Show Placings
Camborne and Redruth CS Open Show
18th Feb 2023
Judge: Maria Clarke
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG2, Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Devon County Agricultural Association Premier Open Show
18th May 2023
Judge: Justine Monaghan
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Bath Canine Society
29th May 2023
Judge: Mrs Anne Gregory (Remony)
My thanks to the officers and committee of Bath Canine Society for inviting me to judge today. A big thank you to my two very efficient stewards, Mark and Joyce, who kept the ring running smoothly and efficiently. Thank you also to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, it is always a privilege to do so. I was disappointed not to have been able to stay and watch the groups but circumstances outwith my control prevented me from doing so.
While there were plenty of good ‘otter’ heads in evidence, I found some heads lacking in muzzle strength and some with stops that were too deep, neither of which is desirable. Some exhibits were too heavy in frame and consequently didn’t come to hand easily. Some dogs had weak pasterns and feet that could have been tighter. Coats were at varying stages, with some in their underclothes, some just going over the top, and in some cases, this was a deciding factor. Overall, movement was good with correct tracking, plenty of drive off well angulated hindquarters and good length of stride. Some dogs could have benefited from more ring training and, at times, baiting on the table was excessive. A dog scrambling to get to bait makes it more difficult to assess. On a positive note, I did have some quality dogs to go over and was well pleased with my winners and final line-up. I was also pleased to see my Best Veteran win the Terrier Veteran Group, my Best Puppy shortlisted in the Terrier Puppy Group and my Best Special Beginners, Special Beginners Terrier Group 4
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Placing Critique
Smaller bitch with a feminine head of good shape and quality, good topline and tailset, well constructed narrow body of good length, good topline and tailset, excellent thick loose pelt under a harsh coat, a little loose in front movement.
Southern Counties Canine Association
2nd Jun 2023
Judge: Miss Felicity Freer (Felfree)
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Placing Critique
Smaller bitch than 1. Not as sure about herself today. Thick pads and tight feet. Easily spanned. Nice outline. Thick tail well set and carried. Nice big teeth.
Royal Cornwall Agricultural Show
10th Jun 2023
Judge: Ms Cara Davani (Kebulak)
Reserve Best Of Breed
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Windsor Championship Dog Show
29th Jun 2023
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
My thanks to Windsor Dog Show for the judging appointment. Delayed by Covid, it is a sensible moment to retire from judging at Championship level, especially as the day was very enjoyable and a fine memory to end with. It was in fact a superb entry of high quality border terriers and my thanks to all the exhibitors, especially those who travelled long distances.
It was a delight when my BOB, Ch Otterbobs Tolsen, won the terrier group and an additional pleasure when my Best Veteran, Ch Cynetkoy Pillow Talk, placed third in the Veteran Group. Overall the borders proved to be sound and it was particularly enjoyable to find several dogs with large, strong teeth. Many were in a fit condition with firm muscle and active drive on the move. The majority had good shoulders coupled with hind quarters that looked capable of a day’s work. This correct construction translated into to good movement. The Border Terrier should remain a workmanlike terrier and future breeders need to keep that in mind.
The top decisions were decided by some of these less obvious merits and indeed my personal preferences but, in the end, I was pleased to see an entry of border terriers with so much quality. This bodes well for the future and has left me with memories of a most enjoyable day.
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Paignton Championship Show
5th Aug 2023
Judge: Colin Powell (Bowtman)
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Bournemouth Championship Show
13th Aug 2023
Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
My thanks go to the committee of Bournemouth Championship Show for inviting me to award tickets for the first time, it was a very special day.
Special thanks to my stewards Gentle Lowe and Brian Aubrey for doing such a sterling job, allowing me to focus on the task in hand.
I was delighted with the entry that awaited me, a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the privilege to go over their dogs, this was a real honour and the sporting way they accepted my decisions, on the whole by most exhibitors.
I was told many years ago, by someone well respected in the breed to judge with the hands, not with the eyes, never did this ring true as today. Some dogs I have admired from the ringside, didn’t live up to expectations, whilst others that hadn’t previously caught my eye, surprised me and did.
Being the daughter of a hunt terrier man I could get no better grounding in the requirements of an earth dog, these were the days long before quad bikes, terriers would be expected to be on their feet from the moment hounds drew off until close of the hunting day, working in landscapes not dissimilar to that of that hunt the breed first originated from.
l tried to look subjectively at the exhibit before me to see if they had the confirmation and condition to undertake such duties. I was surprised how quite a number were difficult to span and far too deep in chest and too wide in front and came up heavy, lacking the narrowness to go to ground, a distinct disadvantage in the working arena, legs bend, chests don’t.
I was finding rear movement was better than front, but more than a few lacked the drive that I looked for with elevated front action that indicates an upper arm that is shorter than ideal.
I look to see feet that are tight with a good thick pad so vital in an earth dog, many were lacking in this important trait.
I found temperaments superb throughout the day, dentition was questionable on several exhibits and all dogs entire.
A plea to exhibitors if you bait them on the table, that is fine if they look hypnotically at the treat, but on several occasions, owners were wrestling with their dogs trying to get at the treat, making it difficult to assess them.
I am always mindful to judge fit for function, and I was happy that my winners fitted that bill and all sporting decent jackets and pelts and meeting my interpretation of the breed standard.
I was delighted to see my BOB going on to third in the terrier group and my BP winning the terrier puppy group.
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Liskeard & DCS Premier Open Show
2nd Sep 2023
Judge: Nigel Davies
Best Of Breed
Name at show: TG1, Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Post Graduate /
First Place
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Camborne and Redruth CS Open Show
17th Feb 2024
Judge: Eve Somers
Post Graduate /
Second Place
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
Royal Cornwall Agricultural Premier Open Show
6th Jun 2024
Judge: Jen Bowden (Chellowside)
Limit /
Second Place
Name at show: Dowgri Dalwhinnie
