Show Placings
Yorks, Lancs and Cheshire BTC Open Show
13th Feb 2010
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the officers and committee for giving me the opportunity to judge this show and for their warm welcome. The relaxed atmosphere throughout the day allowed me to enjoy going over the exhibits which varied significantly in type and size.
A few dogs I couldn?t span and a few were carrying a little excess weight which may be due to the time of year but is still preferable to handling a featherweight.
I was pleased to see some quality carrot tails. Coats were at all stages, but it was a joy to go over those with the harsh, dense jackets true to type.
I was pleased with all the class winners and the final line up in particular.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Midland BTC Open Show
14th Feb 2010
Judge: Mrs D. Rayner (Stoneygin)
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
12th Jun 2010
Judge: Mr J Bainbridge (Risdene)
A pleasing entry of 231 dogs with 55 absent on the day made for a representative entry without the classes being over sized. Generally the classes produced good winners none of whom looked out of place in the final line-ups. All were spannable and generally those in the cards were correct in this respect. Most exhibitors probably know by now what I look for in a typical Border Terrier and this was generally evident in today's entry.
Dog CC and BIS Hobholt Harrier JW (Mrs M A Wallace) such a lithe, mature 4 year old grizzle dog of impressive outline in super double coat and thick pelt, well presented, has a correctly proportioned otter head with keen expression, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, straight narrow front, ribbed back body into racy rear quarters which he used to move out well with long loping stride that is so economical for a dog that could go all day and get anywhere when required.
Dog RCC Brumberhill Blue Tempest (Mr S A McPherson) super outline and so well made throughout, and well presented in good coat and moved out well to take this award, just loved him for type.
BCC and RBIS, Brumberhill Breeze (Mr S A McPherson) in full, double grizzle coat and well conditioned. She has a super well balanced head, keen expression, terrific outline with correct flowing topline and well carried back ribs, shows a good underline, this bitch won the CC after much deliberation as all 3 bitches under consideration met the standard well and were active in movement and would have been worthy CC winners but today maturity held sway.
RBCC Yeomeadow Heather for Tyrian (Mrs K Dean). A lovely B/T bitch who was on top form today and has an excellent otter head and expression which finally decided the RCC over the yearling bitch winner.
BP Cobstoneway River Magic (Miss C Spencer) a mature dog puppy, shown in good coat and condition, well made throughout with good otter head and body lines, moved so well with long free gait to clinch this award.
BV CH Gameway Kiwi JW (Mrs P Clark) who was not showing his years, well presented in good coat and looking his best and a worthy champion
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Midland BTC Championship Show
1st Aug 2010
Judge: Small & Baxter
I thoroughly enjoyed the day judged outside at Asfordby. The weatherman certainly smiles as all the Club’s Championship Shows to date have been blessed with clear sky’s. Thanks to the committee for the invite, to my two Stewards on the day, for the wonderful roast lamb lunch, but not least, to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity of assessing your Border Terriers. Thanks for coming. (Judge: Mr A Small)
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Southern Border Terrier Club Open Show with Critique
19th Sep 2010
Judge: Miss Gemma Alpe
Firstly I must thank SBTC for giving me the honour of judging my first Breed Club show. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and had some first class dogs to judge. I found no bad mouths and only one with a slightly suspect kink and movement on the whole was pretty good. The one thing that bothered me was that we seem to be losing our way a little with those lovely fronts that to me are a big part of our breed, and a number of dogs are toeing out both on the stand and on the move. I was pleased with my winners, they mostly fitted my interpretation of the breed standard, but I was delighted with my top winners, all of whom are a credit to the breed and I thank their owners for giving me the opportunity to judge them.
Junior - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Loved the head on this dog. Good front and bone. Movement ok but would improve with more confidence.
East Anglia BTC Open Show
14th Nov 2010
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston (Earthwise)
I greatly enjoyed judging this well-run show, held in such a pleasant venue. My thanks to the Club for their hospitality, to my efficient stewards Bev Jackson and Vicky Docwra, and most especially to the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of going over their dogs.
Overall, there were a good number of quality Borders present. Almost all were spannable, the only male not entire was a neuter, only 1 kinked tail and no severe mouth faults. I was concerned to find several younger exhibits with level bites. Although this is permissible, and therefore dogs were not penalised, I would be worried that some of these mouths will “go” at an early age. Another area of concern is front movement.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Grizzle with a lovely head and good bite. Good length of neck and a nice, narrow front. OK for coat and pelt and sound on the move. Longer cast dog.
Midland BTC Open Show
21st Nov 2010
Judge: Mrs K Newsome (Kighills)
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge, it was a great honour to be asked. I would like to say a big thank you to the exhibitors who gave me the opportunity to go over their dogs. I would also like to say many thanks to my stewards for the day Margaret Bailey and Chris Wallace, they were a big help to me and kept everything running smoothly throughout the day. I was told that for the November show that the entry was very good, having 120 entries and a total entry of 165 minus absentees.
The overall quality was good and I had some hard decisions. Temperaments were very good. I was pleased to see good mouths with correct bites and good large teeth, only a couple were found with poor teeth development and incorrect bites. My only criticism on the day would be that not enough attention is being paid to the dog's feet and nails. However, I really enjoyed my day and was very pleased with my winners.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Typical Otter head with correct bite and big teeth, good level top line and thick pelt and jacket, good angulation. Preferred movement of 1.
YL & C BTC Open Show
29th Jan 2011
Judge: Mr Alan Hedges (Ramblix)
This was a great day for me and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and my thanks go to all exhibitors. Also to the club for the invitation and my two super stewards.
I thought that some of the young ones had a bit too much stop, and like most other folks seem to think I thought front movement was an issue. As proper concerns, I thought one dog was painfully thin and one bitch was what I can only describe as stinking. Neither condition is good enough, for either the dogs or the owners
Limit - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Midland BTC Open Show
13th Feb 2011
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge their show, to the stewards Chris Wallace and Bob Wright for keeping the ring running smoothly and to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs.
I was pleased to find some well muscled dogs in good condition, coats were at varying stages, but the majority were thick and harsh, true to type. Temperaments were good.
I was very pleased with my winners and had a most enjoyable day.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
typical otter head with strong muzzle and big teeth, narrow throughout ,well ribbed, level topline, coat not at its best, moved well when settled.
Joint Border Terrier Clubs Championship Show
1st May 2011
Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling
My thanks to my two excellent stewards who kept exhibits moving along, making my task easier, and to the Yorks, Lancs and Cheshire Club for inviting me to judge.
Coats were generally very good with undercoats evident and few showed signs of scissoring and shaving. I was pleased that all the puppy dogs were of a sensible size for their ages and almost all exhibits were spannable; however, shoulder construction problems remain an issue, with short upper arms and poor shoulder angulation resulting in wide, or tied fronts, spoiling otherwise quality exhibits. I noticed that some were roaching over the loin, creating bouncing back ends on the move with the loss of level toplines, and many had a distinct lack of stifle bend, resulting in a lack of driving action on the move. Consider feet - a few needed claws trimming (or more road work).
Some heads were untypical and snipey; there were a number of suspect mouths and one undershot puppy, but I was impressed with the overall condition of the entry in general and the winners were a credit to their owner/breeders. The well filled Limit bitch class was outstanding and it was a pity not to have more awards to present. My thanks to everyone for accepting my decisions so sportingly and congratulations to the top winners, whose dogs were so deserving of their wins.
Here’s a plea - please use bait sparingly, and not while your dogs are on the judging table. It’s a pity that a number of exhibitors are slaves to baiting their dogs on the table, making the dogs move around and become unsteady, while making it difficult for judges to access mouths and assess facial features. Baiting also affects movement round the ring, with exhibits “crabbing”, watching for the treats.
Special Open Working Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Typical Oxcroft head on this red dog. Longer and deeper than the bitch and not so settled in the ring, he lacked coat and fell away at the croup slightly. However, he looked as though he could do a day’s work. Now, when opportunities to work Borders are so few and far between, it is gratifying to have two entered in a working class and those who care about the working heritage of this breed must have been delighted to see them here today.
Southern BTC Championship Show
11th Jun 2011
Judge: Mr Rainer Vuorinen (Finland)
It was a great honour and privilege to judge your wonderful breed. Thanks to all, the committee, my stewards and everybody who made my day so wonderful. Thanks to all the exhibitors for their excellent sporting attitude. The hospitality was outstanding and many thanks for the beautiful present. I have been thinking of the overall standard and I have to say your dogs represent a very high quality.
Special Garw Open Working Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Very nice head, little linger in loin, very good expression, well angulated, free movement.
Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Aug 2011
Judge: Mr D Maggs & Mr G. Pickering
Referee’s Report
I was asked to decide BIS between Bitch CC winner Guvercin’s Achnagairn Code Name Glebeheath JW ShCM, and Dog CC winner Bate’s Sweeping Foxtrot for Kgills (IMP SWE).
Two very typical quality borders with so much to like about them. Both had true otter-like heads, with decent strength of muzzle and good teeth. Both were eye-catching in overall outline, were well ribbed back, and had reasonably thick pelts with the correct double coat, although the bitch was carrying a slightly harsher topcoat today. Conversely, the dog scored in strength of loin. Whilst both had very good front and rear angulation which showed in their free movement, I thought the bitch edged it in terms of her superb overall bodylines and balance.
Terence Tuck – Referee
Dogs
I would like to thank the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to be the replacement judge on this occasion; it gave me the opportunity to go over some very fine dogs. All the exhibits were without exception fit and healthy, and I felt there was certainly a depth of quality running right through all the classes.
Mr David Maggs, Dog Judge.
Bitches
I was very honoured to be asked to judge the Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show, I have been looking forward to it for quite some time and I have to say the day didn’t disappoint. As usual the weather was good, the breeze keeping the temperature appropriate for the dogs and luckily the heavy rain stayed away until after judging had finished. I would like to thank the Committee for their hospitality, and also my two excellent stewards, Chris Wallace and Ray Henry for helping me to complete the task of judging the 112 bitches giving me an excellent entry of 128. The quality of the bitches was excellent, I was able to span all the exhibits and mouths were generally good. Rear movement seems to be improving and I was very impressed with the standard and presentation of the bitches on the day. This high standard of exhibits meant that some very nice bitches went away cardless on this occasion, particularly in the Junior, Post Graduate and Limit classes. I was very pleased with my line up. I believe it reflected what I aspire for the breed a good honest border in hard condition that meets the breed standard which is capable of doing what it was originally bred for? whether it works or not.
Mr Graham Pickering, Bitch Judge.
Special Open Working - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
red, another fine working dog from this very famous working kennel, good head with strong muzzle and large teeth, nice length neck, straight narrow front, good length body and strong loins, well bent stifle, lacking a little in coat but thick pelt, took a little time to settle down on the move.
Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Nov 2011
Judge: Mrs Anne Heathcote (Saxheath)
I thoroughly enjoyed my day and thank all the exhibitors for the lovely entry. The depth of quality was a pleasant surprise and it would seem that the breed is in good hands.
Limit - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Light grizzle with a lovely otter head one associates with this kennel. Racy body with a straight front and good rear angulation. Unfortunately short of coat on the day.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
28th Jan 2012
Judge: Mr E Castel (Flutorum)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for their kind invitation and the hospitality I received at their Open Show. This was a new venue for the Club and offers excellent facilities with a large spacious ring. Special thanks to my two stewards Anita Harrison and Brian Dickinson. Although not the largest of entries I was pleased with both my dog and bitch line up, I found the bitches to be of greater quality than the dogs, and was pleased that most exhibits were shown in good, well muscled condition. A final thank you to all the exhibitors for the opportunity to go over their dogs today.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
typical in head and expression on this 2 ½ yr old, has a straight front and nice bodylines. Moved okay when settled
Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
12th Feb 2012
Judge: Mrs P. Clark (Gameway)
I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge this show. I had a lovely day and a special thank you to all the exhibitors who braved the dreadful driving conditions.
Thank you for the lovely gift which I shall treasure and the very good lunch! A big thank you to Chris Wallace and Jem Thomas who were my very able stewards.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Strong head typical of this kennel. Straight front. Small tight feet. Narrow with good length of rib. Short of coat.
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Apr 2012
Judge: Mrs Su Williams (Hollybridge)
Thank you very much to the Officers and Committee of the Club for inviting me to judge today. Special Thank you must go to my two very able Stewards Bev & Simon Jackson for the smooth running of the ring.
I was impressed by the over all quality of the exhibits today; it was definitely a case of more winners than awards!
I was pleased to see overall that mouths were very good. There were a couple of minor incisor alignment issues but nothing to penalize. Thankfully tails are improving, in recent years the long thin sickle curled over tail became too regular a sight, Today they were far outnumbered by more typically carried tails. On a slightly negative note -cleanliness, a number of dogs were quite pungent and just because they are ‘Essentially a working terrier’ they don’t have to smell like they just came from a dig! Muscle tone was lacking in some fit looking Borders bringing the worry some might be fed for condition instead of exercised for it! Coats that transient problem, many sadly had to be marked down today due to lack of coat. While some evidence of texture was there in many cases. I had to place dogs without coat according to how they appeared on the day!
Special Working Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Smart red with no coat today. Super headed but he isn’t a happy shower and failed to stride out at all.
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
6th May 2012
Judge: Mr W Shorthose (Cundytyke)
Many thanks to the Committee of the Border Terrier Club, who were the hosts of this year’s Joint Border Terrier Club show, for inviting me to judge such a prestigious event. My thanks go, particularly, to my stewards, who kept things running smoothly and enabled me to get through a big entry in an unrushed way.
Overall, I felt the quality was reasonably high, with a lot to like. There were only a few which I felt could have done with a few square meals as they were a bit on the thin side. Exhibitors should know how to balance food intake with exercise to produce dogs in the correct condition. Lack of muscle on more was a greater problem. While the standard states ‘capable of following a horse’ many would have been tired following one round a stable yard let alone across country. This is evident when dogs are moved but not giving an active breed sufficient exercise also has an effect on their mental wellbeing.
There were a number of untypical heads. I wonder if some people don’t understand the proportions of an otter’s skull as some muzzles were lacking in breadth giving a ‘foxy’look, while other heads were too rounded giving the impression of a teddy bear. Mouths were not a big problem with only a couple incorrect and coats were also, generally, good. Most exhibits had an undercoat though there were quite a number which had thin skins. A good, thick, loose pelt is essential for a working terrier. Very few could not be spanned, so most would have been capable of getting to ground. A ‘one size fits all’ attitude does not really apply to working terriers as there are a variety of jobs and situations to be encountered but they do have to be able to get there in the first place.
I was very pleased with my top winners and extend my thanks to all the exhibitors.
Special Working Dog or Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Has a really good otter head, broad skull and strong muzzle with well set ears. Good length of neck and narrow front with well placed shoulder and good length to the ribcage. Moved positively. A bit short of coat today.
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.
Special Garw Open Working Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
A red male version of 1st. This kennel goes way back, producing a consistant type of border holding on to the true tradition of a working terrier, long may they continue.
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
5th Aug 2012
Judge: Nicholls & Dean
*Dog Critique*
An excellent entry at this my first club championship show. There were quality exhibits in all classes and overall, if this entry can be used as a yardstick, the dogs are now almost as good as the bitches, which couldn’t be said only a short while ago. This must bode well for the future of the breed.
I have been very critical of movement in the past, but I found a distinct improvement here and most of the class card winners had good parallel movement going away and back, and plenty of drive with economical front action. Coats were generally very good and heads were much improved with only a few weak snipey muzzles and apple skulls.
Many thanks to my hard working stewards, Sharon Pickering and Ray Bryan, who succeeded in keeping me out of trouble.
*Bitch Critique*
A very satisfying day, I had many good bitches to go over. My thanks to the MBTC for the invitation to judge and to the exhibitors for entering. All were capable of being spanned, there was a good number of typical jackets and overall quality was such that this was a factor in the placings. No bad mouths and many with good strong teeth. Construction has improved but be careful not to overdo the hind angulation and remember we look for narrow fronts. A few round ears and several larger than I prefer. Racy lines preferred but be careful as some lacked substance. I though the principal winners were all very good. BIS, RBIS and BOS were all worthy winners.
Special Working - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Very well constructed with excellent front, neck and shoulders, narrow all through, with excellent coat and pelt. Super head with flat skull and strong muzzle.
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.
Special Open Working Dog or Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
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.
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
2nd Aug 2015
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam & Mr Mick Rushby
*Dogs*
What a pleasure it was to be invited to judge the males at the Midland BTC Championship show on 2nd August 2015, and thanks to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry of males to go over. Thanks must also go to my stewards Chris Wallace and Margaret Davies who did a great job, making sure everything ran smoothly. It was interesting to be judging alongside my Co-judge Mick Rushby who I felt has similar views to how I interpret the Breed Standard and when it came to choosing Best of Breed, I appreciated the good qualities of his bitch CC winner and after a thorough deliberation we jointly decided that my Dog CC winner had the edge, and awarded him Best of Breed. Although I didn’t judge the bitches, from the ringside they did look a much more even entry than the males, which were quite mixed, but I was very happy with my main winners with several males who I felt were champion standard, my eventual CC winner stood away from the rest but I had a few contenders for the Reserve CC whom I really liked. No matter what time of year I judge there is always a percentage of exhibits out of coat, I am not normally too hung up on that, as coat is a transient thing and if there is evidence of a harsh coat and thick pelt, movement is good and the dog is well constructed I don’t penalize them too much, but when you get a dog before you with good construction, good movement and a fabulous coat, they really have the edge and stand out. Having said that and not wanting to sound as old as Methuselah, I really feel the correct Border coat is in decline, you rarely find the really good, harsh, dense wiry coats and pelts you did in the past, and is an important element to give the breed, type and is a requirement in the Breed Standard. The fashion for several years has been to show dogs with little coat, with all the undercoat scraped out to reveal a sleek outline. Thankfully not all exhibitors do this, and it was good to see some with decent coats, but judging by some of the poor toplines, and profiles on Sunday, I really think exhibitors should be thinking of leaving some undercoat in, and keep a good depth of coat, as it creates a more finished, Border Terrier look, rather than a thin skinned whippet look. Ultimately good coats and pelts need to be bred for. When I am judging, I tend to look at the overall dog, I never pick out one thing and allow it to seduce me into thinking it’s a good Border Terrier, the whole dog has to be balanced and fit for function, display good breed type and have the ability to follow a horse, moving with economy with long low strides. I don’t go in for extremes or exaggerations either, or a dog which looks like a caricature of a Border Terrier, because the breed standard doesn’t allow for that. I do like ring presence, clean dogs with good presentation and showmanship, a working dog can still have all that and it is a show after all, but it has to be a good Border Terrier first and foremost.
Special Open Working - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Oxcroft Raydar
Placing Critique
Grizzle & Tan, stood alone but a worthy winner of the Working Class, narrow throughout and easily spanned he could get anywhere, sadly completely out of coat, typical head from this kennel. Moved OK.
