Show Placings
Sunderland and District Canine Society Open Show
27th Nov 2016
Judge: Debbie Lorraine (Raleniro)
I would like to thank the society for inviting me to judge at their open show, and I have to say the hospitality shown to me was some of the best I’ve ever had! This is one of my local shows, and I was absolutely delighted with the size and quality of the entry I was privileged to be given the opportunity to judge. I also wish to thank the exhibitors for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions. I was spoilt for choice in some of the classes, and places could have changed on another day. As to be expected at this time of year, coats were at various stages, and this did have a bearing on some of the placings. All males were entire, all bites were correct, and temperaments across the board were excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed my day!
Best Puppy
Name at show: BPIS, TPG1, Lynsett Miss Marple
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
Just 6 and a half months old grizzle and tan bitch. I subsequently found out that this was only her second show. What a little showgirl. Full of breed type with a lovely, strong but feminine head with the best of expressions and excellent scissor bite. Just right for size, with enough bone. Narrow throughout with super straight front, tight feet and thick pads. Well ribbed and spanned with ease. Super angulation fore and aft with level topline and carroty tail. Excellent pelt and harsh jacket. Moved well and made a lovely picture in profile with nothing overdone. Had such ring presence for one so young and is definitely one to watch in the future. Pleased to award her Best Puppy. Delighted to see her go on to be awarded PG1 and subsequently Best Puppy In Show.
Class Critique
What a lovely way to start the day. A class of very promising puppies!
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
28th Jan 2017
Judge: Mrs. A. Heathcote (Saxheath)
My thanks to the Committee for asking me to judge this show , my Stewards Callie and Ian for their invaluable assistance and all the exhibitors for allowing me to judge their dogs . I had some quality dogs to go over with some close decisions in some classes , however , I found front movement in particular was rather disappointing in the lower classes .That aside I thoroughly enjoyed my day .
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Darlington DCS Open Show
4th Feb 2017
Judge: Mr D G Taylor (Uptnorth)
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Lynsett Miss Marple
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Jarrow & Hebburn CS Open Show
12th Feb 2017
Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Best Puppy
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
Grizzle and tan bitch, nine months old. Handy size. Feminine head. Good bite, short strong muzzle, dark eye and lovely neat small ears. Well off for bone with strong pasterns and well padded feet. Easily spanned. Short well set tail. Lacking topcoat today but excellent undercoat and pelt. Well muscled hindquarters and well let down hocks which she used well on the move. BPIB
Billingham Synthonia Canine Society Dog Show
26th Feb 2017
Judge: Mr I Layfield (Dockwray/Fundoune)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG3, Lynsett Miss Marple
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG1, Lynsett Miss Marple
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Apr 2017
Judge: Mr. Stewart Golding (Beaconpike)
Firstly I would like to thank the club for inviting me to judge their open show thank you to my stewards Alan Horner Anna Duxbury and Graham Richardson for keeping things running smoothly. Thank you to the exhibitors for allowing me to judge their dogs. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was delighted to judge a show I regularly attend myself. I was very pleased with all my main winners I had some quality dogs to judge on the day my decisions in some classes were made difficult and on another day could easily change places.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
11months old, ok in head with good reach of neck and good front, good length of body, good pelt but coat just going over.
Sunderland Open Show
23rd Apr 2017
Judge: Mrs Tina Jones (Otterholme)
Many thanks to the committee to judge at this well run show. A big thank you to the exhibitors for their entry of some really nice dogs and the sporting acceptance of my choices by the majority of exhibitors. I was somewhat dismayed to find a sizable amount of the entry with evidence of clipper use, perhaps this has been done to enhance the outline of the dog, but for me it completely detracted from the overall picture, nothing is more pleasing than seeing a Border in a ‘natural’ proper jacket. Temperaments and dentition were all excellent. Pleasing to find the majority of exhibits spannable.
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Lynsett Miss Marple
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
This one presented such a balanced picture, she shone out for me. Although her coat made her look a little fuller, under that jacket was a lithe border, which I have no doubt could get anywhere. She is ideal for size, her head is quite exquisite, well proportioned, not overstated in any way and so feminine with it, pleasing expression with dark keen eye, lovely well placed ears. Good in front construction, narrow in shoulder and good length of upperarm , lending itself to excellent clean movement. Ribs well laid back, making her easily spannable. Moved out with drive BP TPG3
Birmingham National Dog Show
4th May 2017
Judge: Mr Terence Tuck
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Class Critique
A class of very varied sizes and builds.
Border Union Agricultural Society
17th Jun 2017
Judge: Mr Phil Sharp (Martec)
I would like to thank the Committee for inviting me to judge at this Show. It was my first visit to Kelso and I was most impressed with the hospitality and organisation there. My two excellent stewards, Gordon and Donald, kept me on the straight and narrow and contributed to a lovely atmosphere in and around the ring.
I did not make my usual visit to the SBTC championship show the weekend before as I wanted to see all the dogs afresh, and I am glad I did as many of the exhibits were new to me. In general, mouths were good, with dentition only slightly awry in one instance. I found no kinked tails and all dogs were entire.
It was a very hot and sunny day and this affected some dogs, who perhaps lacked their normal animation and were moving lethargically. As usual, there was a wide variation in coats, with some totally lacking top coat, and this naturally had an effect on the placings.
I would like to thank the exhibitors for the large entry and for the sporting way in which my decisions were taken throughout my judging stint.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
another youngster who moved well. In good coat, had a nice overall balance. Good skull, with correct eyes. Well deserved her placing. 3
Windsor
1st Jul 2017
Judge: Mr Stewart McPherson (Brumberhill)
Firstly, my thanks must go to the committee for the invitation to judge at their show and to those exhibitors who entered, for my opinion, always an honour, to judge their dogs, giving me the highest entry in the Terrier Group. My thanks, also, to my stewards, who kept things running smoothly, with good humour.
An interesting entry, most were sound and typical. The thing that struck me most was front profile movement. An alarming number, due to an incorrect shoulder and upper arm placement, lacked full reach on the move, the leg lifting, hackney like, but not straightening out to reach full extension on the move. It may appear to be accurate coming and going, but it doesn’t actually cover much of the ground, so is therefore uneconomical movement, meaning the dog would have to work twice as hard to keep up, as the Standard asks for “capable of” and the “soundness to follow a horse”. Just because it’s possible to win with this type of movement doesn’t make it correct!
I was very pleased with my top winners, shown free standing, giving the, in my opinion, correct outlines, with no need to “assemble“ them in to a shape! All were sound, free movers. Typical “old school” Border Terriers! Pleased to hear that their qualities were recognised in their respective Groups!
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
East of England Agricultural Society
9th Jul 2017
Judge: Mrs Marion Reeves
Having achieved 80 years on my last birthday I have decided that this has to be the last occasion that I award C.C. ‘s in Border Terriers. It’s time for the next generation to step up. In the showring border terriers still come in every size & shape imaginable. Our breed standard is I believe the sketchiest of all the breed standards offering only limited guidance as to the perfect exhibit. What would be wrong with including an ideal ratio of length of body to height at withers? I also have a problem with “Hindquarters – racy” which for me describes a greyhound or a whippet. Surely we don’t want the overangulated hindquarters that have crept into the breed in recent years.
On to the Show! I was very pleased with my entry & had no difficulty finding some worthy winners.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
The Nothern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
15th Jul 2017
Judge: Mrs. P. McLellan (Breconbeds)
My thanks to the committee and members for giving me the opportunity to judge this show, with such an excellent entry. However, I’m sorry to say that I was alarmed to see so many dogs that were short in both rib and leg, resulting in short backed and cobby looking dogs with deep briskets. I also observed that some of these same dogs had pleasant enough heads but carried very small teeth.
Movement was a major concern; decent enough dogs to examine but poor fronts on the move spoiled the whole picture – toeing in and/or with incorrect shoulder angulation. Some were really wide in front.
Junior - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
Another smart looking bitch. Pleasing in head and expression. Ample bone and length of rib. Harsh jacket and thick pelt. Nice topline and tailset.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
23rd Sep 2017
Judge: Miss J Price
Thank you to the Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cheshire Border Terrier Club for asking me to judge this show and for their great hospitality. It was an honour to stand in for Cynthia Knight who sadly passed away in April 2015. My stewards for the day, Cally and Anna did a sterling job in keeping things running smoothly, thank you, to both of them.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself today and I was delighted with my top winners. In general some exhibits, even though made well were just too big and heavy, these would never get to ground to do the job, therefore not fit for purpose. I like a dog to be masculine and a bitch feminine, but both have to spannable and not overloaded in their shoulders, sadly quite a few exhibits were just this and were penalised for it. I found one exhibit to have a testicle with an abnormality. Some of the younger dogs were up to size already and have yet to stop growing. It will be interesting to see how some of them turn out.
Not everybody accepted my decisions in a sporting manner, but the general atmosphere was great. I didn’t go to the pub at lunch time but did see the pictures afterwards. Glad you all had a great time!
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
1st Oct 2017
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
I had the most enjoyable experience from the first to last minute of my judging day, the Northern hospitality from all was exceptional and I thank the Committee for giving me such a great opportunity. The quality and depth in some classes was a real treat for me to discover on judging ‘up north’ for the first time. Thanks to my stewards who helped keep everything managed practically perfect throughout the day. I enjoyed the lunch and my gift is displayed in pride of place on the mantle. Thank you all for trusting me to take on such a wonderful show.
A couple of untidy mouths, some unclean teeth but bites generally good. Found a dog and a bitch with kinks and there were a few thin pelts. Overall however I found good quality in the majority, good heads and expressions are essential but I especially like to see a dog moving forwards with drive, not pulling but setting off to get somewhere. I believe a working terrier needs good tight feet and thick pads to be able to meet the standard, most feet were good although I observed some long claws which do not help.
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Class Critique
The girls matched the dogs in another great class of youngsters which gave me a real challenge to ‘split hairs’ to place the top 3.
South Wales Kennel Association
8th Oct 2017
Judge: Mr. Mark Ord (Marnadee)
Thank you to my very able stewards who kept the proceedings running smoothly & all exhibitors who entered under me today. I consider it a great privilege to handle this delightful breed. A very enjoyable day for me awarding C.C.s in this breed for the first time. I had my first Border T in 1975 and have followed the breed with interest ever since. As a judge this is just my opinion on the breed from those entered under me today. We all have a slightly different interpretation of the breed standard and I think that is what makes exhibiting & breeding a great interest, however I do think it is vital to remember what the breed was developed originally to do and make sure we do not loose vital breed points.
Today I found the depth of quality was in the bitches, I was pleased to say the majority of bitches were of correct size and easy to span, I unfortunately can not say the same for the males. I was disappointed with front movement, I found tails of correct length & shape lacking in many and some odd expressions. On a positive note I was more than happy with many of my classes, some classes you were spoilt for choice and that is great to see, in-fact some classes were exceptionally good quality, it was a case of splitting hairs & on dogs performance. The majority had good double coats of good texture & nice loose pelts. Temperaments were also very good, the Border should be biddable and never snappy with people or other dogs & this was good to see.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Houghton-Le-Spring Open Show
12th Nov 2017
Judge: Barry Croft (Malcro)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Newton Aycliffe & District Canine Society Open Show
3rd Dec 2017
Judge: Mr Geoff Sugars (Foxcraig)
Post Graduate /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Sedgefield Agricultural Society Open Show
11th Aug 2018
Judge: Mrs C E Samsom (Tarkaswell)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the Sedgefield Agricultural Show for the invitation to judge today and the exhibitors for giving me such a lovely quality entry. My steward Tom Hall was very efficient, there was a super ringside atmosphere in the warm sunshine.
Best Of Breed
Name at show: RBIS, TG1, Lynsett Miss Marple
Limit /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
2 year old grizzle bitch, beautifully presented and handled. Today she owned the ring, moving with presence and drive, whilst maintaining her balance and top line. Quality throughout, she has a feminine, otter head, correct bite and nice dark eye with good expression. She has a straight front, narrow body and level top line, leading into a well set on tail. Well constructed front and rear, she moved effortlessly around the ring. BOB and delighted to see her Terrier Group 1and hear that later in the day she was awarded Reserve Best in Show.
Darlington Championship Show
14th Sep 2018
Judge: Mr Chris Wallace (Hobholt)
My thanks to Darlington Dog Show Society for the opportunity to judge my first Championship Show and to the exhibitors for bringing your Borders’. My stewards John and Carol were very helpful and kept the ring well organised. Despite feeling somewhat nervous before judging started I thoroughly enjoyed the day and thank the exhibitors for accepting my decisions.
Our standard mentions moderate 4 times in its current form, it also provides guidance on size (weight) and body (spanning). I mention these points as there were a surprising number of Borders’ that were impossible to span, were too deep in chest, big, heavy and exaggerated in a number of areas. Movement became a key criteria when placing my Borders along with being moderate and not exaggerated. A lot of Borders were “Knitting” in front movement or flicking their wrists outwards, probably best described as erratic compared to the Borders that moved well. Mouths were good overall, one chipped tooth which was of no consequence. Coats and pelts were excellent overall, and the dogs were complete.
Overall, we have a number of promising youngsters coming through and it’s unfortunate judges only have two “tickets” to hand out.
Limit - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
7th Oct 2018
Judge: Gemma Vaughan nee Alpe (Holteal)
My thanks goes to Northern border terrier club firstly for the invite to judge, its was a great honour to judge in a geographically different area to myself. Thank you to all who had entered and all that showed under me.
The hospitality at the show was second to none with a fantastic lunch on offer.
Thank you to my steward Allen Horner on the day who helped run my ring very smoothly.
I was overall very pleased with the quality of dogs that were shown under me just one dog with a bad mouth and another dog with a kinked tail. Varying stages of coats today but I will not place down if I can see what I'm looking for coming through.
Again thank you for your entries and allowing me to judge your dogs.
Limit - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Houghton-le-Spring Open Show
21st Oct 2018
Judge: Miss Bridget Singh (Borderbridge)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Spennymoor & DCS Open Show
28th Dec 2018
Judge: Mrs V Atkinson (Raedwulf)
Thank you to Mrs Claire Reed and the committee for inviting me to judge this show and to my very able stewards who ran the ring with great efficiency. The wonderful hospitality and very warm welcome extended to me by the club and exhibitors gave this show a great atmosphere.
I had an excellent entry of Border Terriers who, on the whole, were in good condition with only a couple of level bites and no kinked tails. Coats were in various stages but coats come and go so, as long as there was evidence of coat coming through, I did not penalise. On the day, my final line up consisted entirely of bitches, which reflected the number of quality bitches we have in the breed at present.
It was a long day for all as we were scheduled after several other breeds but the dogs, including the puppies, took it all in their stride. I was very happy to see my BPIB go on to will PG1 and my BOB be awarded TG2 with TG1 going to the dog who eventually won BIS.
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
Two and a half year old grizzle and tan bitch. Nice head with good bite and lovely reach of neck. Well balanced, fit and with lovely top line she moved out with drive covering the ground easily. Just preferred the movement of 1.
Newton Aycliffe and District Canine Society Open Show
27th Jan 2019
Judge: Mr Eddie Webster (Benjcroft)
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Open Show
24th Mar 2019
Judge: Mrs P Cox (Cushatlaw) & Dr M Armstrong (Ploughdown)
Judge: Dr Margaret Armstrong (Ploughdown), Bitches, Thank you to the committee of the Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association for inviting me to judge at their group open show. I’d also like to thank my stewards for their sterling work in keeping things flowing. There was a lovely atmosphere at the show and the officers and exhibitors were very welcoming. I had a great entry of Border Terrier bitches and my placings were greeted with gracious courtesy. It was a bracing, sunny day and it was good for the Border Terriers to be judged outside, which largely seemed to suit all.
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Selby Canine Society Open Show
26th Oct 2019
Judge: Dogs: Dr. M. Armstrong (Ploughdown) Bitches: Mrs. J. Carr (Wreighaugh)
Saturday was a very rainy day but the inhospitable weather outside contrasted sharply with the friendly atmosphere in the hall and the very warm welcome from committee members. I’d like to thank the exhibitors for braving the awful weather to come to the show, for their very good entry and their sporting spirit. I’d also like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge on the day and my stewards who organised the ring with great efficiency, courtesy and good humour.
Dr Margaret Armstrong
Thank you to the Committee for inviting me to judge the Border Terrier bitches at this very friendly, hospitable and well run Open Show. Thanks also to my stewards who were a great support. I was very grateful to the exhibitors for giving me a lovely entry of bitches and for the sporting way in which they accepted my, often difficult, decisions. I was pleased that my fellow Border judge, Dr Margaret Armstrong, and I were able to agree on both Best of Breed and Best Puppy in Breed without reference to our referee.
Judy Carr
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
3 ½ year old grizzle. Another strong head with correct bite, good ear set and a lovely keen expression. Correct front with nice narrow shoulders and rib. Good angulation front and back. Nice coat and pelt. Just preferred the movement of 1 today.
Wolsingham Open Show
5th Sep 2021
Judge: Mrs M Armstrong (Carrickfarm)
I would like to thank the committee of Wolsingham Show Dog Section for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at the Open Show. I had a lovely entry and thank the Exhibitors for allowing me the privilege to go over there dogs. I enjoyed the day very much.
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
Smart looking bitch, pleasing in head and expression. Ample bone and good length of body. Straight topline and tailset. Good mover.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
9th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr Jimmy Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I feel honoured to have been elected by the members to have judged their clubs 75 year show, and can I thank Alan and Graham for keeping things running so smoothly for me, and can I especially thank the committee for lunch that they provided and also Mr J Whalton for looking after me and my wife, I am not going to rant on about this and that but where have all the heads and tail sets gone ?
Limit - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
Quality bitch with a otter head and expression, straight narrow front with ribs laid back, easily spanned, harsh dense coat with thick pelt, very nice outline no exaggerations, moved with ease, very nice bitch for type.
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Club Open Show
16th Oct 2021
Judge: Mr M. & Mrs V Atkinson (Raedwulf)
Mr Mark Atkinson (Raedwulf) I’ve been looking forward to the opportunity of judging at the NCSTA show. This is always a well run show with a dedicated committee and as ever the catering was second to none. Many thanks to my steward who remained in good spirits despite the constant chilly breeze. I was lucky to have the opportunity to spend some time with highly experienced Border Terrier Judges after judging my breed today which rounded off a fantastic day.
Mrs Valerie Atkinson (Raedwulf) Many thanks go to NCSTA for inviting me to judge my beloved Border Terriers following in the footsteps of many esteemed Border Terrier judges, of whom I much admire, who also began their early career judging at this show. As always a really well run show with a welcoming committee and the best of sporting atmosphere.
Open - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Darlington Championship Show
17th Sep 2023
Judge: Mrs D Bullen (Fevstone)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge for the second time. I had a good entry of 125 with a few absentees as is usual, the dogs were of varying types and sizes which is to be expected. The ones that were unspannable aren’t fit for function as they fall at the first hurdle so to speak.
There are quite a lot creeping into the breed of late which lack power in the foreface. Falling away below the eye with a foreign expression. Also lacking in underjaw. Again a weakness in the breed which needs addressing or we will lose these qualities essential to work. A lot now have too short an upperarm which is vital in construction as it propels the dog forward as he should cover the ground effortlessly striding out. Not Pitter patter slowly. On a more positive note I found a lot of quality true to type borders that were a pleasure to judge. Effortless free movement which is essential. I’m sure the breed will go on to have a bright future if we all keep to the breed type.
Veteran - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
Nice grizzle bitch with a decent coat and pelt. Good head with a varminty expression. Neat ears. Spannable, moved very well coming and going.
Northern Counties Sporting Terrier Association Group Open Show
15th Oct 2023
Judge: Mr Ian Halbert (Marrimay)
I would like to thank the committee for the kind invitation to judge Border Terriers and for the warm welcome I received. Also thanks go to my steward for doing such a good job. My apologies to the Secretary and exhibitors for the delay in submitting this critique due to circumstances beyond my control
Open - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Lynsett Miss Marple
Placing Critique
A compact bitch with very good head and ears. Good reach of neck, straight front, easily spannable. Sadly coat had blown. Moved well.
