Show Placings
Plymouth and District Kennel Association Open Show
15th Nov 2014
Judge: David Mathias (Eyrescot)
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
The Terrier Club of Devon & Cornwall
15th Feb 2015
Judge: Mr Gordon Dyer (Ruffenuf)
Puppy /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
St Austell & District Canine Society
22nd Feb 2015
Judge: Maria Clarke
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
Southern Border Terrier Club Members Limited Breed Show
1st Mar 2015
Judge: Mr. Bob Wright (Totherend)
My appreciation goes to the SBTC officers and committee for the opportunity to judge a lovely entry of Border Terriers and to the stewards for their support during the show. Also to the many exhibitors who quite rightly presented their dogs so proudly. I hope they enjoyed their day irrespective of the results, as above all this is a hobby to enjoy with the pets that you love.
It’s always good to see new faces exhibiting but I think most would benefit from a few visits to ring craft prior to launching themselves into the ring. This would give them an idea of the typical ring routine and some guidance on preparation of their exhibits. Whilst some concession can be made, lack of ring presence inevitably reflects in some way on their exhibit. Having said all that I can but admire the efforts of a seasoned 2½ year old handler as she moved her much older prized veteran up and down the mat!
I found some dubious dentition, a couple I couldn’t span and several only just spannable. Some dogs impressed in the line but disappointed on the move (particularly rear movement) but for a limit show I felt there was plenty of quality and I was particularly delighted with the main contenders. Some classes merited two “firsts” with precious little separating the first two and I was sad to disappoint. Not being first shouldn’t reflect badly on any dog it only means that a particular judge preferred another exhibit on the day. Certainly some of the dogs would have been better placed had they moved as well on the day as I’ve seen them move before.
I’m not of the school that expects to see a final line-up of identical dogs of a particular type. Several exhibits, whilst not of my preferred type, represented the breed standard well and couldn’t be denied an appropriate place irrespective of type or the appearance of the final line-up. I looked for a well balanced dog reflecting the aspects of the breed standard, without exaggeration and able to cover the ground smoothly and efficiently and I was pleased to find it in most classes.
Puppy - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
Devon County Show
21st May 2015
Judge: Mr I Layfield (Dockwray/Fundoune)
Junior /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
Liskeard & District Canine Association Premier Open Breed Show
12th Jul 2015
Judge: Sian Hammond (Hammystaff)
Post Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
Terrier Club of Devon and Cornwall Open Show
18th Oct 2015
Judge: Mr Colin Girling (Benattivo)
Thanks to the officers and committee for inviting me to judge, also thanks to my steward Gordon, who was very effective, efficient and friendly. Also thanks to the Southern Border Terrier Club for their generous sponsorship of the Border Terrier rosettes and prize money.
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
The Sothern Border Terrier Club Championship Show
11th Jun 2016
Judge: Professor S P Dean (Tyrian)
It was a pleasure to judge the SBTC Championship Show and very pleasing to do so on their return to the Cheltenham racecourse. The new venue on the racecourse site has impressive facilities and they helped to provide a good atmosphere all day.
The bitch classes were generally very much better than the dog classes and the number of border terriers with thick pelts and a good coat was impressive. Heads are very much improved although some deep stops and large heavy ears cost a few dogs a higher placing.
In general terms the construction of hindquarters has improved but we are now seeing some dogs which have too much bend of stifle and end up with their hocks well behind their tail root when standing. Lay-back of shoulders has also improved yet some still have those relatively upright shoulders which yield a stilted movement in front. In addition, we need to keep the narrowness of the breed in mind, the border terrier does not have a rounded chest and should be well ribbed back as a result.
I struggled to span quite a few male dogs but the bitches were much better. Dentition was very good overall and very strongly made teeth was most enjoyable to find and always an impressive quality to see when examining a border terrier’s mouth.
Finally it was nice to see a few dogs with the characteristic thick carrot-shaped tail which, when set on correctly, always finishes the overall picture. Keep in mind it is an asset for the working terrier.
At the end there were some very promising youngsters who will contribute the future of the breed and several very high quality Border Terriers competing for Best in Show.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
Placing Critique
Overweight but underneath, well made with good shoulder and stifle angulation. Nice head with a good coat needing some attention. Moves well but needs schooling.
Terrier Club of Devon and Cornwall Open Show
16th Oct 2016
Judge: Mrs. Liz Wright (Totherend)
Post Graduate /
Reserve
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
Ladies Kennel Association
11th Dec 2016
Judge: Mr Graham Pickering (Picer)
I would like to thank the committee of Ladies Kennel Association for their kind invitation to the judge the breed at this well organised show and their generous hospitality. It was a real honour and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I would also like to thank my stewards Tony and Katherine for keeping things running smoothly throughout the day. Thank you also, to all the exhibitors for their entries and the sporting way that they took the decisions that I made.
As for the dogs – as expected, coats varied, all the dogs were entire, in clean condition and well behaved. There were a couple of dogs with teeth not set square in the jaw or with teeth out of line. I was looking for dogs of the correct size, with a typical otter head, a harsh double coat and a thick pelt, plenty of muscle, the correct amount of bone, and shown in hard condition. I also expect to see dogs that move true and with ease around the ring and look physically capable of doing a days’ work, whether they get the opportunity or not. All my winners had these attributes and as often happens many deserving exhibits went without cards on the day.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
Terrier Club of Devon and Cornwall Open Show
19th Feb 2017
Judge: Mandy Holmes (Bimandi)
Post Graduate /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
Bournemouth CA Championship Show
13th Aug 2017
Judge: Mr Harold Ogden
This was such a special appointment and I am indebted to Bournemouth for the opportunity. You see it was "Aunty Eva" Heslop, the revered breeder of the Corburn Border Terriers, who drove me to my first ever allbreed Ch show in 1970. Eva took Sunday school in the Methodist chapel in Corbridge, Northumberland, and I was her secret weapon boy soloist at the competitive music festival! I particularly remember the beautiful Ch Corburn Corn Dolly shown by Mr Skeet. Bellingham show was not only local for me but THE Mecca for Geordie/Scots Borders. I have judged the breed since 1992 and been educated both by a breed club seminar in 2012 and by obtaining a JDP Credit in Nov 2013. That would theoretically have halved the KC Judges Sub requirement of 160 hands on. I actually had 200. I only mention all this as cynics assume the likes of me to have been "fast tracked" and / or to have no actual interest.
69 of the original 82 starters made it so I had plenty to work with. The bugbear was fronts whether steep /elbows /plaiting /hackney. As a toydog specialist I am accustomed to spotting lift / hackney that is often written into the breed standards. But this no decorative breed but rather a functional working terrier "capable of following a horse" that
requires endurance and hence a rhythmical swing straight through from the shoulders ensuring no wasted effort, He will tire all too quickly otherwise. Moreover the breed standard expressly includes in the Faults section an assessment of "its effect on the terrier's ability to work"
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
The Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association Open Show
9th Jun 2018
Judge: Mr J Ashe ( Ebrooks)
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
Royal Cornwall Premier Open Show
7th Jun 2019
Judge: Mrs Felicity Snook (Pitcombe)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Earthtaw Goldfinch
