leave empty handed despite being worthy of more.
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2018
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
Thoroughly enjoyed my day with the NBTC. My thanks to the Committee for the appointment and the exhibitors for their entry of Borders. I was well looked after all day and I would like to express my gratitude to my Stewards who did an excellent job by keeping focused on their task throughout the day. I was extremely pleased with the overall quality of the dogs across both sexes. For those who left without prize cards do not be too disappointed, I saw only one undershot jaw and no dog was out of place in the show ring. My top winners were all outstanding dogs and there were several others who deserve that label who were placed but did not reach the final accounting. Overall heads are very good but let’s be careful not to breed for too much strength in skull. Ensure we balance what we have with equal strength in muzzle and under-jaw and please lots more beautiful large white teeth. Most dogs had the correct outline, with many good top-lines and neat tails. Coats and pelts were generally very good and do not be afraid to show a Border in that rich, thick ,harsh, double coat they are well known for. Generally conformation was correct, with shoulders and stifles showing acceptable angulation. The straight stifle is quite rare, but equally let’s not over do the angulation of the hind limb as that produces weakness. Short hocks go best with correct stifles. Dogs with a length of leg, drive from hindquarters, tight feet and good ribbing did well today provided they had the typical Border Terrier characteristics we all look for. A few dogs are getting a little long in body for a variety of reasons. Some have their shoulder set forwards on the chest, some lack the well ribbed-back conformation and so appear to have long couplings and some have shorter legs than they ideally need. Much of this was marginal today but they are all points to remember as the breed moves forward. I was pleased with the CC line ups and excited by the quality in some of the youngsters coming through. It would have been nice to reward some of these emerging future champions with higher honours but the quality at the top was too much for relatively immature dogs.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
10mo B&Tan with strong head and good reach of neck. Nicely made, coat not at its best. Hopefully maturity will yield a little more bone.
Cheviot and Berwick Canine Society Open Show
21st Jul 2018
Judge: Mr Craig Richardson
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Sunderland &
22nd Jul 2018
Judge: Mrs Julie North (Northborders)
I would like to thank the society for inviting me to judge the Border Terriers and for the very nice hospitality we received (very nice lunch ), I thoroughly enjoyed my appointment in this venue which was well laid out and a nice sized ring
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
10mth B/T Bitch , a lovely size with a nice feminine typical head , moderate neck into nicely laid back shoulders, easily spanned although rounder in rib than I would like , her tail is set a little low which slightly spoils her top line , a good pelt and today very little coat but what was there was of good texture , moved out steadily for her handler BP PUPPY GROUP 2
Leeds Championship Dog Show
29th Jul 2018
Judge: Mr Brian Baxter (Beenaben)
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Paignton
4th Aug 2018
Judge: Professor A S Milton
I suspect I shall retire from judging now. I certainly have no intention, when it comes into effect, of paying the Kennel Club to get on their judging lists. I have always assumed, though I may be wrong, that I have been invited to judge because people wanted me to. I have no intention of 'prostituting’ my art by paying money for the privilege. If I may reminisce, I have never sought a judging appointment, indeed in the beginning I had never even thought about judging. Then one day a letter arrived from the secretary of a large open show in Scotland. Would I judge the terrier breeds and the terrier group at their next open show? I have, to this day, no idea who suggested my name. I had never judged before, not even a match or a limited show, I was on no judging list, they didn’t exist in those days, I had never stewarded, and have never done so to this day, I have to this day never attended any hands on or assessment seminar. After my first appointment invitations came at fairly frequent intervals, including two breed clubs, and eventually I received an invitation to judge at a Championship show. However, when I replied, with my judging cv, the committee told me that they couldn't continue with my appointment, as the Kennel Club would not accept the nomination owing to the 'parochial' range of my judging, which had, with one exception, all been in Scotland. Notwithstanding that for example two of the shows had been over 200 miles apart, and from my home to the breed club show in England over 500 miles. Peter Thompson (Thoraldby) and Sybil Churchill came to my rescue and I found myself judging at LKA.
A few thoughts on Border Terriers. Size has always been a problem, right from the beginning of the breed, with there being far too many large dogs, outside the weight standard, and the numbers seem to be getting larger (forgive the pun). I blame the breeders for this. In one class at Paignton, there was only one dog, which I could span. Movement is another problem; the trend at the moment seems to be very narrow hindquarters, with the feet nearly touching. In 1991, I made a video of Crufts with the late R.A. Williams judging. Almost without exception all the dogs are in full coat. (A few years ago there was a pirated video made of this tape). In the book 'About the Border Terrier', Walter Gardner says 'It is difficult to judge Border coats today because so often the dogs are stripped, well nigh skinned'. Two personal gripes, Border should be walked on a loose lead, not strung up, and should stand naturally, I do particularly dislike those exhibitors who are continually fussing with their dogs, moving a foot a cm here, a cm there and the like.
I should like to thank the committee of the Paignton show for inviting me to judge. They were all very helpful, and also the vets at the show who kindly looked after my young puppy which I had, perforce, to bring with me, whilst I was judging.
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Welsh Kennel Club
18th Aug 2018
Judge: Mr. David Maggs (Chrydas)
I would like to thank The Welsh Kennel Club for inviting me to judge Borders at their show when the original judge Mr Bill Brown-Cole dropped out through illness, it is 13 years since I judged this show last and I must say that I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. The quality throughout was excellent, I found no bad mouths , movement was fine except for a few who were a little bit loose in front, but coats were very varied.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
12 month old blue and tan, again a pleasing feminine head and strong correct teeth , well laid back ribs , well bent stifle , coat and pelt ok, moved well, preffered the overall quality of 1.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
The Scottish Kennel Club
25th Aug 2018
Judge: Mr. Ian Higham (Comberdown)
What a privilege it was to judge my breed again at the Scottish Kennel Club. I am very grateful for the invite.
I would really like to thank all of those who exhibited their dogs under me and for putting trust in my opinion and my integrity. I would also like to thank my very capable stewards Kate Scott and Lindsay O’Neill, who were very confident, efficient and jovial on the day.
My general findings were that the breed is showing a good in-depth quality. Movement is still a bit erratic here and there as one would expect, but I saw plenty of good borders on the day. However, I did notice that thickness of skin was not as evident as in the past and I honestly only found a few really good thick pelts. I found one dog had a very slight deformity near the very end of its tail. I had one or two level bites and one that obviously had recently had a tooth come out and its owner, very honestly, informed me of what had happened. None of these dogs were penalised in any way re mouths. Some exhibits were tallish but spannable, however, there were some that were two heavy in chest and had a rounder shape rib rather than the correct ‘v’ or heart shape.
As usual I was looking for borders that fulfilled the type points as laid out in our standard, combined with correct physical construction to be able to cover the ground well as they would have had to when our standard was written all those years ago.
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Wolsingham & Wear Valley Open Show
2nd Sep 2018
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
Many thanks to the officers and committee of Wolsingham & Wear Valley open show for the invite to judge on the day and also the exhibitors that supported my super entry on the day. This is a lovely well organised show and supported tremendously by the local community. Also delighted to see my BOB go Terrier Group 1 and not to be outdone by the Best Puppy also following suit and taking Puppy Group 1 – well done.
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Blue & Tan bitch, up to size and heavier in the shoulder/chest than my winner, nice head and expression, slightly low tail set when on the move.
Darlington Championship Show
14th Sep 2018
Judge: Mr Chris Wallace (Hobholt)
My thanks to Darlington Dog Show Society for the opportunity to judge my first Championship Show and to the exhibitors for bringing your Borders’. My stewards John and Carol were very helpful and kept the ring well organised. Despite feeling somewhat nervous before judging started I thoroughly enjoyed the day and thank the exhibitors for accepting my decisions.
Our standard mentions moderate 4 times in its current form, it also provides guidance on size (weight) and body (spanning). I mention these points as there were a surprising number of Borders’ that were impossible to span, were too deep in chest, big, heavy and exaggerated in a number of areas. Movement became a key criteria when placing my Borders along with being moderate and not exaggerated. A lot of Borders were “Knitting” in front movement or flicking their wrists outwards, probably best described as erratic compared to the Borders that moved well. Mouths were good overall, one chipped tooth which was of no consequence. Coats and pelts were excellent overall, and the dogs were complete.
Overall, we have a number of promising youngsters coming through and it’s unfortunate judges only have two “tickets” to hand out.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Driffield Championship Show
22nd Sep 2018
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Selkirk & DCS Open Show
30th Sep 2018
Judge:
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
Nice head, dark eye, good pelt, nice lay of shoulder and spannable, not as confident as one, moved ok
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
7th Oct 2018
Judge: Gemma Vaughan nee Alpe (Holteal)
My thanks goes to Northern border terrier club firstly for the invite to judge, its was a great honour to judge in a geographically different area to myself. Thank you to all who had entered and all that showed under me.
The hospitality at the show was second to none with a fantastic lunch on offer.
Thank you to my steward Allen Horner on the day who helped run my ring very smoothly.
I was overall very pleased with the quality of dogs that were shown under me just one dog with a bad mouth and another dog with a kinked tail. Varying stages of coats today but I will not place down if I can see what I'm looking for coming through.
Again thank you for your entries and allowing me to judge your dogs.
Novice - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Houghton-le-Spring Open Show
21st Oct 2018
Judge: Miss Bridget Singh (Borderbridge)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
10th Nov 2018
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
My sincere thanks to the Scottish Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their Championship show, one of my favourites. Also my thanks to the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege to judge their dogs.
My main concern is size and weight, it really does matter, there were a number of exhibits that were too heavy/big, and at the other end of the spectrum, not enough muscle/bone/condition, which is essential for a working dog. However, I was very happy with the main winners, and both line ups.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
B/t typical head/expression, good body length, needed more jacket, tailset slightly low, moved steadily.
Sunderland and District CS Open Show.
25th Nov 2018
Judge: Mrs K. Lothian (Lairehope)
I really enjoyed judging the Border Terrier classes at the Sunderland & District Canine Society Open Show, at The Temple Park Leisure Centre, South Shields, on 25 November 2018. I would like to thank Marie & the Committee for the superb hospitality and Bill Howe for the top quality food. Thank you also to Marcia, my efficient Steward. The Centre provided a pleasant atmosphere for the day.
I was delighted with the number of Border Terriers entered, away above the entry for other Terriers. It was a pleasure to judge in a ring of racy, showy, high quality Border Terriers – with the youngsters having a developed ring-craft for their age.. Predominant in the classes were Border Terriers with strong otter-heads for both male & female, with good dentition and harsh coats.
It is always satisfying for my winners to go on to succeed in the Group classes. Delighted, therefore, that my Best of Breed ~ Pollit's Brackenfell Rock the Boat for Vandamere, went on to win: Group 3 ~ Terrier Group, and that my Best Puppy in Breed ~ Golding's Valicetarn Blue Cosmos went on to win: Group 2 ~ Puppy Group - both groups judged by Jane Maxwell.
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
Placing Critique
A nice 15-month old blue & tan bitch – Lovely broad skull with keen expression. Great, narrow frame and super coat. Moved confidently and showed herself well.
Newton Aycliffe and District Canine Society Open Show
27th Jan 2019
Judge: Mr Eddie Webster (Benjcroft)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Esyntona Codeword Vandamere
