Show Placings
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Feb 2025
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
It is both an honour and a privilege to have been invited by the Midland Border Terrier Club committee to judge this open breed club show—my first at this level. I sincerely thank all the exhibitors who entered and took the time to attend at this lovely new venue. My gratitude also goes to my stewards, Peter and Martin, whose efficiency and support ensured the smooth running of the ring; their help was much appreciated.
Overall, most exhibits were in good condition, though a few were carrying excess weight or were simply too large to span. I observed only one kinked tail and two level bites. Given the time of year, it is unsurprising to find coats at various stages of growth, as exhibitors prepare for Crufts and the start of the new show season.
Baby Puppy Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
This grizzle bitch, just shy of 5 months old, has a lovely head with a dark eye and correct bite, although her ears weren’t used to full advantage today. She has a narrow rib, good loin and balanced angulation. Her tail is short, well-set-on and of the correct shape. Moving a tad wider at the front at this time, but this should tighten with maturity. With a good pelt and jacket she is a very nicely put together puppy; just unlucky to come up against the first today.
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Feb 2025
Judge: Andrea Dixon (Otterpaws)
Thank you to the club for the invitation to judge at one of my favourite breed club shows and the exhibitors for their entries. Thank you to my stewards Judy Carr and Kath Lothian. Overall, I found fronts to be very varied, ranging from wide to very narrow and resulting movement a reflection of this, most dogs were spannable. I found no issue with temperaments.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
A petit feminine G&T just turned 6 months. A very keen expression taking everything in. Movement still loose as to be expected in such a young puppy. A decent double coat and pelt. A correctly tapering tail.
Wath, West Melton DCS Open Show
1st Mar 2025
Judge: Alexandra Witmond (Tiltser)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Mysulan Byards Lass
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Retford CS Premier Open Show
16th Mar 2025
Judge: Sarah Stephenson (Fryerfold)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers. Huge thanks to the
exhibitors for entering under me, and to my two lovely stewards, Jane & Tina for keeping the classes and ring running so smoothly.
All exhibits in good, fit condition, and apart from a couple of examples all had clean coats.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
A raw 7month old grizzle, a little unsettled, but she stood long enough for me to go over her. Correct head, with scissor bite, in good coat, easily spannable, balanced throughout with good movement. I shall watch her career with interest. BPIB
Herts & Essex Border CS Open Show
23rd Mar 2025
Judge: Matt Garnham (Carmeltcho)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Mysulan Byards Lass
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
29th Mar 2025
Judge: Janice Johnson (Ratcheugh)
My thanks to the Border Terrier Club for this appointment it was indeed an honour and privilege to judge this prestigious show in Border Country. To my stewards Judy and Pam for their efficiency and all the exhibitors who entered, thank you for giving me this opportunity to go over your dogs and accepting my judgement on the day.
I had the most enjoyable day going over some excellent examples of our breed. My feelings are we have a good future in some of our younger exhibits but, watch out for size and movement. For all exhibitors, we must remember the border terrier is a working breed and should be able to follow hounds, sound movement is essential. I love a good coat and thick pelt and today I had both in abundance, all mouths were correct and all, but a couple were spannable.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
National Terrier Club
5th Apr 2025
Judge: Mr David Mitchell (Paleside)
Thank you to the National Terrier for the invite to judge, and to the exhibitors for an amazing entry,
I really enjoyed the day, and the chance to go over some lovely dogs.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Norfolk and Norwich CS Premier Open Show
15th Apr 2025
Judge: Jane Paradise (Shardlow)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
West of England Ladies Kennel Society
25th Apr 2025
Judge: Mrs J Guvercin (Glebeheath)
Thank you to everyone who entered on a Friday and gave me the biggest entry of the two groups on the day and the forth highest in the whole show! Pat and Paul my stewards were great and helped me to get through the dogs in an efficient way.
We were lucky enough to be outside on a perfect dog showing day weather wise.
Some super quality classes with hair splitting decisions and even lovely dogs unplaced. Whilst essentially a working terrier was a priority, I wanted my males, to look like males and my bitches easily recognisable as females, it sounds obvious but with some they could’ve passed for either.
Some really lovely dogs looked super stood, but failed on the move, not just coming and going, but more importantly to me, the side gait.
I think we need to be careful of mouths, I was surprised to find several with teeth out of line. Level bites, although allowed and not penalised on the day, some were in very young dogs and it makes me wonder if they will last.
Having said all that, I enjoyed my day and the dogs, who also seemed to enjoy being outside.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
3rd May 2025
Judge: Anne Speake
I’d like to thank the officers and committee for their kind invitations to judge their breed clubs open show. The hospitality received was much appreciated and the day was one I enjoyed very much. Thank you to my two very efficient stewards Sian McKay and Margaret Davies who kept me on track and the ring running smoothly through out the day. My day was very rewarding seeing such quality dogs presented for me to judge, and in some classes especially LB and Veteran I would of liked more 1st places such was the quality of the exhibits.
Best Puppy - Bitch
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Reserve Best Puppy
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
well balanced g/t of 8 half mths who has a very feminine head. Strong muzzle and good bite. Good reach of neck which flows in to good shoulders. Narrow through out, with a nice length of rib. Nice tight harsh jacket with plenty of pelt. Showed and moved well to be awarded BPB and RBPIS
Birmingham National Dog Show
8th May 2025
Judge: Miss Katie Hamilton (Cromlechs)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
The Midland Border Terrier Club Partnership Championship Show
8th May 2025
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge (Risdene)
Many thanks to the Midland committee for this appointment which l thoroughly enjoyed, despite the weather which sent us indoors after bitches. Many thanks to my stewards. As an aside l was pleased to see that moderately short tails are coming back! I was also pleased to find that three of the youngsters from the previous time l judged had developed as hoped and received top honours today. The exception was the outstanding dog which took BIS, my first time judging this one and what a treat! This blue and tan dog meets the standard so well, essentially a working terrier, the most important requirement of our breed, but with the quality of a top show dog .
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
A class of promising puppies, this grizzle has well proportioned head, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, correct length and well ribbed body with strong loin and well angulated quarters, moved out well for age.
Birmingham National Dog Show
8th May 2025
Judge: Miss Katie Hamilton (Cromlechs)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Scottish Kennel Club 205th Championship Show
17th May 2025
Judge: Mr Ian Hopper (Esyntona)
Thank you to the following.
SKC for inviting me to judge after my two previous appointments at Driffield were cancelled due to corvid restrictions and the storms.
The stewards who helped keeping the classes running smoothly at times we had to wait for exhibitors who were showing in the SKC Champ show in the adjacent ring.
To all the exhibitors who entered their dogs under me, I was looking for dogs that were fit for function for what they were originally bred for even though very few get the chance to carry this out.
Best Puppy
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Scottish Kennel Club 206th Championship Show
17th May 2025
Judge: Mr J Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each exhibitor for providing me with an excellent entry, and l would like to thank the Scottish Kennel Club for inviting me to judge at their General Championship Show, unfortunately l never got my ring stewards name but a massive thank you to you for keeping things flowing.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Scottish Kennel Club 205th Championship Show
17th May 2025
Judge: Mr Ian Hopper (Esyntona)
Thank you to the following.
SKC for inviting me to judge after my two previous appointments at Driffield were cancelled due to corvid restrictions and the storms.
The stewards who helped keeping the classes running smoothly at times we had to wait for exhibitors who were showing in the SKC Champ show in the adjacent ring.
To all the exhibitors who entered their dogs under me, I was looking for dogs that were fit for function for what they were originally bred for even though very few get the chance to carry this out.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
Red grizzle femine head correct ear set, scissor bite, in good coat, loose pelt, easily spannable never stopped showing moved well BPB, BP
Class Critique
Nice class of pups some need to settle on the move.
Three Counties Agricultural Society
5th Jun 2025
Judge: Mr Brian Aubrey (Jenabeck)
Thank you all for a wonderful entry especially for a Thursday, I found the Bitches better in Quality than the Dogs on the day, I feel I can speak little about what I found as I have worked them, shown them and bred them, But I wont criticize, has many showing this wonderful breed forgotten more than I know, but its my observation on the day,
There were a few I really liked but lacked jackets on the day, I found a few with ears to big, and some needed more power moving from behind, but that can be improved, please don't over stretch when you stacking them, And now my biggest bugbear please don't keep shoving bait into their mouths when a judge is trying to go over their heads this is happening a lot now why I don't know, never seen it so bad as lately but in most terrier exhibitors, moan over lol, Also thank you to both my stewards Gavin Argyle and Penny Winger, who done an amazing job Thank you both.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
Another so correct for her age hard decision between 1 and 2 as I said in the beginning how strong are the bitches on the day, which is so good for any breed. in A1 condition narrow in body carried well back ribs, thick pelt moved well fore than aft
Southern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
7th Jun 2025
Judge: Mrs Jane Roberts (Smalesmouth)
Many thanks to the officers and committee of the Southern Border Terrier Club for the invitation to judge at the club’s championship show on 7th June. Congratulations to them for providing such an excellent and well run show. Thanks also to my stewards Sian Mckay and Sophie Leggat for their cheerful and efficient help. Many thanks to all who entered. It is always a priviledge and pleasure to go over your dogs and I thank all the exhibitors for that opportunity. It was also an honour to be the 51st judge to award a DCC to CH Otterbobs Tolson, making him the Breed CC record holder. Many congratulations to his owners.
Overall, I thought there was plenty of quality from puppies through to the veterans. I thought that size was good, as were coats and heads. I was really pleased that I also found an improvement in length and shape of tails. Downside was front movement as there were a significant number who were not accurate in this department.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
Ten months. This grizzle has plenty of quality about her. Typical head and expression. Good for size and built along narrow lines with good front, length of ribs, topline and tailset. Balanced outline and presented in excellent condition with double jacket and pelt. Sound movement from all angles
Great Yarmouth Gorleston DCS Premier Open Show
12th Jun 2025
Judge: Bill Ashcroft (Eschenhof)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Blackpool & District Canine Society
22nd Jun 2025
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
Thank you to everyone who entered under me. It was a pleasure to judge all your dogs. I found it difficult to judge to a particular type as the best dogs came from different sizes and types, and I believe there is a place for them all if they fit the breed standard. Most of the dogs had evidence of a double coat. As coats are constantly changing, I did not heavily penalise any for very tweedy coats or lacking some coat as long as they were presented in a tidy manner.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
Not a lot of her but she is balanced and pretty. Feminine head with lovely expression. Good rib and topline. Has a tendency to carry her tail high. Well muscled quarters. Moved true once settled.
Southern Border Terrier Club Partnership Championship Show
27th Jun 2025
Judge: Mr Tom H. Johnston (Feldkirk)
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Windsor Championship Show
27th Jun 2025
Judge: Mr Graham Richardson (Staynorwood)
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Partnership Championship Show
5th Jul 2025
Judge: Mr Mark Lowry (Ravenside)
Many thanks to East Anglia B.T.C. officers and committee for giving me the opportunity to judge their show, and to all the exhibitors for such a lovely entry. Special thanks to my two stewards, Richard and Julie for making sure everything ran smoothly on the day.
Overall, I thought the quality was good and I was pleased with my main winners, very balanced with lots to like and it was a pleasure to go over them.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Boston & District Canine Society Championship Show
5th Jul 2025
Judge: Tan Nagrecha (Chandimore)
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Pollard Canine Society Premier Open Show
19th Jul 2025
Judge: Mrs M Fleming (Flegato)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
East of England LKS Open Show
22nd Jul 2025
Judge: Ian Sladden (Canemamans)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Leeds Championship Show
24th Jul 2025
Judge: Mr Peter Armstrong (Atron)
I would first like to thank the Officers and Committee of Leeds City & District Canine Association Championship Show for inviting me to judge at their show, and for the hospitality shown to me on the day. However, most of all, thank you to all the exhibitors for providing me with such a quality entry to assess on this, my first appointment in the breed at this level. I had the privilege of going over so many quality dogs that difficult decisions often had to be made. As always, coats were at different stages, sometimes reflected in the placings, but coats come and go, construction does not. I did not discern any kinked tails and no bad temperaments were apparent. The adequately sized ring however was quite difficult for the exhibitors to circumnavigate, with varying gradients, going uphill away from the judge, coming back downhill but with another gradient across the ring to cope with as well. There were several bumps and hollows in the ring as well, in places which made standing your exhibit to best effect not quite so easy. Many astute exhibitors realising this changed their handling technique to cater for this, some did not
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
3rd Aug 2025
Judge: Mr Kevin Green (Terabyte)
I would like to thank all the Officers and Committee of the Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge the show & the lovely gift I was presented with. I was very pleased with my entry, thank you to the exhibitors who entered under me. A big thankyou to the stewards who did a great job and kept it all going smoothly. Was a lovely show and great atmosphere.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
not quite as racy as 1st but good head with feminine expression, good ear set and moved and showed well.
Mansfield DCS Open Show
10th Aug 2025
Judge: Raewyn Dowsett (Tteswood)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Huntingtonshire CS Open Show
16th Aug 2025
Judge: Jacque Bayne (Corranroo)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TG2, Mysulan Byards Lass
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Scunthorpe CA Open Show
20th Aug 2025
Judge: Siân McKay (Redesholt)
My thanks to the Committee of the Scunthorpe Canine Association, for the invitation to judge at their lovey show set in wonderful parkland. My thanks also to my Steward Sue Spafford, who kept me on track.
A few comments from today:
Whilst many exhibits excel in their profile movement, some are not so secure in movement coming to and going away. Age and exuberance can be a reason for some, but for others, it is a cause for concern. I had a lovely entry, and my thanks to the exhibitors, who took their placings with good grace and humour. Some lovely workmanlike exhibits who look like they could put in a good day's work, with much vim and vigour.
I see much promise in my main winners today and will follow their progression with great interest.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
Some dogs power into the ring and shout “Look at me!” This grizzle and tan girl of just over a year old did just that. Well-proportioned feminine Otter-like head; narrow through and easily spanned. Strong loin connecting to well angulated racy hindquarters, with a good underline. She motored round the ring, moving easily; true coming and going, with good reach and drive in profile. Pleased to award her BOB today. Unfortunately, not able to stay for Group.
Class Critique
Both bitches show great promise, and I will follow their progress with interest.
Driffield Championship Dog Show
25th Aug 2025
Judge: Mrs Julie Fletcher (Northborders)
I was so excited to be invited to give tickets for the first time so a big thank you to Driffield Committee for the invite but especially to the exhibitors for my fabulous entry
I found some really lovely dogs to go over and in some classes I wished I had more awards to give out , I was very pleased with my final line ups
Temperaments all day were very good. I didn't see one cross word between the dogs , Coats as always were varying and in some classes it was a consideration. The open and limit classes were of the highest quality and very enjoyable to judge
I thoroughly enjoyed my day and such a privilege to be able to go over all of your dogs , thank you
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Driffield Championship Dog Show 49th
25th Aug 2025
Judge: Mr Bob Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to the Driffield Championship Show Committee for the opportunity to go over a quality entry and a real thank you to the exhibitors for entering and coping with the unusual arrangements.
I know many expect to see a line up all of a type but you can only put up what is entered and you can’t deny a quality dog that is within the standard over a poorer exhibit of a type you personally prefer.
After the show I was re-introduced light heartedly (I hope) to a dog described by the exhibitor as “the one I didn’t like”, which I suspect is the interpretation many exhibitors of beaten dogs have. As a general rule I believe it’s much more likely that a beaten dog is in fact a liked dog but that on the day there may have been others that were liked more!
Over the years there have been many different concerns about where the breed is heading but I’m pleased to say that some of these look to have been put to bed. I saw lots of good mouths with big strong teeth and only two level bites. Loose thick pelts were a plenty and I’m delighted to see the return of good full coats shown with pride. There were no kinked tails but a good carrot tail is now as rare has hens teeth with flag poles more the norm.
Some puppies are coming in large and leggy and many entries were borderline for spanning. Close rear movement and loose fronts were a blight on some otherwise good dogs.
However, with the exception of a couple of classes, most exhibits were of real quality and I’m sure many exhibitors were left wondering why they never got placed. The answer is that you probably deserved one but I only had 5 to give and in some cases the 5th could equally well have been first. Limit bitch was absolutely full of quality and in Open bitch they were all well worthy of a CC with little to choose between them.
So overall I’m pleased with our efforts to produce quality exhibits but ditch the flag poles and enjoy the champions that you all take home.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
Being from this kennel this feminine bitch had to be well turned out and shown to her best, typical head and expression, narrow throughout, good front, ribs well back, level topline with well set carrot tail, well angulated, moved out well on neat feet.
Norfolk and Norwich CS Premier Open Show
27th Aug 2025
Judge: Miss S F Confue (Anjofra)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
City of Birmingham Championship Show
30th Aug 2025
Judge: Dr Margaret Armstrong (Ploughdown)
Thank you to the Committee of the City of Birmingham Canine Association for inviting me to judge at their Championship Show. It was an honour to judge Borders Terriers on the day. I would like to thank especially the Border Terrier exhibitors for giving me such a super entry and for their graciousness and sporting manner. The venue was airy and the ring was roomy. I realised afterwards that the carpet could be rather slippery and I think that this may have provided somewhat of a challenge at times. I had many lovely dogs to go over and sometimes making decisions was like splitting hairs.
Finally thank you to my stalwart stewards who were super organized and kept me on the straight and narrow.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
Shorter than 1 but lots to like about this young grizzle bitch. Very balanced and pleasing head with short foreface and flat skull. Narrow throughout with super front. Short strong loin and good underline. Topline held in profile and on the move. Super double coat and pelt. Well angulated behind and moved out with ease.
Joint Border Terrier Clubs Championship Show
31st Aug 2025
Judge: Mrs Jane Morton-Shaw (Fehmarn)
Many thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge what turned out to be the last Joint Ch Show. I had a wonderful day, & I was very ably and efficiently aided by my two stewards Tracey Anscombe and Peter Armstrong & I send my thanks out to them again (shows can’t run without good stewards).
My main down side to a lot of the Borders I went over was the front movement (I’m not immune to this either)! This needs watching and careful breeding to try and improve on this fault - not easy I know, but something to aim for. Again very few Borders with a good thick pelt which we used to have. Top lines have much improved generally and good to see that most of the exhibits were in good fit/hard condition.
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Placing Critique
Lovely bitch of nice size and proportions with a feminine head. Had a great topline and underline with well laid back ribs & good angulation. Bite was good. Moved very well.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Richmond Championship Show
7th Sep 2025
Judge: Mr Ken Bartlett (Dwilencia)
RBCC
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Junior - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Mysulan Byards Lass
