Show Placings
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2008
Judge: Stuart McPherson (Brumberhill)
Thank you to those exhibitors, who, in the present financial climate, gave me the highest entry in the Terrier Group, by a considerable margin, nearly half as many again as the next breed. Friday, M6, NEC, extortionate car park charges are not a good combination!!
Thank you to my very efficient steward, who kept things running smoothly, so we could finish in good time, after the very late start due to the problems on the M6.
Now, to the dogs themselves! I know that I was very lucky, in that when I started in the Breed, in 1980, I was taught about type, construction and movement by Ted Hutchinson, a master of the sport, who had campaigned the then Breed Record Holder, plus a string of Champions across many other breeds. This knowledge, plus, I would like to think, a natural eye for quality, has served me well over the following years. Therefore, it saddens me to see the type and constructional faults that are creeping into the breed. These faults are now so prevalent, that newer breeders, exhibitors and some judges, probably think, and accept they must be correct, so widespread are they.
The Standard asks for an "otter" like head, moderately broad in skull. Too many have excessively broad skulls, giving an exaggerated, almost caricature look, rather than the refined beauty of an otter. Ear set is also a cause for concern. The standard calls for small, V- shaped, dropping forward close to the cheek. Too many ears are perched high, above the line of the skull, dropping forward to the temple, rather than the cheek, giving a foreign, almost Lakeland / Fox Terrier expression. While, I am sure, this may appeal in some quarters, it is totally incorrect on a Border Terrier.
Now, to shoulders, and especially upper arms, a major problem today, particularly in the younger classes. Upright shoulders and very short upper arms, mean the front assembly of the dog appears "tacked on". The shoulder should be clean and well laid, with a long upper arm, meaning that the dog can stand with their front legs under them, perpendicular to the floor, rather than like a “milking stool. This, affects movement, giving an action that can only be described as "peddling a bike" and causing no reach on the move .They are, after all, a working breed, who are supposed to be capable of "following a horse".
On the plus side, most were in good coat, and moved soundly behind, something which is much easier to achieve. Two exhibits were so thin, I felt their entry fee would have been better spent on a bag of quality food.
My top winners are examples of Breeders who have stuck to their ideals, of breeding sound, honest, typical Border Terriers, bred to last, not following fashion by breeding, what, to my mind, are shorter coupled, flashier "terrier" types to appeal to the more modern way of thinking. They wouldn't have looked out of place from when I first started in the Breed, matching beautifully for type and construction.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Placing Critique
10 ½ month red grizzle. Typical head and expression, with good neck & shoulder, topline & tail set. Good hindquarters, used well. Very good coat & pelt. Both promising puppies.
Border Terrier Club Championship Show
28th Mar 2009
Judge: Marjorie Staveley (Dykeside)
It was indeed an honour to be invited to judge this show. My thanks to the offficers and committee for their warm welcome and to my ring stewards Glenise Hyslop and Marylynne Winder for all their hard work and efficiency. Special thanks must go the exhibitors for an excellent entry of 301 from 237 dogs (6 NFC) that I very much enjoyed judging. I thought the depth of quality varied although I was pleased with my final line-up of both dogs and bitches. Heads in general were good although I noticed there were a few exhibits rather heavy in ear. Coats and pelts varied considerably. A number of quality exhibits were devoid of coat and were penalised accordingly. I found a few exhibits, in my opinion, too heavy and unspannable; feet and nails would also benefit from more attention. Temperaments were good.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
National Terrier
4th Apr 2009
Judge: Mr. Frank Nicholls (Halcus)
Many thanks to everyone for an excellent entry, both in numbers and quality. While there were many well made exhibits it became a frustrating experience at times trying to find those with a decent coat, many having presumably been stripped out following Crufts in preparation for the season ahead, after all they can’t be in coat all of the time! Front movement again was a problem, not so much due to under reaching or circus pony, high stepping, but pinning and knitting. Heads were a mixed bag, one or two with excessive stops and rounded skulls but none excessively broad. There were some “snipey” muzzles present.
Junior - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Northern BTC Open Show
11th Apr 2009
Judge: Mr Ian Hopper (Esyntona)
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Champioship Show
19th Apr 2009
Judge: Mr Simon Jackson (Clipstone)
I was honoured to be invited by the Club to judge this show, which has always held a special place in my heart. My thanks to everyone involved at the Club for a super day, and exhibitors for a high quality entry.
Overall standards were high with a number of classes where exhibits genuinely worthy of placing went without reward, which was a nice position for me in, and an encouraging one for the breed to be in if this is replicated at other events.
I am pleased to say that I found only two incorrect bites. However, I am frustrated at the inability of some exhibitors to appreciate the correct speed of movement of their dogs, which if correct would improve the appearance of the dogs on the move, many dogs were moved too slowly, thereby preventing the dog from driving out.
Incorrect movement cannot be hidden by moving the dog slowly, likewise, correct movement can easily be displayed if the dog is just allowed to move freely, even if this means the exhibitor running with their dog. Do what the dog needs to get the best out of it.
It was a pleasure to judge in such a venue which is light, airy, clean and "exhibitor friendly". Please excuse the slight delay in providing this critique, with the newly resurrected Joint Show following 2 weeks after this, and my involvement in the management of that show, time has been tight.
I was heartened to find youngsters being youngsters, playful, awkward and proper babies, far too often these days we see perfectly turned out and immaculately school puppies which appear almost "models", let the youngster be so, this is a sport that we, and the dogs, are meant to enjoy. Puppies jumping over the dark lines in the carpet is a cute, if a little frustrating for the handler!
I was very impressed with my main winners. My Best in Show I have been aware of for some time and watched her develop with interest. I was excited on close examination of her to find her a superb example of the breed in every aspect, and was delighted to award her her first CC and Best in Show. I am sure she will have an illustrious career.
The Dog on the other hand was a total stranger to me and a highly pleasant surprise. On winning his class he took my eye and stole the Dog CC. It gave me great pleasure to also award him his first CC. My best to him for his future.
Junior - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Border Union Agricultural Society
20th Jun 2009
Judge: Mr Ernie Hill (Tynecourt)
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Placing Critique
good head and strong jaw, dark eye, nice bodyline with good tail set, moved with drive, well off for bone
Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
2nd Aug 2009
Judge: Mr T Tuck (B) & Mrs J Tuck (D)
Dogs, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Committee for inviting me to judge the dog classification at their 25th anniversary show, also my very able stewards Christine Horner, and Chris Wallace who did a great job with the organisation of my ring.
Bitches,
I thoroughly enjoyed this appointment, thanks to my experienced stewards and an entry that contained some really outstanding examples of the breed. I really liked my winners, and handled some extremely promising youngsters. Having said that, the early classes were much more variable, with fewer exhibits that combined quality and breed type. Later classes were more consistent, and it was nice to find a few more classy otter-like heads and neat front construction.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Paignton & District Fanciers Association
3rd Aug 2009
Judge: Mrs Nancy Hogg (Raeburnfoot)
I would like to thank the exhibitors for a lovely entry. Some quality exhibits to go over in both dogs and bitches and I was pleased with my winners. Temperament was excellent throughout. Such a shame we couldn?t be outdoors.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Scottish Kennel Club
30th Aug 2009
Judge: Mr. Bill Browne-Cole
Many thanks to the Officers and the committee for kindly inviting me to Judge at this show. I thought the breed generally especially in the early classes was of a very high standard. Head shapes were very good, I only had one bad bite although some teeth could have been larger. Eyes generally were very good. I would have preferred to see some smaller ears. Body shapes were very good although a tad long. Movement was generally good going but I was a little disappointed with the front movement; ie small strides & too much knee action.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Placing Critique
Excellent jacket & pelt, good for size, balanced head, good ears, correct bone legs & feet. Moved very well both ways.
Yorks, Lancs & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Championship Show
26th Sep 2009
Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to the Committee for my appointment. To my ring stewards K Green & A. Harris, and to the exhibitors for the nice entry of 200 exhibits. I was sorry Gordon and Cynthia Knight could not be present due to family illness.
I did find a lot of variation between type, and size making judging very interesting. Some heads lacked strength of muzzle and heavy shoulders were very the much in evidence. I was concerned that a number were overweight and heavy, not as fit as they should be.
Saying that I was very pleased with my placings, class and top award winners.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Midland Border Terrier Open Show
22nd Nov 2009
Judge: Mr Bob Wright (Totherend)
My appreciation goes to the MBTC officers and committee for the opportunity to judge such a good entry of BT?s and the stewards for their support during the show. Also to the many entrants who braved the adverse weather conditions. I trust none of them had to swim home.
I was delighted with the entry, a small number of which were more pet than show but I was happy to go over them, pleased to see their handlers? pride in them and hope they enjoyed their day out irrespective of placing. It is a reminder to us all that this is fundamentally a hobby to enjoy and to the more critical of us when we nit-pick that we are generally doing it to the cream of the breed.
The quality was for the most part high with some of the bigger classes bringing too many good dogs for the limited places which were very hard fought and I was disappointed to turn some otherwise good dogs away. A few were weighty, my small hands still spanned all but one at a stretch, one mouth was bad and two borderline but there were a couple that would have been better served having a square meal, a groom and a good walk than coming in the ring.
Coats were an issue. I found it difficult to penalise a good dog when it obviously had a double coat but had little to show for it due to grooming. So despite some dogs being well placed I would still have preferred to see them with a more natural coat.
There was a lot going on with front movement which often paid a penalty and thigh muscle tone was at a premium so perhaps the weather also affected exercise regimes. It was particularly difficult to ignore movement completely in some of the very promising puppies but I'm hopeful there will be a dramatic improvement as they mature.
Well done to the more junior handlers who did a good job but were obviously shown no quarter in the placings. Don't be discouraged, you've got plenty of shows ahead of you.
I was well pleased with all my winners and the fact that others could have done the positions justice too. So here we go:
Post Graduate - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
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.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Placing Critique
Smart grizzle dog with super head and expression, large teeth, dark ears, harsh coat coming through, nice size, moved OK.
Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
10th Apr 2010
Judge: Miss Claire Tutin (Riseburn)
The NBTC held an open show at Belmont on 10/04/10 which I was very honoured to judge and would like to thank the club for the invitation.I would also like to thank my stewards and the exhibitors for their entries and accepting my decisions.I was very pleased with all my winners and had a very enjoyable day.
Post Graduate - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Stoneygin Jacksson At Nickeltweed
Placing Critique
Very good head and expression with dark eye,beautiful dense jacket with thick pelt, tail well set on, good bend of stifle, moved true with plenty of drive.
