Show Placings
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.
DCC
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
What a cracking dog,strong otter head with huge teeth, lovely lay of shoulder flowing into a level topline and tailset. Good length of rib. Easily spanned. Harsh jacket and loose pelt. One of the best movers I have ever seen. Pleased to Award him his first C.C
Driffield A S
21st Sep 2013
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald
My sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee, for inviting me to judge the Border Terriers at this show. We were truly blessed with some lovely autumn sunshine, and a well laid out ring.
Thank you, to all the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege to “go over†your dogs, however, I had concerns about the size and movement of some of the exhibits. I have a fair span and struggled to get anywhere near some dogs, which reflected in the placings.
Consequently, some heavy shoulders, and wide fronts.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
smart upstanding dog, good body length, well set tail, typical head, keen eye, moved out very well, would have liked a tad more muscle to rear.
Class Critique
What a super class, and what an age range!
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs Julie Guvercin
My most sincere thanks to all exhibitors for giving me such a lovely entry of 117 making 153 entries, the highest in the terrier group and one of only a few to break the 100 mark in the whole show.
It is human nature for us all to ringside judge and we are all guilty of this, but going over an exhibit first hand, is further revealing, a privilege for which, I was truly grateful.
Some lovely dogs, some more workman like than others, some in better condition than others, a few outstanding ones and the odd one or two I’d love to own!
I am the first to admit I love a flashy dog who will stand up and show, but along with that must come the workman like qualities that make it able to be essentially a working terrier. There is nothing to suggest in my mind, that the two trains of thought can’t co-exist, they can and they must.
Nervous or aggressive dogs and there were just one or two, were not rewarded, this is surely a temperament to be discouraged. Dour is a different matter altogether, especially when its nearly always on an otherwise, super exhibit, a frustrating combination.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
19th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs. Chris Davis (Hesslemere)
Many thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge this show. I was very pleased with my entry and thank all competitors who entered under me. I really enjoyed my day and thank you for the opportunity to judge your dogs. All temperaments were good, as were mouths. No kinked tails.
Best In Show
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Best Dog
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
First word of my notes say ‘gorgeous’ . This dog was turned out to a ‘T’. Lovely head and expression. Excellent shoulder, narrow throughout. Easily spannable. Good tail carriage. He filled the eye in profile and movement. Quality. Handled well. Best Dog and Best In Show
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2013
Judge: Mrs Val Furness
Thank you to M.C.C.A for the appointment also my stewards and a thank you to the exhibitors. Coats and size were mixed and a few entries i could not span the one thing that was apparent was the number of very lean exhibits. You BREED for size not FEED for it.
It was also nice to see that most of the early classes looked as they should be and not looking like they should be in open class
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
Nice dog but fell short on movement 1st place
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Nov 2013
Judge: Mrs S Williams (Hollybridge)
I would like to thank the Scottish Club for the invitation. It was an honor to judge at this friendly and hospitable club’s show. Huge thanks must go to my very capable & experienced Steward Joyce Orr and her excellent helpers, Jim Stewart in the morning and Helen McKenzie in the afternoon. All did a super job.
Thanks too to the kitchen ladies for the amazing lunch.
I was very pleased to have such a super quality entry. I could have easily given out more tickets if they had been available. Some close decision at times, a true reflection on the high quality of the entries. Presentation of the dogs was very good, mouths too on the whole were correct with only the odd exception. Feet, I was pleased to see a vast majority of neat cat like feet on the dogs, no long hare feet. Tails again seem to be improving, not as many of the over long sickle ones that I have noticed in the past. Coats and pelts: while coats are transient and of course some had more than others on the day, texture was very good and the vast majority had good thick and loose pelts. I think the breed overall is in a good place.
Just one point I noticed, some dogs had to take a lot of steps to cover the ground, watching out that our dogs move with drive is very important and I was happy with my winners in that they, in my opinion, covered the ground well.
RDCC
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
Stunningly attractive B/t dog and such a confident and happy show dog. I loved this boys attitude, super head, coat,pelt and outline he moved out so well .straight front, neat feet, good rear angulation and presented in tip top condition. Res CC & Res BIS
Class Critique
A class of many lovely dogs.
Boston & District Canine Society
12th Jan 2014
Judge: Mr David Maggs
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at this show, and to my two stewards who were very efficient and good natured throughout. I was a little dissapointed at the lack of coat on quite a few of the exhibits today, apparently many had been stripped ready for Crufts,I found no bad mouths, movement on the whole was good and I was very pleased with the overall condition and soundness, had no problem spanning any of the exhibits.
DCC
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
What a smart dog, overall a real picture, nice strong head well sized clean teeth, lovely reach of neck onto well placed shoulders, strong bone and neat feet with thick pads, racy back end and well bent stifle, coat in good conditon, on his toes. CC
Manchester Dog Show Society
16th Jan 2014
Judge: Mr Philip J Greenway
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Cumberland Canine Association
2nd Feb 2014
Judge: Mrs Jill Stevens (Cobstoneway)
My thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge and for their hospitality on the day. Thanks also to the exhibitors for a lovely entry of quality dogs. All exhibits were clean and nicely turned out, and I found no kinked tails, only one imperfect bite, and all males were entire.
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
3 year blue and tan dog. Super looking boy, caught my eye with his superb topline and tailset, and effortless, accurate movement. A joy to go over, with straight narrow front, good for bone and easy to span. Nice ottery head with strong muzzle, correct bite and keen expression. Nice length of neck into good shoulders, flat ribs carried well back, strong loins and well muscled hind quarters . Correct double coat and loose pelt. BOB & TG2
Class Critique
Three lovely exhibits, making it a difficult decision.
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.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
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.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
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.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
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.
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Best Opposite Sex
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Best Dog
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
(BD & RBIS) This blue and tan dog caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring. He was shown in a harsh double coat with plenty loose pelt. He has a good head with a flat skull and a strong muzzle with a keen expression. He has a lovely straight narrow front and good reach of neck and good length of body . He is a racy dog in a fit hard condition with well set down hocks and has a super top line which carried on the move. He has the tightest of feet and a good tailset straight off the back. He moved well coming and going and with drive. He was very much a showman and deserved his place as Best Dog and Reserve Best In Show.
Class Critique
This was the best class of the day. All of the exhibits in the class were of the highest quality and very different types. It was hard to have to make decisions, the places could have changed on another day.
West Of England Ladies' Kennel Society
25th Apr 2014
Judge: Mr A Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
Thank you to the exhibitors for their entries and to my two stewards.
I think size needs to be watched in the breed as a working terrier. I have a large span but a number of dogs were not spannable by me, this reflected in my placings. We also seem to loosing the otter like head, some with too much stop, some with weak muzzles and others lacking under jaw. This results in a loss of type which defines the breed. We should try and adhere to the breed standard laid down by the original border terrier breeders.
The over baiting of dogs on the table is totally unnecessary. In my opinion they do not need to be constantly fed on the table. It makes judging difficult when a dog is constantly looking for food.
I was very surprised to see border terriers with coats on around the ring, as they should have their own double coat for warmth and protection. I hope this isn’t the start of trend with the breed becoming just another show breed and losing its identity as the standard states “essentially a working terrier”.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
Eye catching B/T overall a good type and body size. Slightly taller but well balanced and spannable. Good coat and presentation. Moves and shows very well.
Class Critique
A mixed class of sizes, some too big on the rib.
Bath Championship Show
23rd May 2014
Judge: Mr S Plane
Thankyou to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry for the first time awarding challenge certificates. Although we had a super sized ring with short grass and level surface, the weather prevented us from using the outer part in some classes. Most of the exhibits were undeterred by the rain and dampness
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Northumberland County Agricultural Society
26th May 2014
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the organisers, stewards and exhibitors for a very welcoming and well supported show despite having to overcome the queues, mudbath and delays they faced before the start of judging. A few exhibits were borderline spanable, a couple had poor dentition and several had weak muzzles but there were plenty of loose pelts, harsh coats, neat feet and quality dogs. It was particularly pleasing to see some full and natural coats which seemed most appropriate for the wild and beautiful surroundings of the show. Ground conditions didn’t help movement but all the exhibits were well behaved and most well presented. I have a view that bitches tend to suffer a little in mixed classes but I tried to be even handed in this respect.
Open - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
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.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
Dark coloured blue dog, neatly made, not the scope in front to move out so well. Neat feet. Head, though strong, a bit long for my taste.
Blackpool & District Canine Society Championship Show
20th Jun 2014
Judge: Mr Peter Bakewell
RDCC
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
A soundly made well balanced dog, good masculine head, keen expression, good neck and well placed shoulders, soundly made quarters, fore and aft, good feet, moved well. Res. DCC.
Welsh Kennel Club
16th Aug 2014
Judge: Mr A E Small (Bethane)
Thanks for a lovely entry, sorry for the delay but I could not be in both my breeds rings at the same time! It was nice to be outside at WKC, which hasn't happened for 9 years. Thanks to the Committee for the invite & looking after us, I really enjoyed my day.
Open - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
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 - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Class Critique
Super class-any of the placed dogs would have been deserving of a CC.
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.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
DCC
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
CH subject to KC confirmation
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
super dog, flowed round the ring, strong masculine head with excellent teeth and jaw, harsh coat and good pelt, excellent in rib and coupling, good bone, correct size, CC & BOB;
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.
RDCC
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
A well balanced dog, with good masculine head, keen expression, good neck and well placed shoulders and good in rib, good rear angulation , good tight feet, and in working condition ,moved well. Res. DCC.
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.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
A dog with presence. Excellent outline, lovely back line and well set tail, excellent coat and pelt, good head and another good mover. Could change places on another day. Two good dogs.
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!!!
RDCC
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
Attractive blue and tan dog with excellent head and expression, excellent topline and angulation, excellent mover, excellent coat. resCC
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.
RDCC
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
He stands over quite a lot of ground and has everything in the right place. Good otter head with correct ears dropping close to the cheek. Nice length of neck, good shoulders flowing into a good topline. Today I thought he moved a little closer behind than expected. RCC
Class Critique
A really good class which had insufficient places for those worthy of recognition
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 - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
Head not as good as 1st, longer in the muzzle and bottom jaw not as powerful. Good length of neck into good shoulders f neck just seemed a little short in the leg for the length of his body.
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 - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
Blue/Tan – A worthy champion in all respects. Good head – dark eyes – large teeth – strong jaw . Good reach of neck into well constructed shoulders. Narrow front extending through with ribs well back. Level topline. In fit condition.
Scottish Kennel Club
16th May 2015
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
RDCC
Name at show: CH Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
bl/t dog, quality dog, lovely head, super outline, excellent mover, pushed CC winner hard. RCC
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.
Open - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: CH Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
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.
Open - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: CH Rus/Slo/Rom CH Stella Rover Akko
Placing Critique
Blue & tan, another very well coated dog who was presented very well, narrow throughout standing well on good legs and feet. Easy to span, he was a tad heavier across the sholders than my winner, but his front was narrow and had good rib shape and strong loin. Good topline and tailset, nice hindquarters which he used well, and was evident in profile, moving with economy. Pleasing head and expression and good bite, just preferred the ear placement on my winner.
