Show Placings
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
15th Oct 2022
Judge: Ms Julie Green (Breckgreen/Stowthorney)
I would like to thank the officers and committee for asking me to judge The Border Terrier Club Open Show at Low Hesket and big thank you for my lovely judge’s gifts. I would also like to thank my two stewards for the day, Judy Carr and Marina Flemming for doing a sterling job and keeping the ring running smoothly through the day. Thanks must go to the exhibitors for their fantastic entry and for excepting my decisions on the day. I had a lovely entry of borders who on whole were of good quality.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
Nice size grizzle dog. Just 6 months old. He had a nice head of good proportions with a correct bite. He was out of coat today but what he had was harsh and enough to judge. Nice top-line and tail-set. Easily spanned and moved well.
Midland Counties Canine Society
30th Oct 2022
Judge: Mr Alan Small (Bethane)
I thoroughly enjoyed my day judging the Border Teriers at Midland Counties Champ. Show. Thanks to the Officers & Committee for the invite & especially to the exhibitors who presented me with such a wonderful entry of 230 from 174 dogs. It was a quality entry overall and I was particuarly impressed with the quality of the young stock which augers well for the breed. There's no Puppy or Veteran Groups at the Midland, which is a pity because I feel both would have done well. Must not be too greedy, as it was nice to see my BOB, Ch. Otterbobs Tolson top the Terrier Group and my Best Special Beginners, Thistlemead Sundance, take her respective Group as well.....Well done.
Special thanks to my Ring Stewards, Penny Lloyd & Gavin Argyle, who kept things moving along nicely. Border Terriers are dear to my heart having owned & bred them over a number of years. Thanks again for such a wonderful entry, I enjoyed your dogs and a nice atmosphere prevailed.
Minor Puppy - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
grizzle, otter headed with well set ears, good muzzle & bite, good front & feet, balanced overall length with nice bend of stifle & well set tail, in good coat for age with thick pelt. Went well.
Maghull and Merseyside Canine Society Open Show
4th Dec 2022
Judge: Claire McCusker (Zaracle)
Best Of Breed
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Best Puppy
Name at show: TPG3, Chorbeck Curtain Call
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Ladies Kennel Association
11th Dec 2022
Judge: Mr John Bainbridge (Risdene)
A very promising entry on paper but unfortunately the weather took its toll !
However I was more than happy with my main winners all were typical of what I look for in a Border Terrier and the proof that careful breeding pays off was demonstrated by the very promising progeny found amongst the youngsters.
As is my approach to critiques, generally the winners in most respects all meet the standard which calls for a working terrier with an otter like head on reasonable length neck set into well laid shoulders, a moderate length body, well ribbed back, strong shortish loin, racy but moderate rear angulation allowing the dog to move with drive, in harsh double coat and with thick pelt. I do not therefore repeat this for each individual dog but I have highlighted the dog’s best points and the reasons for their placings .
Minor Puppy - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Class Critique
These youngsters may change places as they develop, as this was such a promising group of babies.
The Border Terrier Club Championship Show
25th Mar 2023
Judge: Mrs Charlotte Archibald (Tweedburn)
What an absolute honour and a privilege to be invited to judge this show, my thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Border Terrier Club, and my two excellent stewards for the day, Judy and Marina.
My sincere thanks also, to ALL the exhibitors for making it truly memorable, with 196 dogs, 233 entries.
Some very close decisions had to be made!
On the down side, I found some very short muzzles and small teeth, and quite a number of filthy teeth!! Temperaments were generally good, there were 2 kinked tails and 1 suspect mouth, a lack of muscle tone and condition in some exhibits, which is essential for a terrier to do it’s job.
That said, it was an absolute joy to see so many super dogs.
Puppy - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
another lovely pup, 11 mths g/t typical head, fabulous jacket, similar to 1st 2, just preferred their body length.
National Terrier Club
1st Apr 2023
Judge: Miss Sarah Dandy (Dandale)
There was a good depth of quality overall across both sexes which proved for good competition and some very close decisions especially in the larger classes. Thank you to all those who accepted my decisions so sportingly. Temperaments were excellent especially the youngsters with the added challenge of the tannoy right overhead. There were some very promising youngsters which is always pleasing and positive to see, and I was delighted with my winning line up in both sexes, with top honours closely contested. I was disappointed that some exhibits who looked so good standing fell apart on the move, there were quite a few upright shoulders and I felt that efficient ground covering movement so essential for the breeds ability to follow a horse was somewhat lacking. It is encouraging to see quite a few younger handlers taking an interest in our breed today, so positive for the future. Thank you to both my excellent stewards who most competently kept the ring moving all day.
Puppy - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Novice - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
8th Apr 2023
Judge: Mrs J Carr (Wreighaugh)
My thanks go to the Committee of the NBTC for their invitation to judge their Open Show. I was honoured to receive this appointment and am incredibly grateful to the exhibitors who gave me such a great entry. It was a most enjoyable day and special thanks go to my Stewards, Andrea Pitt and Mark Atkinson, for keeping me on track and helping the ring to run smoothly.
Puppy - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
11month old grizzle and tan. Another really nice puppy. A little smaller than 1st he has a good masculine head with lovely strong muzzle, nice dark eye and correct ear set. Nice straight front with good shoulders, easily spannable and good length of rib. Slightly shorter coupled than 1 he has a good topline and tailset. Lovely double coat and pliable pelt . His movement was slightly loose in front and today I just preferred the fluency of 1.
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Championship Show
16th Apr 2023
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
A bit thank to the committee of EABTC for inviting me to judge their championship show. I really enjoyed my day and when I later looked at the catalogue to see my winners I found it interesting reading, as all my major winners were of similar lines.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
grizzle who was 3 in junior. A quality youngster with a lovely head, balanced with level topline and correct tailset, excellent coat and pelt, unfortunately he wasn’t making the best of himself on the move.
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Apr 2023
Judge: Debbie Lorraine (Raleniro)
I would like to thank the Club for the invitation to judge this show. It was originally planned for me to judge in April 2020, but this was rearranged due to the pandemic and other outstanding appointments. I would like to thank the Committee for the wonderful hospitality shown to me throughout the day, and thank you to my Steward who kept things running smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
I have not judged for just over 4 years, so it was a pleasure to see so many new dogs and new faces around the ring. I was pleasantly surprised by the strength and quality throughout the classes, and pleased to see a return to a more narrow dog, as I was seeing a trend for wide fronts last time I judged.
All dogs were entire and temperaments throughout were good. Bites were correct, with just the odd broken, misplaced or dirty tooth. Coats were, as to be expected, at various stages. There were a few close decisions, and some classes where I wish I had more prize cards to give out. Thank you to all the exhibitors for the privilege of judging your dogs, and also for the sporting way in which they accepted my decisions.
Lastly, can I please apologise for the delay in submitting my critique, as I usually have them done within a day or two of the show. There has been an ongoing issue with the health of a close relative which has taken up a lot of my time, so again, apologies for the delay.
Reserve Best In Show
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Reserve Best Dog
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Junior - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
Just over 12 months grizzle and tan with wonderful strong head and the best of expressions. Large teeth with correct scissor bite. Straight front and so narrow with tight feet. Lovely topline with well set on tail, strong loin and good angulation fore and aft. Easily spanned, with a thick, loose pelt. Shown in full jacket but still of good harsh texture. Flowed around the ring. My notes said like this dog a lot. Should have a promising future. RBD and RBIS
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
see 1st in JD
Joint Border Terrier Clubs' Championship Show
30th Apr 2023
Judge: Mrs Hilary Gilpin (Otterbobs)
A very big thank you to the SBTC for inviting me to judge this very well run show, to Marina for stewarding and to the exhibitors for entering under me.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Novice - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
What a masculine head this dog has, broad skull short strong muzzle and big teeth, under his thick double red jacket was quite a nicely built body, correct for size and weight, movement free and easy.
Lancashire Sporting Terrier Club Open Show
29th May 2023
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
13 month old red grizzle dog, best of heads and very confident moving around the ring with a presence. Good in the shoulder and rib and holds a good top line. In full jacket excellent condition and muscle.
Great Harwood Agricultural Society Open Show
29th May 2023
Judge: Mrs. K. Rimmer (Kylini)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
slightly larger all over than 1 but great head and expression correct bite, thick coat made him look a tiny bit stuffy in neck today, spanable good rear angulation moved and handled very well.
Blackpool & District Canine Society
25th Jun 2023
Judge: Mrs Jayne Gillam (Orenberg)
Many thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge Border Terriers at Blackpool & District Canine Society Championship show. Grateful thanks must go to my very efficient steward Gisela Duran who did an excellent job in making sure everything ran like clockwork. Finally thank you to the exhibitors for giving me such an excellent entry of 142 dogs making 183 entries, the largest entry across all breeds on the day. It really was a privilege to go over such a large entry of dogs and I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
The size of dogs has always been a perennial topic, but I was pleased to say overall, many of the dogs were of correct size on this occasion, with very few oversized dogs and only the odd one or two I couldn’t span. Bites were good and only an odd one with teeth out of line, although a few had broken teeth, quite a few had dirty teeth and some had small teeth which is something I really don’t like to see on, essentially a working terrier. It was good to find some really lovely tails, with not too many long thin, spindly tails we have seen in the past, although I was surprised to find four kinked tails in the entry.
Overall I thought it was a good entry, I found some quality exhibits and I was very pleased with my winners, and in particular will watch the progress of my puppy and junior placings with interest.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Graduate - Dog /
Reserve
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Leeds Championship Show
29th Jul 2023
Judge: Mr Brian Aubrey (Jenabeck)
Thank you all for a wonderful entry, I had to make some difficult choices on the day, but as always, I judge the dog on the day friend or foe and not what the dog as done in the past or what it will do in the future.
a few things did concern me on the day (1 ) so Many dirty teeth, (2) a few unfit dogs due to being overweight, (3) and the most concerning is short legs on one or two of the borders,
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show
6th Aug 2023
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
It was a real honour to judge my home club’s show and my thanks go to a great committee for the opportunity and the way they run the club with all hands to the wheel. Richard Wright and Sharon Pickering had my back and have my appreciation for a great day’s stewarding.
I was disappointed in the early dog classes where what initially looked like an impressive line-up failed to materialise once on the table or on the move. Movement was a weak spot for a surprisingly large number of exhibits, especially front movement. There were three poor mouths and one exhibit that couldn’t be spanned but lots of good pelts, coats and neat feet. However long tails are becoming more common and a true carrot tail is about as rare as hen’s teeth. I was fascinated by some handlers interpretation of a triangle, suffice to say it’s a good job it wasn’t a maths exam.
Once again there were only two CCs available which is a great shame when there are so many who warrant them. I can only sympathise with those who went home empty handed. It was most likely a reflection of the strength of the classes rather than their standing. The bitch classes were especially strong with at least six exhibits worthy of much more than I had available to offer. When it came to the line ups I was clearly torn and had to be really picky to get to a decision but in the end I was pleased with all the winners.
Whilst there is still much that can be done to improve some aspects of the breed there is a lot to be proud of with some really stunning exhibits out there.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Yearling - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Driffield Championship Show
26th Aug 2023
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
My thanks to Driffield Championship Dog Show Society for the invitation to judge today and thanks to my stewards Peter and Lesley Armstrong, who kept the ring running smoothly. Thanks also to the exhibitors for allowing me to go over their dogs. Front movement in the breed still needs some improvement, but overall I had lots of quality exhibits. Bites were good and only one kinked tail.
Junior - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Yorkshire, Lancashire & Cheshire Border Terrier Club Open Show
27th Jan 2024
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
Thank you to the committee of the YLC Border Terrier Club for this appointment, a very hard working team that pulled a lovely show together at a great venue and also my two very capable stewards Bridget Singh and Margaret Davies. To the exhibitors that also supported me on my wonderful entry for the day and generated a great atmosphere around the ring.
The lunch time interval also kept me busy with 6 lovely puppies taking part in the puppy walk, a great idea successfully carried out by the club and an opportunity to get the youngsters out and into a show environment – some promising youngsters to go over made the interval very pleasing.
I was really pleased with my final line ups on the day although I felt that the bitch classes were stronger than the dog classes, jackets with Crufts up and coming in a few weeks were varying so again thank you for putting exhibits forward that we all knew could do with some more jacket to just complete the picture.
Post Graduate - Dog /
Second Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
Best of heads on this 21 month old red grizzle dog, very strong muzzle and big teeth. Lovely level top line stood and on the move and in good jacket/pelt – moves with confidence showing his super fit condition.
The Scottish Border Terrier Club Open Show
2nd Jun 2024
Judge: Dr Margaret Armstrong (Ploughdown)
Thank you to the officers and committee of the Scottish Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge their June 2024 Breed Club Open Show. The day was marked by very good weather conditions: a mixture of sunny spells, brisk breezes and cloud. Just right for the dogs. The dreaded rain kept at bay so the Gods smiled down on us. What a super venue to hold a show. There was a large indoor hall if needed. However, given the clement conditions, we were outside for judging on a large paved area surrounded by raised grass banks that afforded for spectators a good view of events. The welcome from officers and exhibitors alike was warm and hospitable and I’d like to thank exhibitors for the super entry I had and for their good grace in accepting their placings. There was a great sense of collegiality among members and good humour was in plentiful supply. The catering was second to none; the poached salmon salad at lunch was super. And I was sent on my way with enough food to see me back over the sea to Northern Ireland. Finally I’d like to thank my two stewards on the day: Kath Lothian and Pete Appleby. They were welcoming and fulfilled their duties with quiet good humour.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
Nicely balanced grizzle dog. Pleasing, well proportioned head, set off by neat ears, shallow stop and small dark eyes. Lovely expression. Correct scissor bite with big teeth. Deep in the rib, narrow throughout and easily spanned. Good double coat and pliable pelt. Straight front legs with strong pasterns and neat feet. Good rear angulation and moved well when he settled.
The Royal Cheshire County Premier Open Show
19th Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Laura Jordan-Smith (Jordith)
Limit - Dog /
Third Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Blackpool & District Canine Society
23rd Jun 2024
Judge: Mrs Beverley Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you to all of you who entered your dogs for me to judge. I really enjoyed my day and having the privilege of judging your dogs. The weather was kind and our ring was good. I had excellent stewards and I thank them for their hard work.
Limit - Dog /
First Place
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Placing Critique
Good looking grizzle dog of handy size. Lovely head with nice width to skull well laid shoulder and balanced by equally well angulated hindquarters. Excellent coat. moved very well but a little distracted.
The Northern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
13th Jul 2024
Judge: Mr. Mark Ord (Marnadee)
Having attended & a long association with this breed club I was very honoured when I received the invitation to judge this show. It is pleasing that the club has such a wealth of supporters who do such sterling work and put on shows that make you want to return to. Walking into this venue today brought back many memories of the past and I am sure the pioneers of the club would be thrilled to see how it has prospered from humble beginnings. The Border Terrier continues to hold its own compared to many of today’s terrier breeds both as a companion and show dog. Breed standards were compiled by looking at the dogs of the time and their working capabilities fitting this purpose, this should still be adhered to now despite hunting no longer being allowed. This being said dogs should be presented for the show ring to the best of an owner’s capabilities, in hard muscular condition and coat presented clean and fit for the purpose of working in rough terrain.
I today found mouths to be good in the majority and I like to see large dentition along with a correct scissor bite. Several had eyes that needed attention in the way of cleaning before coming into the show ring. We still are seeing the incorrect flipping front action due to short upper arms and if not addressed this will become the norm. After my last appointment, I was pleased to only see a small minority where scissoring had been used on the coats which should not be the case. I did find today several coats that I would class as broken rather than the desirable tight harsh top weatherproof coat with undercoat for warmth. On a positive note, the bitches were easy to span and only a minority of males could not be. Pelts were pretty good being both thick & loose.
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2024
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Limit - Dog /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Chorbeck Curtain Call
