Show Placings
Bath Championship Show
25th May 2012
Judge: Mrs Diane Rayner (Stoneygin)
It was a real privilege to be asked to judge this show. I had a very good entry which pleased me and hope I did it justice. The dogs were generally in good fit condition, came across a few that were too thin, you can’t expect a young active dog to gain good muscle tone if you don’t feed them enough. They must feel miserable kept in that condition, constantly hungry. It was a very hot day, but we tried to keep them in the shade as long as possible but a few were showing signs of the heat. There were a few that looked rather scruffy with long nails and looked as if they had forgotten to take off their carpet slippers. But most were a pleasure to go over.
I was very pleased with my winners.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Good movement for one so young, he strode out very soundly with a lovely outline .Correct scissor bite.Good reach of neck. Neat feet. Level top line and tail set. Good coat and pelt ,pleased to award him the class and BPD.
Southern Counties Championship Show
2nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Geoff Corish
A lovely entry. I thoroughly enjoyed judging the breed again & was able to find some lovely Borders. It was a great pleasure to watch my BOB go G4 as well.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
very nice puppy, very good outline, good neck & shoulders, excellent topline & tailset, really nice in head & expression, well ribbed which is where he scored over 2. BP
Three Counties Championship Show
10th Jun 2012
Judge: Mrs P McLellan
I enjoyed my day very much and must thank the exhibitors for an excellent entry. I was pleased with my principle winners. Some dogs were penalised today for lack of coat. I know coats will grow but at this level of showing dogs really need to be in good coat and in good coat condition. Movement in some exhibits left a lot to be desired.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Grizzle dog in good coat order. Pleasing head with well shaped eyes. Good Mouth. Moved well on neat small feet.
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
21st Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Bill Gray (Pontbeck)
I would first like to thank the Club for the invitation to judge one of the most prestigious shows in the calendar. I have looked forward to the appointment for several years and I must say I was not disappointed with my day. The entry was full of quality, especially in the bitch classes, with the open bitch class being the best class I have ever judged.
I have been concerned, over the past few years, on how the breed would develop after the fox hunting ban. If todays entry is typical of the breed as a whole, I can only say it is in safe hands. Movement is still a problem but a much smaller problem than the last time I judged. The number of exhibits with short carrot tails pleased me greatly and the majority of the entry had good double coats, some exceptional and thick pelts. There were a few exhibits with level bites and one with a crowded mouth. One exhibit had a kinked tail.
The show was very quiet with little noise from the exhibits, well done everyone, terriers need a bit of spark but should not show aggression to each other and the temperaments here today were to be commended to the dog`s owners.
I didn’t have any under fed dogs showing all had a good covering of flesh but there were a number of poor, soft muscled dogs which needed more exercise.` The ability to follow a horse` is there in the breed standard, get the dogs out and get them fit.
I thank my stewards for their unobtrusive efficiency and attentiveness which made the day run smoothly.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Another good pup with everything in the right place. The super condition of 1st giving him the edge.
Blackpool Championship Show
22nd Jun 2012
Judge: Mr Dan Ericsson (Sweden)
Movement was difficult to assess under these circumstances, but most dogs seemed to cope remarkably well despite knee high mud & a water logged ring – living proof of the hardiness of the breed!
Despite the appalling weather I enjoyed my day with the Borders very much & was impressed with the overall quality of the dogs & the keen sportsmanship of the exhibitors.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Windsor Championship Show
1st Jul 2012
Judge: Mr K Holmes
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
BP Dog, 9 mths old, confident and sound, well presented, in good coat, good outline, head and balance, moved well, good topline and tailset, a nice puppy with all the essentials.
Welsh Kennel Club
18th Aug 2012
Judge: Mr Jack Watson
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
sound moving with a good head, neck & shoulders, firm topline, easy to span, nice bend of stifle
City of Birmingham
1st Sep 2012
Judge: Mrs Marion Reeves (Baywillow)
Thank you for the lovely entry.
The breed standard describes the body as ‘deep, narrow and fairly long’. Just how long may well be debatable as no proportions are suggested. However the standard surely infers that a Border should be longer than square. The standard also describes the border as ‘essentially a working terrier’. A working terrier needs sufficient length and flexibility to enable it to turn underground. It is difficult to imagine a square terrier achieving this easily. I think the above is not generally appreciated by all rounders.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Richmond Championship Show
5th Sep 2012
Judge: Miss Diane Swales (Grabbist)
My thanks to Richmond Dog Show Society for the opportunity to judge at this prestigious show, where I awarded CCs for the first time many years ago. Thank you to my two excellent stewards who kept the ring running so smoothly. In general, mouths were good and there was only one kinked tail. I was disappointed to find how many Borders have been bred with thin, tight pelts & there were too many upright shoulders resulting in stilted movement. I was really pleased to find that more dogs were shown free standing & on a loose lead.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
very like 1 who I find is a litter mate. Just not quite so strong in movement
Darlington Championship Show
14th Sep 2012
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
Thank you to the committee of Darlington Dog Show society for inviting me to judge, with special thanks to my sole steward who worked tirelessly throughout the day to keep both me organised and the ring running smoothly. My appreciation also to the exhibitors for their good entry despite having to face the often long and tiring journey home on a Friday afternoon. Thankfully the weather remained dry for my judging however with a constant strong wind blowing this proved testing for exhibitors handling dogs in full coat.
The ring was large with lots of room for the dogs to move, although the grass could have been cut much shorter. In general all exhibits were in reasonable condition, but as always I was surprised to find 3 dogs with incorrect bites being shown at this level. A working terrier should have coat on the undersides but I was surprised to find some with bellies that had obviously been trimmed/shaved to enhance their underlines. No problem temperaments.
Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Dark g/tan almost a year old. I liked this dog for his useful size. He has a short strong muzzle with large teeth, well placed ears, straight front and neat feet. In prime condition , evident in his hindquarters and firm second thigh which he used to move well both coming and going. Excelled in coat and pelt being tight ,harsh and pliable with thick undercoat.
Driffield Championship Show
22nd Sep 2012
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Nice headed male, good neck and shoulders, in excellent coat, shorter in rib than first.
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2012
Judge: Mr David Fryer (Irton)
Not a numerically strong entry, but plenty of quality – I had no difficulty finding enough good ‘uns. The Border Terrier standard is short on detail, and needs interpretation. I see the key to that interpretation to be in the first two lines of the standard – ‘Essentially a working terrier‘, and ‘capable of following a horse, combining activity with gameness‘. It is further necessary to fully understand that the work the terrier is expected to do, is to go to ground to bolt a fox; that the horse in question is typically a sturdy hill pony, and the ground to follow it over is typically rough, upland country such as the Cheviots or North Pennines. Hence a sturdy dog is required, with enough scope and length to move economically on rough ground, enough lung and heart room to do it at speed all day, yet small enough to follow a fox to ground. Too short, or too narrow or sprung in the rib will not do this; nor will steep shoulders or under- or over-angulated hind quarters. Coat and pelt must be fit to protect from both weather and fox; quality is of more importance than grooming. Other than one senior citizen with missing teeth (understandable), a few exhibits with chipped teeth (no problem) and several with bites no better than level (not incorrect, merely undesirable), I found no bad mouths. All males were entire.
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
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.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
a close decision between 1 and 2. This grizzle dog had a good head, excellent coat and pelt, well set ears, moved well holding its topline on the move, at the final lineup stood back on its pasterns.
Hinckley & District Canine Society Open Show
24th Feb 2013
Judge: Mrs Ann Maltby (Pherjan)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Grizzle dog shown in harsh coat with a loose pliable pelt. Straight front with ample bone and standing on neat tight feet. Correct scissor bite, broad skull and dark eye. Very attentive to handler on the move, but moved true both coming and going driving from strong hindquarters. RBOB
Crufts
7th Mar 2013
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
I was indeed a great pleasure to judge at Crufts, in fact I loved every minute of it, and it really completed the Crufts experience for me having won the Dog CC and Best of Breed a couple of times, a bitch CC and Best Puppy there as an exhibitor in the past. I must thank all the exhibitors for their tremendous support with a record entry of 274 dogs making 307 entries, it was truly an international occasion as Crufts seems to be these days, with dogs and handlers representing I think, ten countries giving me a really good sample of winning dogs from around the world.
You often read in critiques that judges say they didn't have enough cards to go round, and with the class sizes I had, this was certainly the case, and the only downside of the day for me was that some very tough descisions had to be made with many, many really good dogs leaving the ring without a card. Overall it was an interesting entry with a large variety of sizes and types, but then the standard allows for that as we have quite a wide weight range, no height reference and only the fact that they should be spannable to guide us.I never get too hung up on differing types or kennel types,as I can appreciate them all, providing they fit the standard.
When judging I am looking for a dog fit for function, well constructed, not exagerrated in any way, fits the breed standard, and is capable of doing the job it was originally bred for.I was very pleased with my winners, my Best of Breed winner had it all, well constructed, in fabulous hard, fit condition, moved as though he could follow a horse all day and had a wonderful attitude in the show ring.
I was thrilled to see him put in a faultless performance in the Group ring and winTerrier Group 4. My thanks go to Frank and Roger my very capable stewards who kept everything running smoothly, enabling me to get through the large entry in good time.
Special Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Really liked this young grizzle & tan for overall type, Pleasing head with good teeth, lovely size, easily spanned and very good in rib, neat front assembly with super neat feet, firm pastens and correct bone. Beautifully shown and turned out in super coat and pelt. Moved well fore and aft.
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.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
good head with correct bite and nice dark points, clean shoulders and strong loin, well set tail, covered the ground with ease.
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.
Yearling - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Overall a nice type, strong head and good expression, ears a little heavy but strong muzzle and big teeth, good topline with a good rib, tail well set on, moved round well.
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2013
Judge: Mrs Karen Dean (Tyrian)
I would first like to thank the society for inviting me to judge at this level for the first time, and my stewards for keeping me on track. Special thanks to the Border Terrier Club of Victoria, Australia and their secretary Denise Worthington for presenting a special sash to the Best of Breed winner providing a welcome highlight at the end of judging.
Yearling - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Litter brother to 1 and very close up. Good head, straight front with good bone. Well laid back shoulders and harsh dense coat. Well set on thick carrot tail. Moved soundly. Won over 3 on strength of hindquarters.
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.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
(G/Tan) This dog has a good head and expression, harsh coat and thick pelt, neat ears, spanned easily, enough bone, good tight feet and thick pads and in hard working condition as you always get from this small kennel. Moved well, holding his topline while on the go.
West Midland Terrier Society
7th Dec 2013
Judge: Joyce Martin (Merumhor)
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
This grizzle dog has a cracking head, strong muzzle and neat ears. He has an excellent tight jacket, plenty of loose pelt and a nice carrot tail and good feet. Was unsettled on the move.
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.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
Placing Critique
Very similar in type to 1 with good head, good front, excelled in movement on good tight feet, in excellent coat, could swap places on another day.
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.
Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Daluce Fight Or Fall For Emblehope
